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where fire had burned out the main levels, somehow leaving the upper levels intact. Only those willing to climb could make it here. I was not surprised that Carth had managed to, or that she had carried me up to the room.
    “How will I gain access?” I asked. That was the question Carth expected of me, and I would comply.
    “Are you certain you don’t already have it?”
    Then she jumped, disappearing into the darkness below.

Chapter 6
    T he streets in Hightown were wider than other places in the city. The shops weren’t any newer, but the paint on their signs was, leaving the appearance of wealth. The air was more fragrant, a mixture of baked bread and sweets, combined with the bright perfumes of cut flowers. People moved with a purpose, all dressed more brightly than in the outer sections of the city.
    I pulled my black cloak around me, knowing that I couldn’t blend in, even at night. It was more than simply the cloak. My height made me stand out wherever I was within the city. Even if my height didn’t give me away, there was no mistaking my eyes for anyone other than one of Elaeavn. It had been years since I blended into a city, years since I had been back in the city where I’d been born. Banishment forced me to leave, and my training kept me away.
    People made room for me to move through the streets. I wanted only to see what I could learn about Benahg and where he lived, but had hoped to do so with some discretion. Even coming at night hadn’t helped. Lanterns were lit every two dozen paces or so, giving a bright light that pressed back the shadows and the night. Guards patrolled openly, their heavy boots sounding off the worn cobbles of the street, the tall plumes on their gleaming helms a signal to others around them to give them room. When I saw guards, I made a point of turning to the side and ducking my head down so that I didn’t stand out. With as many people as were around, I wasn’t sure they would even notice me, but I wasn’t willing to chance it.
    I found Shengard, the street the healer had mentioned. A massive home was set off from the corner by a tall stone fence around it. In this part of the city, having that much space for the home and the land meant wealth. I knew little about Benahg, only enough to know that he served on the council, but not how he’d come to serve. Given the scale of the house, I suspected his wealth had bought him access.
    I paused as I approached the fence, making a slow circle around it as I tried to find the easiest way that I might cross the wall and enter the grounds. More guards were stationed along the front of the house, but these didn’t appear to be city guards. They wore short swords and armor, but no helms that marked them the same way as the city guard. These men appeared more attentive than the guards I’d passed earlier and made a point of keeping their eyes moving, searching all around.
    I’d dealt with well-trained men like this before, but how many would I need to get past? I’d planned this as nothing more than a scouting mission, wanting to learn how well protected Natash would be. Now it was clear that he was very protected. If he was in the compound, I might not be able to reach him.
    If Natash was responsible for what had happened to Talia, I had even more reason to reach him. I still didn’t know how he had known that I would care about her. When his men had attacked the Brite Pot before, I’d not given them a chance to return and share with him. That was a mistake Isander had ensured I wouldn’t make. But then, I hadn’t expected Natash to prove resourceful enough to take up refuge with Ben. Maybe he was better connected than I gave him credit for.
    For some reason, I still felt like I was a piece in someone else’s game. Orly wanted access to the Binders. Not only access, but control. Carth wanted me to be the barrier between the Binders and the thief-master. And Natash wanted me dead.
    I doubted that it was really that simple. It