The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani (story reading .TXT) 📕

endearing and makes him seem boyish again, as he did the night of the sweetening. Theirs might be an arranged match, but they are certainly happy in it.

Garrin is more somber, though he stretches out his legs and looks at me from deep brown eyes with their frame of lashes as if he were a court beauty in his own right. He probably is.

“We spoke just a few days ago,” he says amiably. “Is there really news again so soon, kelari?” He pauses, his brow furrowing. “I hope you have not delved further into your questions regarding the Circle.”

“No, I have left them out of it completely, as you counseled, verin.” As much as it irked me to do so.

“Then please,” Alyrra says. “Tell us what you learned.”

It takes a surprisingly short amount of time to explain the research Kirrana and I completed, outlining the anomalies related to Berenworth: the gemstones that would be prized as amulets, the port warden’s death and captain’s removal, the overseas mines, the loading of cargo on a day when the docks should have been closed, and the coinciding disappearance of a great number of children.

“You’ve been busy,” Garrin says quietly. “I am impressed, kelari.”

“My friend did much of the research, and knows the records well. I couldn’t have done it on my own.”

Alyrra nods. “It’s a great deal to consider.” She turns to the men. “How much do we know about this company?”

Kestrin shrugs. “They’re well known and seem legitimate. There’s no need for them to be involved in something as unsavory as this, given the level of business they are engaged in. But it’s also quite possible they are. It is easy enough for a man to take advantage of another in order to grow just a little richer; I wouldn’t be surprised if it were even easier for a company to take advantage of the most vulnerable at their fingertips.”

Garrin shifts, crossing his arms. “I have to say, I find it hard to believe that Berenworth is involved in chasing down children in back alleys. That is how it is done, is it not? I think it more likely that some of their captains are illegally transporting a few children and bringing back payment with them than that the whole of the company is engaged in the widespread disappearances we have heard about.”

I take a deep breath and hold it, trying not to say anything too insulting of Garrin’s intelligence. Sheltered as he is by living in the palace, he still doesn’t believe the issue is as big or as real as it is. This isn’t just a couple ships taking a dozen children out of the country every month. It’s much bigger and more devastating than that, and it must, by necessity, be organized.

Thankfully, Kestrin saves me from the words at the tip of my tongue. “It’s possible, cousin, but I disagree. The involvement of the Circle, which appears irrefutable at this point, implies that they have an ally they would trust not to betray them. They wouldn’t deal with individual slavers, or captains. Not directly, even if such exist. There must be someone organizing it all.” He nods to me. “There’s enough oddity to what you’ve uncovered, kelari, that I do think it should be looked into. Quietly.”

Garrin sits forward, his expression grim. “Agreed. If these are just coincidences, we don’t want to raise concern among the merchants and their companies that we’re investigating them needlessly. If Berenworth is truly involved, we’ll need ironclad evidence to back up our claims before word gets out.”

“You’ll take this on, then?” Kestrin asks him.

“Of course, cousin. Did I not say I would?” Garrin turns to me. “Have a copy of the evidence you have gathered delivered to me. I will start with that. I have a few men who can begin looking into Berenworth, both from the records side of things and from the outside.”

“My friend has the notes we took with her. I’m sure I can get a copy.” I hesitate, knowing I need to share this as well. “Captain Matsin informed me, on my return from our research this afternoon, that I was followed from the palace. It’s possible someone has already found out what I am working on. Though I don’t know how they could, as I haven’t spoken of it to anyone but my friend, and you.”

And Bren. The thought occurs as the words leave my mouth. Would he have me followed?

Kestrin and Alyrra exchange a look. Garrin frowns. “That’s concerning. If you need to leave the palace again, I’d prefer you take a guard with you.”

I nod.

“Your friend returned safely?”

“She’s with her family right now. I’ve written to tell her to be careful.”

Kestrin nods and says, “See that she has an escort on her return. Like you, she should be careful for the next few weeks, till we’ve uncovered what’s happening and who is involved. If she prefers to remain with her family, that can be arranged.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll speak with my father about all this as well,” Kestrin says. “He may wish us to involve Melkior.”

That would be the lord high marshal of Menaiya. Arguably, he would be the person to head up such an investigation, rather than Garrin, but perhaps that’s only once it becomes official.

Garrin nods. “I’ll wait till I’ve heard from you. There’s no immediate rush.”

No rush? There are children being stolen every day. But perhaps, if you’ve never seen it, never held your friend while she wept for her stolen sister, then taking your time seems of little consequence.

“What about me?” I ask. “Is there anything more I can do?”

Alyrra shakes her head. “Not at this point, Rae, unless you can see another method to uncover more information.”

“In which case,” Garrin says quickly, “let me know. I’ll be happy for your insight, but, given that you’re being followed, it may be best if you step back as much as possible.”

I nod, only because I don’t have another angle to investigate. But I’ll keep thinking