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“How—No, never mind,” Opal said. “I don’t need to know. I’m just glad we’re all together and safe.” She put her arm around Reema, who leaned into her.
Which reminded Janco. “Devlen, did something happen to Leif and Mara? You should have dropped Reema off a while ago.”
“They reached the Illiais Market without any trouble. Reema stayed with us because...” He glanced at Opal.
Janco straightened. This ought to be interesting.
“I’m good at spotting places to avoid,” Reema said.
“What do you mean?” Ari asked.
She shrugged. “We didn’t want to draw attention. And I know where to travel so we didn’t get noticed.” Then she crossed her arms. “Which is why we should have stayed with Uncle Leif and not wasted time coming up here. You’re gonna need me.”
Devlen ignored that comment. “Once the others continued into the jungle, we returned to Booruby. I wanted to arrive before dawn, just in case there were watchers on the house.”
“I was asleep, or else I would have warned him about the ambush,” Reema said. Then she beamed at her brother. “But Tee took care of it!”
“Heli did all the work,” Teegan said. “I just directed traffic.”
Janco glanced at Heli, but the poor girl was curled up, fast asleep. It wasn’t long before the other kids joined her. Ari, Janco, Opal and Devlen took shifts guarding the camp.
Two days later, they entered the town limits of Kerrylee. It was smaller than desired and hugged the western edge of the Daviian Plateau. But according to Reema, the place had no watchers working for the Cartel. How the girl knew this, Janco hadn’t a clue, but he’d learned to trust the little scamp. They found a nice inn for Opal’s parents and brother to stay at, and for the rest of them to spend the night. Devlen and Opal were having a family discussion about Reema’s future.
Janco caught a few words as he passed their room on the way down to the common room. He smiled as Opal kept repeating, “She’s only eleven,” with Devlen reminding his wife how Reema had aided in his and Leif’s rescue. Should be an interesting conversation, but Janco wasn’t about to listen at the door. No need to spy on his friends.
The warmth and bright lights of the common room wrapped around him like an embrace. He scanned the occupants. Banished from the discussion upstairs, Reema played cards with Teegan, Zethan and Heli, but she shot dark looks at the stairs, as if her unhappiness could travel up to her parents’ room. Ari sat nearby, drinking ale. Janco joined him and ordered a pint.
When the drink arrived, he took a long pull. It wasn’t half-bad.
“What do you think?” Ari asked him.
“It’s a little sour, but I like the lemony flavors.”
“Not the ale. Our next move.”
Oh. He scratched his ear. “I think the others will be safe traveling to the Illiais Market without us.”
“You think they’ll take Reema with them?”
“They’d be stupid not to.”
“Thank you,” Reema said.
“Hey, it’s rude to eavesdrop on people’s conversations,” Janco said.
“Oh, sorry. I wouldn’t want to be rude. Is it rude to talk about someone when she’s sitting right here?”
Janco opened his mouth to reply, but Ari shook his head. Instead, they moved a few more tables away. However, due to her sly smile, Janco suspected the scamp had rabbit ears.
“I agree that there will be enough people and magicians to spread the spores,” Ari said. “We can leave for the Greenblade garrison tomorrow. I want to gather as much intel about the place as possible before we rescue the Councilors. Do you think Opal will let Teegan come with us?”
“Do you think Teegan will listen to his mother if she says no?”
“Some kids actually listen to their mothers.”
“Really?” Janco blinked at Ari. “What a concept.”
“Your poor mother. She should get a medal for not killing you.”
“Oh, she tried. Many times. That’s how I learned the fine art of duck and cover.”
Devlen and Opal joined them four ales later. From the shine in Opal’s eyes, he guessed they’d done more than discuss their daughter. Understandable, considering they’d been apart for months. Reema showed remarkable restraint by not pouncing on her parents right away. It also helped that the scamp was soundly beating her brother at cards. Good. It would keep the boy humble.
Ari told Opal and Devlen their plans and asked them about Teegan. “I think you’ll have enough protection. Plus a bigger group of people will draw more attention.”
“I agree,” Opal said. She glanced at her children. “As much as I want to keep them safe from harm, I know we won’t be safe until this is over. Teegan can decide.”
“What about Reema?” Janco asked.
“She coming with us.”
“Woo-hoo!” Reema said. When they all looked over at her, she slapped a card down. “I win!”
Smooth recovery. Janco’d been right. Rabbit ears.
Teegan chose to accompany Ari and Janco. They picked a rendezvous location near the Greenblade garrison.
“When you’re done spreading the spores, meet us there,” Ari said. “I think Yelena and Valek are planning the big counterattack to commence during the first month of the hot season.”
“And if they don’t escape the Citadel?” Janco asked.
“Then we’ll implement the other counterattack.”
“Oh, the other attack. I feel so much better now.”
* * *
The next morning, as they were saying goodbye and eliciting promises to be careful, Heli pulled Janco aside.
“You’re going to rescue the Councilors?” she asked.
“We’re going to try.”
“I have something that might help you. Come on.”
Surprised, he followed her. She opened her bulging saddle
bag. He had wondered what she’d packed in there. Heli pulled out a wrapped bundle and handed it to Janco. It was shaped like a small watermelon and about as heavy.
“What’s in here?”
“A glass orb. Be careful. It’s filled. And you do not want it to break.”
Confused and alarmed, he asked, “You mean there’s a storm inside it?”
“Not quite. The energy from a storm is trapped inside. And if you shatter the orb on...let’s say, the garrison’s wall...the energy released will bring that wall crashing down.”
“Holy snow cats! That’s...” Janco couldn’t find the proper words for just how awesome it was.
“I couldn’t carry more than two, but Kade and Zethan have filled lots of extras. They’re storing them at The Cliffs. Just make sure you’re a safe distance away before you use them. Maybe they’ll come in handy for the big counterattack.” She grinned.
“Sweetheart, there’s no maybe about it.”
22
YELENA
I paused halfway up the steps to the Council Hall. Leaning slightly forward, I pretended to huff from the effort of the climb, resting a hand on my huge fake belly. My five “children” bounced up the stairs. Then, when they realized “mom” wasn’t keeping up, they hopped back down. The two oldest supported me as I waddled up to the landing.
“Thanks, ducklings.” I patted my “sons” on their shoulders.
The guards at the entrance watched us with amusement. I kept my thoughts on the task at hand, suppressing the doubts and million worries about what could go wrong deep into my subconscious. Free Fisk first. Then I’d fret over the next task.
There were a few other people entering the building, and I followed them with my children in tow. “Sir, can you direct me to where I obtain permission to leave the Citadel?” I asked one of them.
“Second floor. Can’t miss it. There’s a line.”
“Thank you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the magician turning her attention to me. I signaled my children. They started bickering and it escalated into fighting. Then they knocked into the magician as they wrestled. I swooped in and scolded them, apologized and made them say they were sorry before we all trundled off.
