Their wooden island was quickly drifting east, adding urgency to her decision.
She thoughtfully touched Traax’s betrothal pin still attached to her armor. Finally deciding, she stood and gathered her warriors’ attention.
“I’m ordering you all back to the fleet,” she said.
The warriors had been expecting this, and each understood her real meaning. She was going to continue searching for Traax’s group to her death, if need be. But because they were already at the point of no return, she would not ask them to continue on with her. Yesterday this mission would surely have meant their deaths. Today, if there was a chance the others could get back, she would make them take it.
One of Duvessa’s most trusted warrior-healers stood. Her name was Kefira. At twenty-five Seasons of New Life, she was one of the best long-distance fliers in the entire Minion force. Although she regarded her commander with humility, she meant to be heard.
“With all due respect,” she said, “we have a suggestion.”
Duvessa didn’t like having her orders questioned. But out of respect for Kefira she decided to listen. “Speak quickly,” she said. “What daylight remains is rapidly fading.”
“I will go with you,” Kefira proposed. “Two pairs of eyes are far better than one. The others will spend the night here, atop this wreckage. Although it is damaged, it seems to be in no imminent danger of sinking. If you and I have not returned by dawn, those remaining behind will fly back to the fleet. It is a sound tactical decision, mistress. We bore enough food and water to last until morning. By then those staying here will be refreshed and will have a better chance of getting back alive.”
Duvessa understood the real reason behind Kefira’s plan. Those who stayed behind had no intention of resting. They planned on keeping up the search, using the ravaged deck as a base from which to send smaller patrols north and south. She gave Kefira a grateful look.
“Very well,” she said. “But are you sure that you want to accompany me? You’re probably signing your own death warrant.”
Kefira gave her commander a knowing smile. “I live to serve,” was all she said.
Duvessa looked at the others. “You are each in agreement?” she asked. “Any who wish to go back now may do so without shame.”
The five males and four females nodded. Minions to the end, Duvessa thought. She looked back at Kefira.
“Very well,” she said. “You and I will leave at once.” While the others stood to honor them, their commander looked into every face. “Thank you,” she said softly. Without speaking, her warriors came to attention.
After climbing back into the sky, Duvessa and Kefira made a circle over the shabby wooden island before turning east toward the growing darkness.
CHAPTER LIV
“WE KNOW THE PROBLEM IS A DIFFICULT ONE, PRINCESS,” Wigg said. “But we have to decide soon. The repairs to the ships are nearly done. Tomorrow we must be either on our way home, or headed toward the Citadel. There is no middle ground.”
Gathered in Faegan’s quarters, the Conclave members had been meeting for the last two hours. Tyranny had just reported that the four surviving Black Ships would be ready to sail soon. Most of the severely wounded warriors had been sent by portal to Tammerland. Aside from waiting for the return of Duvessa’s patrol, by dawn there would be no valid reason to tarry.
No fresh replacements had been sent from Eutracia, and that worried everyone. Had Faegan’s portal malfunctioned in some way, Shailiha wondered, causing the wounded warriors to somehow go to their deaths? Despite the princess’s worries, Faegan firmly insisted that his portal was working normally. Or perhaps the palace had been attacked by other forces, Shailiha worried. Those considerations and more plagued her as she considered what to do.
“I say we forge ahead,” Faegan said from the other side of the table. “I for one haven’t come so far and lost so many brave warriors just to turn tail and run!”
Wigg gave him a hard look. “And it is for those exact reasons that I say we must return!” he argued. “Clearly, Serena knew we were coming! Our advantage of surprise is long gone! We must go home and regroup!”
“Every day we wait, Serena grows stronger,” Jessamay added, siding with Faegan. “We need to take the Citadel soon.”
Suddenly an urgent pounding came on the cabin door. Shailiha scowled. She didn’t wish the meeting to be disturbed. But if there was an emergency, she needed to know.
“Enter!” she called out.
An unfamiliar warrior strode briskly into the room. He held something in one hand.
“Approach,” Shailiha said.
The warrior hurried to the table and looked at Shailiha. “Please forgive the intrusion, Princess,” he said. “My name is Kratos.”
“What is it?” Shailiha demanded.
Kratos handed her a letter. “I was told to give you this,” he answered.
Shailiha saw that it was addressed to her. More important, she knew the handwriting. When she turned the letter over, she recognized her brother’s seal, and her heart jumped for joy.
“It’s from Tristan!” she shouted as she tore it open. She unfolded the parchment and cast her hungry eyes down the page. As the other members waited and wondered, the princess was overcome with happiness. Pressing the letter to her chest, she closed her eyes and let go a deep sigh of relief.
“Don’t keep us on tenterhooks!” Tyranny blurted out. The privateer blushed at her outburst, then regained her composure. “What does he say?” she asked.
Looking at the letter again, Shailiha read it aloud.
Dearest Sister,
I have returned to the palace, and I am well. Also know that although no replacement warriors were sent to you, we are not in danger here. For reasons of security I cannot explain my reappearance further, nor can I come to you. You simply must trust me.
Because of the fleet’s significant losses, I order you to return to Eutracia at once. Wigg and Faegan will surely wonder whether I have truly come home. After seeing me vanish with Xanthus they are right to be suspicious; they might even doubt whether it was I who penned this missive. With all my heart I tell you that it is me. Should you or the wizards doubt that I have returned, I ask that you follow the instructions written at the bottom of this letter.
Come home soon. Much remains to be done, and time is of the essence.
Your loving brother,
Tristan
Wigg raised an eyebrow. “What are these instructions he mentions?” he asked.
Shailiha handed the letter to Wigg. Not to be left out, Faegan quickly wheeled his chair close to Wigg’s, then rudely read the letter from over the First Wizard’s shoulder. Scowling, Wigg sighed and shook his head.
Each wizard read the addendum twice. As Wigg sat back in his chair he looked at Kratos. “Did theJin’Sai give you this letter personally?” he asked.
“Yes,” the warrior answered.
“How did he seem?” Wigg asked. “I mean, was he himself in every respect?”
“Without question,” Kratos answered. “I watched him write the letter. I met with him in the Redoubt, along with Abbey and another man.”
Wigg scowled. “What other man?” he asked.
“He was about your age,” Kratos answered. “His name is Aeolus.”
Pursing his lips, Wigg placed his hands flat on the tabletop. “Well, well,” he mused.
“It seems that some things have changed while we were away,” Jessamay said.
Wigg nodded. “If Aeolus has agreed to join the Conclave, then so much the better.” He picked up the letter again. “The handwriting looks like Tristan’s,” he said, “and the envelope carries his seal. More important, Kratos
