Traveling through the plains as long as possible, they stopped near the Daviian Plateau’s border to make camp. There were still a few hours until sunset, but everyone drooped with fatigue. While they made camp, Janco hunted for a few rabbits. The fresh meat would help revive everyone. When he returned, Opal’s mother took the skinned rabbits and turned them into the best campfire meal he’d ever eaten.

Zethan brandished a forkful of meat. “This is why I gained ten pounds in the last week. Ahir, it’s a wonder you don’t weigh five hundred pounds.”

“I sweat it all off in the factory.” Ahir glanced at his dad. “Did you warn our employees about the Cartel?”

“No. I just left a note for my assistant saying we had a family emergency. She’ll take care of filling orders while we’re gone,” Jaymes said.

“Uh, what about the ambushers lying on the ground?” Janco asked. “They’re not going to be happy when they wake up.” Considering how hard they’d hit, they might still be out cold.

Teegan grinned. “No worries. We cleaned up the mess.”

“How—No, never mind,” Opal said. “I don’t need to know. I’m just glad we’re all together and safe.” She put her arm around Reema, who leaned into her.

Which reminded Janco. “Devlen, did something happen to Leif and Mara? You should have dropped Reema off a while ago.”

“They reached the Illiais Market without any trouble. Reema stayed with us because...” He glanced at Opal.

Janco straightened. This ought to be interesting.

“I’m good at spotting places to avoid,” Reema said.

“What do you mean?” Ari asked.

She shrugged. “We didn’t want to draw attention. And I know where to travel so we didn’t get noticed.” Then she crossed her arms. “Which is why we should have stayed with Uncle Leif and not wasted time coming up here. You’re gonna need me.”

Devlen ignored that comment. “Once the others continued into the jungle, we returned to Booruby. I wanted to arrive before dawn, just in case there were watchers on the house.”

“I was asleep, or else I would have warned him about the ambush,” Reema said. Then she beamed at her brother. “But Tee took care of it!”

“Heli did all the work,” Teegan said. “I just directed traffic.”

Janco glanced at Heli, but the poor girl was curled up, fast asleep. It wasn’t long before the other kids joined her. Ari, Janco, Opal and Devlen took shifts guarding the camp.

Two days later, they entered the town limits of Kerrylee. It was smaller than desired and hugged the western edge of the Daviian Plateau. But according to Reema, the place had no watchers working for the Cartel. How the girl knew this, Janco hadn’t a clue, but he’d learned to trust the little scamp. They found a nice inn for Opal’s parents and brother to stay at, and for the rest of them to spend the night. Devlen and Opal were having a family discussion about Reema’s future.

Janco caught a few words as he passed their room on the way down to the common room. He smiled as Opal kept repeating, “She’s only eleven,” with Devlen reminding his wife how Reema had aided in his and Leif’s rescue. Should be an interesting conversation, but Janco wasn’t about to listen at the door. No need to spy on his friends.

The warmth and bright lights of the common room wrapped around him like an embrace. He scanned the occupants. Banished from the discussion upstairs, Reema played cards with Teegan, Zethan and Heli, but she shot dark looks at the stairs, as if her unhappiness could travel up to her parents’ room. Ari sat nearby, drinking ale. Janco joined him and ordered a pint.

When the drink arrived, he took a long pull. It wasn’t half-bad.

“What do you think?” Ari asked him.

“It’s a little sour, but I like the lemony flavors.”

“Not the ale. Our next move.”

Oh. He scratched his ear. “I think the others will be safe traveling to the Illiais Market without us.”

“You think they’ll take Reema with them?”

“They’d be stupid not to.”

“Thank you,” Reema said.

“Hey, it’s rude to eavesdrop on people’s conversations,” Janco said.

“Oh, sorry. I wouldn’t want to be rude. Is it rude to talk about someone when she’s sitting right here?”

Janco opened his mouth to reply, but Ari shook his head. Instead, they moved a few more tables away. However, due to her sly smile, Janco suspected the scamp had rabbit ears.

“I agree that there will be enough people and magicians to spread the spores,” Ari said. “We can leave for the Greenblade garrison tomorrow. I want to gather as much intel about the place as possible before we rescue the Councilors. Do you think Opal will let Teegan come with us?”

“Do you think Teegan will listen to his mother if she says no?”

“Some kids actually listen to their mothers.”

“Really?” Janco blinked at Ari. “What a concept.”

“Your poor mother. She should get a medal for not killing you.”

“Oh, she tried. Many times. That’s how I learned the fine art of duck and cover.”

Devlen and Opal joined them four ales later. From the shine in Opal’s eyes, he guessed they’d done more than discuss their daughter. Understandable, considering they’d been apart for months. Reema showed remarkable restraint by not pouncing on her parents right away. It also helped that the scamp was soundly beating her brother at cards. Good. It would keep the boy humble.