Dancer hesitated before he answered. “The main approach is just over there.” He pointed to her left. “It’s twelve pitches to the summit. Mostly face climbing with some corners and headwalls. There’s a couple of gendarmes where sparns nest so you shouldn’t have to go all the way to the summit to get the feathers. The only hazard really is loose rock and I wouldn’t trust any existing anchors that you might find along the way.” He locked gazes with her. “It’s easily done in a day, barring an accident… What are you thinking?”

“That I take him.”

They all stared at her.

“What?” she asked, offended by those astonished faces. “League trained, folks. Head of my class. Before that, I was a xenobotanist. Been on many vertical expeditions in some frightening places. I can climb a mountain… building… dead body…” She cast a playful grin to Dancer. “Surly Andarions… no problem.”

Hauk’s gut drew tight at her offer as memories tore through him. He despised this mountain and everything it reminded him of. The last thing he wanted was to lose another loved one to this hellhole.

“Please, Dancer?” Darice screwed his face up like he used to do as a small child whenever he’d ask for a ride on his shoulders. “Please! Please! Please! I’ll do anything if you say yes! I’ll even wash your boots. Sharpen your sword. Be your personal slave.”

Damn, how he hated that pleading, adorable expression. He glanced to Sumi.

“You know I won’t let anything happen to him.”

Darice went down on his knees, crawling toward Hauk and begging as if he were in absolute agony. “Please, Uncle Dancer, please!”

Against his better judgement, he nodded. “But!” He held his hand up to his overly excited nephew. “You lip off to her and she’s to bring you right back down here. You understand me, Darice?”

“I’ll be good. I promise! I love you, Dancer!” Whooping in delight, he shot to his feet and ran off to get ready.

Hauk pushed himself up. His entire body protested, but he wasn’t about to watch them leave without some guidance.

“You okay?”

He nodded at Sumi’s concerned question. “I want to double-check the climbing gear.”

“All right, Grandma.”

“I also have the pitches diagrammed.”

“That’ll be helpful. Anything else?”

He pulled her against him and pressed his cheek to hers. “Don’t get hurt.”

Sumi held him close as she felt his fear. “I won’t let anything happen to Darice.”

“Not just him.”

“I know.” She kissed his cheek before she pulled back. “Thia? You going with us?”