I knocked on the Envoy’s door at the black end of the night and he opened it dressed.
“I need your authority,” I said, “and I’m not going to tell you everything.”
Lucian looked at me for exactly as long as it took to read my face.
“Boots,” he said, and turned back into the room for his coat.
We went out through the herb gate on foot, because horses are loud and the moon was three days off full and bright enough to ride by anyway. He didn’t ask where until we were past the burnt granary.
“The old crossing,” I said. “South, where the traders used to stop.”
“And what’s at the old crossing?”
“Someone in a hood who sells things that can’t be bought in daylight.”
“You’ve seen them before.”
“Once.” I kept my eyes on the track. “Envoy — here’s what I can tell you, and I’d like you to hear
