The ironic twist was that Temiker couldn’t accept it either. Harcad had been an exemplary student and the thought of him trying to assassinate the Katana was ludicrous. Harcad would never have attempted such a thing, but Malafar would not hear about it. His grief over the loss of Alfred locked reason from Malafar’s mind as efficiently as Temiker’s ward over his books would halt attempts to procure them.

Temiker paused in the shadows at the mouth of the alley and peered up and down the street he had to cross. The paused saved him from capture as three dark-clad riders galloped down the street heading for the nearest gate. The wizard wiped the sweat from his brow as he thought about his own stupidity. Horses. He had not counted on the invaders having horses and therefore swift access to all of the city gates. How could he have been so stupid, he berated himself? It didn’t matter which gate he chose now because there would be invaders at each of them.

Temiker shrunk back into the shadows and thought about his predicament. He had some options still open to him, but he needed to think about how effective they each would be. Certainly he could fight his way out. He was quite capable of dealing out death and destruction to his enemy, but he had no idea of who they were or how many of them existed. He could not even be sure they were all dressed darkly and he abhorred the killing or maiming of innocent civilians. No, until he knew who his enemy was he could not fight his way out. He wondered how the Imperial Guard would react to the invaders gathering at each of the gates. Would the Guard attempt to disperse them or ask their business? Would the invaders wait within the city gates or directly outside the gates? If he managed to get out one of the gates, would he then be attacked outside the city? He could create another fog and slip out the gate unseen, but using that trick again would be setting off a signal that he was leaving.