Ravel nodded to Alar, then his dark eyes swept the room in that assessing way of his, cataloging everything and everyone. When his gaze passed over me, it lingered for a little longer before moving on.
"I have something for you," Saphir said, reaching into the folds of his robe and producing a sealed envelope. The paper was heavy, the kind used for official correspondence, and the seal pressed into the dark blue wax bore the shaman's mark. "A letter to your father."
Alar took the envelope and examined the seal. "What does it say, if I may ask?"
Saphir's expression held that familiar twinkle, the one that suggested he knew more than he was sharing and found his ownomniscience amusing. "A few things your father should know that may help you find your way back to us. Or they may not. But they can't hurt."
"Thank you, Shaman." Alar tucked the letter into the inner pocket of his jacket.
Saphir nodded. "We are going to deliver you to your father with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a prince, but in secret. That's why Commander Ravel is here. He will explain the travel arrangements."
I didn't know how it was possible to do both at the same time.
"I will fly you directly to the port of entry hub in Podana," Ravel said. "I will take a flight to provide the escort."
Alar frowned. "I thought I'd be taken to Skywatcher's Point and that an Elucian ground forces unit would escort me from there."
"There's been a change of plans. We don't want to advertise your departure, and we are not taking any chances with your safety, especially given the political sensitivity of the transfer. We'll fly you directly to the hub in Podana, where the ground forces unit will be waiting to accompany you in the cable car. They will secure an entire car for the descent, so there will be no other passengers. They'll guard you until the transfer to the Elurian unit waiting outside the port."
I was trying to visualize the logistics, and even though I saw the logic of it regarding Alar's safety, I failed to see how it kept his identity a secret. A guy arriving with a flight of dragon riders and then escorted by an entire ground forces unit down to the depot below would attract much more attention than a lone Elurian merchant using civilian transport.
Alar grimaced. "I feel like a package."
"You are a package," Ravel said without a trace of humor. "A very valuable, diplomatically sensitive package that I intend to deliver intact."
Despite my misgivings regarding the confidentiality of the transfer, I was glad for every layer of protection between Alar and whatever dangers lurked between here and Catonia.
Saphir clapped his hands together. "Well then. If you've finished your breakfast, we should not delay. The flight is assembled on the roof."
Alar looked around the table at each of us. Morek, who had stopped pretending to be busy at the counter and was standing with his arms crossed and his jaw tight. Shovia, whose hand had tightened on Codric's arm. Codric, who finally met his cousin's eyes and held them.
After leaving the table, Alar walked up to Ravel. "Can I have a few moments to say goodbye to the rest of my quintet?"
Ravel nodded. "I'll be waiting for you on the roof. Take as long as you need."
That was so nice of him that I could've hugged him.
"Thank you, Commander," Alar said.
Saphir surprised us all by pulling Alar into a tight embrace. "You'll be back, Prince Alaranthus. I have no doubt of that." He let go of Alar and turned to Ravel. "Let's go and give these youngsters time to say goodbye properly."
I wanted to stop them and ask if I could accompany Alar to the roof of the Citadel, but they were out the door before I gathered the nerve. Besides, Alar was right. Dragging it out was only making it worse.
"I'll write," Alar said. "And I'll find a way back. I promise."
Codric stood and crossed the room in three strides. The embrace between the cousins was brief, fierce, and seemed to convey an entire conversation.
"Don't let them make you into a proper prince and undo all of my efforts to turn you into a scoundrel," Codric said, attempting humor.
"I'll try."
Morek was next. He grabbed Alar's hand and pulled him into a rough hug, clapping his back hard enough to make Alar grunt. "Take care of yourself and come back as soon as you can."
"I'll do my best."
Shovia stepped forward and hugged Alar without any of her usual prickliness, holding him for a moment longer. "I'm still mad at you for hiding who you are, but I forgive you. Come back safe."
"I will."
