Plus, Kael wasn’t my only worry.I was simultaneously happy and concerned about Darion helping me on this mission.I knew from experience that he and I worked well together, and that was comforting, but I loathed the idea of putting him in peril.
Even now that I knew the details, there was little about this mission that I liked.Breaking into that hulking beast of a prison, especially one guarded by a null field and a small army of Sentinels, seemed like a terrible idea.It also meant I’d have to trust Kael’s contact once we got inside.I never enjoyed depending on other people, and what with my lingering concerns about Kael, I was more than a little on edge.
So later that day, I did what I always did: I prepared.
I stopped by the kitchens and grabbed a handful of bright red cliffberries, then headed topside.After only a few moments on the rooftops, the sound of flapping wings came from above.
“Hello, Zephyra,” I said as she landed on my shoulder.
What is that smell, little Cas?
“Here you go, girl,” I said, holding my hand out.Zephyra delicately but efficiently nibbled at the marble-size berries.
Thank you!This helps Zephyra forget the taste of filthy rats.
“It’s the least I can do,” I said, feeding her more berries.“Hey, Zephyra, how do you feel about a secret mission?”
Zephyra chirped.
Zephyra loves secret missions.Tell Zephyra!Tell Zephyra!
“I need you to fly to Garrick.I need all the information I can get on Pyrehold.Tell him to meet me tonight at our normal meeting place.”
Pyrehold is bad.Why would little Cas want to know about it?
“It’s very important for me to know this information.It could end up saving my life.”
Zephyra is not happy about this.But Zephyra likes little Cas very much, and little Cas brings Zephyra berries, and Zephyra would hate to see little Cas harmed, so Zephyra will do this.
“Thank you,” I said, stroking her head one last time before she took to the sky.
That night, at the stroke of sixth bell, Garrick and I met at our designated spot.
“So my secret is out,” he said in a gruff voice.“That I can hear animals.”
“Zephyra told me.But your secret is safe with me.”
“That loud-mouthed bird,” he said, but then he opened his arms and smiled.“Ah, bother.It’s so great to see you, Cas.”
“Likewise,” I said, matching his smile and embracing him.
“What I’m not happy about is this nonsense about Pyrehold.Please,pleasetell me you’re not considering breaking in.”
The look on my face told him everything he needed to know.
“This feels familiar,” Garrick said.“You looking for trouble, and me agreeing to help you for some reason.You’ll send me to an early grave.Or yourself.”He took a packet of papers out of his cloak and handed it to me.“Here’s everything you’ll need: a map, maintenance schedules, and prisoner transfer dates and times.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Garrick,” I said, holding out a little brown pouch.
“Bah!Keep your damn coin.You’ve done far more for me than I could ever repay.”
“I could say the same,” I said, swallowing hard.
“We’re getting soft in our old age,” Garrick said with a laugh, and in the torchlight, I saw dampness at the corner of his eyes.“But just do me one favor.”
“Name it,” I said.
“Since the Royal Guard stepped up its patrols, there have been rumors swirling around that something big is about to happen.Watch out for yourself and your sister.”He grabbed me by the shoulder and spoke in a tone so serious that it startled me.“And watch your back.Know who you can trust.Always have a backup plan.”
