Patra had only just peaked above the trees when Victoria pointed out the wisp of smoke in the distance. No cottages lay in that direction, nor would a yaksha camp so close to the village as to have a fire there. It was most likely her Void Wigon contact, Gitto.

  I left Miles behind, tasking him with hunting our breakfast. Gitto, like most who engage in illicit activities, would become nervous with just one new face accompanying Victoria. Two might cause him to flee without first having a discussion. Besides, if Gitto was dangerous, having Miles join us in his current weakened state wouldn’t tip the scales if a battle occurred.

  Victoria walked beside me in silence. Wondering what was on her mind, I studied her face. Her expression didn’t give much away, but I could tell she was deep in thought. For the past winter, she believed I had her mother killed, and was going to do the same to her. Did she truly believe me when I told her I not only was unable to stop it from happening, but was unaware it had occurred? Was she worried I would turn on her once she led me to her Void Wigon contact?

  In the softest voice I could manage, I asked her to half for a moment.

  “He won’t wait long. He is very cautious.”

  Her rush to get there was a good sign. If she thought I was going to double cross her after, then she wouldn’t be in such a rush. “I just wanted to give you this.” I handed her the potion I had given Miles the night before. “If a fight seems inevitable, drink this. It will protect you for damage in case they try to harm you.” I locked eyes with the girl. “If a fight does break out, don’t try to join, just run back to the cottage and you and wait with Miles.

  She took the potion and slipped it into the lacing on the front of her dress.

  If Gitto was a Void Wigon, fighting him without a strength potion would be hard enough without having to protect Victoria at the same time. If Krok was with him, and both practiced the dark arts, then I might we walking into my death, no need for her to join me.

  We covered the distance at a brisk pace, keeping to the thick brush and staying behind large trees when possible. I had no doubt a man as careful as she said Gitto was, would eventually realize there were two of us, but I didn’t want to give him enough time with that knowledge to decide to evade our meeting.

  Sure enough, once we entered his dismal camp, he had already taken to his feet and had a dagger in his hand. Her contact wasn’t as I imagined. I expected to find a weaselly yaksha wearing the dark clothing assassins and thieves preferred. Instead, he was large enough to be a soldier and dressed as a merchant.

  Glaring at Victoria, he said, “I thought I made it clear. You only visit me alone.”

  She glanced around. “Is your friend Krok here?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask? And who is this beast of a yaksha. More importantly, what does he plan to do with that hammer?”

  “Stevyn is my friend, and he means you no harm. The hammer is only to protect me.” Victoria said.

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  “Since when do you need protection from me?” He raised his eyebrows. “I’ve done you no harm. Hell, I gave you a method for earning.” He peered at me. “Your goon isn’t necessary.”

  “I’m nobody’s goon!” Not even I believed such words, for I had become the prince’s goon. In my case, Knight was a hollow title that ceased to carry weight.

  “Stevyn?” Gitto rubbed his chin. “The name sounds familiar.” His eyes widened. “Not Stevyn the Brute, is it?”

  “No longer.” I shook my head. “I’m Stevyn the Cursed.”

  “Cursed?” He chuckled nervously. “Why do I have the feeling it is I who’s about to get a raw deal?” He peered at me. “What is it I can do for you?”

  “Victoria will honor the deal you have set.” I signaled for her to hand me the bag with the horse parts.

  As she held it out, she looked at Gitto and said. “I do appreciate the opportunities you have given me.”

  “But she is now in my employ, and will no longer harvest such things,” I added.

  Gitto nodded. “I have no contract with her. She is free to do as she pleases.” A smile crept onto his face. “But I don’t feel that is the reason for your visit.”

  “Are you a Void Wigon?”

  He flinched. “I am not. Nor am I a True Blood or a Nasar Wigon.”

  I figured he was an Azar Wigon, but decided not to ask. If he truly was a tysaura, and used a name pointing toward such, then he played a dangerous game. But a game that didn’t concern me. Not now. Not when poison flowed through my cursed veins. “I have been tasked with bringing Void Wigons to justice. That is all I seek. What you trade has no bearing on my task.” I narrowed my eyes. “But can provide me with much-needed intel.”

  “Almost everything I have is for sale, including information.” He grinned.

  “Give me the names and locations of the Void Wigons to whom you supply your illegal ingredients.”

  “That I can not do.” He sucked on his lower lip. “For if I expose my customers, how am I to continue selling my wares.” Thinking for a moment, he added, “Unless you plan to pay me enough to keep me fed and warm until I discover new customers.”

  I stepped toward him, stopping just out of reach. “I have nothing to pay. Not at this time.” I glanced at the head of my hammer. “But there are things worse than being hungry for a few nights.”

  “Fighting is not something I do well. I’d be the first to admit that any physical altercation between the two of us would end badly for me. I’m not a fighter, but just a procurer of hard to find ingredients.” He rubbed his chin. “Perhaps we can develop a symbiotic relationship.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “First, as Victoria can attest to, I’d like to point out that I had treated her with the utmost respect. Many in my situation would take advantage of such a virtuous lady instead of offering a solution to her situation.”

  I grunted.

  “You want me to get to the point.” He nodded. “As you wish.” Taking a step back, he said, “I offer a service to my clients, which allows them to pay later for ingredients I provide. You see, many of my wares have a short shelf life.”

  I twirled my finger, indicating that he should hurry.

  “From time to time, a client decides he won’t pay for said services. Not good for business. So I employ a brigand assassin to settle accounts, so to speak.”

  I nodded. “What you offer is to give me names of those you wish to be punished. I get their heads, you get to make an example of those who don’t pay.”

  He nodded. “While not able to give you a large list at one time, this will pay off for you tenfold in the course of a winter.” Shrugging, he added, “Many fools think they can ignore deals if not made by a Rasmun.”

  I thought for a moment. “Do you have any names for me on this night?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do.”

  “And how will I find you for more names?”

  “I prefer not to see you or your hammer, unless necessary.” He paused. “I work with bar maids in many of the villages inside and outside Mallma. When you visit the establishments, be sure they all know who you are, and one will slip you new names, along with locations.”

  “Gitto, I want to stress that you should only give me names of Void Wigons. I will not hunt those who harvest or others that you want to make an example of. If you attempt to trick me and waste my time, having me go after those that aren’t practicing the dark arts, then I will find you.”