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Petrik says, “How did you get your last spies into the palace?”
“They traveled on foot. Wore disguises to blend in with the people from Ravis.”
“Do you still have clothing from the territory?”
“… Yes.”
“Then we will dress the part. We’ll take the door, stash our weapons somewhere, do reconnaissance. We’ll infiltrate the palace staff. Do you know where Serutha is being held?”
“She wasn’t in the dungeons. My spies did a sweep of the castle, covering every floor save the one housing Ravis’s rooms. He’s keeping her close. That was the last I heard before they were found out. They must have gotten too close.”
“That leaves us only one floor of the castle to search. We’ll find her and bring her back straightaway.”
“She’ll be guarded,” Skiro says. “You won’t be able to just take her.”
“We have magical weapons,” Petrik reminds him. “We’ll cause a distraction if need be to lure them away. Lessen their numbers.”
Skiro still wants to say no. I can tell.
“Ziva will be indebted to you if you save her sister’s life,” Petrik finishes.
At that, Skiro looks to me before looking down at the hammersaround my waist. He sighs. “Fine, the mercenary bloke can go. Ziva and you will stay here.”
“I’m going,” Petrik and I snap at the same time.
“You’re far too important to risk,” Skiro says to me.
“You just barely learned of my abilities! You don’t even know me. That’smysister dying. I’ll be damned if I stay behind when I can do something to save her.”
Skiro cracks a small smile. “I like you,” he says.
For some reason, that statement makes Kellyn shift awkwardly next to me.
“I’m going, too,” Petrik says again.
“You’ll be recognized.”
“I’m the only one who knows the layout of the palace. It has to be me.”
“You haven’t been there in years.”
“I’ve a good memory.”
“I don’t want to lose you, brother.”
“If she dies, you’ll lose me anyway.”
Skiro reads that loud and clear. If he doesn’t concede, Petrik will never forgive him.
“You’d better cover your face, then,” Skiro says.
“I will.”
Skiro reaches for a cord necklace he had hidden underneath his tunic. With a sigh, he hands it over to Petrik. The prince calls for an attendant, mutters something to him, and then returns to the table. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like anything to eat first?” he asks me.
I don’t answer. I’m still not certain what is happening, and I’m such a mess that I don’t know what would come out of me if I did speak. I settle for a shake of my head.
When the attendant returns, it’s with three sets of clothing. Petrik gathers them, walks over to me, grabs my upper arm, andhauls me after him. He’s practically running through the fine halls, and I nearly trip in my haste to keep up with him. Kellyn plods along behind us.
