The whooshing sound of dragon wings passed overhead before he had a chance to reply. A moment later, Leetra and her dragon descended through the trees and landed at the edge of camp. She would surely have news. Jace and Holden rose and set their bowls aside to meet her.
“Welcome back,” Holden said as they approached.
The crete girl gave a nod, her lavender eyes cool as always, and slid down from the dragon.
“What’s the latest from Valcré?” Holden asked.
“A lot that Trask will want to act on.” She reached up to unstrap her things from her saddle without giving them any further information.
Jace exchanged a look with Holden. Winter had been quiet, but now that spring had arrived, whatever plans Emperor Daican had for the domination of Ilyon would inevitably resume. There was no sense in hoping he had somehow had a change of heart.
In silence, Leetra gathered up her things and headed straight for Trask’s cabin. Jace and Holden followed along. Whatever news she brought would no doubt affect them in some way, despite how Jace hated such disruptions. For once he would just like to find a place to live in peace, but that seemed as unlikely as the emperor suddenly declaring them all friends and fully pardoned.
At the cabin, Leetra knocked, and Trask opened the door to greet them.
“You’re early today,” he said as she strode inside. Usually she returned from trips to Valcré in the evening, not midday.
“I started out late yesterday,” she explained, setting her things down by the door. “I planned to fly through the night, but the rain got heavy and I set down for a while.”
“Have you eaten?” Timothy asked.
“Not since yesterday.”
He pulled out a chair for her at the end of the table and moved to the fireplace to dish her up a bowl of soup.
Meanwhile, Trask asked, “So, what’s the news?”
Leetra gave Timothy a brief thanks for the soup and, after taking a bite, her focus fixed again on Trask. “Sounds like Daican is setting his sights on Samara.”
Trask made a face. They had always suspected it would be the first place the emperor would seek to conquer. As far as Jace knew, the country was small and still predominately devoted to Elôm. He couldn’t see them standing against a country the size of Arcacia for very long.
The door opened again. He looked over his shoulder as Kaden, Trev, Talas, and the other prominent members of their group walked in. Kyrin entered last. Anything the others said was lost as Jace locked eyes with her. Just as the day before, she looked tired, and her eyes were red from crying. His stomach knotted around the little bit of lunch he’d eaten. He had caused her this pain. She, however, offered a brief, tentative smile as she stepped farther into the cabin and stood near Kaden at the table. Her attention turned to Leetra, and she didn’t look at him again, but he watched her for a long moment. Her smile gave him hope that things would be all right between them once they talked it out. He would have right this moment, but Leetra’s voice reminded him of the reason they had all gathered here.
“. . . been sending correspondences back and forth with Sir Rothas Cantan. Aric thinks they’re planning something.”
Trask nodded in agreement. “From what I know of Sir Rothas, he’s a brilliant strategist. If Daican is planning war on Samara, it would make sense for him to involve Rothas to form an attack strategy. Does Aric have any idea what kind of information they are trading?”
Leetra shook her head. “Daican keeps things pretty secretive these days. As far as Aric can tell, he only involves that vile Sir Richard. Not even Foss has been able to get a look at any of the letters.”
“I sure would like to know what Rothas is helping him plan,” Rayad said. “It must be something big if he won’t even let his secretary in on it.”
“Why don’t we intercept one of their messengers and find out?” Holden suggested.
Trask let out a long breath. “I don’t think that would be wise. The emperor would know someone close to him has tipped us off. That would only put Aric at greater risk and, if Daican knew we discovered his plans, who’s to say he wouldn’t just alter them?” He folded his arms, his expression thoughtful. “What we really need is a way to get a look at those correspondences, either at the palace or at Sir Rothas’s home, without either of them knowing.”
“Perhaps we could sneak someone in,” Talas suggested. “Rothas’s home can’t be as secure as Auréa. If we could get someone inside, we could probably gather all sorts of useful information.”
“It would be risky. Just the time needed to go through whatever we might find would make it nearly impossible.”
“Not if you sent me in.”
All eyes went straight to Kyrin, and Jace felt as though he’d taken a blow to the gut. The danger of such an undertaking was unthinkable, yet her expression was calm and matter-of-fact.
“I would only need a quick look at the letters and could go through it in my mind later. I wouldn’t need much time.”
“It’s good of you to offer, but we can’t put you at risk like that,” Trask said, shaking his head, and Jace released the breath he was holding. “And anyway, we’d have no way of getting in. If I were not a fugitive, then it would be possible, but Sir Rothas won’t invite just anyone into his home.”
This seemed to settle the discussion, thankfully. The more conflict and danger Kyrin could avoid, the better.
Jace’s attention shifted once more to Leetra when Talas asked, “Any news of Falcor?”
Leetra’s eyes glittered coldly, the icy tone of her voice matching. “Aric sees him at the palace now and then. He and his group of traitors are still training the firedrakes and their riders in a camp near Fort Rivor. They’ll have an estimated sixty ready for combat within the next couple of weeks.”
“Just in time for an attack on Samara,” Trask murmured.
“No doubt that’s the plan,” Rayad said.
Trask looked at Kaden. “Would you get Marcus for me? If war is coming, we need to be prepared so we’re there when Samara needs us.”
Kaden turned to go, as did Jace and several of the others. Kyrin was just ahead of him, following her brother. They stepped outside, and Jace worked up his courage before calling her name. She stopped to look back at him. He waited until everyone had walked off, and then approached her as she faced him. It was hard to read her guarded expression, but her blue eyes stared up at him, projecting hopefulness. His heart rate picked up, and he licked his lips. Suddenly, everything he wanted to say seemed inadequate. How could a few words fix the pain he had caused? He frowned down at the ground, berating himself, before dragging his gaze back to hers.
“I’m sorry.”
Those two little words hardly seemed able to convey his true remorse, but they had the power to erase all sign of hurt from her face, warming her expression.
He swallowed and pushed on. “I shouldn’t have said what I did. Your kindness has seen me through some of my worst times, and I wouldn’t want to lose it. I know I hurt you. Can you forgive me?”
A tired but ready smile graced her lips. “Always.”
Jace let out a deep sigh, and now Kyrin took a turn to speak.
“I just want to help you. I was worried when you were gone.”
Jace hung his head. He should have thought about her before he left like that. “I know… I’m sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And I’m really sorry I ruined your birthday.”
Kyrin shrugged. “There will be others.”
And Elôm knew how Jace prayed there would be. He, of all people, understood how fragile life was. It could end in a moment, without warning.
“I’m just glad you’re safe . . .” she paused, “. . . and came back.”
“I would never leave for good.” Jace didn’t know where the promise came from, but he meant it. There had been a time when he’d contemplated leaving, but as long as she was here, that wouldn’t happen.
Her smile returned, brighter this time, but it faded agai
n into seriousness as she searched his eyes. “Are you all right?”
Jace broke eye contact, his gaze wandering around camp as he contemplated how to answer. After last night, he didn’t want her to see the doubt, fear, and turmoil that still boiled up inside him and have it come between them again. Struggling, he let his gaze return to her.
“I don’t know,” he answered truthfully, and shrugged.
“I understand, but please, try to realize that none of this was your fault.” She spoke with gentle earnestness. “Yes, it is tragic. I have all the compassion in the world for Alice because I know what she feels, but it doesn’t change the fact that her father tried to kill you. That would have been murder.” She paused, and Jace caught a glimmer of moisture in her eyes. “Do you know how many times I’ve imagined coming to find you lying there dying? Maybe it’s selfish, but I thank Elôm constantly that you’re still here. I know this is hard for you, but we’ve been through hard times before. I just need you to believe we can get through this one.”
Jace stared down at her. Maybe he could get through this and maybe he couldn’t, but he nodded. For her sake, he had to try.
Spring was Trask’s favorite time in Landale. It always brought him back to his childhood when he and his friends had run off to the woods to build their forts and have grand adventures. They had spent all day in the forest, always reluctant to return home in the evening. He’d often wished he could live in one of their forts and never leave. He chuckled, taking in the view of camp from just outside his cabin. Though he couldn’t say he liked the circumstances, that wish had come true.
Across camp, his eyes snagged on movement that brought a wide smile to his face. There was one thing that could make a day like this even better, and she was riding in right now on a white mare. He set off to meet Anne, his heart light in spite of the matters weighing on his mind. Her smile further buoyed him up. He had known her since they were toddlers, yet she still captivated him like no other. One of these days, he would make her his wife.
“Two visits in one week. Aren’t I lucky?” He took hold of her horse’s reins while she dismounted.
Anne gave him her familiar amused smile. “I came to see if Jace was back and how Kyrin is doing.”
Trask tipped his head. “Why is it that you never seem to come just to see me?”
“You’re the one who cautioned me about being seen too often on the forest road. I have to pick and choose my times.”
Trask glanced at the playful curve of her lips, tempting him to kiss them.
“So, what about Jace?”
He raised his eyes back to hers, completely unabashed, noting her arched brow. “He returned two days ago.”
“Good,” Anne said in genuine concern that convicted Trask to take her questioning more seriously. “How is he?”
Handing her horse to one of the boys he had put in charge of the stable, Trask took Anne’s hand, and they walked slowly around camp. He could do this all day.
“About as well as can be expected. There was some strain between him and Kyrin, but they’ve worked it out. I think it’s just going to take time for him to put this behind him.”
“It’s so unfortunate. He looked so happy at the party.”
Trask winced. “I should have done something about Hagen before it came to this.”
Anne squeezed his hand. “I don’t think there was anything you could have done. You couldn’t turn them away. I’m sure Jace doesn’t blame you for what happened.”
Trask agreed, though he still contemplated possible ways he could have prevented it. Despite how Jace viewed himself, Trask valued him as an important member of his inner circle and didn’t want him thinking otherwise.
Putting it aside for now, he said, “Leetra returned yesterday.”
“What news did she bring?”
“Not good, I’m afraid.” He stopped to face Anne. “Looks like Daican is planning to move against Samara. He’s been in contact with Sir Rothas Cantan. The man is a brilliant strategist, and we can only assume that he is helping Daican plan a war.”
“But you don’t know specifics?”
“No. Daican is taking all precautions and only sharing with Richard.”
“There’s no way to find out what they’re up to?”
“The only thing any of us have come up with so far is getting someone into Sir Rothas’s home to gather information. Kyrin offered, since all she would have to do is get a look at things, but not only is it dangerous, we have no way to get anyone inside. If I still had my position, it would be easy to manufacture a reason to visit him, but he’s not going to take in just anyone.”
“What about me?” Anne’s question blasted right through Trask’s thoughts. “As the daughter of a fellow knight, he’d be obliged to offer me hospitality if I were, say, passing through the area to visit a friend.”
“No.” He wouldn’t even consider it. “It’s too risky.”
Anne frowned. “Is that based on the chances of success or just that you love me?”
“It’s dangerous. If you were to be discovered, you’d be arrested and executed.”
Anne’s brows rose. “How is that different from my situation now?”
“It is different,” Trask insisted. “It isn’t lying low; it’s putting yourself in danger.”
“But what if it’s Samara’s only chance for survival?”
Trask hesitated. He didn’t have a good argument for that beyond what he had said already. Before he could try again, she pressed on, her voice softening to an almost pleading tone.
“All of you risk your lives in trying to protect people from the emperor. Well, I want to do my part. I fully understand the risk involved, but if this could aid the people of Samara, then how could we just let the opportunity pass because of the danger? If Kyrin is still willing to take the risk, then so am I. Think about it. This is far bigger than you and me.”
Trask grimaced. Why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut? The last thing he wanted was to admit that she was right. He blew out a heavy sigh.
“You need to talk to your father. Without his permission, we’re not doing anything.”
A smile grew on Anne’s lips and determination lit in her eyes. Trask’s last hope was that Sir John would never agree to this, but, since Anne had already persuaded him to consider it, he had little hope that she wouldn’t persuade her father as well.
A prickle of unease crawled along Jace’s skin as he followed Warin and the others to Trask’s cabin for another meeting. It wasn’t like Trask to gather them just before supper. Jace knew he had ridden to Marlton with Anne earlier in the afternoon, and it upset his empty stomach to consider what news he brought back.
As they gathered inside the cabin, Jace sensed the tension in the air. Whatever this was about, it had Trask on edge as well. Once everyone from their group was present, Trask faced them, his usual good humor buried tonight.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you so close to suppertime, but I’ll make this brief.” His eyes sought one particular member of the group. “Kyrin, are you still willing to gather information from Sir Rothas?”
Jace’s heart thumped, and “no” almost left his lips, but he couldn’t speak for her. He watched her expression lift in surprise, silently pleading with her not to say yes.
“I’m willing.”
Jace let his shoulders slump. He had been so relieved when they’d decided against this course of action. Why had Trask changed his mind?
“I spoke with Anne on the matter today, and she has offered to use her status to get an invitation into Rothas’s home.”
So that was reason for Trask’s sullen mood—he didn’t want Anne in such danger any more than Jace did Kyrin. No doubt he had tried to talk her out of it, but, knowing Anne, she had likely insisted.
“I’ve spoken with Sir John and we’re both in agreement that we should make every effort to gain this information for Samara’s sake, though neither of us are particularly comfortable with the risk.” Trask paused as if
rethinking the entire thing before pressing on. “The best way to combat this is to make sure Anne and Kyrin have a strong security force. That’s where the rest of you come in. Unfortunately, Sir Rothas and I have met, so I am unable to join you, but I trust that you will take care of them.” He turned. “Rayad, unless you have any objections, I’m placing you as head of security.”
Rayad nodded in acceptance.
Trask scanned the others present—Jace, Kaden, Trev, Mick, and Holden. “Do any of you have objections about going?”
Jace shook his head, as did the others. He would follow Kyrin anywhere to make sure she was safe.
“Good, that makes five, plus Rayad. I’d like to add one more man. It will look more professional that way. I’m open to suggestions.”
“I’ll go.” Aaron’s voice came from the back of the cabin where he stood listening in with Timothy.
Trask looked at him, appearing pleased by the offer. After all, Timothy’s brother was resourceful in tricky situations and a master with a bow. His skills as a half crete had already come in handy before. “All right.”
“When will we be leaving?” Rayad asked.
“You’ll have tomorrow to prepare. Sir John will gather Marlton security uniforms for you. You’ll need to travel by horseback.” His gaze shifted once again to Kyrin. “You’ll go under the guise of Anne’s maid. She will provide you with the necessary clothing.”
Jace worked the hard-bristled brush over Niton’s warm black coat, loosing the mud and thick winter hair. The stallion stood, one back leg propped restfully, enjoying the attention. The two of them hadn’t been on any sort of mission together since the dragons had become part of camp. Jace had grown very fond of his dragon, Gem, but he was eager to use the horses this time. Though he had become accustomed to flying, he still had no love of heights.
Glancing over the horse’s back, his gaze caught on Kyrin as she left Trask’s cabin, from working with Timothy, no doubt. They spent a lot of time together… His brows pulled together. Not that it should bother him. There was no better man in all of camp than Timothy. Kyrin would do well to take interest in him. Still, that didn’t stop the discomforting twinge in Jace’s chest.
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