Chapter 19
NELLIE ARRANGED FOR the items to be packed up—she would send someone around with the cart later in the day—and then made her way back to Master Thiele’s house through the misty streets. Some people were out, but it wasn’t very busy.
Nellie crossed the markets and passed the palace gates, which were still closed. A number of bored guards stood in the guard box.
After she went into the street that led from the market to the harbour, she had the feeling that someone was following her. It was as if a dark spot moved in the corner of her eye. She stopped walking and looked over her shoulder.
It was a dog, a mangy beast with a dark grey coat of matted hair. Once she stopped walking, it came closer, sat on its haunches and whined.
It wore a collar.
Poor thing. It looked like it h
