Alex went on. “Claire, please take your team in the white boat and be our eyes around the island so we know where the ships are and where they intend to attack. You’ll have first crack at taking out anyone who gets close enough. Got it?”
Claire nodded. “Excellent plan, Alex.”
“Mr. Appleblossom, once you’ve got Captain Ahab convinced to board the ship, I’d like to have you and your team stationed at your poste d’observateur on top of the mansion. The squirrelicorns can help with communication between you on the roof, Claire in the white boat, and Sean, Carina, and Ms. Octavia in the ship, as well as having a few of them stationed with each team. Also, please send Kitten and Fox to see me. I’d like to have Kitten near me, and I want Fox on the ship—but have him check in here first, please.”
Mr. Appleblossom nodded.
Alex went on, though his confidence faltered a bit—he wished he had Florence’s guidance when it came to protecting the mansion. “I’d like Sky and Kaylee armed with your swords and stationed at the entrances to the mansion, at least until we understand what kind of attack we’re dealing with. It’s crucial no enemies get inside. I’ll have those who are choosing not to engage in battle go to the lounge. In case there’s a breach, the lounge will be a hard place for intruders to find since they won’t know what to do with the tubes.
“I’ll have a few teams line the Quill shoreline on the western side of the island since that might be where their ships land first. The rest of us and our teams will take our usual stations on the lawn, and if anything unexpected happens, I’ll advise you on what to do via squirrelicorn message.”
He took a breath and let it out, wondering if he’d thought of everything, and then continued. “I want all the fighting statues to be stationed facing the water all along the shore, ready to scare the stink out of anybody who makes it to land. The pirates won’t have seen any living statues before, so have them focus their energies there and use distraction techniques with anyone else to buy the spell casters more time to prepare.”
Alex shoved his hands in his pockets, his mind awhirl. “I think that’s it for now. If you see Haluki, have him find me when he gets here so we can figure out what to do with Quill. I’ll go write up some team instructions and send them to your blackboards. Grab some breakfast, fill your canteens, and I’ll see you back here shortly.”
He pressed his lips together. “This is going to be our most difficult battle yet, by far. And I honestly don’t know how we’re going to get through it. But I won’t quit, and I won’t surrender, and I won’t back down, not for anything or anyone, no matter what they do to me.” He shuffled his feet in the grass. “I guess I just wanted you all to know that. You mean very much to me, all of you. And today I’m fighting for you.”
After the moment of warmth, the team went to carry out their duties. Aaron, who’d been given no special assignment, slipped away with a determined look on his face and headed into Quill.
One by One, the Warriors (Reprise)
When Alex went back into the mansion, he stopped in the hospital ward to check on Yazmin, the brave young woman who had escaped from Warbler. She and her brother Thatcher were awake now, and he was sitting by her bed, talking with her.
“Hi there. Thatcher, right?”
Thatcher’s eyes widened when he saw the head mage was talking to him. “Yes, how’d you know?”
“You’re doing really great with your spells. Are you going to help us fight?”
Thatcher’s eyes narrowed. “You bet I am. I’m going after Queen Eagala.”
“Be careful,” Alex warned. “Maybe start with a slow moving pirate or something.” He looked at Yazmin. “Welcome. I’m Alex,” he said. “We’re grateful to you for the warning.”
Her orange eyes were tired. “Hi,” she whispered, and then she pointed to her neck. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Is there anything you can tell me? We see the ships coming—the attack is imminent. But you should be safe in here.”
“Queen Eagala has been meeting with the pirate captain for months,” Yazmin whispered. “She built him a ship in exchange for help from them to defeat you.” She struggled to sit up. “The pirates alone will make up the first several waves of attacks, but there will be Warblerans hiding on the ships, waiting to fight if the pirates fail.”
“All pirates,” said Alex. “I was afraid of that. Thank you. That helps.”
“I want to help you fight,” said Yazmin.
Alex frowned. “I don’t think that’s wise—Carina says you’re quite sick. But you have helped us tremendously already. You gave us days of warning. That made a huge difference in our preparation, and we’re all very grateful.” He glanced at Thatcher. “I hope you’re pleased with how well your brother is turning out.”