Kara reached for Sebastian’s hand under the table.
“So, what’s the plan?” she asked tentatively.
“It will be easy enough for me to justify pulling a platoon away from the south under the pretext of reported sightings elsewhere.” He tapped the northern edge. “That will leave the south weaker.”
“How weak?” Sebastian asked.
“I’ll have to leave one platoon on guard,” Tobias said evenly. “Anything else would arouse too much suspicion.”
“How many soldiers is that?” Kara asked.
“Around twenty,” Sebastian said.
Kara bit her lip. “If I put them all to sleep, we’d have enough time to slip in and out – without having to hurt anyone.”
“How long does it last?” Tobias asked.
“I don’t know exactly. It was at least an hour when I–” Kara looked to Sebastian, then turned away quickly. “–but that was different.”
His father noticed her pause, but didn’t comment. “Then an hour is what you have. You don’t want them waking whilst you’re inside. You’d be trapped.”
Kara nodded, swallowing hard.
“And,” Tobias added, softer now, “I agree with Lady Hale. I prefer this way. I have no wish to spill Thorne blood if it can be avoided. Better our soldiers wake confused, unharmed, than dead on their own blades.”
Sebastian nodded seriously. Tobias marked two small crosses nearer the temple walls. “The patrols. Subdue them quietly and you’ll have a clear path. After that, it’s just the inner guard.” He looked up. “Your fight to the Shard will be... easier. Not easy. But easier.”
“I can manage,” Sebastian said grimly.
“Be swift, Sebastian,” his father advised. “Don’t linger.”
Kara saw Sebastian avoid rolling his eyes with great difficulty. “Yes, Father.”
He’s worried about you. Like I am.
“So, the question is, when?” Tobias asked.
“We’re only a day’s ride away,” Sebastian said.
“There are Thorne patrols in Sorrel looking for both of you, you have to move carefully, even if that means slowly,” his father said.
“I know,” Sebastian said irritably.
“I need time to move the platoon. Two days. Make your approach at nightfall.”
Sebastian nodded his approval.
Two days.
Kara’s heart beat faster. The reality of it sank in. Sebastian had to survive it. She wouldn’t allow anything else.
Tobias set the quill aside, gazing intently at his son. “And then?”
“We unite the Arcanth. And wait for Draknor. They’re coming.”
Tobias inclined his head, his scarred face looking older in the firelight. “I know.”
Neither man spoke then. Eventually, Tobias stood and rolled up the map. He glanced at Sebastian. “You’ve got it? Every detail?”
