What if Flea was caught? Kerrick would kill me. No. He would make me wish I were dead.

Unable to just stand there, I organized our purchases, redistributing the heavier items to make it easier for us to carry. Flea still hadn’t returned by the time I finished. Worry swirled. My muscles itched for action, but I forced myself to remain in place.

What if Flea didn’t come back? Do I search for him? Get Kerrick? I sorted through my meager options when Flea appeared.

“Where have you been?” I demanded.

“I’ve been gone for ten minutes,” he said.

“Ten torturous minutes.” I drew in a deep breath. “These are yours.” I gestured to a pile of packages. “Let’s get moving before Kerrick comes looking for us.”

He gathered his half. “Don’t you want to know what I found out?”

“I do. But move first.”

We headed toward the road leading east. When we had put the market behind us, I asked Flea what he’d learned.

“Lots about Estrid’s army. The people they gathered were mostly street rats. And they’re all being held at a training camp about five miles north of town.”

I sensed he had more. “Don’t keep me on edge, please.”

“Noelle was one of the street rats taken. No one knew much about her. But they knew where she came from.”

I stopped to face him. “And?”

“She’s your sister. No doubt about it.”

Chapter 11

“How can you be so sure?” I asked Flea.

“The street rats kept mistaking you for her—except the one who tried to pick your pocket. They said she was from Lekas. That’s in Kazan, isn’t it?”

“Why did they tell you all this?” I’d been searching for any sign or clue to my family’s whereabouts for three years. For this to just pop up now…seemed suspicious. Perhaps a trap?

“I was a street rat.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And I spread a few coins around. Happy?”

“That makes more sense.” I kept a firm grip on my emotions. Flea might not doubt who she was, but I did. “Did you learn anything about the training camp?”

“It’s guarded, but not locked tight. Let’s face it, most of the recruits went from worrying about their next meal and where they would sleep when the snows came to having food, shelter and warm clothing.”

“But they have to fight for Estrid.”

“Like I said before, street rats don’t care about politics. Treat them good, and they’ll be loyal. Besides, it’s not like anyone’s at war or rebelling or doing much of anything.”

“Now. What happens when Tohon and Estrid decide they want to occupy the same town?”

Flea didn’t respond. He put a finger to his lips just when I heard the sour rustle to our left. I grabbed the hilt of my knife, but relaxed when Belen emerged from the forest. We were soon surrounded by the others.

“You were gone longer than expected,” Loren said. “Did Avry have a hard time finding the market?”

Quain chuckled.

I glanced at Kerrick to gauge his mood. Nothing. I’d get more information staring at a stone. Belen tried to take all my packages, but I kept a few. Loren and Quain helped Flea.

Finally, Flea said, “We had an opportunity to discover a few more details about Estrid and her forces.” He explained about the training camp as we headed to the cave. “And we need to rescue Avry’s sister.”

This last bit was met with stunned silence, including me. Then the questions started. Flea told them about Noelle.

“There’s no proof it’s her,” I said.

“We’ll do a reconnaissance first,” Flea said. “We’ll verify she’s there, then we’ll sneak in—”

“No. It’s too dangerous,” Kerrick said, as if that ended the discussion.

I had been thinking the same thing, but when Kerrick said no, my first instinct was to argue with him. “It wouldn’t be that dangerous to go have a look. If it’s her, then I don’t have to keep wondering if she’s alive or dead.”

“We’re not going near the camp. You can come back after…” An evil gleam shone in Kerrick’s eyes. “Promise you’ll heal Ryne, and we’ll take a look and see if it’s her.”

I felt as if he shoved his sword deep into my chest. Perhaps this was payback for making him choose between Belen and his prince.

“No deal,” I said. Proud my voice didn’t squeak, I increased my pace so I led the group back to the cave. So they couldn’t see the tears blurring my vision.

We returned and the others unpacked the supplies. It was my turn to cook, and I focused on the task at hand. With fresh ingredients, spices and herbs it would have been difficult to ruin the meal. Loren, Quain and Flea made appreciative noises. Belen proclaimed the roast the best he’d ever had. But I had no appetite, and I slid into my bedroll as soon as I could.

My thoughts returned to Noelle. If she was the missing street rat, being able to see her or even talk to her would be beyond wonderful. She probably knew the fate of Allyn and our mother, although just the fact she was alone meant bad news. They would never leave her if they were alive. Unless they had gotten separated by unexpected circumstances. Too many questions without answers. Were they worth my life? If she trained with Estrid’s soldiers, then she was relatively safe. And what if I’d promised to heal Ryne, and the girl wasn’t my little shadow?