34. Fenric #3
“Message?” Mal asked, but the question was directed at Lirion. “You can send to us as well, correct?”
“I can send to anyone I’ve met once, so yes. I have a limit of thirty words. You’ll be under the same limitation when you respond, so do bear that in mind.”
“Still, that’s enough to relay Fuck, get here now! Which is all we really need,” Rain said with a laugh.
Well, hard to argue. And Fenric had yet to see any gate keep Belstrom out when his friend decided he wanted in. Gates were such fragile things in the face of a barbarian’s determination. He had every confidence Belstrom could make it through those gates without too much trouble.
Still, this damn unease clung to him like a sea barnacle, impossible to shake.
He tried, though. He tried to focus and not let the unease get the better of him. Hopefully, it was just nerves.
“All right, let’s go over this one more time.
Timing wise, Puppy, you make the coffee, and we’ll keep a heating charm on it so it stays hot and fresh.
We should be able to sneak you in with the other servants showing up for work.
Rain, you leave after Puppy has made his coffee.
It’ll take you longer to get into position than the rest of us. ”
Rain nodded, accepting the order.
“Puppy will find his way to the kitchen to grab some mugs and a tray. You’ll go around the gates of the place and have everyone drink some.”
“So don’t force my way in?”
“No, I’d rather you didn’t. You’re young and cute.
In the uniform, the guards won’t give you a second glance.
If you can, chat up another servant who might be entering at the same time.
Talk about how it’s your first night or something.
Be friendly and harmless. After Puppy’s death coffee has done its job, Hapi and Lirion will grab two of the guards. ”
Hapi lifted an elegant hand. “After I’ve raised them, I shall retreat to wait with Malfas and Belstrom until you’re ready for the next phase. I think it’s best to have a rowboat on hand near the shoreline in addition to any possible longboats provided by the villa.”
“Also be easier to pick people out of the sea,” Rain tacked on prosaically.
“I’ll send two skelebabies with a rowboat to the nearest dock before I continue farther out to sea.
I think I’ve got some cloaking charms left from our last escapade.
Don’t want anyone spotting the skelebabies.
Speaking of, what port of call should I aim for as we escape? ”
“Bjornkill,” Fenric said. “We’ve still got that job to do.”
“Ah, a fair point. All right, then.”
“After Hapi’s left, Lirion and the zombies will make their way inside.
Lirion, locate your sister and get out. Feel free to spread a warning to the other captives letting them know to be ready to move, but your focus is to get your sister and start making it to the exit.
Once you have her, use the messaging system to alert us. ”
Lirion gave him a small cant of the head askance. “Where will you be?”
“I’m staying in bird form until otherwise needed.
Once you send the message that you and Aria are leaving, Malfas, Hapi, and Belstrom will be on standby in the event you are discovered.
They will kick off Plan B—chaos. Fire, explosions, crumbling walls, a rampaging barbarian, attacking zombies.
All of it. The chaos will be directed at the front gate.
You and Aria will head for the dock at the opposite end of the villa’s grounds.
My job will be to provide protection to you and Aria if you run into trouble during your escape. ”
Fenric paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep, calming breath.
“If by some strange miracle, everything goes smoothly and Lirion manages to escape with his sister without anyone being the wiser, then I promise, Puppy, we will come up with another way to destroy Count Pierres’s operation.
” When he opened his eyes, he looked at Maxie, who watched him with a serious expression.
“But right now, I’d prefer not to pursue a plan that gets everyone killed to the point even Hapi can’t raise us. ”
Maxie gave a single regal nod. “I can accept your terms.”
He could tell Maxie wasn’t happy, but Maxie was smart. He knew there was only so much their small group could do against an army.
A soft, warm expression stole over Lirion’s face and he kissed Fenric. “You’re so sweet.”
Fenric’s blush was so hot he felt like he’d explode into a campfire at this rate. “Will you stop that? Why am I nice to you?”
“You’re so cute blushing. Why are you so fun to tease, Sexy Eyes?”
“Fuck you, Lir, and no, do not kiss me again. You’re just messing with me now!”
Lirion laughed, not denying it, and tried to grab his head so he could kiss Fenric again.
This rotten bastard. Here Fenric was, worried about him, and all he could do was tease. Well, maybe it was a good thing. Maybe he was breathing easier now. They were less than twenty-four hours from having Aria free of her captors and back in her brother’s arms.