“How did you end up here?” I asked, as Leif brushed flour from his pants.
“You’re cleaning that up,” Tommy grumbled, as he grabbed a rag and swirled it around a set of glassware drying on the bar top.
“I’ve heard all of your infamous stories from Dukes Pub. I figured if that old grump let you both in time and time again, he might accept me too.” Leif shrugged. He turned fully toward me, reaching for my arm. “Is—is Kalliah with you?”
My breath caught in my throat. “She’s travelling with the others and missing you, if you can believe that.”
“Never.” His blush told me otherwise. “Anyway, we’ve been trying to update Joseph so he can help, but I’m assuming if you’re here, we’re tight on time?”
I nodded.
“Our army will be hidden from sight until we’re ready.” Ian transformed, shifting into captain mode, getting down to business. “We just need to know whatever details you have about access points and what locations are most heavily guarded.”
“It’s like planning for the Hidden Henchman all over again.” Leif rubbed his hands together excitedly.
“Leif,” I cautioned, glancing over at Tommy. While outside of the palace walls we’d admitted my true identity, having it revealed inside the city made fear curl in my stomach.
The bartender looked up, eyebrow raised. “If you think for one minute hearing you two were behind the Henchman shenanigans surprises me in any way, you must think I’m dumber than I look.”
I stared at Tommy, shocked at his candor. “What?”
Leif chimed in. “We’ve actually spread the word that you’re the Hidden Henchman. It’s been an asset for recruiting. Your people loved you already, Lana, but now that they know you helped so many throughout Brookmere, it only emphasized the kind of Fae you are.” Leif chuckled. “All of Andras’s hard work trying to bad-mouth you backfired even more as your hidden identity spread across the land. It’s been entertaining to watch.”
Tommy snorted, interjecting again from the bar. “They probably wouldn’t be so impressed if they knew their princess ran amuck in here every year for her birthday. Costing me tables and booze.”
I rose, walking over to Tommy before placing my hands on my hips. “I paid for all my damages. Plus, you always got generous tips from me.”
“Generous heaps of crazy, you mean,” he countered. His gaze had softened though, lips twitching in the faintest smile.
“Tell you what,” I said, picking up a handful of nuts from the bowl on the bar top and popping one into my mouth. “You continue risking your neck and helping with our cause and I’ll fund the tavern for a year.”
This time Tommy laughed. “You know what? You have yourself a deal.”
Ian glanced at him. “You were going to do it anyway, weren’t you.”
Tommy winked—actually winked—at Ian. “You both may be a pain in the ass, but you’re my pains in the ass. Queen Illiana’s preferred pub wouldn’t be too bad of a reputation either.”
I laughed along with the others before Tommy abruptly stopped and cleared his throat. “Get back to work.”
Leif saluted and ran back behind the bar, bringing out a sheet of parchment. He laid it out on one of the tables and my jaw dropped. On it was a sketch of Ellevail with various markings everywhere including a chart containing times and notes.
Amazing didn’t even begin to describe the work before me. The intricacies and intimate details of not only the map itself, but of the other information it contained.
“I’ve been in and out for weeks, watching and recording their movements. The ones farther away from the castle are more erratic. Their motions twitchier and more uncontrollable. The dark ones around the perimeter of the city and inside the castle are the ones to worry about though. Our theory is those who were forced, fight the darkness harder and have the jerkier movements, while those who willingly turned are sharper and appear more ‘normal’.”
“That’s right. We learned that as well,” I nodded.
“Leif.” Ian ran his fingers over the map. “This is incredible. These details will be invaluable for our attack. You should have considered a career in the guard.”
Leif’s cheeks flushed as he bowed his head. “The others are on their way?”
I nodded. “They’ll be in Eomer Forest until we come back with information and decide where we’ll breach.”
“I’d say…” Leif pointed at the front gates. “Right through the front. I can rally a few who will cause a distraction to pull the guards away from the city gates.”
“It’d certainly make a statement,” Ian mused. “Walking straight through the front entrance. Bold move.”
“If we plan it for shift change at dusk, it’ll be even more chaotic, and you’ll be able to get almost all the way to the secondary gates at the palace in the confusion.” Leif rubbed his neck and then nodded as if double-checking his statement. “Meanwhile, I can head back into the palace and try to gather anyone willing to fight from the inside and meet you once you’re through.”
