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“My dear, this little code is no match for one of the Empire’s most accomplished spies. I’ll read the rest of the notes and tell you when I know more. But based on what I’ve already seen, I can tell you who would find this information most valuable.”
Cassia shook her head. “I can think of too many.”
“Indeed,” Hoyefe said, “but we have here a list of lords who have declared their willingness to vote on a new king. Who would be most interested in a catalog of traitors?”
Lio was not surprised, but he did hate the chill that came over Cassia’s aura.
“Our oldest enemy,” she said with a bitter smile. “Naturally, the king has spies inside Patria.”
“The question is,” said Lio, “has Flavian caught them already—or are they still here?”
OUT OF THE FORTRESS
Cassia had to force herself to release Lio when they stepped down to the main courtyard of Castra Patria. It was deserted except for their waiting companions, but she could feel the gazes of Flavian’s sentries on the wall above.
Reluctantly, she let Knight walk between them. She hated letting Lio go when there was so much tension in him. Even without touching him, she could feel the wary hum of his magic.
“We have no cause to fear leaving the keep,” she reminded him. “You’ve already checked the area, and I’m surrounded by protectors.”
“Even so, I do not intend to let my guard down.”
Their Trial brothers, Solia, and Kella waited by torchlight in front of the stables with everyone’s horses saddled and ready. Lio extended his hand to Solia. “Thank you.”
Instead of clasping his wrist, she waved a hand. “It was nothing.”
“Hardly. I regret that you had to dance with Flavian in Cassia’s and my defense. But you have my gratitude.”
“Enduring a turn around the bonfire with that fool was one of the easier challenges I’ve faced for Cassia’s sake.”
Cassia bristled inwardly. Her sister might as well have said I didn’t do it for you.
“You have my gratitude nonetheless,” was Lio’s diplomatic reply as he lowered his hand.
Cassia smoothed the moment of tension by smiling at the others. “Good moon. Isn’t Karege joining us?”
Kella stroked Tilili’s flank, the cat switching her tail as if restless to be on the hunt. “I asked him to stay here with Tuura. I don’t want her without an ally in this den of barbarians, but she needs a good night’s sleep. If she’s to protect us from the necromancer during the day, she can’t burn her candle at both ends.”
“Good.” Lio sighed. “Since I’m only of help at twilight.”
Cassia looked from Kella to Solia. “Will you two be all right without sleep tonight?”
Kella offered Cassia a flask from her saddlebags. “I brought Caravaner’s Milk. It’s an enchanted draught we Azarqi use on long journeys when it isn’t safe to stop and rest.”
“You should save it for you and Solia,” Cassia said.
Solia studied Cassia. “You seem to be feeling better.”
“Of course she is,” Mak said with a grin.
“Lio has restored me.” Cassia kept her voice low, but she didn’t care if she was blushing, or if her sister saw the self-satisfied expression on his face. There was no shame in admitting her Grace took good care of her.
“So it was Craving.” Solia’s tone was neutral, but Cassia didn’t miss the implied accusation.
Before Cassia could come to Lio’s defense, Mak did. “No one should go into battle hungry.”
“Every strategist knows you need to keep your troops fed.” Lyros’s smile suggested he had certainly seen to Mak’s provisions.
“Romance before a fight is too much of a distraction in my opinion,” Kella put in, “but you’ve always sworn by it, haven’t you, Sunburn? What’s that you used to say? Something about a round or two with his sword to warm up?”
