I laughed at how childish she sounded.
Irys smiled back. “What else do you need from us?”
I sobered. “Just keep searching.”
“You got it. And I’ll tell Hale about his new mission. When do you plan to leave?”
“Noon.” Which wasn’t that far off. I said goodbye to Bain and Irys and hurried to finish getting ready for the trip.
I stopped in the message office on the ground floor of the administration building and sent a note to Valek. Using the code we’d developed just for this purpose, I informed him about Ben just in case he hadn’t heard and listed my travel plans. There was no need to worry him about my condition. At least, not yet.
After I collected my backpack, I headed to the stable. When I arrived, Leif stood next to Rusalka. He smirked as he watched a man arguing with the Stable Master. The man had close-set eyes, short black hair and a high forehead. Probably Hale.
“...you can’t have him, you idiot,” the Stable Master said. “I don’t care who you are or what you’re doing. He’s—”
I interrupted them. “Hale’s coming with us on an important mission.”
Leif made a choking sound. His smirk disappeared.
“Do you have any Sandseed horses he can...borrow?” I asked. “We’re going to be traveling through the plains.”
“Ah hell.” The Stable Master ran a hand through his mane of hair as if smoothing it down. If anything, he made it worse. “Why didn’t the...he say so?”
“He just received his orders from Second Magician, so I’m sure he’s a bit out of sorts.” I shot Hale a significant look.
The Stable Master stomped over to Garnet’s stall. “If he’ll let you saddle him, then he’s up for the trip. If not, then you’re out of luck.” He scratched him behind the ears. His features softened as he gazed at Garnet. Then he glared at us and continued down the aisle, muttering under his breath.
“Hi, Hale,” I said, shaking his hand. “Thanks for coming along. Did Irys fill you in on where we’re going?”
“Uh...Irys?” Hale appeared to be a bit flustered.
“Second Magician.”
“Oh, she said we’re traveling to Fulgor and I was to protect you.” His face creased in confusion. “I’m not sure why. You’re already covered by a null shield. Plus you’re the...Soulfinder.” He said the word almost as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
“I’ll explain on the way. See if Garnet will stand for you.”
“Okay.” Hale approached the horse as if he’d never seen one before.
Leif pulled me aside before I could saddle Kiki.
“What’s with the stiff?” his voice hissed in my ear.
“Irys thought I should have more protection. Seemed like a good idea.”
“It is, but why Skippy?”
“Skippy?”
“Hale. Let’s just say we don’t get along.”
Oh great. “Irys assigned him. Are you saying he’s not trustworthy?”
Leif sucked in a deep breath. “No. He’s loyal and has plenty of magic.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“He’s...annoying.”
I laughed. “So are you.”
He frowned. “I’m funny and lovable. He’s...a snob and thinks our Zaltana magic is impure.”
“I don’t care what he thinks. Is he good in a fight?”
“Yeah.” The word tore from Leif’s lips as if it pained him to say it.
“Then we’ll let Garnet decide if he’s worthy. If the horse rejects him, we will, too. Okay?”
Another huff. “Okay.” Leif pulled a thick silver chain from his pocket. Dangling from the chain was a clear glass octopus about the size of my palm. “Here.” He handed it to me. “It’s from Quinn. There’s a null shield attached to it so when you wear it next to your heart it protects your entire body.”
“Thanks.” I looped the chain around my neck and tucked the lifelike octopus under my shirt. The cold glass sent a shiver through me.
Leif returned to Rusalka. The sorrel-and-white horse nuzzled his neck.
Kiki unlatched her stall with her teeth and stood by her tack. I stroked her neck. A sudden wave of grief rose in my throat, strangling me. Pressing my forehead to her shoulder, I endured the torment. I missed my connection with Kiki the most.
Eventually, she snorted and pawed the ground as if to say, “Stop wallowing in pity and get moving.”
I saddled her and attached plenty of feed bags. The plains would have enough water. When I finished, I mounted and glanced around. Leif sat on Rusalka, looking dour, and Hale pulled himself into Garnet’s saddle. Hale’s expression from atop the tall horse was a mix of awe and terror. Sandseed horses had a reputation for being stubborn and willful and intelligent.
“Just follow us and you shouldn’t have any trouble,” I said to Hale.
“No trouble?”
“With the horse. I can’t make any guarantees about the mission.”
“Yeah, I heard that about you.”
“Oh?”
“No disrespect intended. It’s just you have a certain...reputation.” Hale cleared his throat. “I’m honored to accompany you.”
Leif rolled his eyes. “Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you, Skippy?”
Ignoring my brother, I spurred Kiki toward the Keep’s gate. If we hurried, we could be in the Avibian Plains by nightfall. We left the Keep, then threaded through the afternoon Citadel traffic. We crossed through the southern exit without a problem and continued south. Once we reached the plains, we’d turn east before cutting north to Fulgor.
I really didn’t expect trouble until we arrived in Fulgor. But minutes after we cleared the gate, the rumble of many horses at full gallop sounded behind us.
Leif glanced at me as we moved to the right side of the road. His hand rested on the hilt of his machete. Hale’s face pinched tight. A small part of me hoped the riders were just in a hurry and would pass us. But a cold dread churned in my stomach, warning me.
Sure enough, the riders surrounded us. They stopped and blocked our path. Leif yanked his machete out, and in response, seven soldiers pulled their weapons and pointed them at us.