---
The hired fighters formed a moving circle around them. Four men stayed ahead, five followed behind, and the archers moved across the rooftops until they reached the edge of the old district.
Fartray walked several steps away from John. He remained protected by the two noble guards and his butler.
No one spoke for several minutes.
The road toward the western gate became busier as they approached the main city path. Fartray's men changed their positions so they did not look like a group surrounding a prisoner. Some walked separately. Others covered their weapons beneath long coats.
To ordinary guards, they looked like a noble party leaving the city.
John kept his pace steady.
He did not try to escape.
Not yet.
Gael remained outside the walls.
If John started fighting before finding him, Fartray could send an order to kill him.
Fizz flew close enough that his fur touched John's shoulder.
Very quietly, he asked, "Plan?"
John looked ahead.
"Find Gael."
"And then?"
