Kerrick the weed. My laughter bubbled up my throat, unstoppable. The boys joined in.

“Go ahead and laugh,” Kerrick said. “We’ll see who’s laughing when you all need to hide and I’m suddenly a rare plant, unable to be found.”

“Empty threat, weed boy,” Quain said.

“Oh, I think you know me better than that. I hope you look good in white, Quain. I’ve heard the Ozero priests make all their initiates wear white.”

“Really? I heard they don’t let them wear any clothes for the first two years,” Loren added.

“Wouldn’t they get cold?” Quain asked, sounding worried.

More laughter, but this time Kerrick joined in. Quain’s face turned red.

“Don’t listen to them,” I said. “Ever. You can trust me or Flea.”

“I’ve heard they tattooed the creator’s name on your...er...man part,” Flea said.

Loren high-fived the young man.

“Don’t encourage him.” I swatted Loren’s shoulder. But we all knew it was too late. Flea had been monkeyfied.

We resumed our trek. I tried not to count all the horse opportunities passing us by. Stopping for a quick meal, we pressed on until the sun dipped low.

Kerrick reappeared. He pointed to a narrow trail. “Keep on this path. It’ll lead you to a clump of Lilys, which will make an excellent camp for tonight. I’m going to do a little exploring. I’ll meet you there.” He met my gaze. The promise to return shone in his eyes.

Even though I’d rather go with him, I stayed with the others as we followed his directions. The scent of vanilla filled the air around the Lilys. While they waited, I walked up to the cluster of six. Five Peace Lilys and one Death Lily. It hissed, parted its petals and dropped two toxin sacks onto my open palms. Ryne might arrest us on sight, but he wouldn’t refuse more toxin. I thanked the plant, tucking the sacks into my pack.

The monkeys and Flea kept well away from the Death Lily. I ignored the Peace Lilys. After the debacle with Yuri, I never wanted to interact with another Peace Lily again.

Waiting for Kerrick was difficult, but I had to admit his choice of campsite was ideal. No one would dare approach a clump of Lilys.

Loren and Quain debated about setting a small fire. Tired of cold food, Quain hoped for at least a mug of hot tea.

“Just wait until Kerrick returns,” I said, setting up my bedroll. “There must be a reason he wanted to explore.” Like rounding us up a couple of horses, I hoped.

However when Kerrick arrived a few hours later, he was alone. And his serious demeanor said more than words.

“No fire. Pack your stuff, we’re leaving,” Kerrick ordered.

We assembled our gear.

“What aren’t you telling us?” I asked as we hustled through the forest.

“I’ll explain when we get there.”

Intrigued, I kept the rest of my questions to myself.

After a couple miles, he stopped and gestured to a rocky slope, covered with vegetation. “There’s a cave entrance hidden behind those vines. I want—”

“No caves,” I snapped.

“Just hear me out. We’re being followed by a couple of groups of soldiers. I don’t know if they’re just returning to Ozero as per Estrid’s orders, or if they are searching for us in particular. Just to be safe, I want you to stay out of sight, and that cave’s the best thing around right now.”

“And what about you?” I asked.

“I’m going to get closer to the groups and try to learn their intentions.”

My unhappy heart wished to protest. Wished to tag along. But my practical side knew I’d be a hindrance.

Quain and Loren swept the vines aside. A damp puff of rotten leaves and bat guano wafted out. Wonderful.

“Stay here until I return,” Kerrick said.

“Uh, no offense, but what do we do if you don’t?” Quain asked.

“If I’m not back by morning, go on without me. Ozero is a straight shot east.”

Loren shook his head. “You know we won’t. Just tell us which direction the squads are and save us all some time.”

I nodded in encouragement.

“Fine. One’s almost straight west, the other is southwest about two miles south of the first, but I don’t expect trouble.”

“Yet that’s the problem with trouble,” I said. “It has no manners at all and arrives unexpected most of the time.”

KERRICK

He waited as Avry and the others entered the cave. She lingered behind. Before ducking inside, she turned and met his gaze. Kerrick had kept his normal appearance, expecting this. Every time they parted, he understood her need to reassure herself that he’d return.

Even after she disappeared into the darkness and beyond the reach of his magic, Kerrick remained in place for a few more moments just in case she peeked out. Satisfied that all was well for now, Kerrick headed west, dropping his visage. Turning normal no longer drained him as much. He suspected he’d either regained some of his strength or pulling the power had turned into a reflex.

Interesting how they’d fallen back on old habits. And keeping Avry and his gentlemen safe in the forest remained his job. He dreaded the time when he’d have to stay behind while they continued into Chinska Mare.

Kerrick picked up his pace, hoping to catch the squads settling down for the evening. That was when they’d be the most chatty.

Voices drifted through the trees as he neared the west group. The forest had already counted eleven irritants. Eleven living things that didn’t belong in its borders. Kerrick used his magic to determine the intruders were a mix of men and women soldiers. Getting close was ridiculously easy for him. They’d posted a couple guards, but he was just about invisible. Still, there was no need to be in the center of activity. Kerrick leaned against a nearby tree and listened to the various conversations.