“I’m all too aware,” he spat out, confirming her thoughts. “I’d much rather she save her flirting for someone else.”
“Well,” she just grinned, “if it makes you feel better, I’m pretty sure you are not the only one who gets it.”
All he did was grumble something she didn’t catch.
They didn’t talk much after that, just riding. While being back in Zentyre with the group had made Ahjul’s absence more blatant, and made her own lingering fear from the battle more prevalent…it was peaceful, back in the saddle with Yhkon, everyone else close behind. She’d missed it more than she would have expected.
Aydimor was a week’s ride away. They traveled as quickly as possible, hoping to get Amilyne and get out of Zentyre before Kaydor made another, stronger attempt to take them down.
By the end of the first day, Talea felt exhausted, body aching, her stomach especially. Yhkon noticed her grimace as she climbed out of the saddle and ordered her to sit and rest, not even letting her help set up camp as she usually would. The only concession he made was that she could help Terindi prepare supper, if she stayed sitting. Since it was mostly a matter of stirring a pot of simmering stew, she had plenty of time to watch the rest of her companions, busy around the developing camp.
Her attention shifted to Yhkon’s voice. “Tarol.” Yhkon caught up to the limping Warden, taking his armful of firewood. “I thought I, and Larak, and Grrake told you to take it easy on the leg.”
Something about it struck her as unusual. Maybe Tarol thought so too, because he gave Yhkon a raised eyebrow before shrugging and hobbling away to a more stationary task. Yhkon deposited the wood next to her and the fire with something akin to an unprompted smile. Wow. The second miracle today. He went on to join Gustor and Haeric in setting up one of the tents. Then he helped Grrake, Resh, and Jaylee with another.
A few seconds in and he was snapping at Resh.
But, only when all the jobs that required multiple people were done, did he withdraw to the outskirts of the camp, to attend to his more solitary matters of caring for Eclipse and checking all of his tack. He finished faster than usual and rather than lingering or finding something else to occupy himself, he joined her and most of the others at the fire to wait on supper.
It was one of the few times she’d known him to willingly join them when he could reasonably stay away. Or to actually help with the group tasks, when there were individual roles that could be filled. Sure, he’d been quiet and kept to himself as he’d done it, he’d snapped at Resh…but he’d done it.
As small as it was, it made her feel hopeful, that maybe real improvement was on its way. Their stay in Calcaria had been tense at times, he had been exceptionally withdrawn since, yet somehow she still felt that, in a subtle way, he was less…distant. And less angry. And, she watched with a discreet smile as Jaylee chattered on with Yhkon, faking oblivion to his helpless, vexed demeanor. Jaylee clearly will do everything possible to speed the process along.
21
Infiltration
A lright, let’s get ready and get this over with.”
Talea moved closer, along with everyone else, so that Yhkon could give instructions. Not much had been said about their upcoming trip into Aydimor, Zentyre’s capital, to get the final ward. So she’d assumed that it would involve her, as it had the previous times.
When everyone had gathered around, he continued. “Myself, Talea, and Gustor are going in to get Amilyne. And,” he thought for a second, “two volunteers too, just in case anything goes wrong.”
It took Jay all of two seconds to pipe up. “I’d like to come.”
Yhkon didn’t quite manage to hide a flash of reluctance. “Fine.” Wylan volunteered next, and was accepted without the look of resignation. “Now, the trick is going to be getting in to the city. The—”
Skyve lifted his hand to interrupt. “But you wouldn’t come into Fesdor with Talea to get me, for fear of being recognized. Isn’t that still a risk?”
“It is,” Yhkon admitted, “but it’s an unavoidable one. Fesdor, though large, was small enough that I could give Talea directions and she could find you on her own. Aydimor is huge. There’s no way we can send any of you in alone. Very few Kaydorians actually know what any of us look like—it’s a risk, but a reasonable one.”
He waited to see if there were any further questions, then continued. “Anyway. Getting in is our first problem. The wall is about fifteen feet high and goes all the way around. Anyone coming through the main entrance will be checked and expected to have some proof of identity and purpose…which we probably can’t forge. So we’re going to have to find a way over the wall and past the guards.” He started to continue, probably to offer an idea, only to bite his lip and instead ask, “Any suggestions?”
“Well how ‘bout a good old fashioned distraction?” Resh crossed his arms, leaned back in a nonchalant posture. “Myself and Daddy-Grrake, say, pretend to be trying to get over the wall in one spot, drawing the guards’ attention while you kids get over somewhere else. And then, of course,” he shrugged, “we’ll just escape. Shouldn’t be difficult, from a bunch of Kaydorian metal heads.”
Gustor’s lip curled, as if with distaste. “If they’re kids, does that make me the uncle?”
“Oh it’s perfect!” Tarol’s brown eyes sparkled with mirth as he slapped Grrake and Gustor on the shoulder, grinning at Yhkon. “The three of you golden boys: Daddy-G, Uncle-G, and Baby-Y!”
Yhkon started to say something that she guessed would end with a profanity, only to walk a few steps away with an exasperated scowl. When he came back, it was with a deep breath and an impatient expression. “Are we all clear on the plan and can get on with this?”
“Crystal, Baby-Y.” Resh winked.
Yhkon jabbed a finger his direction with a glare. “Call me that again and I’ll skin you. Let’s go get ready.”
Resh only grinned, especially when Jaylee laughed. Yhkon, looking a little red, muttered instructions for everyone that was going into Aydimor to wash up and change into the nicest clothing they had, escaping the group at his earliest opportunity to follow his own orders.
Talea went with Jaylee to the nearby stream where they could bathe and change into dresses. Jay in a pale pink dress that flattered her slim figure and complimented her complexion was quite different than Jay in trousers and armor with a dozen weapons about her person. Yet both versions had the energetic sparkle in her eyes and a playful smile. When they returned to the group, Talea could have sworn she caught Yhkon glancing away, swallowing hard, only to look back when Jaylee wasn’t paying attention. He himself was in more normal clothing, probably what most men in middle class would wear: trousers, a simple shirt, and a vest. Not a single weapon. Even when he was sleeping, he always had at least one knife on him. Still, she’d be surprised if he hadn’t tucked a dagger somewhere inconspicuous.
With everyone ready, they set out. The city was about two miles from where they’d camped. Grrake and Resh walked with them for the first few minutes, before breaking off to create the distraction elsewhere at the wall.