He let the sandbag fly through the air.
“Have you received any shipments from Chendas, recently?” Meena called across the playing space. “I’ve been waiting for months to see the latest dresses.” She trailed off in a whoop of joy as Sol landed a three-point shot.
“A caravan from Chendas arrived three weeks ago,” Jules replied. “The new silks are stunning. Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?”
Ezra smiled at her husband, stepping forward to take her shot. “Anything you purchase for me is stunning.”
Sol stored that information in his head. He did not doubt Robin’s information, but it was nice to know that the caravan had arrived from Chendas within the likely timeframe.
“Well asked,” he whispered as Meena prepared for her next throw.
Her shot landed to the side of the target.
“You distracted me,” she hissed as she stepped back. “But thank you.”
Sol stepped to the mark for his turn.
“Please get three points,” Meena said loudly.
Jules laughed, but his laugh turned into applause when Sol landed a three-point shot.
“Yes!” Meena shouted with glee. “Are we free to explore the city tomorrow?” she asked, weaving her excitement into the question.
“Your word is our command,” Jules responded, missing his next shot.
“Except for three evenings from now,” Ezra said. “The fort always celebrates the Goldenreign Feast and we would be honored for you to attend.”
“It would be our honor to attend,” Meena graciously responded.
Sol also took that piece of information into his plan. A night of celebration and a disturbance in the routine would be the perfect time to empty the magic receptacle—if he could locate it by then, of course.
Sol inhaled. His mind relaxed, turning over the new information as his body enjoyed the movement of the game.
Meena shouted in glee every time either of them scored a point, and Sol found himself enjoying the sound of her excitement.
“We only need one more perfect throw,” she said encouragingly as he took his place again. “You can do this.”
Sol paused, looking to his side at the vibrant cheering him on. Whether they won or lost, tonight was a victory. They had made it this far, and he would do everything in his power to bring down the reign of the chaos magic users. “Let’s win,” he said to Meena.
“Yes!” she yelled. “That’s the spirit!”
Jules laughed at her exuberance, and even Ezra cracked a small smile.
Sol refocused on his immediate goal, taking careful aim and tossing the sand pouch confidently into the air.
He remained hunched in position, waiting to see where his shot would land.
It was a perfect three-pointer.
Sol stood, throwing his fists up in front of him. Victory felt wonderful.
“That’s twenty-one!” Meena called out. “We win! I knew you were the best partner!”
Sol thought his chest might explode with the feeling of joy that coursed through him.
Meena slipped her hand in his arm and tugged him toward their opponents. “I hope you were not going easy on us, because we are the best team to ever play quugot!”
“I will demand a rematch,” Jules said. “But we did not go easy on you.” He slipped his arm around Ezra’s waist. “We could never be so devious.”
