Shetsked. “These are old. I’ll replace them with a new pair.”
“No, thank you. The fabric has finally softened to a comfortable level.”
“If the Commander complains about your shoddy appearance, you better not blame me, or I’ll make your next sneak suit one size too small.”
A genuine threat. “I’ll take full responsibility.”
“Good.” She handed him Yelena’s uniform. “Nowshoo, I’ve work to do.”
Valek left. Dilana provided him with all his disguises, and his sneak suits were vital to his work.
He stopped in his office to drop off Yelena’s uniform. She hadn’t agreed to become the Commander’s new adviser, and he doubted she would. The only reason she would need a uniform was because she planned to sneak out of Ixia. Her Sitian clothing would draw unwanted attention.
Valek wondered if she’d leave tonight as he hurried to the meeting. The Commander’s war room was located in one of the castle’s four towers. Despite the distance, he was the first to arrive. Weak sunlight streamed through the long stained-glass windows that striped the round walls. A large egg-shaped conference table occupied the center. Valek glanced up, checking that no intruders hid in the rafters.
Circling the table, he sat in his place, which was to the right of the Commander’s seat at the narrow end of the oval. The Commander arrived next, followed by Ari and Janco.
“Have you determined the best way to counter these Daviians?” the Commander asked as he settled in his seat.
“I’ve a few ideas.”
The door to the war room opened. Yelena and her companions entered. No one smiled and tension emanated from their tight shoulders, pressed lips, and stiff spines. They were not acting like a cohesive group. Something wasn’t right. When they sat down, they left empty seats between them.
“Valek was just informing me on the state of affairs in Sitia,” the Commander said. “Continue.”
The state of affairs? Interesting word choice. Had the Commander sensed the friction as well. Valek changed tactics. “I found the situation to be rather ah…unique.” He leaned back in his chair and scanned the unhappy faces.
“Unique is putting it mildly,” Janco said. He rubbed the scar where the bottom half of his right ear used to be. It was a nervous tick.
“Try alarming,” Ari added.
“Alarming would work,” Valek agreed. “Taking out the Council wouldn’t result in better leaders. In fact, it would have inflamed the citizens to all-out war. And they have some new players who could potentially tip the battle in their favor.”
“Players? Try creepy men. Scary magicians. Evil demons.” Janco shuddered.
Valek shot Janco a warning look. He was being vague. “I need to obtain more information before I can assess the true nature of the threat and determine the best way to counter it.” Which was somewhat true.
“Why have you returned?” the Commander asked even though he knew the answer.
Valek glanced at Yelena. Was all of this for her benefit? “I require more help. Things were getting a little too hot, even for me.”
The room fell quiet as Commander Ambrose considered. “What do you need?”
“A few more men, Yelena and her brother.”
Leif grunted in surprise but kept quiet.
“She hasn’t agreed to be an adviser yet so I can’t order her to assist you,” the Commander said.
“Then I will have to ask.” Valek looked at them.
“Yes,” Yelena said at the same time as Leif said no.
“I’m a Sitian, remember? I can’t aid Ixia in overthrowing Sitia,” Leif said.
Ah, that explained some of the tension.
“I don’t want to take control of Sitia,” the Commander said. “I just don’t want them to invade us, and I will take preventative measures to stop them.”
