Unless she saw the amulet herself—and took it personally from around the hunter's neck—these doubts would continue to linger. She wrapped her arms around her knees and loosed a long sigh. Come morning, they're going to march me out of here. And if they do, it's possible Kaleb and Mau will lose my trail. She watched the fire narrowly and hoped she would soon be presented with an opportunity to glimpse this much-discussed amulet. To know that it was real, that her presence in the camp was worthwhile, would have brought her great comfort.
It fast became clear that she wouldn't be getting such an opportunity any time soon, however. All about her, the camp fell into stony silence. The mutterings of Wuffs and Zuscha became scarce, and the whole mob was gradually overcome by sleep. She looked to the hunter's tent, sensing no movement there.
They're all going to sleep, she thought.
Perhaps she'd have to consider making her own opportunity, then.
Chapter 11
The Wuffs and their savage leader were too occupied with their own rest to much pester her throughout the night. A few of the watchmen kept an eye on her from time to time, but when they were sure that Minx wasn't attempting to escape, they relaxed and left her alone. With so little going on about the camp, she fell prey to her own fatigue. Her eyes grew heavy as she awaited an opening; she canvassed the hunter's tent and the activities of the night guards between brief lapses into unconsciousness.
Alla remained in her tent the whole night; whether she was sleeping or engaged in some other work remained to be seen. The hunter, after having his fun with her, had not left his tent again that night—though warriors occasionally ventured inside, presumably to report off to him.
The Fae huntress was nodding off in the warm grass when she felt a familiar voice reaching out to her from a distance.
Minx. Are you there? Can you hear me?
She sat up with a sharp inhalation, her tired eyes shooting open. Clearing the sleep from her face, she panned about the camp.
The words had not been audible.
Rather, they'd come through her mind.
Mau? Minx peered up and down the hillside excitedly. Is it really you? You can speak again?
Yeah, the Wuffs put another one of those collars on me. Kaleb helped me remove it. He's not so bad, I guess—and he managed to sniff his way out here, following Alla's scent.
Minx laughed to herself. I thought he might! I'm so glad you guys are here. Things at this camp have been difficult. I don't know where to begin.
How about you start by explaining to me why you thought this was a good idea? demanded the Faelyr. When you surrendered to Alla, I wasn't really sure what you were doing. Was it worth it?
Minx hesitated. Well, I'm not certain. You see, Alla informed me of this amulet that the hunter is using—
The hunter? interrupted Mau. The hunter who was hanging around with that group of dark Fae?
Yes, that's the one. Minx peered narrowly at the hunter's tent, as though expecting him to emerge at any moment. He's in possession of a special amulet—an amulet, I'm told, which allows him inordinate control over the races. Alla is being compelled by the amulet to comply with the hunter's orders. Torrent's, too. If we can swipe the amulet, we'll be able to throw a wrench in Torrent's plans. You see, this group is planning to march at sunrise. They're going to meet up with another force and stage a new attack against Pandling Grounds. It's possible Torrent himself might be at this meet-up spot. So, I want to take the amulet. Doing so will disrupt their strategy and possibly make it more difficult for Torrent to control his forces.
Excellent, replied Mau. So, where is this amulet? Have you seen it?
I haven't seen it, said Minx. And... I've been told that the hunter wears it around his neck at all times.
Oh... Mau was silent for a time. What is it with you? You always have to do things the hard way, don't you?
Minx sat upright, carefully plucking the arrowhead from her boot and preparing to pick the lock of her shackles. What are you planning to do? Are you going to crash the camp? If Kaleb can shift, I think he'll be able to handle these guys. I just need to break out of my shackles and find my bow.
That's right. Kaleb plans to swoop in and rescue you. All we need is for you to get ready. You're chained up, aren’t you?
Minx slid the arrowhead into the locking mechanism and began turning the edge of the broken shaft in her fingers, like a key. Not for long, she promised. The pins in the lock clicked as she worked the arrowhead, and within a minute she was able to loosen them. A few more clicks and they'd been noticeably widened. She easily pulled her wrists out of them and gently lowered the shackles to the ground to avoid making a racket. I'm ready when you are... Just help me get ahold of that amulet before we leave, will you?
Waiting for Kaleb to make his move, Minx sat attentively, her arms held low to keep her bare wrists out of view. She surveyed the scene, looking at the crates and wagons full of supplies strewn about the camp. Her bow and quiver had been placed in a leather pack—Minx recalled watching Alla hand it off to a stout young Wuff to carry.
Are you guys on your way? chanced Minx.
You can expect us any minute now, promised the Faelyr.
Sure that she wasn't being monitored, Minx rose to her feet and crept away from the fire. She darted behind a wagon full of goods and began rifling at once through a pack of weapons. It didn't
