“What about Leif and Valek?” Mara asked. “They’ll be caught trying to get into the Citadel.”
“Fisk’s people can warn them when they get close to the Citadel. Where should we tell them to go?” Ari asked.
“The Stormdance travel shelter across from the plains. Leif knows where it is,” I said. “We’ll meet them there.”
We made plans to leave in the morning. Onora offered her room to Janco and Ari. She moved to the extra bed in my room.
“One of the bounty hunters could have followed them here,” she said.
“I heard that.” Janco poked his head through our door. “And I’m offended that you think so poorly of our skills.”
“After that scene with the innkeeper, I’ve altered my assessment of your skills. Besides, Valek charged me with keeping Yelena safe.”
Janco laughed. “Good luck with that.”
* * *
In order to avoid any more attention directed toward us, we left in shifts the next morning. Esau traveled with Janco, Mara stayed with Ari and Onora kept close to me. No one appeared to take any notice, but a good spy would blend right in with the townspeople.
We met up a few miles east of the Citadel and touched base with Fisk’s sentries.
“Is the place still hot?” I asked the young boy.
“Yep. Best to stay well away,” he said.
“Can you send a message to Fisk that we’re heading to—”
“Is that a good idea?” Onora asked, interrupting me. “It’s safer to keep our destination confidential.”
“Fisk already knows where we’re going,” Janco said.
“Then no need to send a message,” she replied.
“I’ll let him know you passed by,” the boy said.
“And if you see Master Leif and Valek...” Ari explained to him where they should meet us.
“I’ll inform the others to keep an eye out for them.”
“Thank you.” I directed Kiki to find us a route heading southwest. The plan was to ride late into the night. It would be safer to camp near the farmhouse rather than along the road or in a travel shelter.
Kiki set a quick pace, and we arrived a few hours after midnight. We skirted the farmhouse’s property and found a small copse of trees wedged between the fields that was perfect for a camp.
“Are you sure no one will see us?” Onora asked. She peered around. “It’s not very big or dense.”
“The fields around here haven’t been planted,” Janco said. “I doubt anyone will notice us.”
“How do you know?” Ari asked, gesturing beyond the trees. “It’s dark out there.”
“There’s enough moonlight to see there are no fresh grooves in the dirt. And my nose doesn’t need light to smell fertilizer. It’s the warm season. Any farmer worth his salt would have planted his fields by now.”
“Is this from your experience living on your uncle’s farm in MD-7?” Onora asked.
“Yeah. How did you know about that?” Janco’s voice held a suspicious tone.
“From you, genius. Am I the only one who listens to you when you talk?” she asked.
“We’re supposed to listen to his prattle?” I asked. “Who knew?”
“Not funny.” Janco mumbled something about checking the area and stalked off.
“Should we light a fire?” Esau asked.
“No,” I said. “Just in case there are neighbors.”
“I’ll take first watch,” Onora said.
“I’ll take second, and Janco can finish the night,” Ari said.
“No.” I poked my chest. “I’ll finish the night. Tell Janco when he returns.”
Ari just stared at me.
“Ari,” I warned.
“I’ll talk to Janco.”
A vague response. He could talk to him about the weather and still keep his promise. As I set up my bedroll, I decided to wait for Janco, but once I slipped under the warm blanket, I struggled to keep my eyes open.
Janco woke me at dawn. I growled at him for waiting so long, but he batted his eyelashes at me, trying and failing to look innocent.
“I’m able to stand watch,” I grumbled.
“What a coincidence. So am I.” He beamed at me, then leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “What I can’t do is grow a baby inside me. Nor can I hatch an egg by sitting on it. I’ve the stained trousers to prove it.”
“Do you have a point?”
“I thought it was obvious.” Janco’s expression softened. “Take the rest when you can, Yelena. For the baby. There aren’t any guarantees that you’ll get a chance later.” He gestured to the rising sun. “Besides, it was a short night.”
He had a point. I gathered branches and made a small fire. In the daylight, the flames wouldn’t attract as much attention. The rest of the group woke and stretched while I heated water for tea.
“I already scouted the farmhouse,” Janco said. “It’s empty.”
“How can you tell?” Esau asked. “It was night, and the occupants could have been asleep.”
“No one was in the house, sleeping or otherwise engaged.”
Ari shot Janco a look.
“What? I was bored, and now we don’t have to tiptoe around.”
“Did you find anything?” I asked.
“The place has been abandoned. Not much furniture. Lots of dust and spider webs. Otherwise it was too dark to see.”