A Country Falls (Greatest Thief 3)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

He was with me when I woke up, but not for long. He left me with food and went to meet with Tandrin and Queen Navire. I ate and thought about the meeting. From what I had heard the night before, it seemed pretty clear that Tannix had volunteered for the task at hand. Or more likely, he'd demanded. It was just like him to take on something dangerous to rescue Mayah.

I realized with a start that I felt like myself again. My thoughts weren't swirling or confused. I finished off my breakfast and moments later, I was stepping out into bright sunlight.

Evrik was standing by the flap. He looked as ragged as the other knights, but Evrik knew how to make scruffiness look good. His eyes trailed over me, and he smiled. "I knew you'd be up today. Tannix is sure he can convince you to stay behind."

"I'm coming," I said. Last night, I had said it in a panic, terrified by the idea of Tannix going off without me. I wanted to keep him close. But this time, with my mind under control again, I meant it. They needed me if they were going to succeed. The knights were good at a lot of things. Sneaking through a city wasn't one of those things.

They needed me. I also needed to help rescue Mayah, and Vali. The knights didn't know who he was, but if we could get him out of the city, I wanted to try. I remembered Kassia's concern when she realized who had killed the king. There was no doubt in my mind that Kalvahi would execute Vali if he figured it out.

Evrik nodded. "We're all on your side, my friend. We know we need you. And if you're ready and willing, it isn't exactly fair to tell you that you can't come along. None of us would accept that, either. Goddess knows, Mandell fought through an amputation. Tannix took a pretty bad hit barely two weeks into the campaign, and it didn't stop him from riding up front."

"He did?" He had neglected to mention that, in person or in a letter.

"We don't back down," Evrik said. "None of us are designed for it. And you're one of us, aren't you?"

I wasn't designed to back down? It wasn't how I would have ever described myself, but maybe he was right. Once upon a time I would have done nearly anything to protect myself. Now, I was determined to do anything I could to protect the people I cared about. Even with Castin holding poison to my lips, it had been to protect others, not myself. Maybe giving up wasn't something I could do anymore.

I nodded firmly. "I am. I want to be part of their meeting."

Tannix didn't make a scene and barely reacted when Evrik escorted me into their meeting. He didn't seem to mind when I chimed in or pointed out details they hadn't considered. It wasn't until the plan was finalized and the meeting was over that his true feelings came out.

Tandrin left the meeting tent in a rush, as if he was trying to avoid the confrontation with his brother. It didn't work. Tannix immediately followed him. Acen, Evrik and I rushed to keep pace. Tandrin ducked into his tent, and Tannix stormed after him with barely a nod at the two knights who were standing by the entrance. We paused outside.

The fabric wasn't enough to completely muffle Tannix's words. "Finn isn't coming."

Tandrin was quieter, calmer, and harder to hear.

Evrik clapped me on the shoulder, silently trying to commiserate. Acen crossed his arms and spoke to the knight to our left. I recognized him, but didn't know his name.

"How is he taking this?"

The knight shrugged one shoulder. "Not well. If he could send Lord Tandrix back to West Draulin he would. But you're backing this plan?"

Acen nodded. "We have the experience, and time is a factor. My men are prepared to do this now, whereas another team might need a few days to prepare."

"Lord West Draulin shouldn't be leading a covert mission."