distractions away from me and be ready to help.”
Leif and Moon Man signaled their understanding. Both had enough magical energy I could draw from if needed. I tried to keep the horrible thoughts about Esau’s plight in the back of my mind as I projected my awareness toward the mouth of the cave. The bats would soon be leaving their roost in search for food.
My mind met the dark consciousness of the bats. They didn’t perceive the world by sight, but by sensing objects and movement around them. Unable to direct them to where I wanted to go, I flew with them, my mental perception floating from one bat to another, trying to make sense of my location in the jungle. The flutter of wings and hum of insects cut through the silent night air.
Even though the bats had spread over many miles, they remained connected to each other, and I soon had a detailed mental image of the jungle. It was a bird’s-eye view without colors—just shapes, sizes and movement. In my bat mind, the trees and rocks were not visual, but in scapes of sound.
The straight walls of the Zaltana homestead felt odd to the bats. They avoided the clan’s dwellings, but I jumped over to the minds flying east of the homestead.
Frustrated because I couldn’t affect their movements, I had to wait and watch until one bat found a small campfire. I channeled my awareness on the bat as it dived and flew through the hot rising air, snatching the insects that danced above the light.
Instinctively avoiding the creatures below, the bat stayed high in the air. I used the bat’s senses to determine the number of Vermin. Three around the fire, two crouched in the trees and four stood guard outside the camp. A pair of tents were close to the fire. Three unmoving forms lay flat on the ground next to them. Alarmed, I focused my attention on them until I felt their chests rise and fall.
When I had the exact location of the Vermin’s camp in my mind, I withdrew from the bat’s consciousness.
“There are nine of them,” I said to Leif and Moon Man. “I don’t know how many are Warpers.”
“We should have enough Zaltana magicians to overpower them,” Leif said. “If we could surprise them, it would give us the advantage. Can you form a null shield?” Leif asked Moon Man.
“No. That is not one of my skills.”
I sat up. A wave of dizziness crashed into me and I hunched over until the feeling passed. Linking with the bats had used my energy. Moon Man put a steadying hand on my elbow and his strength coursed through me.
I thought about what Leif said. If we attacked with a large group, the Vermin would know we were coming, and they would either flee and hide again, or fight back. Either way they would have time to kill their prisoners. The element of surprise was key, but how to achieve that?
“Could Tauno shoot the guards with Curare-laced arrows and immobilize them?” Leif asked. “Or could we blow treated darts through reed pipes?”
“Too many trees,” Moon Man said.
“It would be hard in the dark,” I agreed. “We could get close and jab them.”
“But what about the guards in the trees? Getting close without alerting them is a difficult if not impossible maneuver,” Leif said.
If I’d had the ability to control the bats, I could use them as a distraction. We needed something else to cause a commotion. I followed the logic and found an answer.
Leif, sensing my mood, smiled. “What are you scheming, little sister?”
CHAPTER 9
WE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TIME to waste. Leif, Moon Man and I rushed down to my parents’ living area. Perl had returned with Oran and Violet.
“Did you find them?” Perl asked.
“They’re about three miles southeast of us.”
“We’ll need some magicians and soldiers,” Leif told Oran.
“How many are there, and what do the Vermin plan to do?” Oran asked me.
“Nine. And it doesn’t matter what they plan. The Vermin have Esau and your scouts. We need to rescue them!”
Oran hemmed and hawed. “We should consult Councilman Bavol—”
“Bavol’s at the Citadel. It will take weeks to get a reply.” I suppressed the desire to wrap my hands around Oran’s thin neck.
“We can’t leave our homestead unprotected,” Violet said. “We’ll call a meeting and request a few volunteers.”
Sitians! I thought in exasperation, couldn’t do anything without consulting a committee. “Fine. Call your meeting. Do whatever.” I shooed Oran and Violet out the door.
“Yelena—” my mother began.
“You can scold me later. We’re leaving now.”
Leif and Moon Man looked at me as if waiting for orders. “Get Tauno and Marrok. I’ll catch up to you at the base of the ladder.”
“Where are you going?” Leif asked.
“To get our distraction.”
They hurried from the room and I was about to follow when my mother grabbed my arm.
“Just a minute,” she said. “There are only five of you. What are you planning? Tell me now or I’m coming along.”
That Liana stubbornness radiated from her and I knew her threats weren’t idle. I sketched a brief outline of my plan.
“That won’t work without some help,” she said.
“But I’m going to—”
“Need more incentive. I have just the thing. Go. I’ll meet you at the base of the ladder.” Perl rushed off.
After a few minutes of frantic searching, I found what I needed. By the time I slid down the ladder, the others were ready. Shafts of bright moonlight pierced the darkness of the jungle floor, giving just enough light to make out the shadowy shapes of the tree trunks.
I told Tauno and Marrok how to approach the Vermin camp and guards and instructed them on where to position themselves nearby. “No noise. Keep your distance. Wait for my signal before attacking.”
“Signal?” Marrok asked. His face hardened into grim determination, but uncertainty lurked behind his eyes. Even though Cahil had issued orders to his men, Marrok had really been the one in charge.
“Something loud and obnoxious,” I said.
Marrok frowned. “This isn’t the time to joke.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
After a mere moment’s hesitation, Marrok and Tauno set off.
Moon Man stared after them. “What about us?”
There was a faint rustling from above as someone took hold of the rope ladder. A few heartbeats later, Chestnut joined us on the jungle floor. He wore a dark-colored tunic and pants, and his drum was tied to his belt. The green paint and dye had been washed from his hair.
“I’m glad I could help,” Chestnut said. “But you need to know I’ve never done this before.”
“Done what?” Leif asked. “Yelena, what’s going on?”
“I’m hoping Chestnut will be able to call a few necklace snakes to join the Vermin’s party.”
“Ah. Your distraction,” Moon Man said.
“How close do you need to be?” I asked Chestnut.
“Probably within a mile, but it’ll all depend on how many snakes are around.” He hesitated. “I’m used to chasing them away, not calling them. What if it doesn’t work?”
As if on cue, the rope ladder swung with the weight of another person. Perl descended. She moved as graceful as liquid, and I would have bet Nutty hadn’t been the only Zaltana child to drive her parents crazy by
