Heart in my throat, I nodded with a grunt while Ruru answered in a deep voice, “Yes, sir.”
The second guard gave us an odd look. I turned my face away and hurried toward the tents with Ruru at my side.
I didn’t want to do this part, least of all with Ruru. But not being a Dag or a woman, he had the best chance of getting close to soldiers without raising suspicion.
Loud laughter and male conversation emanated from between the tents. My skin prickled like I was walking back into the Den.
Just because these men didn’t wear the masks didn’t mean they weren’t also wolves of a sort.
They may be wolves, but you are not prey. Aiden and Maz are counting on you.
I wanted to squeeze Ruru’s hand for good luck, but couldn’t risk it.
He grinned at me as though we were simply going to the market for some sticky bread.
We strode into the camp like we were meant to be there.
Soldiers in violet Rellmiran uniforms lounged around wooden tables, drinking and playing Death and Four. Others marched past in full armor. Their spears glinted in the firelightof many braziers that squatted near every tent. We skirted around a few soldiers on horseback who rushed through with taut brows and sharp commands to make way.
Keeping our heads down, we walked east toward the mine and the cliffs. Our distraction needed to be as close to the entrance as possible so Aiden and Maz could slip inside unnoticed.
Ruru swiped an abandoned mug from a table as we passed. He sniffed it. “Ale. Good enough.”
Finally, we neared the end of the tents. A wide clearing encased by a high stone wall lay beyond. In the middle of it was a great hole, with steps descending into darkness. Guards with torches, bows, and swords stood at the entrance.
My throat suddenly felt parched. How many people were down there? What did the sunstone look like, still embedded in the rocky caves?
I glanced around, but didn’t see Aiden and Maz. They must be hiding nearby. Waiting.
A small group of soldiers huddled around a barrel playing a heated game of Death and Four next to a few tents I hoped were theirs. A huge, red-haired soldier warmed his hands over a sizzling brazier, calling out colorful insults to the players.
“All yours,” I muttered.
Ruru stumbled toward them, pretending to drink from his stolen cup. “Hey! Hey, I get next game.”
The soldiers looked up. “Get lost, boy,” one snarled.
“Yeah, border patrol can play with the infantry,” the red-haired soldier sneered, jerking his thumb back the way we’d come. “Not the officers.”
I edged toward the nearest tent and peeked inside. A shirtless man was sprawled across his bunk, snoring loudly. I nonchalantly walked to the next.
“Hey, I just got paid,” Ruru said, slurring his words. He jangled a coin purse in front of their faces, which immediately turned greedy. “I want to play withrealopponents. Not those baby infantry.”
A soldier guffawed. “You’re barely older than a baby yourself, boy.”
“Wanna bet?” Ruru shook the coins under his nose.
He scowled. “Fine. Next game.”
They would probably fleece Ruru, but that was part of the plan.
I checked two more tents while they focused on their game, pausing whenever soldiers walked or rode by. At last, I found an empty one within eyeshot of the entrance.
I darted inside. I needed to work quickly before Ruru ran out of coins, or the soldiers ran out of patience.
The tent held two wooden bunks, a chest, and a table with one chair. A lone lamp sat on the table, its flame turned down. The only light came from outside the tent walls.
Fingers shaking, I carefully took apart the metal lantern, preserving the smoldering, oil-soaked wick. Then I dumped the rest of the oil over every wooden surface in the tent. It wasn’t nearly as much as I’d hoped, but it would have to do.
