Chapter sixteen

Getting back to work was nowhere as easy as I had expected. The Pallans in charge of the various stages of voller production were now alerted to the threat of spies, and there were massive increases in guard details. I had a few narrow escapes, and so, not without a curse or two, abandoned the idea of breaking into a voller shed. There were other ways. Rumors had spread about the frightening nighthawk with the flaring cloak and the mask, who flitted over rooftops and could not be caught.

There were strong rumors that he was a Vallian.

I listened with a stony face as Chido expounded the rumors for me.

“We’re unable to sell vollers to Vallia, Hamun, at a time like this. That makes sense, doesn’t it, by Hanitcha the Harrower!” He sipped his wine wh……