19

As you walk away from Halos’ fish stall, you suddenly notice movement in the crowd—and, before you can register what it is, you’re under attack. It’s too sudden to draw your weapon. Too sudden, in fact, to do anything except throw your hands over your face in a futile attempt to ward off any spells that come your way.

“Venatori!” you hear Tarquin shout as he and Ashur leap into action.

“I noticed!” you shout as you jump back, trying to buy yourself time to grab your sword. The attackers won’t let up, though, and you’re starting to lose ground.

That’s when you spot Tarquin taking down one of the attackers using only the skewer from his fried fish. A brilliant idea—and, luckily, you still have Neve’s fish skewer in your hand. It proves equally useful as a Venatori skewer.

You’ll get Neve another when you find her, you promise silently, wielding your skewer over your head as you search for the next enemy who needs a taste of it.

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