Free Second Guard by J. D. Vaughn Page B

that?”
    “There must be a simple explanation,” Zarif said, setting the cups on a nearby ledge. “Perhaps she had some business to take care of for your father?”
    Tali shook her head in frustration. “It’s not like her to leave without saying good-bye.”
    “Why don’t we head back to the docks,” said Chey. “Nel will return there eventually, right?”
    Tali nodded, grateful for a plan of action, and the three set off down the street. She tried to eat the sugarbread that Zarif handed her, but it felt dry in her throat and she soon threw it
away. As they weaved through stalls and people, Tali constantly scouting in all directions for a glimpse of yellow or Paulo’s tall frame, the boys discussed the upcoming Clash of Warriors
that would be held in Fugaza next season. Occasionally they tried to engage Tali in conversation, but she remained wrapped in a cloak of troubled thoughts.
Second Guard. Tradeboat. Salt mines.
Queen. Fire. Father. Silence.
    What had Nel been trying to tell her? And what reasons would Paulo have to distrust the Guard? In the past Tali had always been able to piece together Nel’s string of hand signs, but not
this time. What had happened on the boat since she had left? Had there been another fire? Was Paulo’s father involved in something illegal? By saving his family, had Tali endangered her own?
The questions came one after another, like a volley of arrows through her head. She wished she had never left home. Her family needed her.
    “Tali,” said Chey, placing a hand on her arm. “Do you remember the last thing Nel said to you before she disappeared?”
    Tali hesitated.
Silence,
Nel had signed. Did that mean Tali was not to share their conversation with others? She looked away from Chey. This was not his problem. “She signed a
string of words, but I didn’t understand their meaning very well.”
    “Tell me the words; perhaps I can puzzle them out,” Zarif said.
    “Do you really think you can understand my twin better than I?” Tali asked. Her voice held an edge she’d never used before. Zarif’s eyes widened in surprise.
    Brilliant, Tali thought. Now I’ve offended my friend as well.
    “He was trying to help,” Chey said.
    Tali heard the soft reprimand in his voice and felt even worse. “I’m sorry. I just…I’m confused…and worried. My apologies, Zarif.”
    “I understand. Do not add me to your worries, Tali.”
    The three continued in silence, the bustling sounds of the great city filling the space between them. As they came to a shady residential street, the light filtered through the leaves overhead
and a kaleidoscope of designs shifted under their feet. With each step forward, Nel’s words repeated themselves in Tali’s head.
Second Guard. Tradeboat. Salt mines. Queen. Fire.
Father. Silence.
But there was something else…what was it?
    Tali stopped in her tracks. “Nel saw something in the plaza that scared her,” she said.
    “What was that?” Zarif asked.
    “I don’t know. When I turned to look, I noticed the two of you returning.”
    “But why would Nel be scared of us?” asked Chey. “She’d already met us. She knew we were friends.”
    “And with sugarbread and lemonsong to share,” Zarif added, motioning to the now-empty bag. “Hardly cause for alarm.”
    “True,” Tali said. “It had to be something else.”
    Zarif nodded. “A new variable added to the equation, if you will…but I don’t recall anything unusual in the plaza, do you, Chey?”
    Chey shook his head. “Not unless you count Jaden.”
    “You saw Jaden?” asked Tali.
    Chey’s face darkened. “I saw him in the crowd as we were heading toward you with the sweets.”
    “Maybe Nel saw him too. But why should she be frightened by Jaden?” asked Tali.
    Chey clamped his mouth shut and started walking again.
    Tali and Zarif exchanged a look and followed him down the cobbled street.
    “Chey,” Tali finally said. “I think my father and Nel may be in some kind of