“So there’s no underground cellar in the main hall? Or underneath the clinic?”
“No,” his father admitted. “I had several people check it out to see if there was a possibility one could be dug, but they all advised against it.”
“Does Luc and Misty know about these cellars?”
“Not yet,” Atty admitted.
“How do you get to the cellar from the lodge?”
“There’s a trap door in the floor of the kitchen pantry,” Yulen explained.
Mattox grunted. “Guess I’m going to have to check it out as soon as this is over.” He eyed his parents. “So how bad are we expecting this to get? Lotsa rain? Or wind? Or both?”
“Kee says it’s the wind,” Atty explained. “She says she can hear the wind roaring like a huge beast. Sometimes she thinks there’s more than one windstorm inside those clouds. She says she believes it’s not going to be like any other storm we’ve encountered.”
“I take it that’s pretty bad,” Mattox remarked.
“It for damn sure ain’t good,” a voice behind them stated. Renken came up to them, carrying his son, Joey, on his hip. “Here you go, Tory.”
The woman chuckled and held out an arm. “Come on, Joey. We saved a place for you.”
The child slid down his father’s leg and hurried over to join the others.
Renken hooked his thumbs in his weapons belt. “Say, did you know the Mutah are relocating their tents? They’re not staking them down.”
“They’re seeking safety in the trees,” Atty explained.
“Why?”
“Any sort of cover is preferable to being naked out in the open.” She cocked her head at him. “Surely, you know that by now.” She was yanking his chain, and they all knew it.
Renken grinned lopsidedly. “Huh. Just when you think you’ve learned all there is to know about Mutah, they go and one-up you.”
Yulen chuckled. “Believe me. I have more experience with Mutah than you ever will, andI’mstill learning.”
They all laughed softly. The momentary lightness helped to ease the tension of the coming storm. Nodding, Renken threw a thumb over his shoulder. “Listen, I’m going over to the front gates where Echo’s waiting for me, and we’re gonna watch that thing arrive. I’ve made the arrangements you ordered, Yulen. At the first sign of danger, Cambiat will fire a whistle arrow. Captain Saze has two men manning the bell tower. If they hear the signal, they’ll start tolling the bell.”
“Thanks.” Going over, Yulen gave his wife a kiss. “You’ll know where to find me if you need me.” As he walked past Mattox, he gave his son a pat on the shoulder. “There’s nothing more we can do. Let’s go slip on some armor and take our places.”
“And so…we wait,” Atty softly said.
Mattox snorted. “And that’s the part I always hate.”
17
Naydo
Mattox positioned himself in Tower Twelve. From the observation deck, he could see the Normal campgrounds—Edge’s in particular—the practice fields, and the markets and shops. The lodge and main hall were far to his left. The bell tower was almost directly behind him, and beyond that, the dungeon was within sprinting distance if he needed to take shelter.
Several times he saw Caralas exit the striped tent. She’d have a word with a soldier or two, then disappear back inside. He noticed how she always kept the guard or tent between herself and the trees, which made him smile. She was smart to take such precautions, even though the chance of the archer still being out there was quickly draining down to zero.
At no time, however, did she glance upward at the tower. She didn’t know he was there, or else he was certain she’d at least wave at him.
He caught himself touching his mouth. The memory of her kiss remained fresh on his mind. Her scent continued to float in his nostrils, until he could almost taste it on the back of his tongue.
He had to keep reminding himself that the kiss had meant nothing to her. It was her way of saying thanks. Thanks for saving her life. Thanks for being there and acting when he didn’t need to.
“Your eyes are pink.”
