“So do we all,” Thom added with Rafferty and Ethenn’s approval.
Archminister Fishere sighed with an air of long-suffering patience. “You do realize that by refusing to continue this mission, you are prolonging the time in which she’ll needprotective custody, not to mention prolonging a nearly two-century-long war.”
“We need her, Edmaund,” Ilain said sharply.
Fishere sent her a disapproving glare. “We need her alive and not Bonded, Highlady Calder.”
Evylin thought perhaps she should speak up for herself, but what was there to say? She was caught in indecision herself. She could stay with her husband and friends and risk being captured by Blount, or she could remain behind, trust them to save two countries, and know that she’d never have to face a future as Blount’s unwilling Warrior.
“Now that Blount has discovered the existence of the Warrior he intends to take,” Fishere continued sharply, “do you think he’ll stop? More likely, he’ll forestall his desire for the Relics if it will help him obtain her.”
“He doesn’t even have all the pieces for the ceremony,” Ilain protested.
“What is that to him? She’s a Warrior. He’s a Mage. He can wait a hundred years with her as his prisoner, and she’ll be just as viable as ever,” Fishere said, then his sharp eyes scanned them all. “As you don’t seem to understand, allow me to clarify your situation. We received news from one of our spies this evening. Blount arrived at Lady Renaul’s estate in Keale the morning after your escape, and in his anger at losing you and two of the Relics, he killed her.”
Evylin blinked.
“Blount commandeered Officer Caustin from Lady Renaul’s services and had a servant post a letter to the Orders detailing his plans to leave Keale and journey to Carrickbrack, where he will meet with a band of Mages before continuing to Ephria and the Terrae Relic.”
Fishere surveyed the troop, only Deckard remaining on his feet. “You have, at most, two days to catch him. Should youpursue a crossing at the border, your path will take you right alongside Blount and his Mages. Should you return to Verlund Reach and attempt to cross through the Night Keep again, your path will take you right into the hands of the Night Mages traveling to join Blount. Am I making your predicament clear? Private Deckard is in imminent danger.”
A beat of silence passed through the hall.
“And what about Lieutenant Lohen?” Deckard pressed, searching for any hole in the Alliance’s reasoning. “She’s not Bonded, is she?”
Fishere didn’t appear bothered by this fact. “The prince doesn’t have an obsession with the lieutenant. And she is fully trained.”
Another fine point, Evylin thought.
“What if I don’t want the job?” Lohen asked abruptly, rising from her seat once more.
Auden gaped down at her as though personally affronted.
Fishere’s eyes narrowed. “Are you rejecting the assignment, Lieutenant?”
Lohen shrugged. “I haven’t decided. Perhaps Isla is correct. Perhaps Blount is so fixated on Private Deckard that he wouldn’t give a damn about me, but who’s to say he won’t simply decide any female Warrior will do? I’m putting myself at great risk based on a narcissist’s whims. Beyond that, I’m not entirely certain what my assignment would be. Am I to be a Warrior to the Calders or train the corporal? And potentially the private, should she join us.”
“She won’t be joining you,” Fishere said, then hurried on before Deckard could object further. “I fail to see the exclusive nature of those jobs, Lieutenant.”
“They aren’t exclusive, sir,” the lieutenant agreed. “But it is a necessary distinction. If I’m first and foremost a trainer on this mission, then the private and corporal are my priority. If I’m tobe a Warrior to Mages, then the Calders will take precedence. Should life or death be a factor—which sounds likely—I will need to know where to put my focus.”
After a deep breath, the archminister turned to each side of his table to hear the thoughts of his fellow ministers. He nodded in approval at their muttered replies before turning back to the lieutenant. “It seems to us that your priority should be training up our Warriors. As highly as we value the Calders, they are both strong enough to rely on their own powers, each other, and the remaining team members for assistance. Corporal Loxley is in far greater need of your services.”
Rafferty snickered at the statement, elbowing Ethenn.
Lieutenant Lohen eyed the men for a moment before giving a firm nod. “Then I accept,” she said. “But if you’d like my professional opinion as a soldier, you’re being ridiculous. Private Deckard is far safer with her husband than she is without him. Keeping her here is asinine. Thank you for your consideration.” And with that, the lieutenant resumed her seat.
A ripple of discontentment blended with laughter around the room. From far down the table, Thom snorted in amusement, and Isla smirked.
Evylin took a moment to glance at Lieutenant Lohen, feeling grateful for her honesty while wondering at its validity. If she were safer with Deckard, wouldn’t it be best for both of them to stay protected in Wauld?
Archminister Fishere lifted his eyes to the Heavens before calling for silence once more. “With that settled,” he said crossly, “might we return to the issue at hand? We value Private Deckard’s safety. As such, we do not want to put her in harm’s way. Can you not see the reason in that?”
“I see no reason in separating me from my wife,” Deckard insisted.
Evylin stared up at him along with the rest of the room, breath caught in her chest. Turned away from her as he was, she couldn’t see his expression. But his taut jaw and fists pressed against the table told her all she needed to know of his mood.
“Will you refuse this assignment, then?” Fishere asked, tone blatantly terse.
