"I doubt a hundred people would fit in this tiny village," Katarine said, pulling the map closer to her.
"This is his last bit of ond," I said. "We'd better expect him to bring his entire operation. And then some." I glanced down at the map. "Forget Beswick's men inside the village, how are we supposed to move our troops? There's wide open fields on all sides. He'll see us coming for miles."
"Unless we invade in plain sight," Jorad said, taking the map from Katarine. "We have the benefit of the river. We could move soldiers in by water, masquerading as freight from Skorsa and Forcadel. Should Beswick bring the numbers you fear, we can quickly move into position to help."
"And we can acquire more soldiers in Skorsa," Felix said. "Joella's troops are still there, aren't they?"
"By the Mother, they are," Luard said with a grin.
"But they aren't vigilantes," I said.
"In this case, numbers beat all," Luard said. "That's nearly two-fifty—"
"No," Jorad said. "Only a hundred and thirty are fit for battle."
"Agreed," I said. "And I don't want to leave the camp completely defenseless, so we'll leave twenty soldiers here."
"One hundred and ten, then, plus the fifty from Skorsa," Katarine said. "Still more than enough to quell his forces. We can take Niemenian fishing boats from Skorsa. They'll hold twenty-five soldiers each. We'll have one docked on the northern side of the city and one on the southern side. You'll take your thirty vigilantes into the city."
Luard grinned. "Beswick thinks you've come underprepared, and when he attacks, we'll overwhelm him with your forces. He won't know what hit him."
I chewed my lips. "I don't know if the vigilantes are ready for this. Beswick won't hesitate to kill them."
"Brynn, they aren't just vigilantes, they're trained soldiers," Felix said. "They know what they're getting into and can handle themselves."
"So what do we do?" I said. "Hope that Beswick doesn't shoot me the moment I set foot inside the city?" I shook my head. "There's far too many unknowns here."
"Then perhaps I meet with him in your stead," Katarine said. "As both an official Niemenian envoy and your representative."
"I'm not sending you in there alone," I said.
"I'll go with her," Felix replied. "I know Beswick now. It'll be nice to speak with him again."
"You aren't going, either," I replied. "You've barely healed."
"No, Felix should travel to Skorsa and handle the troops," Luard said. "We send my guard with Kat, they can protect her. And Beswick won't kill her until he's had a chance to chat. You can even promise to open an official channel of ond with him."
"So we make him think I'm still offering a peace agreement?" I asked, nodding slowly. "And when he inevitably declines it, we attack?"
"Exactly," Luard said. "My team will ensure Kat makes it to safety while the rest of you do…well, you do the rest."
I sat back in my chair, running through the scenario and all possible alternatives in my mind. If we could catch Beswick off guard for once—instead of the other way around—perhaps it might be enough to get the upper hand.
"How soon can you get the troops out of here?" I asked Felix.
"They can be ready within the next hour," he said. "They're trained for this."
"Then do it," I said. "Luard, you go with him to Skorsa to wrangle the troops." I looked behind him to Jax. "Can you manage the vigilantes? Get them into position and be ready?"
"I suppose," he drawled. "And the scouts?"
"I'll handle them." I rose. "Do we all have our assignments? Any questions, concerns, issues?" Silence. "Let's take out a crime boss then. Dismissed."
Within half an hour, there were four horses ready to ride east to Skorsa. I helped Felix climb onto one of them, watching his face for any signs of pain. I didn't see any, but that didn't mean he didn't feel it. Nicolasa had sent him off with a bag of medicine, but I still wished he'd stay behind and rest.
"Listen to me," I said, placing my hand on his calf. "I know you'll be coming in with the troops, but you're in no shape to fight. I want you to be my eyes and organize these troops, do you understand?"
He covered my hand with his. "I promise, Brynn."
"Tell Jo I'm looking forward to seeing her again," I said with a smile. "And make sure to keep Luard out of trouble as well."
"Oh, Brynna, I never get into trouble," Luard said with a charming grin. Ivan and Asdis, behind him, rolled their eyes in unison.
"I'll see you tomorrow night," I said, taking a step back. "Just…be careful."
And with that, they rode out of the camp, leaving nothing but dust and anxiety in their wake. I tried to find comfort in the fact that their destination was Skorsa, a friendly town, and that they would be providing backup. But it was hard to tell the tightness in my chest anything.
Midday, I assembled the next group—the vigilantes Jax would be leading into the city to infiltrate it. They stood before me wearing masks and cloaks identical to the ones I donned in Forcadel.
"You look good as The Veil," I said to Jax, whose mask was in his hand.
"Hmph," he said, stuffing it in his back pocket as if he were ashamed of it. "Locke tells me that he's confident these soldiers are ready to go."
"Then I am as well," I replied.
If I told him that I had confidence in him, it might've earned me a rude gesture so I kept it to myself. Instead, I addressed the line of soldiers.
"Those of you who went to Galdon before will be very familiar with this plan," I said. "We'll enter the city in waves. You twelve will be coming as weary travelers and buying a night at the inn. You ten, I want coming in under cover of darkness. The city is open to fields and roads to the north, west, and south, and accessible only by river to the east. Pick your route and don't follow anyone else. The rest of you, keep watch on the perimeter. Watch who comes and who goes—and who looks like they belong with Beswick. I'm sending along the younger scouts as well. They'll be placed between you and the tavern where we're meeting. If you're needed, you'll hear it."
I looked around at their faces, all cloaked in black masks. It was hard not to feel a little twinge of pride.
"Good luck. Dismissed."
They turned on their heels and split off to their assignments. Three rode into the darkness after Felix and Luard, and the rest, I had faith, would follow when they saw fit. Jax was the last to mount, the black mask stuffed into his back pocket.
"I'm surprised that he's bringing it," Jorad commented. "Seems like he's taken well to this new mantle."
"Captain of the Veils?" I said, trying the phrase out in my mind. "It's an interesting concept."
"I was wondering…" He cleared his throat. "I know you asked me to assist in the movement of soldiers to the south, but I was hoping for a different assignment."
I furrowed my brow. "What kind?"
"Since Captain Llobrega's returned and mostly recovered from his ordeal, I thought I might be of more use to you as the cadet trainer," he said. "It's the role I hoped I might take from the captain back in Forcadel one day. I've grown to like these kids and I'd like to stay behind and keep an eye on them. And when you get back, perhaps we can discuss that graduation ceremony."
"I'd like that," I said with a smile. "But are you sure Felix would like to give up that duty? I seem to recall it was one of his favorites."
"I have a feeling Felix may be otherwise occupied," Jorad said with a bit of a smile. "You looked quite cozy the other night. I felt bad interrupting."
"I'm glad you did," I said, blushing bright red at the thought of everyone seeing us dance. "But since you're staying, I'd like you to do me a favor."
"Anything."
"Keep a close eye on Elisha. She's a tough kid, but I know what it's like to feel like you failed everyone." I glanced at Nicolasa's hut. "Once we get Aline back, I'll need to pick her brain about Forcadel. So I need her to be strong enough for that task."
"I'll do my best," he said, saluting and bowing. "Good luck,
Your Majesty."
Chapter 49
I had a fitful sleep, partially because of my grinding nerves and partially because of the activity outside the sleeping hut. When I finally gave up, it was midday, and the final few riders were finishing their preparations. Nils and Hagan were escorting Katarine, and I would be riding with them for most of the way.
Before I saddled my horse, I ventured into the forest to retrieve the bag of ond that I'd left there. The bag was small and insignificant compared to all the trouble Beswick was going through to retrieve it.
I brought it back into the camp where Katarine was saying her goodbyes to Beata.
"You promise me you won't take any risks," Beata said, holding Katarine's face close to hers. "The moment things erupt, I want you to run as fast as you can."
"I promise," Katarine said, kissing her. "Are you sure I can't convince you to go to Skorsa?"
"My place is here." She winked at me. "Blackberry tarts when you return victorious."
"Thank you for staying behind," I said.
"Someone has to," she said, casting a coy look at Jorad and Locke, who was also staying to help guard the camp. "We'll be fine, I promise."
I hoisted myself into the saddle as Katarine's eyes grew misty. She twisted the gold band around her finger as she shared an unspoken conversation with Beata. The other woman patted the horse's rear and kissed Katarine's hand gently. And without another word, we departed.
We rode hard, my pulse pounding as loudly as our horses' hooves. We made good time, reaching the checkpoint just up the road from the city as the sun began to sink in the distance. Katarine had been silent the whole ride, but her nervousness was palpable.
"What do I do if he takes me?" she asked.
"Fight as hard as you can to get free," I said. "There'll be a swarm of soldiers nearby, and my vigilantes, so you shouldn't be in danger for long."
"But what if—"
"We can what if all day," I said, turning to her. "But all that will do is make you more nervous."
She exhaled and nodded. "I'm just not used to this sort of thing."
"What?" I made a face. "You lied to Ilara for months."
"That's different," she said. "Ilara was somewhat unpredictable, but at least she and I were on the same page in terms of consequences. I don't have the faintest idea how to deal with a criminal."
"It's more or less the same," I said. "All you need to do is find out what Beswick wants and figure out a way to make him do what you want instead. Just like you did with Ilara."
She gave a weak smile. "I wasn't very good with Ilara."
"Now's not the time to doubt yourself. You're a Veil now, and a married woman. When you go in there, think about Beata and all the happy times you're going to have when you get home. Let that focus you and remind you why you're there."
Finally, she nodded. "What should I say to him?"
"You're going to negotiate the release of Aline in exchange for the ond," I said, nodding to Nils, who had the bag in his hand. "Beswick may try to take it from you, but he won't harm you."
"And if he…" She paused and took a breath. "Never mind."
"I've authorized you to give him the ond and to let him know there's more coming if he agrees to my terms," I said. "Because I want to ally with him. But we both know he won't go for that. Still, I want you to try as if you think he might. And when things go south, you, Nils, and Hagan just need to get out of there. We'll take care of the rest."
She exhaled softly and squeezed my hand, the weight of her new ring pressing into my skin. "Thank you for trusting me to do this."
"Honestly, Kat, I wouldn't have anyone else," I said. "You're the best liar I know."
"I will assume that's a compliment."
I did have a lot of faith in Katarine, but absolutely zero in Beswick, so almost as soon as we parted, I raced toward the city. Katarine and the others would be coming in on the eastern road, whereas I would be joining Jax and the others to the south. There was a smattering of farmhouses and structures just outside the city, making it easy for me to sneak closer. Even before I got inside, I saw two of Beswick's goons standing watch.
A short whistle got my attention and I looked up toward the source. Malka waved at me from the roof of a barn, silently beckoning me to follow her. She led me to a wagon pushed up against the farmhouse, which allowed me to climb to the roof.
"Evening," I said, crouching down next to her. "You realize we can't get into the city from here, right?" The next house was at least a hundred yards away.
"Jax told me to wait for you here," she said. "We found another means into the city, but Beswick's people showed up and closed it." She pressed her lips together and whistled two short chirps. The response came back in the form of an arrow laden with knockout powder.
The guards slumped to the ground and before I could move, two dark shadows appeared. They tied up the guards and dragged them into a nearby building. A few moments later, the vigilantes reappeared dressed as guards.
I'd never been prouder in my entire life.
Together, we jumped off the roof and passed the guards, who saluted me as I went by. We hurried into a nearby alleyway, Malka leading me toward the stack of crates. Waiting for me on the roof was Jax.
He offered no snide remark, so I skipped the pleasantries. "How are we looking?"
"Not great," Jax said with a grimace. "Come with me."
He led me on a roundabout trip toward the southeastern part of the city—where a shipload of my troops should have docked. Instead, I found a large group of people gathered. I squinted to get a better look—there were women and children.
"What in the Mother's name?"
"Beswick's been here a while," Jax said. "He had his goons round up all the people and put them here. What he plans to do with them, I have no idea."
"They're hostages," I said. "I'd wager there's some leftover ond under the docks."
"Wouldn't put it past him."
I cursed softly. "Any sign of our troops?"
"Not here," Jax said. "But Felix is pretty smart. He'll work out another way into the city."
High praise, coming from Jax. "We don't have time to waste. Katarine will be getting into the city any minute now."
Under the cover of an overcast night sky, we moved into the city, staying out of sight of the patrolling guards. Jax's observation had been accurate; clearly Beswick had been planning this for a while.
When we paused on top of a building, I whispered to Jax. "Do we have a count of Beswick's people?"
"No," he said. "But it's more than a hundred."
Another curse rolled off my lips as we kept moving. The buildings and street names matched the map in my mind, and my pulse quickened as we closed in on the tavern where the hand-off would be occurring. Outside, there were at least ten bodyguards the size of large trees standing with their hands folded in front of them.
Jax grabbed the back of my neck and pushed me flat on the rooftop.
"What?" I whispered.
"There's someone on the roof of the inn," he said.
Putting my hood up, I peered over the arch of the roof to look on the other side. Beswick had gotten wise to my routes, it seemed. The guard didn't look to be paying too much attention to his post, but he would still sound the alarm.
Quietly, I assembled my crossbow and knockout powder and rested it on the ledge. When the guy on the roof wasn't looking, I let the arrow fly. The arrowhead embedded itself in the roof, and the guard turned to look at it.
My heart dropped into my stomach as he fell forward, sliding off the roof. But he was caught—by one of my vigilantes—Narin. He flashed me a thumbs-up and pulled the comatose body up the slope of the roof, disappearing onto the other side.
"That was close," I whispered.
"Your Majesty," whispered a male voice behind me—Orman. "If you want to get closer to listen, we're in position."
Jax made a face. "Maybe I trained them too well."
"I mean, I am impre
ssed." I flashed him a grin. "I never had it so easy in Forcadel."
"Before you go," Jax said, reaching into his slingbag and handing me a small bag. "Here."
Inside was a pair of listening cups—not mine, but similar.
"I thought you said you didn't need Nestori tricks," I said with a smile.
"I didn't need your Nestori tricks," he grumbled. "But since yours aren't here…"
I hid my grin as I stuck the cups into my slingbag and followed Orman across the rooftop to the inn. I pressed my finger against my lips as I quietly bent over the eaves, looking into the dark room and searching for signs of movement. When I saw none, I let myself in with the glass cutter. As quietly as I could, I tip-toed across the room to where I knew Beswick would be meeting with Katarine and lowered myself flat on the floor. I dug out Jax's listening cups and drilled a small hole in the floor with my hand drill.
With the small metal tube stuck in the hole, I pressed the cup to my ear and waited.
Chapter 50
Katarine
I fidgeted with the gold ring on my finger as the carriage rattled through the darkening landscape. I tried to focus on everything except what I would be doing—the Niemenian carriage I sat in, the faint scent of Luard's cologne that permeated the plush seats, the idle chatter of Nils and Hagan above me. It did little to dispel my anxiety.
I pushed aside the curtain on the window to look at the gray sky above. Brynna had said the Nestori predicted a storm. It didn't help the flutter of nerves in the pit of my stomach.
The carriage came to a halt, and I swallowed hard as Nils's muffled voice spoke to someone. Smoothing my sweaty palms down my skirt, I straightened my shoulders and opened the door, ducking my head out with what I hoped was a look of annoyance.
"What's the hold-up?" I asked.
Five guards were blocking our path. They wore no colors; they most assuredly were Beswick's men.
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