“I hope so. We’re having a meeting tomorrow afternoon. I want you, Ari, and Janco in attendance. I also want ideas on how to stop these Daviians.”
“Yes, sir.”
Valek entered his suite. He breathed in the scent of lavender and smiled. The thought of Yelena becoming an adviser and staying in Ixia was a pleasant one. Unrealistic, but a man could dream. He lit a single lantern and trudged up to bed. The crisp sheets were clean and fresh.
Ahhh.He sank into his comfortable mattress—a decadent luxury compared with the couch he’d been sleeping on. Tomorrow night, Yelena would join him.Ahhh.
* * *
The next morning, Valek stopped in Kenda’s office to update her.
“Yeah, Gabor filled me in on the situation. Anything new since then?” she asked.
He brought her up to date. “Any news from our agents sent to the plateau?”
“No.” She gestured to the board on her wall. “I’ve marked them as missing-in-action and presumed dead.”
Although he already suspected their fates, Valek slumped in his chair. He would need to inform their next of kins. It was the worst part of his job.
“How about some good news?” she asked. “Trevar and Adrik are becoming Star’s go-to recruits. She’s still in the preliminary stages of building her network, but they’re in the inner circle.”
Valek was glad to hear it. “Do they know what she’s planning?”
“Her smuggling operation took a big hit. One of her clients fired her. Seems the cargo, so to speak, never arrived in Sitia. The person was supposed to send a letter to the client once safely in Sitia. A letter arrived but without the proper code words.”
It must have been Porter. “Do Trevar and Adrik know the name of the client?”
“Not yet.”
Valek considered. Porter had been saving young magicians and sending them to Sitia. Why would they go missing? The Sitians should be thrilled. “Kenda, I know who the client is, and I need you?—”
“I’m not an idiot, Valek. I’ve known as well. Don’t worry, I won’t tell the Commander. I’m glad Porter’s helping those poor kids. Do you want me to provide a safe escort for his ducklings? Maybe Trevar and Adrik could impress Star even more by getting her client back and taking his ducks into Sitia.”
“That’s an excellent idea. But hold off until it’s safer.”
“And how exactly are you going to make it safe?”
“I’m working on it. In fact, I’m heading to talk to an expert now.”
Valek left Kenda’s office and searched for Yelena. The Commander had assigned the group to a guest suite. The main room had a large comfortable couch, a scattering of soft chairs, desks, and tables. Four bedrooms branched off the main area, two on each side. A row of round windows along the back wall let in the early morning sunlight.
Moon Man sat on the couch with Marrok. Tauno prowled from one end of the room to the other like a caged animal. They all glanced at Valek when he entered.
“I’m glad you weren’t fried,” Valek said to Moon Man.
“I am as well.”
“How are you feeling, Marrok?”
Marrok looked at Moon Man in confusion.
“His injuries are healed,” Moon Man said. “But his mind has been shredded. I am trying to repair the damage.”
“I figured Roze forced him to confess. Can you fix him?”
“I can try.”
“Is Yelena here?”
