“And not get caught and make it worse for her. Gilroy is down there now, and he’s good with locks and bypassing security, too. Not nearly as good as you, but he won’t have to be. The report from the council says that the Jubaldar interior security is barely basic. He’ll be able to reach Sasha without putting her life on the line.” He paused. “Which you would be doing, Alisa. You know it.”

She did know it. There was a plan in place, and it should be followed. But it was agony looking down at that castle and knowing Sasha was there, just out of reach. “She’s alone down there, Korgan,” she whispered. “Just as she was at the camp at Szarnar. I want to be with her.”

“I hear you.” His lips twisted wryly. “So do I. But I’ve been told I’m not good enough to be down there. So we’re just going to have to suck it up and do what we know is best, aren’t we? She’ll know she’s not alone soon.”

“Typical silver-tongued Korgan. Putting us both in the same boat so that I’d see your point of view is the right point of view.”

“And do you?”

“Yes,” she said wearily. “It was just a moment of temporary insanity. But I don’t promise not to have another one or two before this is over.”

“Then I’ll be there for you until it is,” he said quietly. “Just reach out and I’ll be there.”

She felt the warmth flow through her as she looked at him. The sadness and desperation were still with her, but he had given her comfort with no hint of judgment in those moments. She turned back to the castle. “You mentioned surveillance? We can do that, of course, but it would be more efficient for us to make certain Samlir’s maps and diagrams are as accurate as they thought. Tomorrow Margaret and I will start out early and go over the entire property. I’ll send you and Vogel emails and photos that will give you a hell of a lot more information than that council did.”

“Good idea.” His lips were twitching. “Not to mention letting you get closer to that castle. Just don’t get too close.”

“I wouldn’t be unprofessional. But accuracy is important.” She turned away from Jubaldar. “Now I think we’d both better go up to the cave and be there for Margaret in case she needs help setting up camp. She probably would have called us if she hadn’t decided your persuasive efforts would be better used in making me productive.” She started up the incline. “She approves of division of labor…”

*  *  *

Jubaldar
Two Days Later