“I’ll figure it out on the way.”

“I’ve been there. The place is a fortress. You’ll never get in.”

I kept my cool...barely. “Tohon’s castle is a fortress, yet we managed to rescue you.”

“Avry, think about it.” Ryne reined in his temper. “That was a different situation. You were invited inside his castle. You had help. Kerrick can’t even leave the forest and Chinska Mare is a big city. You’ll need two weeks just to map the layout.”

“Then it might take us a little longer. It doesn’t matter, Ryne. We’re going regardless.”

“You keep saying ‘we,’ yet you haven’t consulted with anyone about this suicide mission.”

Good point.

“She doesn’t need to,” Kerrick said.

“I’m in,” Flea added.

“We’re packed,” Loren said. He entered the clearing with Quain. Both had their knapsacks over their shoulders.

Warmth and gratitude spread through my heart.

Ryne studied us. “If you leave, it will be considered a desertion. If you survive, don’t bother coming back or I’ll have you arrested on sight.” The cold, hard tone of his voice indicated he meant it. Without another word, he left.

Uh-oh. I glanced at my guys. Would they stay?

“Is that considered burning a bridge?” Flea asked into the silence.

“Oh, yes,” Loren said.

“I’d like to see him try to arrest me,” Quain said.

“You don’t—” I tried.

“Nonsense,” Kerrick interrupted. “Let’s get packed before Ryne can order everyone not to help us. Flea, gather your things. Loren, grab some travel rations. Quain, fresh water. Avry, medical supplies and your pack. Meet back here in ten minutes.”

The men rushed to obey as Kerrick assembled his travel pack.

I lingered until he noticed me still standing there. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. Now git! You have nine minutes.”

“Yes, sir!” My smile lasted until I reached the cave. Estrid held court in her corner of the infirmary. The shortsighted, ungrateful, selfish woman had refused to listen to reason. As the creator’s chosen representative, she ensured I wouldn’t be joining her religion ever.

I skirted the crowd of people, keeping an eye out for Ryne. He wasn’t in any of the common areas. Rifling through the medical-supply cabinet, I only took a few items, making sure there was plenty left for the patients. A line of containers gave me an idea and I swiped one. Most of my personal things were with Kerrick, but I stuffed the rest in with the supplies.

When I finished, I turned and almost ran into Christina. She stood in my path with her arms crossed.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“On another rescue mission. I’ll be back.”

“Were you planning on telling me?”

No, and another lump of guilt landed on the proverbial pile I carried. “Time’s tight and I’d figured Ryne would fill you in. But I realize now that it would be wrong to leave without talking to you. Sorry.”

A brief smile touched her lips. “So what’s going on?”

I detailed the mission. Mindful of the minutes ticking away, the words tumbled from my mouth in a fast rush.

“That’s going to be almost impossible. That place is a fortress.”

Ryne had said the same thing. “How do you know?”

“I grew up in Chinska Mare,” Christina said.

Without stopping to consider, I said, “Come with us.”

She crinkled her nose. “I...can’t.... Too many bad...memories. However...” She searched for a piece of parchment, then grabbed a stylus and sketched. “There’s an abandoned aqueduct that is underneath the city. Now, it doesn’t go under the monastery, but there is an entrance nearby.” Christina marked an X on her sketch. “If you somehow manage to rescue your friend and reach this entrance, follow the water. It should lead you out on the south side of the city.”

“Should?”

“It’s been years, and there’s always the chance one of the tunnels has collapsed or been blocked off. A river of water used to flow under the city, but the High Priestess wanted to control the water, so she diverted it to an enclosed pipeline only her people can access.” Christina handed me the paper. “And watch for smugglers—they use the tunnels to get into the city.”

“This is wonderful. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Getting into and out of the monastery is the real challenge. The guards don’t take kindly to strangers and have orders to kill on sight.”

Lovely.

“I’m surprised Prince Ryne approved this mission,” she said.

Unable to lie to her, I said, “Uh. He didn’t. We’re going without his permission.” I braced for her reaction.

“He’s left you high and dry before. I’d say that’s fair. Good luck.”

“Thanks.” I rolled up the parchment and added it to my stash.

As I wove through the patients’ cots, I spotted Odd standing near Estrid. I should probably say goodbye, but his betrayal still hurt. How could he leave when he knew what we faced? I almost tripped over my own feet as I realized I was about to do the very same thing. But I planned to return despite Ryne’s threat. Did that count for extra...morality points? Ah, hell, who was I kidding. I was just as bad as him. And, no, I didn’t wish to say goodbye to Odd.