Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 396
"This way." The butterfly flitted off down the street-thankfully
away from the sound of running feet.
"So now I am the thief he accused me of being," panted
Jordan. "He deserves it though, the bastard."
"What’s going on?" They entered another alley, this one
shadowed by the high walls of buildings to either side.
"There! They went down that alley!"
It was too dark here to see anything. Jordan closed his
eyes and looked with his other sight. "This way." He followed
Ka to a stable door; inside he could see the outlines of two
sleeping horses.
"Ka, speak to the horses. I want them awake and ready
to go with us if you can do that."
"I have no power to compel. But I can present you to
them as a Wind, if that is your desire."
"Yes!"
Torches appeared at the mouth of the alley. Jordan made
these explode as well, and their pursuers retreated in dismay.
Jordan proceeded to saddle the sleepy horses in complete
darkness, relying on touch and the ghost-light of his mechal
vision. The horses were pliant and appeared unsurprised at this
intrusion.
Tamsin had craned her neck out the door to watch the
alley mouth; as he was cinching the second horse she said,
"They’re waking the people in the houses. This house too. I
think they know what we’re doing. Smelled the horses,
maybe."
"Well, we’re ready. Come on." He led the horses
outside.
"But where are we going? What about your plan to visit
the desal in the bay?"
"You said there was another one in the middle of the