Amurra looked surprised but then said, “Thank you.”
As soon as Kreya finished instructing the constructs, Jentt crossed to Kreya’s opposite side and murmured, “Kreya, I don’t think Marso is up for the journey.” She looked over to where the bone reader was no longer moaning, but he hadn’t lifted his head off the table. He was tapping his fingers on the table in a random pattern that seemed to fascinate him.
“Did you ask him?” Kreya asked.
Jentt shook his head. “He’s in no condition to—”
Kreya lifted her voice. “Marso? Want to come find Eklor with us?”
He didn’t move. “If he lives, what do we do?” His voice sounded lost, but Kreya thought it was a sensible question. Maybe that was a good sign.
“Kill him more thoroughly,” Jentt answered.
Amurra yelped. “Not in front of the kids!”
“Sorry. We’ll... tickle him relentlessly.” He winked at the kids, and Vivi and Jen giggled. “I didn’t get a chance to help with... the tickling... last time. I have a few leftover feelings about Eklor’s behavior that I’d love to work out... by tickling.”
“He deserves it,” Marso said, with more passion than before.
It gave Kreya hope.He’ll come,she thought.
She turned to Stran and picked up the talismans that Zera had set aside for him. “I know you don’t believe he’s alive, but in case you’re wrong, I want you to be prepared.”
He accepted the emergency talismans, securing them in pouches around his belt. With a shuddering breath, Stran said, “If he lives, we will ensure that Vivi, Jen, and Nugget will not grow up in a world where Eklor threatens the peace.”
Amurra placed her hands on his chest and looked at him with wide eyes. “I love that you’re brave. I love that you’re noble. I love that you’re strong and self-sacrificing and heroic. But if he lives, I want you to come home and inform Grand Master Lorn, not try to stop him yourself. Someone else can take a turn at saving the world. Your children need you here!”
Kreya had the strong sense that Amurra had never witnessed his facing true danger before. Stran’s past must have seemed like a collection of adventure stories to her. Until Kreya showed up at their door.I wonder if she regrets welcoming me in,Kreya thought. She glanced at the pouches of food that Amurra had prepared for them and noticed hers lacked the blackberry muffins she’d packed in the others—that was an answer, of sorts.
“Kids, to your rooms, and take the constructs,” Stran said. “Everyone else, outside, please. I owe my wife a thousand promises and apologies, and I’d prefer the privacy.”
Scooping up packs, Kreya and Zera scooted outside. Jentt helped Marso out the door. They settled on a bench near a woodpile, while Kreya and Zera looked out across the terraced fields.
From here, Kreya knew the most obvious approach to the forbidden zone—the one they’d used twenty-five years ago. Unfortunately, since the war, it had become a popular historic trail.So that’s out,she thought.
“You have a plan?” Zera asked.
“Do you have any leftover lizard bone?”
“Luckily for you, I do.” Reaching into a pocket, Zera pulled out a six-inch shard and handed it to Kreya. Crossing to one of Strand’s farm wagons, Kreya checked its bones. Outfitted with a few basic bones, it was designed for travel on well-worn paths, to the market and back. But she could fix that. Pulling out her tools, Kreya lowered herself to the ground and began tinkering. She hummed to herself as she worked.
“Speed?” Zera asked.
“Yep.”
“And steadiness.”
“Enough to keep us from flying off the mountain. Can’t make wheels climb, though. We’ll need to take the paths as far as they’ll go, before descending into the mists.”
Zera giggled.
Scooting out from beneath the wagon, Kreya glared at her. “What?”
“The boys are going to hate your plan.”
The boysdidhate her plan. But Kreya gave them all the option to stay at the farmhouse, which she thought was more than fair. Twenty-five years ago, she’d given them achoice too, whether they remembered that or not. They could have said no then. They could have said no now.
Amurradidsay no, loudly and repeatedly.
