Standing, she stretched her arms and back, enjoying the tingling sensation of her nerves flexing. She was still stiff from spending so many hours crouched in awkward positions as they made their observations.
“What do you say, Jed, you coming back with me? Or staying to play?”
Looking back at the stream, Jed gave a last tag to the water with a quick swipe of his paw, then ran over to her, an extra hop in his stride. Chuckling, she gathered the refilled waterskins and headed to the group, the osa prancing about her feet as they walked.
Her mind settled into an increasingly tense state with each step she took away from the cool, quiet stream. Rodric’s tension seemed to be climbing with the sun, and she was at a loss as to how to help him. The healer in her wanted to soothe him, take away all his pain. The powerful leader appreciated his intensity and ability to take on any situation. The woman who loved him let him fight through the avalanche on his own, understanding his need. She was by his side, doing all she could to see his family whole again. It was right, even if it meant quieting parts of herself for the time being.
As she approached the clearing, Rodric and Connor’s strong backs greeted her. Opposite them was Cass, looking relaxed, with an eyebrow raised in the direction of the men. Celina looked to Rodric first, finding his shoulders carrying the weight of the world, stress lining his features. Beside him, Connor had a disturbed yet thoughtful look on his face.
Daya stood between Connor and Cass, her eyes studying Cass with respect as the warrior spoke. One of her hawks sat still and silent on a branch above her. Their combined intensity made Celina grateful the pair would be fighting alongside them. The longer they spent together, the more the huntress reminded her of Cass, though her strength was much quieter in nature.
Celina begrudgingly admitted that the woman’s fierce stoicism and strategic mind had been helpful to their planning. Not to mention her familiarity with the Hannelore Mountain range as she’d guided them to the fortress. Daya would be leading the return trip as well, taking them back to her secluded mountain home before they continued on their way.
Sev nodded to Celina when she returned to the group. The tilt of his head and quirked lips told her she could take over as moderator for a while. Receiving her acknowledgment, he slipped away into the trees, pausing to scratch Zora’s ears as he went. The sassy mare gave a vocal huff and flicked her tail at him, making Celina smirk. What she wouldn’t give for just a tiny bit of the bossy mare’s attitude.
“That’s all fine in a best-case scenario, but we need to talk worst,” Cass was saying. “None of you have done this before. Even Connor’s missions tend to be either reconnaissance or open battle. Rescue missions are different. If you don’t stop and listen, people are going to get hurt.” She looked at Connor. “Am I wrong?”
Connor sighed and looked away. “No. You’re not. But—”
“You feel guilty because your previous mission failed when you were injured. I get that. And Rodric feels guilty about his role in Brenna’s abduction. But I’m not letting any of you get killed because emotions clouded your judgment.”
“Excuse me?” Celina was startled that Cass would state something like that so harshly to Rodric, who was already incredibly torn up about the situation.
“Ask him. We’re out of time for you two to slow dance. If he’d accepted his magic at any point in the past twenty years, he would have learned enough to help protect Brenna, if they were still in Eldridge at all. But there’s no place for those feelings here if you want to save her.”
Rodric froze beside her, an icy feeling emanating from his side of the bond. Breathing slowly, Celina let the truth settle. How had she not seen that before? It made so much sense. A hunter on the surface, he was a protector at his core. His personal failure was affecting Brenna’s present. No wonder he felt like an icy mountain to her magic, his emotions ready to tumble into a destructive avalanche at any moment.
“Overtake them on the road, full attack on the fortress, or slow stealth. There is only one entrance down to that dungeon. They could kill all the children before we have a chance to make it inside, same goes for taking them on the road, since it sounds like each child will be under the control of an assigned handler. We’re sticking with the safest plan for getting everyone out alive, whether you all like it or not, which means avoiding a bloodbath. We need complete trust for this to work. If we can manage that, we actually have the makings of a decent team with the diverse skills among all of us.”
“Alright.” Connor nodded decisively. “Your lead.”
“Agreed.” Rodric’s voice was a rough murmur.
“I know waiting is difficult, but dusk will provide the best opportunity.” Daya gestured to Cass and Connor as she continued. “You two will be able to use your magic effectively, and there will be enough light for the hawks to be our eyes in the air. It’s a good plan.”
Cass nodded gratefully to Daya. “It will work. Now, everyone needs to vent some steam. Celina, you’ll head to town with Rodric, Sev, and me as soon as that contingent leaving the fortress starts moving. We’re going to need a lot of supplies to make a run for it with the kids. Stopping anywhere, especially on the first half of the return trip, jeopardizes their safety. Connor and Daya will watch the fortress while we’re gone since we can’t risk anyone recognizing either of them.” Cass dismissed the pair with a flick of her head.
Daya leaned in and said something quietly to Connor that had him nodding and squeezing her arm in return. Turning, they walked into the woods, her hawk taking off from its perch to shadow them.
Stopping in front of Rodric, Cass put a hand on his shoulder, gripping his neck tightly, and waited for him to look her in the eyes. “Are we alright? I didn’t mean to be so harsh.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked before visibly relaxing. “We’re good. I do trust your judgment, Cass. I just…”
“I know. It’s hard to keep a clear head when it's personal. We’ve all been there, Rodric. That’s why I’m calling the shots and ordering you with us to town. You’ll be too tempted to get to Brenna if you stand guard. Desperation increases the danger to everyone, especially Brenna. We’ll get her out. You have my word.” Cass winked at him. “And my many blades.”
“Thank you for that.” Rodric gave her a tired smile.
“Anytime.” Cass’s glance slid to Celina, her not-so-hidden message of support clear, before nodding to Rodric. Turning, she headed off in the direction Sev had gone earlier.
Releasing a huge breath, Celina looked to Rodric. For the first time, she was unsure what she wanted to say. What she needed to ask. He looked completely overcome and utterly exhausted, the true impact of the day showing vividly on his features now that they were alone. Her swirling thoughts came to a slow halt, tumbling into a large pile for her to sort out later. The deep strain on his face reminded her of the night she’d woken him out of a nightmare.
Without speaking or waiting for his agreement, she took his hand and pulled him with her back toward the stream. Jed, so silent during the debate she’d forgotten about him, walked on Rodric’s other side, brushing against his leg every so often in a companionable gesture. Scoping out a large boulder a dozen feet from the water, she tugged him down to sit with her on the thankfully dry ground.
Thumping with much less grace than usual, he leaned his head back against the rock and closed his eyes. Jed curled up with them, head on Rodric’s leg. He settled his hand on the osa, petting him with gentle strokes. At some point in the past week, he’d come to accept Jed’s presence. The sight calmed her jangled nerves.
“Do you believe in fate? Destiny?” Rodric’s words startled her, in no way what she had expected him to ask.
“As in an inevitable sequence of events? No. I don’t. But people drawn together, at the right time and place to make significant impact? Yes.”
