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Their eyes sparkled as each one sat straight, looking at me expectantly.
I peaked around The Crowned Bastard. I couldn't have anyone eavesdropping. With a measure of ethèr, I formed a cloudy barrier around our booth. Invisible, but thick. While we could see everything going on in the tavern, no one could hear or see us. For all they would know, it would seem as if this booth was empty.
"I was with Mamè just now."
"How is the queen?" Engèli asked.
"Very good, actually." I smiled, thinking of her. "She's aging backwards. Still sees me as a youngling, too. I don't think that'll ever change."
Engèli chuckled. Growing up around Ishaèli and I, before flying off to train as an El'Guard, he'd had his share of her motherly ways.
"Mamè always had sharp ears. Better than maydins, even."
"I take it she's heard something of importance?" Nyala asked, quirking a brow.
I leaned forward, waving my fork with a poached egg on it.
"King Izakaya wants something only a crew of lawless pirates can get for him."
I wriggled my brows before shoving the eggs into my mouth.
"Something exists that King Rhòdhaire can't get himself?" Jabari sputtered, his own mouth full of sausages and potatoes. "And what would that be?"
"The Atlanthyst Stone."
Engèli spat out his kakonut cider, choking on the strong, sparkling drink caught in his throat. Nyala's eyes widened, and she flexed her small hands. Jabari's mouth hung open. The three blinked at me, not comprehending. Then they spoke all at once.
"Of all the bloody gems, he wants the Atlanthyst Stone?" Jabari cried.
"Isn't that stone buried deep in the Pearl Palace?" Nyala seethed.
"King Izakaya has never been above causing chaos, but this?" Engèli blubbered.
"Are all of you done?" I blinked, waiting patiently. "Because we're going for the stone. I've already decided."
"Captain, be serious," Nyala snapped. "How in the rot are we supposed to get into the Pearl Palace and steal the stone?"
"I have a plan."
Jabari groaned, loosing a small, chortling cry as Nyala looked like she wanted to burn down The Crowned Bastard, with me in it.
"I have a plan, he says. He always has a plan," Nyala snarled.
I wriggled my brows again.
"Stop the nonsense, all of you. We have plans to make. And fast. We need to get to Azizi before the princess returns home."
"How exactly are we supposed to do that? Even if we get to Azizi, how would we get into the palace?" Engèli, asked.
"Easy," I grinned. "We have invitations. King Bakari invited the entire Rhòdhaire house to celebrate Azizi's El'Tide. Their solstice happens in thirty dawns. We need to get there in twenty."
Engèli nodded, his eyes distant, already planning on how to get in and out of the sea kingdom.
"We can do it," Nyala said. "But we have to be precise. Any missteps and we're dead."
I agreed, taking another bite of eggs and roasted potatoes.
"I figure all we need is us." I talked as I chewed. "Gèli will get us there and double as muscle. Might have to take out a Seaveiller, or two."
