Jhiton hadn’t yet made this a direct order. Thus far, it felt more like they were brainstorming a possible plan. That made Vorik feel he might have leeway to suggest something else. But what else might work? If Lieutenant Mavus and the rest of the spies hadn’tlearned the locations of the other shielders, who but the only remaining direct Moonmark heir would know?
“It isn’t honorable,” Vorik added quietly.
“I know. I once felt the same as you about honor, but, whether for good or ill, desperation allows a man to bend his compliance to the rider code. I’ve had visions about our people and the future. The world is changing, the winters growing longer and harsher, the summers drier. A famine year, like the one that took our father, will come again. Many more times. We must do this for the future of our people.” Jhiton softened his voice, the words barely audible over the roar of the sea. “We must do it for the memory of Jebrosh, for all the other children in the tribes and the survival of our people.”
Vorik closed his eyes. “Are you making this an order?”
“I must, Captain. Find the princess, win her trust, and get her to tell you the locations of the shielders. You needn’t destroy any of them yourself—she would find that suspicious and not fall for it more than once. Just find out where they are. I’ll send in people afterward to handle the destruction.”
“And if I fail?” Vorik would do what he was ordered, as he always did, but he doubted it would be as easy towin the trustof the princess. A handsome smile could only get a man so far with a woman.
“Then Captain Lesva can try her idea. One way or another, wewillcomplete this mission. We’ll change the future of our people forever.” Jhiton’s eyes narrowed. “Agreed?”
Vorik nodded. “Yes, General.”
4
When Syla woke from unconsciousness,her head pounded, and she didn’t want to open her eyes. But she was swaying back and forth in someone’s arms and worried she’d been captured. When she pried her lids open, the blurry view wasn’t illuminating. Smoldering fires provided ambient light, and she could tell she was outside, but it took her a long moment to make out that she was staring at the side of someone’s thick neck.
“Sergeant Fel?” she whispered,hopingthat was who had her.
“Yes,” he said, a hint of relief in the single bass note.
Thank the sun and moon gods.
“I’m glad it’s you.” Syla peered uselessly around, the looming shapes of buildings impossible to identify. “Are we going…”
Home, she wanted to say, but the memory of all that had happened came crashing back to her. The castle wouldn’t feel like home anymore. And Moon Watch Temple? Had it made it through the attack? Were her friends and colleagues there safe?
“We’re almost to the castle,” Fel said.
“The temple might be a better spot.” She thought of her spare spectacles in her room there and touched her face, though shealready knew she wasn’t wearing the broken ones. “If you need more healing?—”
“I’m fine.Youwere the one I was worried about when I woke up with you collapsed on top of me.”
“Sorry about that. I, uhm, got tired.”
“You healed me. Magically.” His tone was hard to read.
Did he disapprove? Or feel dread knowing her magic might bind him to her for some time going forward?
“I did,” Syla said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get your permission first. You were unconscious, and I needed you. I couldn’t see, and there were men scrounging for valuables, and— Wait, what happened to them?”
“Ihappened to them. When I woke up. They were patting us down, looking for items to steal. I knocked their asses into the street, left them bloody, and didn’t care in the least that they were kingdom subjects.”
“I… found the thought of them looting distasteful as well.”
“Yes.” Fel shifted his grip on her, balancing her briefly in the crook of one of his big arms, and she tightened her grasp around his shoulders while he drew something out of his pocket. “Here. These look like they were stepped on by a dragon, but I’m sure you need them.”
Syla held out a hand, and Fel pressed her bent spectacles frame into it. Unfortunately, the lenses were as broken now as they had been before and would do her no good.
“Thank you, but I’m going to need another pair. They’re at the temple. Can we?—”
“It’s gone,” he said grimly.
“Gone?”
“Flattened.”
