Jutney moved through the city like a boy. Meandering this way and that, balancing on stoops and sliding on ice with the attention span of a gnat. An annoyance at best, he was ignored by the city at large. Kelton watched the boy's hands at each intersection, always beginning closed, then opening when Jutney was sure it was safe.

They had waited until first light to move from the tavern. Fingers had sent a decoy with Kelton's cloak out first, bait for the Brethren in case the story of a cloaked man brought upstairs had stuck in their minds. As far as they could tell, the man was unaccosted. The night's wait did allow Kelton to catch up on sleep, waking to Serenity's dream with renewed energy.

Jutney took a series of alleys and weaved Kelton through the city. The buildings were never-ending and began to look all alike. His sense jumbled by the sheer number of people. The lack of discernible landmarks forced Kelton to stay close to his guide. He didn't want to lose the boy and end up wandering blind. Cities weren't for him. Kelton needed to see more of the sky and required open spaces to breathe.

Kelton moved against a stone building, using the morning shadows and a pile of winter wood as cover. Jutney had moved out of the alley, and his hand had never opened. He climbed onto a thick hitching post, balancing on his butt as if sitting there was comfortable.

"I will soldier for the Goddess one day," Jutney called out. Soldiers began passing, their eyes turned toward the boy and away from Kelton's hiding place.

"And the Goddess will welcome you," an authoritative voice answered. It had the formality and confidence that Kelton had come to associate with the Brethren. Jutney smiled, acting like an excited boy with considerable dreams.

"The King welcomes all the devoted. When your grown, you come see us," a mounted soldier returned, captain most likely. Kelton hunkered lower as he caught sight of white robes leaking from beneath furs on two other mounted men. The troop was well passed before the false admiration left Jutney's eyes and he dropped from the post and opened his fist. Kelton again followed. The boy was perfection.

They traveled through the city in their stop-and-go style. Kelton became comfortable with the pattern, feeling safer as time went by. He wasn't sure how far they were going, but it was nice to follow for a change. Leading himself had led to trouble, and Jutney's skill at staying away from problems was unparalleled. Intelligence wrapped in innocence was a powerful tool.

Jutney turned down an alley and entered a door near the back of a two story wooden building. The building was in ill repair and housed many families, if the cries of babes were any indication. Kelton followed, closing the door once he was inside. It was a small dark room, light coming from seams in the two doors, one interior and the other they entered through. The place smelled moldy, like an old forest a day after rain.

"We must wait," Jutney whispered. His hand indicated that they should remain silent. Kelton thought it best to comply. A few moments passed, then three knocks could be heard on the ceiling, wood on wood.

"We were not followed," Jutney said, his voice and smile returning to normal.

"Someone watches the door?"

"Always." Jutney moved across the room and exited through the inner door. Kelton followed, his sense was jumbled by the number of people in the building. Images floating and mixing, people outside feeling like they were in and vice-versa. Only the ground was constant. Nothing living below.

Jutney moved to a closet, its door a ratty cloth that hung over the threshold. The floor had an open section with a ladder leading down. They descended into a darkness that smelled of wet earth. Kelton's sense stabilized the deeper he went. The overlapping noise quieted as his head dropped below the ground. The cacophony was still present, only it was above and no longer level with his mind and fighting with his normal senses.

"It's quiet down here," Kelton said before thinking. It would make little sense to Jutney who was shifting something Kelton couldn't see in the darkness. "What's down here?"

"A poorly built larder, mostly dry goods that aren't so dry," Jutney said. Kelton's eyes began to adjust. Jutney was shifting cloth wrapped bundles, exposing a wooden wall. Keltson wasn't surprised when Jutney pulled the wood open revealing a hidden blackness beyond.

"It is about ten paces forward. Drag your hand along the wall to guide you," Jutney said as he moved to the side to give Kelton room to pass.

"You are not coming?"

"Nay. I must replace the bundles. Knock when you get to the end." Jutney waved Kelton forward as if the delay was costly.

"There's no one down there." Kelton's sense had cleared enough below ground to note the absence of anyone besides the two of them below the building.

"They will be happy to know that," Jutney said with a fresh smile. He waved Kelton forward again. "Hurry, it's best not to stall here." Kelton shrugged. He'd be dead if the boy didn't save him in the tavern.

"You are an excellent guide," Kelton complimented as he stepped into the black hallway.

"Aye, I am the best," Jutney said, acknowledging the fact. Before he closed the hidden door, he added. "You remember that when you build your army. I will be waiting." Kelton turned, about to correct him. The wood closed and the light went with it. He sighed. No one understood. He was no leader, and his only plan was to survive. He was running from an army and had no desire to create one. Not that he knew how to build one. Heroes only lived in stories. Kelton heard the bundles being replaced, so he turned. Using his hands as a guide, one in front, one against the wall, he moved deeper into the pitch, methodically feeling for the end.

The hall ended abruptly, surprising Kelton. Jutney's pace was smaller and thus his measurement. Kelton sensed no one yet he knocked as instructed. The wall shifted letting candle light break through and igniting his sense. There were two people in the room where an instant before there were none.

"I see Jutney was successful," a woman said. She was older than Kelton by many winters. Brownish hair pulled tightly back and tied in a ponytail. The few strands that leaked out curled, and so was the frilly end of the tail. Her smile was pleasing though it didn't hold the confidence of Finger's. She was heavy, or strong. It was hard to tell with the many layers of dress she wore. Her rounded face spoke for weight. She pulled the door open further and stepped aside to allow Kelton to enter.

"Welcome, Kelton is it?" a man said. He was sitting behind a desk. Upon it were a book and three candles burning brightly. The only book Kelton had seen outside of Rolic's cave. Like the woman, he was heavy set and of rounded face. Black hair cropped low to his scalp enhanced his bulk, as did his multiple chins.

"Aye," Kelton replied. He stepped into the room and the woman closed the door. Like the hide hole, metal lined the inside of the door and walls. Kelton's sense poked through the upper corner behind the desk. He could feel people beyond it, at least a building over and a level above the ground. Not much different than peering through a small hole. He pointed to the corner.

"That corner is not fully covered," Kelton said. The man's eyes widened. Kelton turned and ran his hand along the metal on the door. It was rusting in places and bumpy, hastily done. "How did you know this would work?"

"How do you know it does work?" the woman asked.

"I assumed you already knew," Kelton said. The woman smiled and pointed to one of the two chairs in front of the desk.

"We were told," the woman said as she took the other chair. Kelton sat as well. "It's hard to believe that one such as you has survived so many years. How did you accomplish such a feat?"

"Truth for truth, I've played this game before," Kelton said, adding a smile. He was terrible at the game in the past. Maybe he'd do better with these two.

"Well said!" the man said, slapping his thigh. "Trust is always difficult, though we did have you brought here." He waved his hand about the room. "Our most precious secret exposed."

"And tested," Kelton deduced. The woman laughed.

"I am Kasha," the woman said. "And the well-fed one is my husband, Myandor. We are at your service, be you the Answer or not."

"I am not." The statement didn't provoke surprise in either of them. Kelton realized they were well informed about his conversations at the tavern.

"You say this corner is not fully sealed?" Myandor asked as he pointed to the exposed section.

"A small gap," Kelton replied with a nod. "Easier to sense out then in, I suspect. The rest is fully blinding. I thought the room empty when I first approached." Myandor looked at his wife and smiled with pride.

"Don't get all high and mighty," Kasha scolded. "It could have gone the other way." She looked back to Kelton. "I wasn't confident the cost was worth it. Now, I won't hear the end of it."

"Not a word, my dear," Myandor said. "I will never bring up your miscalculation again." Kasha rolled her eyes. Kelton suspected she hadn't heard the last of it.

"You are known as the Seven?" Kelton asked.

"There's only two of us. What gave you that idea?" Myandor questioned back.

"So you are not," Kelton surmised.

"What gave you that idea?" Kasha asked. Kelton rolled his eyes, and the couple laughed in unison.

"Aye, we are the Seven," Myandor said. "It is a title that has been passed down for more winters than anyone knows. We procure things not found in Aragonia"

"There are many in our employ," Kasha continued, "three of which you have met."

"Four," Kelton said, exposing the woven bracelet under his furs.

"Four," Kasha agreed. "Although we question whether the southerner will remain in our group. It is not our practice to allow anyone else to hand out our markers. In this case, it was beneficial."

"An admonishment should be sufficient," Myandor added. Kasha nodded.

"Secrecy is our only shield. We are sure the Brethren, and therefore King, are aware of our organization. They don't know the whos-and-wheres and may not be overly concerned. You see, our footprint is small and of minor bother." Kasha pointed at Kelton. "They always have larger problems and limited resources."

"Of course, you will change all that," Myandor chimed in. "We rarely send things out of Aragonia, and then it's only been messages. A person, even unseen, will tax our skills."

"What makes you think I wish to leave Aragonia?" Kelton asked, his eye widening at Myandor's statement.

"Is that not why we've been paid such an exorbitant amount?" Myandor asked. He and Kasha exchanged confused looks.

"I gave the last of my coin to Jutney. I have no fee. I am wearing everything I own, though the furs may be a loan." Kelton looked down at the only warm clothes he had. "I am really hoping it is a gift."

"You did not seek us out?" Kasha asked.

"No. I only wished to escape the Brethren's search. Jutney saw your mark and thought I was in your employ. An accident at best." The two of them exchanged looks. Kelton could tell information was silently passing between them that only years of togetherness could decipher.

"Then it's the will of the Goddess," Kasha said. She shrugged her shoulders. Myandor nodded.

"The Goddess must shine on you, boy," Myandor concluded. "I now see how you have survived so long. She steers you away from trouble and into safety." He tilted his head to the side and brought his hand to his chin, his forefinger rubbing below his lips. "You do not know of the fee paid to us?"

"I know nothing of it," Kelton answered. Rolic he thought. Few knew of his goal, fewer still who have exorbitant coin. The items in Rolic's cave spoke of great resources. The Hold Lord knew and presumably had wealth. That didn't make as much sense. The Lord didn't seem concerned about what would happen after Kelton left his province. "Don't you know who paid you?"

"Funny thing, we don't," Myandor said.

"It was done through a middleman, about a moon ago. He trusted those in our employ and oddly trusted our word through those contacts. No one recognized him. He was of small stature and mid of his winters. Bald in the front, long hair in the back. You know of whom I speak?" Kasha asked.

Not Rolic or the Hold Lord. At least, not them personally. "I know of no one like that."

"This is odd," Myandor said. "We were paid to place you on a vessel, if and when you showed up. Nothing was said about you not willing to go." He looked at Kasha. "The agreement would still be in force. We have incurred costs to ready such an endeavor. A refund could not be demanded, at least not the full amount."

"What if I wish to go?" Kelton asked.

"That would clear things up nicely," Kasha said. "Still, it is odd. Could it be a ruse, something set by the Brethren?"

"They would have the coin," Myandor agreed.

"How would they guess my desires?" Kelton asked.

"How would anyone? Did you speak of leaving Aragonia to others?" Kasha asked.

"Aye, but in passing at best," Kelton said, taxing his memories. "I remember times when I was told it was an option, though not choosing it myself. In truth, I never thought I'd make it this far." He glanced down at the dirt floor. "Almost didn't - seemed more like a dream at the time."

"If it's the Brethren, our people are already exposed, and we won't be far behind," Myandor said. "We will play it out if you wish. It is a risk either way."

Kelton shrugged his shoulders. "It is as good of a destination as any other. My life has been a risk since I killed that Brother."

"We've heard many tales of that day. I'd like to hear the true story if you'd be willing to tell it," Kasha said. Her smile warmed Kelton as she leaned back in her chair.

Kelton decided to commit, at least in deed. The names of friends would remain his. They had many questions as Kelton detailed the failed Choosing. They were especially interested in the town's reaction, once the Brother had been removed.

"I knew it. They didn't fear the soldiers," Myander said. "They only fear what they don't understand. Without the Brethren, the King's Own are just men."

"Aye, and I met one of the King's Own that doesn't believe the lies about me," Kelton added. Myander and Kasha wanted that story as well. Kelton left out the exact location and explained it from the running out of a non-descript back door. Trust with boundaries - Kelton was learning.

"It is as I've always said, fear is the Brethren's only true ally. It would not take much to inspire the people to end their reign," Myander said.

"I am Unseen and can't fight them. It would take many hundreds to end a handful," Kelton said shaking his head.

"And there are thousands of them," Kasha sighed.

"Thousands?" Kelton asked, surprise filling his face.

"No one knows the true count. Most hide in their temples, content to allow the King to manage the land," Myander replied.

"Then it is a hopeless dream," Kelton concluded. Thousands, Rolic's words, and his battle with only two Brothers convinced him of the fruitlessness of war. Even heroes are useless when evil's numbers are insurmountable.

"But it's a good dream," Kasha added. Her smile was for Myander. Kelton could see they have discussed the topic in the past and came to the same conclusion. Kasha lovingly kept Myander rooted in reality.

"Aye, a good dream," Kelton agreed. A dream he had once naively thought possible. He wished he could return to the days when ignorance ruled. There was more hope back then. He missed Gossamer.

"You have awoken that dream," Myander said to Kelton. "I admit it is a foolish one, but hope is contagious and infinitely more satisfying than despair."

"And yet you have contracted for me to leave?"

"We have," Mayander said, a deep sigh releasing the remnants of the dream. "The sum tickled our greed and the idea of doing it under the Brethren's noses appeals to us."

"Besides, now that we see you are on the cusp of manhood, it would be a waste for your tale to have an inglorious end. Let them be ignorant of your departure. They will see red hair and scars around every corner, and mayhap share some of the fear they forge," Kasha added.

Seeding fear in the Brethren had appeal. Kelton had seen the expectation in many eyes, especially the young. Unwittingly, he had become the hope that Rolic talked about. The dream was useless in execution, and yet it held an excitement that conveyed an idea of a better future. Something to reach for, even if it is unobtainable.

"Mayhap I could leave a message before I depart," Kelton said, as an idea formed. It would make Juno smile, so it would be worth the risk to play Kushiel's Answer one time.