Page 211 of Of Masks and Fury

“Who do you suggest for the mission?” Trew asked. “Other than me and Isi, of course. I don’t think we should bring a large team. Enough to complete the task but too many will only increase the risk.”

“I suggest five or six members,” Grayson said.

“My knowledge of the castle is crucial,” I said. “I know the dungeon layout and weak points in their defenses.”

“Did you locate Kira?” Trew asked Grayson. “She should be a part of the team.”

Grayson’s face tightened. “I haven’t been able to find her, Your Majesty. I’ve sent scouts, but…” The implication hung heavy in the air. “She…wasn’t in Silverstream and the villagers said she’d left not long after you did.”

She was dead, or the second controller. Both possibilities chilled me.

“We have a new warrior who’s shown considerable progress,” Coralee said. “He’s nasty enough to contribute well to this mission.He shows solid strategic thinking, he’s adaptable, and he’s quite skilled in combat.”

“Who?” Trew asked.

“Maddox.”

I barely held in my flinch. Trew’s low growl rang out in the room.

Coralee’s eyes widened, her gaze darting between us. “He’s shown strength and leadership since the Rite. His mind is sharp, and he’s proven himself in all his classes. I’m not sure why you?—”

“I’ll think about it,” Trew said, his voice flat. “Compile a list of our best candidates and have it ready for me first thing tomorrow. I’ll go through it and make my selection.”

“Very well,” Coralee said.

Trew laid out a full plan for the extraction.

The meeting continued as we discussed contingencies and backup plans. What happened if guards detected our infiltration early or if prisoner transport was compromised? We discussed multiple extraction points and signal systems for abort or proceed decisions.

Naveah outlined equipment needs, including lightweight armor that wouldn’t impede stealth, specialized lock picks for dungeon cells, quick-deploy weapons for guards, and provisions for prisoners who might be starving. She’d anticipated our needs already and had been working straight out since we left, but stated she’d need until tomorrow to be ready.

“The armory break-in didn’t help,” she said with a sad note in her voice.

“Have the guards discovered who did it?” Trew asked.

“Unfortunately no.”

“Tell me the moment you have things ready,” Trew said. “And we’ll leave.”

She gave him a sharp nod. “Alright.”

Grayson discussed Caldrith’s defenses, his comments were insightful. Caldrith might have a spy at Syllavar, but I suspected Grayson had his own spies at my home court, and I wasn’t sure what I thought about that.

He also discussed border patrol patterns that might interfere, and methods for dampening the team’s magical signatures to avoid detection. His knowledge was comprehensive, detailed, and disturbingly thorough. More evidence of his competence or was he using this to cover up his involvement with the Skathes?

I felt each person evaluating the others. Coralee studied Trew with maternal concern. Grayson’s hands continued their slight tremor. Naveah remained quiet unless directly spoken to, her face unreadable.

Finally, the meeting ended. Before she left, Coralee placed her hand on Trew’s shoulder in a gesture that could be genuine affection or perfect manipulation. Grayson gave us both a formal bow. Naveah caught my gaze, searching my face with a look I couldn’t interpret, before turning to leave.

The door closed behind them with a click.

Trew eased my chair back and tugged me up onto his lap.

While traveling, I’d struggled to keep everything inside. Now I shattered.

I kept seeing Thorne’s face. His scarred hands correcting my sword grip when I was fourteen. Teaching me to fight when my father wanted me decorative and obedient. Showing me I could be more than an ornament in a bone-white mask. All those years of protection and training, of being the father mine never was.

I kept seeing his final sacrifice, shoving Addie to safety while Skathe claws tore into him.