Audrey had to admit that was the weakest part of the plan.
“I’ll have to make myself appealing. Make myself stand out somehow. I don’t know exactly how yet, but I’ll figure it out.”
They ordered another round of beers, and the conversation continued. Shauna suggested alternatives, like ambushing Morgath, or poisoning their water supply. Tyler shot those ideas down as too risky.
“I want the orc who killed my family specifically,” Audrey insisted. “I want to look him in the eyes when he dies.”
“Let’s say you infiltrate the horde successfully,” Cole said. “What will you do after you identify the killer?”
“I’ll slit his throat myself if I can,” Audrey said. “But if not, I’ll signal you, and we’ll do it together.”
“If you become Morgath’s mate, he might be vulnerable,” Natalie said. “We could take him out and cripple the leadership at the same time.”
“Without a captain and a mage, the horde would fall apart completely,” Owen said.
The group started to warm up to the idea as they saw the possibilities. Tyler said they’d set up a base nearby, somewhere they could monitor the horde’s movements without being detected. He knew of an abandoned building about ten miles from Morgath’s town, an old hunting lodge that still had most of its structure intact.
“We’ll bring the long-range radio equipment,” he said. “Stay in constant contact with you.”
“I’ll make sure you can reach us at any time, day or night,” Shauna promised.
The plan was starting to take shape. Cole and Owen would scout the area and map out escape routes. Natalie would be their lookout, watching for any signs that the horde was onto them.
The hours passed and the bar got louder and more crowded. They kept drinking and refining the plan, working through details and contingencies.
Tyler gripped Audrey’s shoulder across the table.
“You don’t have to do this alone. We’re with you all the way.”
Audrey felt a swell of gratitude for these people. They’d stood by her for ten years, helped her track down every lead, and never questioned her thirst for revenge.
“So, you’re really going to go through with it?” asked Owen, leaning back with a smirk. “Sleep with a big green monster and everything?”
Natalie smacked him hard over the head.
“Owen, shut up.”
“What? I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.”
Audrey shook her head and let out a laugh.
“I’ll do whatever it takes. If that’s part of it, then that’s part of it.”
“Damn, Audrey,” Owen said, rubbing the back of his head, where Natalie had hit him. “I was joking, but you’re serious.”
“I’ve been serious about this for fifteen years,” Audrey said. “I’m not going to let anything stop me now.”
Shauna raised her beer one more time.
“To Audrey, the bravest of us.”
They all drank.
Near midnight, Audrey stepped outside for a smoke, leaving the others still drinking and talking inside. She lit the last cigarette in her pack and leaned against the brick wall, letting the night air cool her heated skin. The street was mostly empty at this hour. Just a few cars passing by, and the occasional drunk stumbling out of the bar.
She took a long drag and thought about how much her life was about to change. She’d been smoking since she was fourteen, another small rebellion and another way to feel in control when everything else felt chaotic. But if she was going to be a tribute, she needed to quit and be as healthy and appealing as possible.
She dropped the cigarette and ground it under her boot. That was it, her last one.
