The vast trading hall was completely bare – there wasn’t the normal overcrowded sea of hunters and gatherers occupying its stone walls.
“Where is everyone?” My voice seemed to echo like we were in a massive cave.
Ellie looked just confused as I felt. “I don’t know.”
A few collectors remained in the Tärkein; one of these was Eeloy, the butcher.
We walked up to his stand, littered with guts and livers and other parts of an animal that any reasonable human wouldn’t eat. He looked up at us, and when he noticed my presence, his expression turned grim.
“What’s going on?” Ellie said despite Eeloy’s solemn attitude.
The butcher eyed me wearily and said, “Someone’s been murdered.”
I could feel my body freeze. “But . . . I thought it was illegal to kill.”
Eeloy chuckled under his thick beard. “Yeah, that’s why it’s called murder.”
He obviously wasn’t going to say more unless we pried. Ellie’s fierce voice rose. “We don’t have time for this, Eeloy! My father’s been murdered before! I need to know the damn person who was killed!”
Eeloy’s mouth was slightly agape as he looked at Ellie with surprise. “Ummmm . . .” He carefully lay down his knife. “Recaro,” he said indifferently. It was obvious that Recaro wasn’t an important individual to him. Of course, he probably didn’t know that Ellie was close to the lead patroller – or formal lead patroller, that is.
“. . . what?” Ellie stammered. However, despite her trembling body, she managed to maintain a successful poker face. “How do you know?”
Eeloy saw the concern in Ellie’s eyes and said with regret, “I’m sorry . . . I didn’t know you were that close to him . . .”
“Just tell me!”
“Because, the Empress came here herself and announced that we were all relieved of our duties for the rest of the day to mourn for Recaro.” He took off his gloves, matted with blood and guts. “A few of us stayed behind to attend to business that matters. With over half the food going to the Empress, there isn’t much left for the city. Mourning isn’t a priority.”
Ellie sighed nervously and took me by the hand, and we rushed down the empty hall.
The doors to the Teleporter room were open, probably due to the mob of hunters, gatherers, and collectors that stormed through here after the news of Recaro’s death was announced.
We entered the dim room lit by dozens of torches. The brass Teleporter hummed quietly at the center of the chamber.
“Come on,” Ellie commanded.
We ran across the room to the section of the far wall that disguised the entrance to the city. We rushed through the wall, and I felt a wave of heat blow past my body.
