44. Chapter Forty-Four #2
I grin, pulling one of her calloused hands into mine, noting the meaningful relieved looks she exchanges with both her brothers and Hendrix, who saunters over.
"What now, Aly? I thought you said this thing would get us all the way down in a day.” He leans against the tree we just climbed out of.
I'm only certain it's the same one because of the knot with a star tucked away near its base.
The trunk looks normal, no hint of the access panel or what's hidden inside.
Before answering, I reach out to Aven. He told me not to die before we left this morning, and we couldn't communicate from deep inside the roots, so I need to update him. "We made it to the halfway point. Everything worked perfectly, just like the first piece of the network."
"Good. Time for part two. Hurry up and get down here. I'm waiting for you near the border, a few hours from the Median. The others remain on the Zelindyr road where you said the one on your right would exit."
My excitement surges. "I'll confirm in a minute. Wish me luck."
He snorts. "You don't need luck any more than you need permission. See you soon."
Mental connection closed, I hold the prism sphere out to my right until it catches the light and illuminates a path to the tree half the squad will take.
I’m surprised when no one questions how it works or where I got it.
Come to think of it, they didn't ask this morning either.
And when I glance around, I realize they're not even paying attention to what I'm doing until I open the access panel like last time.
"This will take you down to the Zel road," I explain, squaring off with Zenn, who's gone into full Commander mode, issuing instructions to the group. This is not the same man who just let me sleep in his arms for hours without a break.
"Ok, let's get on with this. Your horses will be waiting nearby when you get out, along with a med-wagon,” Zenn says to the group, excluding Jeska and Hendrix, who hang back. He’d flat out refused to go back to the city.
I think it was the first time I'd ever heard the third-in-command be serious. Hopefully, that bodes well for me and what I’m about to do.
“Someone's going to need to explain all this to me," Willa grumbles, having apparently slept through most of stage one of our journey.
Zenn drops to a knee next to her, taking her hand.
"I'm sorry you got hurt on my watch. If there's any hassle at home, leave it for me to deal with.
I'll try to get back quickly. In the meantime, think of a way for me to make it up to you.
Until then, Felix, Lira and," he swallows audibly, refusing to look at me, "Alyxia will take good care of you.
And you'll have Nav and Drea making sure you get home safe. "
Willa looks up at him with a smile. "No."
"What do you mean, no?"
"You might want to sound shield us. You, me, and Aly, now.
" He looks at her in surprise as he complies with her request. "You have to go with her to Orz.
Don't make her go home. She needs to find her sister.
You'd do the same for me." Zenn starts to protest, but she glares.
"You want to make it up to me? This is how, keep your promise to her. "
I'm filled with warmth and gratitude for my best friend as I duck my head to hide my smile.
That move was flawless, even though we both know she'd never hold him responsible for her injuries.
He pauses, and I take the opportunity to make my case, just like we planned.
"With a wagon and Lira, they don't need me for the trip back to the city.
I'm not leaving when we're this close. Now that your sister's out of danger, I need to make sure mine is too.
" I'm not subtle with the reminder I helped save her, watching the point land and his defenses crumble.
While stretching the truth about Bri and playing on his guilt isn't my proudest moment, I'll do whatever I have to so I can stay, including playing his ego. "You don't have to worry. Aven will keep me safe through the Median, and we'll be careful in Orz."
"Not sure what you think a horse is going to do. And anyway, we can't waste days waiting for him to catch up," Zenn protests.
I can't hide my smile now. If that's his biggest objection, I've got him.
"He's already with Witt and the other two near the border.
Didn't she tell you?" His jaw clenches, unimpressed eyes narrowing as he glares across the stretcher.
"If it helps, there's another root tunnel leading directly to the outskirts of their capital city, so it shouldn't delay you from wherever you're going.
We can be there in days. Or I can just go by myself? "
The silence ripples around us, thick and heavy with his efforts to come up with another rebuttal. After long minutes, he groans and stands, dropping the shield. "I already know I'm going to regret this, but fine, you're coming with us."
"She's what?" Jeska and Drea both object, reminding me the rest of the squad has been standing around, wondering what’s going on.
Zenn shakes his head at me before addressing my sister.
"We need a Remedy with us in case anything happens.
She'll be fine." He turns to Nav. "You've got my letter for the King?
No need to say anything about this. They'll still be assuming she's in the Grotto.
I'll deal with it when we get back. Get them home safe, ok?
" The two men clasp forearms before Nav takes Lira's hand. Straightening to address the full squad, Zenn makes it clear no one is to say a word to anyone about Xaavi, how we got off the mountain, or the supposed increase in my ability to heal. Swallowing the realization I'm about to be somewhat on my own, I hug Lira and then Drea, who still isn’t thrilled about me going but promises to do what she can to cover for me with our parents. It hurts that Felix will barely look at me, but I have to respect that he isn’t ready to talk yet.
Willa is the hardest to say goodbye to. "I hate leaving you like this," I whisper, choking back the sudden urge to cry. "Thank you for coming with me and for pushing me to keep going."
"Have an adventure for both of us, Aly. Do what you came to do.
You know, find…those cerisus trees. I can't wait to hear every detail.
" She flashes a mischievous grin and glances at Zenn.
"Well, maybe not every detail," I laugh, stepping back so the stretcher can be lifted onto the next platform now that Nav has already started down.
Willa and Lira follow together, the rest disappearing one at a time with each flick of the switch, leaving only the four of us to find the tunnel that will take us to Aven, Orztralis, and Bri.