Julian was nowhere to be seen, keeping to his promise of staying thirty paces back in the shadows, coordinating the invisible net of estate guards.
"Sugar dragons!" a vendor yelled over the din, standing behind a cart filled with rapidly spinning vats of molten, brightly colored sugar. "Get your fiery treats! Sweet enough to tame a wyvern!"
Seraphina tugged sharply on Kaelus's hand, completely breaking the solemn, tactical silence of the mission.
"Papa! The dragon! You promised!" she demanded, pointing her free hand at the cart, seamlessly slipping back into the role of a spoiled, snot-nosed brat.
Kaelus let out a long sigh, but he allowed her to drag him toward the stall.
He tossed a single, heavy silver coin onto the counter, overpaying, and snatched the largest, most elaborately spun red sugar dragon from the vendor's hand before the man could even blink.
He didn't hand it to Seraphina immediately.
