Not long after, Flea returned with Avry. She dashed toward Kerrick while Flea retreated inside. He waited for her, growing alarmed as she neared. Dark circles hung under her eyes and most of her auburn hair had escaped her normally neat braid.

Avry slammed into him, wrapping her arms tight around him.

“Easy.” He hugged her. “What’s wrong?”

“The dreams... I don’t want more dreams.” She shook. “I haven’t slept...in days.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here now. I’ll block them.”

“I...couldn’t... He knows about Wynn and Sepp and the Skeleton King. I didn’t want him to learn anything else.”

Avry dropped her arms, but Kerrick wouldn’t let her go. “It’s okay.”

“I found out Tohon saved Zila’s life and wants to adopt her.”

One small but tight knot in his chest eased. “Great news about Zila, but there is no way I’ll let him keep her. We’ll rescue her once we figure out another way to locate him.”

She pulled back slightly. “He’s at the Healer’s Guild.”

“Are you sure?”

“He could have lied, but deep down I don’t believe he did.”

His skin prickled and he scanned the woods, searching for hidden soldiers. “The guild is only three days away. How long ago did you dream his location?”

“Two days. Why?”

“He could be on the way here.”

“He said he’d wait for me there.”

Smug little snot. “Flea and I can go scout the Healer’s Guild, see if anyone is there.”

“And run right into a dead ambush? I don’t think so.”

“But Flea’s a death magician. He can sense the dead.”

Avry rubbed her face. “I forgot about that. But his power isn’t exactly the same at Sepp’s.”

“Then test it. Is Yuri still here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Find out. Did Ryne leave soldiers behind?”

“Yes.” Still she hesitated. “But you’re weak, Kerrick.”

“It’s a reconnaissance mission. We won’t engage the enemy. We’ll just take a look around, but we’ll have to leave the horses so we’ll be gone six days max.”

She broke from his grasp and put her hands on her hips. “I’ve heard that before.”

“How about, we’ll be back in six days unless I learn a good friend who we thought was dead is alive and in trouble?”

His nose crinkled as she smiled. “Better, but I’m still not happy.”

“Do you have another idea?” he asked.

“Actually...” Avry glanced at the wide mining building Ryne had converted into his HQ. “I might.”

Surprised, he said, “Let’s hear it.”

“I’m not sure it’ll work. I need to check a few things first.”

Her classic dodge. It meant he wasn’t going to like her alternate plan. And she would be correct. Since he’d rather she remained safe at HQ until Tohon was gone for good.

“All right. But don’t be too long. You’re exhausted.”

“You don’t look any better. When’s the last time you ate?”

He held up his hands. “Let’s call a truce.” Kerrick earned another smile.

“All right. I’ll be back with food and bedding. You build a nice hot fire.”

“Yes, sir.”

Her laughter warmed his heart. After she left, he gathered firewood. The cold air dragged at his limbs as if he moved through mud. And it was only three weeks into the season. What would happen to him in the middle of winter? He couldn’t leech energy off Avry or Flea all the time or they’d be useless. Like him.

When Avry returned hours later, she brought more than food. Belen, Flea, and the monkeys followed her, carrying cots, blankets, and wood for the fire. A squad of soldiers also trailed after her.

“We’re having a cookout,” Quain chirped as they set up the cots.

Avry drew one of the soldiers over to him. “Kerrick, this is Sergeant Saul. He disobeyed Estrid by remaining with Ryne’s army. Just like Odd.”

Kerrick shook Saul’s hand, hoping the man wasn’t like Odd. He didn’t need to deal with another jealous man. But Saul appeared friendly. A few gray hairs mixed with the blond strands of his buzzed hair. Kerrick guessed he was about five years or so older than Loren.

“Thanks for your help down in Zabin,” Saul said. “We’d have run right into that blockade.”

Kerrick nodded, wondering where Saul had been during Estrid’s rescue.

“He offered to patrol around HQ tonight so we all can get a good night’s sleep,” Avry said.

Nice.

“I’m gonna take a loop or two with them,” Flea said.

Kerrick exchanged a glance with Avry. “It worked?”

“Yes. Flea spent some time with Yuri this afternoon.”

“And what about your other plan?”

“I’m still working on it. But in the meantime, I think you and Flea should check the Healer’s Guild to see if Tohon is really there or not.”

Her resigned expression said more than her words.

“What about your dreams?”

“I’ll take a strong dose of sleep powder. That should prevent him from invading my mind.”

“Are you sure?”