LITMIR.BIZ

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Ryne said.

      “All right. Where should I spread my bedroll?”

      “There’s barracks on the living level in the mines.”

      “Beds?”

      He smiled. “The mattresses are thin, but they’re off the ground.”

      I sighed. That was the best news I’d gotten all day. Which said quite a bit about my day.

      * * *

      “Did you request me to escort you to the infirmary?” Odd asked. He leaned in the doorway of the barrack.

      “No. I asked for Saul and his squad, but they just returned from a ten-day patrol.” I folded my blanket and stuffed it into my pack.

      “Saul? Even after I just spent the last seven days crawling through the mines with you. I’m insulted.” A pause. “Why Saul?”

      “We didn’t crawl, and I thought you’d like a break. Besides...”

      “Besides, what?”

      “He’s quieter,” I teased. Saul was a man of few words.

      “Fine, then I won’t talk during the entire trip.” Odd crossed his arms and pouted.

      “You sound like a four-year-old.”

      “Who’s a four-year-old?” Ryne asked as he squeezed by Odd.

      “Odd’s acting like one,” I said.

      “Am not!”

      I spread my hands out. “See?”

      “Avry, be nice. Odd’s one of my best sergeants. His squad has one of the highest mission-success rates of my army.”

      “Ha!” A pleased, almost smug, expression creased his face.

      “Now you’ve done it. He’s going to be impossible. I’m willing to wait a day for Saul to rest up.”

      “I’m not,” Ryne said. “We can’t waste any time. News of your little incident with Cellina’s patrol will eventually reach her, and one of two things will happen. She’ll either recall her troops or stick with the plan. Either way, I can’t send as many soldiers as I originally planned to attack Zabin or we won’t be able to hold off if Cellina’s northern troops engage.”

      “Why would she continue?” I asked. “She no longer has the element of surprise.”

      “True, but she still has us outnumbered. And if your marks on the map are accurate, she has already positioned her troops in prime locations. So instead of an outright offensive to retake the city, I’m sending only a few elite squads to harry her defenders and draw them away from the manor house while you, Flea, and another squad rescue Estrid and as many of her staff as possible.”

      I considered his plan. “With her troops coming from the north and the ones in Zabin, won’t you be caught between the two?”

      Ryne stared at me a moment. “I should make you a general. That’s exactly what’s going to happen, but we’re going to hunker down in these mines and make a nuisance of ourselves for now.”

      “And the rest of us?”

      “The new infirmary location is near Grzebien, southeast of Zabin. There’s a cave system that’s—”

      “I’m well acquainted with that cave.” The grief inside my heart pushed against my throat. I spent about twenty days there with Kerrick and the boys. Lots of memories waited to ambush me there. Looking past the pain, I recognized the strategic strength of the location.

      “Here’s a map. I’ve marked where you, Flea, the monkeys, and the odd squad need to rendezvous with the rest of the team.”

      Odd moved closer to study the markings. “When?”

      “Twelve days,” Ryne answered. “That’ll give you enough time to travel to the infirmary, check patients, and get to the rendezvous location.”

      “I thought you were worried about time,” Odd said.

      “My squads are on foot. If I had enough horses for everyone, it’d be different. But the same goes for Cellina, and I hope by the time the news reaches her and she adjusts her strategy, we’ll be there and gone.”

      I calculated. We’d have to give Zabin a wide berth as we headed south—familiar territory for me, and I’d have at least three days with my patients. “Twelve days works for me. What about Jael?”

      “What about her?” Ryne asked.

      “Last time I saw her, she was in that area. She could be holed up in Grzebien.” I’d no desire to run into the air magician.

      “My intelligence agents report she’s headed toward Dina.”

      Dina was one of Tobory Realm’s major cities. A little too close for comfort, but better than in Pomyt.

      “Okay. What if we’re delayed? What’s the contingency plan?” I asked.

      Ryne tapped the map. “Second rendezvous point for day fourteen. If you don’t arrive there, then the mission is cancelled until we can regroup. Details about the mission will be given to you when you meet up with the team. Captain Drisana will be in charge.”

      “How will I know it’s her and not one of Cellina’s spies?” I asked.

      Odd nodded. Wynn’s betrayal remained a raw spot in our hearts.

      “Ask her what realm she’s from. If she doesn’t answer Ronel Realm, then it’s not Drisana.”

      Ronel was the dangerous sea east of the Fifteen Realms. It made sense not to use a real realm, as a person had a one-in-fifteen chance of guessing it right.

      “And you trust this Drisana?” I asked.

      “Oh, yes, she’s been with me since before the plague. Just follow her orders and the mission should go smoothly.”

      Odd huffed. “Follow orders? You do remember who you’re talking to.” He jerked his thumb toward me.

      “Hey.” I batted Odd’s hand away.

      “Do I need to provide examples?” Odd asked. “I’ve several.”

      “No need,” Ryne said drily. “I’m well aware of Avry’s...uh...unpredictability.”

      “Good save,” Odd said.

      “I’m sure he learned that in school,” I said, matching Ryne’s dry tone.

      “You’re right. It’s one of the four Ds we studied.”

      “Four Ds?” I couldn’t resist asking.

      “Diplomacy, defense, deception, and disinformation.”

      “Ah. And which D were you referring to?”

      Ryne handed me the map. “I’ll let you figure that one out. You’re a smart girl.” He left.

      * * *

      Just as I feared, a flood of memories assaulted me as soon as I entered the cave near Grzebien. Outside this cave, Kerrick had taught me how to move silently in the forest, and we had all played a fun game of hide-and-seek to test my new skills. I’d boasted of being Queen Seeker and Kerrick had tried to trick me by hiding in a tree. But I’d sniffed him out, following his wonderful scent of spring sunshine and living green.

      I wondered if the painted targets were still visible on the trunks from when Belen had shown me how to throw a knife with accuracy and heat. I’d learned survival skills, and after three years of searching for information, I’d discovered my sister, Noelle, had survived the plague and been conscripted into Estrid’s holy army.

      And it all had happened only three seasons ago. So much had transpired since then it just amazed me.

      I checked

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