So when Hireath’s western cliffs finally came into view, I was hit both with relief and a renewed sense of restlessness. Noc, Calem, Ozias, Kost, and I took the first rowboat toward the sheer, gray cliffs with Isla and her troops following suit behind us. The aroma of salt and seaweed filled my nose as tumultuous waves crashed into the slate rock face, obscuring the hidden staircase from view. Only a Charmer would know how to safely pinpoint the entrance. After rounding the bend, the rocky slabs making up the winding stairs came into view, and we were able to safely deboard on the water-slicked stones. It would take time to ferry all the troops and supplies, but a safe return to Lendria was more than worth it.
The moment we reached the open lawns of Hireath, Isla began barking orders at the troops behind her. They worked quickly and efficiently to erect tents and set up camp, and a handful of them returned to the boats to usher in more soldiers and supplies. The Cruor assassins looked on from their own encampment, uncertain whether or not to help. Oz signaled for Emelia and Iov, and they appeared in a plume of shadows beside us. He gave them orders to assist in any way possible, pointing out Isla as their leader, and they disappeared as quickly as they’d came.
“Welcome back,” Raven called as she approached us from the direction of the keep, Kaori beside her. “Glad to see Rhyne has joined us.”
I allowed for a tight smile. “Thanks, I’m glad everyone is holding up here. Where’s the package?”
Kaori grimaced. “In your room.”
“Thank you for handling that.” I glanced around at the flurry of activity. There was so much to do, so much to organize. Noc watched me closely and let his fingers graze the back of my arm. Just the smallest of reassuring touches. “I’ll open it shortly.”
Kost cleared his throat. “No word of Gaige?”
Another punch to the gut, and I sucked in a breath.
Raven shook her head once. “No.”
Noc eyed his brother, a glimmer of sadness in his gaze. “Go on. Speak to the sentries. See if they have anything more.”
“I’ll come with you.” Calem clamped a hand on Kost’s shoulder. “We can do a quick perimeter check. Maybe they missed something.”
Kost nodded without speaking and backstepped into shadows, Calem a breath behind him. Both Oz and Noc tracked their invisible progression before sharing a somber look. Noc rolled his head from side to side, easing tension from his shoulders.
“We’ll find him,” he said.
Raven clenched her jaw tight. “I hope so. Though, he’s going to get an earful from me when he does return.”
“The transition is hard. Even more so for Gaige,” Oz said. He eyes lingered on the plethora of beasts intermingling with the Charmers. Their presence was a constant reminder of what Gaige had lost. It would be enough to send me running from Hireath, too.
“Yeah,” I said. For a moment, we simply stood in silence and let the sounds of the clearing wash over us. The crashing falls were a constant backdrop to the bustle of activity on the lawns. Canvas flapped against the breeze as Rhyne’s troops erected tents near the assassins. Isla moved away from the closest one, her confident steps thudding against the ground, and approached us. Beside me, Oz stiffened. Raven quirked a brow as she took in his sudden stillness, and then she rounded her gaze on Isla.
“We’ll be done setting up in no time. Are there any strategy meetings planned for this evening?” Isla asked.
“No. We have a separate matter to attend to first.” Noc peered at me for a moment, and I nodded. I didn’t know what was in that package, and the last thing I wanted was to put our new ally in danger. Noc and I could examine the contents ourselves and report back to the group after. “We’ll convene in the morning,” he added. “Once everyone has had some rest.”
“Good. If I could get a tour of the place, that would be appreciated.” Isla nodded to the castle and the surrounding woods. “I’d rather be prepared in case we get any surprise visitors.”
“I can do it,” Oz blurted out, then blanched.
Raven stared at him for a long minute before pivoting toward Isla. “How about we show her together? I’m more versed in the castle layout than you. I’m Raven, by the way.”
Isla gripped her extended hand tightly and smiled. “Isla. That would be wonderful, thank you.”
“Come on, Ozias.” Raven beckoned over her shoulder as she and Isla strode away, first in the direction of Cruor’s forces. “Why don’t you introduce her to some of your brethren?”
Oz practically tripped over his feet as he went after them, leaving Noc and me alone with Kaori. Noc’s gaze followed his brother, a slight smile tugging at his lips, before returning his focus to us. His expression sobered.
“Let’s deal with the parcel.”
Kaori glanced between us. “If…if you could just fill me in as soon as possible…”
There was a slight quiver to her tone that stole my attention, and a tightness formed in my chest. Her face was carefully blank. Forced, even. Only her voice betrayed the worry she felt. Worry I also shared, but I wasn’t entirely certain it was for the same reason.
“Of course. Why don’t we plan to have the Council meet in the library within the hour to discuss its contents?”
Placing a hand over her bestiary, she nodded. “Thank you.” And with that, she strode off in the direction of the library, her glossy black hair swaying behind her.
“You ready?” Noc asked, jutting his chin in the direction of the keep.
