“I don’t have enough information to have an opinion,” Alwyn finally said. “So we need to observe as much as we can first, before trying to infiltrate. That way, we’ll have a better idea of how best not to get ourselves immediately killed.”
Krujha laughed, and the hint of a smile on Alwyn’s face only made him grin wider. It wasn’t exactly ajoke, but coming from Alwyn, the words were lighthearted enough for Krujha to be amused. “That would be ideal, wouldn’t it?”
“It would.”
“Well, I’ll be discussing with Galred the best way to ensure our survival,” Krujha sighed.
“Hm.” Alwyn made a noncommittal noise in response.
“I would ask the others what they think, too, but none of them are as friendly as you are.”
Alwyn’s eyes narrowed, staring at Krujha in obvious confusion for a long moment—until Krujha couldn’t hold back the laugh that burst from his chest, and the elf scowled.
“Iamtoo friendly to you,” he mumbled, turning away as Krujha stood, still laughing.
His conversation with Galred, after their group had eaten their supper—cold and dry rations, because a campfire would surely attract the eyes of nearby scouts—was much less lighthearted. They sat in the center of the camp where a campfire might have been; instead, they were illuminated only by the dim, cool light of a few floating globules the elves had summoned after the sun set.
“I don’t think the full group should go in at once,” Krujha started.
“I agree,” Galred said, nodding, but added nothing else.
“So… I was thinking Torlag and one of the elves should go in,” Krujha continued after a beat. “Whichever you think would be best suited to keeping their head down, and being able to gather information without arousing suspicion. If they don’t have any other elves in the camp, they would likely need to be comfortable being alone for a time as well, until Torlag can get a better beat on the camp.”
Galred nodded, silent. Krujha waited, but the elf remained still. He had to assume Galred was thinking about what he’d said, but his face was expressionless, giving him no hint as to what he was considering. This was the part of working with elves that he didn’t like—how they purposely tried to have no personality nor opinion on anything. It was why he liked being paired up with Alwyn.
Finally, though, Galred spoke. “Yes, I think sending a pair in to gather information, then reporting back to us would be best. My recommendation to go with Torlag would be Fionia.”
Krujha waited to see if he would elaborate on his reasoning, but he offered no other explanation.
“Well, then, Fionia it is,” he said, nodding. “Will you speak with her in the morning so she can be prepared?”
“Yes,” Galred said.
They sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment longer, then Krujha cleared his throat, nodded once, and stood.
“Glad we got that settled,” he said. “Sleep well.”
“Sleep well,” Galred echoed, rising in one graceful motion.
Krujha considered what he knew of the elves. Galred was an instructor, likely the senior of the Order mages specifically. This Order, from what he could gather from Alwyn’s brief mentions, was a sect of the Library that trained its members in assassination and spycraft; in all likelihood, it took an approach where the end always justified the means.
So why had Galred chosen Fionia? Like Alwyn, she was likely also a member of the Order: someone the older elf trusted above the other three Library mages. As to why he chose her over Alwyn, he could only guess—but he assumed she had mastered the shielding practice that had so frustrated Alwyn, and so would have a better chance of survival if indeed this camp was capable of checking elven captives for signs of magic. He wondered if Alwyn might be annoyed at being passed over, or relieved not to have to go into the camp alone; probably a mix of both, all things considered.
Despite himself, Krujha craned his head to peer toward Alwyn’s tent, wondering if the elf might still be awake. It looked like a faint light was coming from within—he was recognizing the cool glow of the small globules of light the elves often used—so surely he was inside. But he wouldn’t bother Alwyn if he wasn’t out in the camp.
When he lay down in his own bedroll, he found himself staring up at the top of his tent in the darkness for a long time. Hehadn’t planned to be the one to lead this mission, nor to come up with the plan the others would follow. But without Gorza, he had ended up in that position, which meant any failure would fall on his shoulders.
And knowing how worried Alwyn was about not succeeding in this mission only increased the pressure. He didn’t want to fail for his own reasons, of course, but seeing how upset Alwyn had been by his own struggles made him even more determined to succeed. They couldn’t afford anything less.
In the morning, Alwyn took Krujha by surprise by approaching him first, quietly coming up behind him as he was taking his tent down. The elf nearly managed to sneak up on him with how distracted he was, thinking about the day to come.
“So what did you and Galred decide?” he asked, his voice low. Krujha raised an eyebrow at him.
“You wouldn’t rather ask him?”
Alwyn’s expression remained unchanged, though Krujha swore he could see his eye twitch, which made him laugh.
“I’m asking you,” Alwyn prompted.
