Tyrus breathed heavily. He stared at the gap between the woods and the ruins, a gap that would open them to the view of anyone on top of the cleft. “We will be seen advancing,” he muttered darkly. “And who knows what pits and traps are waiting there. There is a reason the trees have been broken down, though I cannot figure what it is.” He wiped his eyes, shaking his head with weariness. He passed over to another tree, examining the view from another angle. “What do you make out, Hettie?”
She stayed within the protective brush of the woods. “The ground has been churned recently. Possibly today. I see hoofprints, but I need to get closer to see anything.” She craned her neck, staring up at the promontory. “Soldiers patrol the top.”
Tyrus sighed. “He’ll keep beasts below to hunt us and intelligent men above to shoot arrows or catapults from above. I think he razed the trees to help them see us coming. We have to go around then.” He turned to Annon. “Remind me what the Dryad told you. Where is the Mother Tree?”
“It’s not on the promontory, but somewhere here around it. Do you think Shirikant razed her tree?”
“He may want us to believe so. I think if he were going to raze it, he would have long ago. There is no benefit to delay. What about the bridge to Mirrowen? Remind me of that.”
Annon cleared his throat. “She said it was in the center of the promontory, in the midst of the ruins.”
“Heavily guarded,” Tyrus observed. “The Mother Tree gives us the word, I believe. The word needed to pass the worlds. Did you not say that?”
“Yes, Tyrus.”
“Forgive my memory. I’m dreadfully tired. We can’t stay here or the Weir will catch us.” He stroked his chin, pondering deeply. “We don’t have the men or the means to fight off a garrison. But we can confuse them. We don’t know where Shirikant is, but I would guess he is closer to the tree. If only we knew.” He rubbed his forehead briskly. “Time for another deception. We should divide our numbers. Here is my plan, but we don’t have long to argue it.” The keening of the Weir sounded much closer. “Time eludes us. Hettie will use her charm and disguise herself as Phae. She will come with me into the clearing. We will draw their attention to us, providing time for you to slip through the woods. I’ll announce we’re surrendering and see if I can draw some of them off the ridge to arrest us. If they come, we’ll use our fireblood to make smoke and confusion. When I start, you do the same, start setting fire to the woods around us, just enough to cause some smoke and add to the confusion. If they charge at Hettie and me, we’ll use the Tay al-Ard to come back to this spot and then circumnavigate the promontory the opposite direction as you . . . or track you if that seems more appropriate. Whichever of us finds the tree first, we’ll wait for the others there and then attack the promontory together after Phae has gotten the name.” He looked quickly at each of their faces. “Any suggestions or improvements? Speak them quickly.”
“Will they be deceived by the surrender?” Aran asked.
“Not Shirikant. But if I can confuse the guards posted on the promontory, that will be well enough. Shirikant can’t be everywhere at once. He has set his forces in motion and they will respond without him. He’s dependent on living beings doing his bidding. Any other thoughts? Quickly!”
Shion frowned. “Once we separate, it will be difficult finding each other.”
“True. More difficult to find us as well. We know our goal and must act with the best knowledge that we have.” Tyrus looked deep into Annon’s eyes, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder. “We are truly a mastermind. You know my goal. Get Phae to the Mother Tree at all costs. That tree has the knowledge we need. If dividing will improve our odds of success, even slightly, we must do what must be done.” His hand gave a subtle squeeze on Annon’s shoulder, unseen by the others.
Annon stared into his eyes, realizing what Tyrus intended. If he had to, Tyrus was prepared to unleash the full power of the fireblood and invoke his own madness to save them. He had given Annon a ring that would summon the Tay al-Ard into his hand, to stop Tyrus from using it while enraged. A sickening feeling crept into Annon’s stomach.
Hettie approached, only she looked exactly like Phae now, her magic providing an exact duplicate of the Dryad-born’s appearance. “Let’s go, Tyrus. Before my courage melts.”
Annon looked at her, feeling the urge to hug her. His pulse quickened with dread. “Watch yourself,” he said hoarsely.
She gave him a quick hug, planting a kiss on his cheek followed by a pat.
Tyrus looked at the real Phae, his expression heartbreakingly tender. He seemed unable to speak, nodding to her in farewell. Phae shook her head, unwilling to accept that, and gave him a fierce hug, burying her face in his chest. His expression shifted from pain to sadness to ferocious determination.
As the Weir howled again, even closer, Annon watched the two leave the shelter of the trees and approach the promontory.