In the time they’d been inside, the streets had filled. They were normally busy, but the throng that swelled through the main thoroughfare was unusual. Curious, they let the tide of bodies carry them as it willed. The nearer they got to the better part of town; the more popup stalls appeared. Children were running around giggling, and adults were milling around busily. Liam approached a man behind one of the stalls, which was selling fruit, and asked what was happening. The man sounded harried.

“Prince is back,” he grunted, “Him and his army, war heroes returned. They’re going to ride through Awnn.”

Liam frowned, “Really?”

“Yes. It’s a festival. Now rut off, I don’t have time to teach you things you should already know.”

Vision sighed heavily and Liam offered her an apologetic smile.

“Red needs to know about this.”

“Yeah. I know.”

They started the walk back. Vision’s feet were heavy with reluctance. Liam squeezed her hand.

“So, if you’re Tynan, you used to live in the castle.”

“Yes.”

“And your mother knew the king really well.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Did you know the prince?”

Vision thought about it. A lot of her memories from that time were murky, and unclear. She tried to dredge the answer from the depths of her mind, then just shrugged. She couldn’t recall any of the children she’d played with.

“I don’t know.”

Even in the slums, people were abnormally busy. Vision found it difficult to imagine a prince riding through this part of the city. Surely, he’d skirt around it. Royalty probably didn’t even view the area around Gretta’s as part of Awnn, unless they wanted a discreet whore. The thought made the corner of her mouth turn up in a smirk. Maybe some of the girls did know the prince, very intimately. They went to the room where Red lived. Vision suspected that he owned it, but wasn’t certain. It was atypically large for the area, and despite its exterior, Vision knew that it was impeccably kept inside. It was also tastefully decorated. After all, Red did take the lion’s share of all their takes.

Red wasn’t there when they knocked. The door was opened by Glass. Vision dropped her eyes and stared at her feet. Liam, though, stood straight and spoke in an amiable tone, as though he wasn’t aware of what had passed between Glass and Vision.

“We’re just here to tell Red about the festival,” he said.

For a moment, as Glass stared coldly, it seemed like he might not respond.

“He already knows,” he said finally, “He’s out with Fox, doing some pick pocketing uptown.”

“Okay,” Liam said cheerily, “Well, thanks.”

They turned to go.

“Oh Vision,” Glass said, “It’s taking me a really long time to write letters at the moment. I mentioned to Red that it would be good if you helped me. You know, since you can read and write.”

She stiffened, but kept walking. After tonight, she would be out of Red’s reach. She only needed to last one night. She repeated it in her head, like a mantra.