“I’m not qualified to promise anything, I don’t think the city values me as much as my niece does,” Jonas said with a chuckle. “But I’m sure the Reawakening has more than enough for you to loot as recompense.”

“Maybe we’ll take one of their Buried Gods,” Silver mused. “That would sell for a few Vei.”

“Just a few?” Angel asked. “I’d hope a living weapon capable of annihilating cities would go for more than that.”

“Start the bidding low,” Silver replied. “That’ll help drive the price all the higher with competition.”

“Are you an auctioneer or something?” Jonas asked.

“No,” Silver said. “But I’ve robbed a few of them. About the same thing.”

They turned down a side tunnel and traveled for a few more minutes before reaching a ladder that led up to a circular disk much like the one they’d entered the canal with. Jonas climbed the ladder, ducking his head and pushing the plate up with his shoulders. He turned his head to check out the surroundings, then pushed the plate out of the way with a grunt.

“We’re good to go,” he said in a low tone. “Let’s move. I want to see Jenny.”

“Aaron’s shop first,” Angel reminded him, starting up the ladder. “We need the rest of our group before we wander around the city any more.”

Jonas’ eyebrows knitted, but he nodded reluctantly. Once they’d all gotten out of the canal, Jonas pushed the plate back into place and they set off through the streets, keeping to the edges of the houses and moving as quickly as they could without making too much noise.

They reached Aaron’s shop a short while later and darted inside. Tilly, who was standing behind the counter with her gauntleted palms pointed at the entrance, lowered her hands with a relieved grin.

“You did it!” She exclaimed. Alison’s head popped out from beneath the counter.

“Of course we did,” Silver scoffed. “It was just a prison break.”

“Are you alright?” Alison asked Jonas. “Do you need anything?”

“I’m quite fine, thanks to your friends,” Jonas rumbled. “Some water would go a long ways, though.”

Alison walked into the back of the shop while Tilly grabbed the water pitcher and handed it to the large man. Jonas took a huge swig from it, draining the entire thing in one go, and let out a relieved sigh.

Aaron emerged from the back of the shop. His eyes widened as he spotted Jonas.

“Mr. Smith?”

“Aaron,” Jonas said, a small smile pulling across his lips. “It’s good to see you’re okay. I heard your parents were taken.”

Aaron’s face fell. “Yeah. Do you think they’re alive?”

“I don’t know any more than you do,” Jonas said. His knuckles whitened around the handle of the pitcher. “But trust me, boy. So long as I’ve got any breath, we’ll tear those murderers apart and save everyone we can.”

Aaron swallowed and nodded, trying to hide his watering eyes. “Yeah. Oh, Jenny is alive!”

“I’ve heard,” Jonas said. “We’ll be going to see her in a few moments. I won’t let her remain alone in this city any longer than necessary. Speaking of which, are you coming with me to get my niece? I’m leaving, with or without you.”

“We’re coming,” Angel said. “We need to get in contact with the rebellion, and you’re our ticket.”

“Good to know I’m useful for something,” Jonas said with a grim laugh. “Let’s go, then.”

“What about me?” Aaron asked. “You’re going to the rebellion, right? Are you coming back here?”

“Probably not,” Lilian said. “You should probably come with us. Setting up with the rebellion will be safer than camping out in your shop.”

Aaron nodded and dashed into the backroom. He came back out a few seconds later with a pack slung over his shoulder.

“I had an emergency bag ready,” he explained. “In case the masked guys showed up and I had to run.”

“Smart,” Angel said.

“It was my dad’s idea,” Aaron said. “I’ll tell him when we find him.”

The group gathered what supplies they could comfortably carry, then followed Jonas back into the streets. With the large man’s knowledge of the city streets, it didn’t take them long to weave their way over to Jenny's house.

They passed by Reawakening guards several times, but the clones were clearly headed somewhere in a hurry and didn’t notice their passing. As soon as they made it, Jonas ran up to the door and pushed it open.

“Jenny?” he asked in a hushed whisper, walking inside. A tiny blur shot across the room and dove into him. Jenny hugged his leg tightly. Jonas spun her in a circle, unable to keep a grin from forming on his face.

“I thought they were gonna kill you,” Jenny said, her voice muffled.

“They didn’t, hon. Uncle Jonas heard you sent some help for me, so I couldn’t just die on you.”

Jenny glanced up. Her eyes latched onto Silver and went wide. Silver inclined his hat.

“Thank you for saving Uncle Jonas,” Jenny said with a sniffle. “Thank you.”

“Just another day in the life of Silver,” the former bandit said. “Tomorrow, we topple a regime.”

Jenny's eyes lit up and she ran back into the house, emerging a moment later with a large, floppy sun hat. She held it out to Silver. “Here.”

Silver wiggled his fingers in delight and took the hat, tossing his old one aside. Everyone glared at him.

“What?” Silver asked, adjusting the hat.

“Did you really extort the girl for a hat?” Lilian asked.

“It’s a business deal,” Silver corrected. “And a good one, I think. This is a nice hat.”

“Your last one didn’t even last an entire day,” Angel observed. “I hope this one makes it longer.”

“This one is special,” Jenny said, crossing her arms. “It’s because he saved Uncle Jonas. It’s a magic good luck hat. That he said, and I held it really tight and then he came back with Uncle Jonas.”

“Whoa,” Angel said, holding his hands up. “I’m not arguing with you. I’m not well versed in hats, so I’ll take your word as an expert for it.”

Jenny nodded confidently. “Can we go now?”

“That would be for the best,” Jonas said. “Are you ready to go, hon? Maybe grab some clothes and a toy.”

Jenny nodded and darted off, returning a few minutes later with a badly stuffed leather pack. They didn’t want to risk staying any longer, so Jonas lifted Jenny onto his shoulder and they set off for the freshwater canal entrance.

They made it without issue and slipped into the hole, pulling the cover back shut behind them. With Jonas at the lead, they continued deeper into the canal and, hopefully, toward the rebellion.