He stared at me as if I’d just lost my mind. “Aside from healing my soldiers, you harvest the Death Lily toxin.”

“Except I’ve gotten all the sacks around here, and you said the dead patrols hadn’t crossed the border with Vyg.” Plus I wasn’t going to consign Melina to living the rest of her life in a monastery. “All I need are a couple horses and we’ll be back in two weeks. And I can harvest more toxin sacks for you.”

“How do you plan to rescue her?” Ryne asked.

“I’ll figure it out on the way.”

“I’ve been there. The place is a fortress. You’ll never get in.”

I kept my cool...barely. “Tohon’s castle is a fortress, yet we managed to rescue you.”

“Avry, think about it.” Ryne reined in his temper. “That was a different situation. You were invited inside his castle. You had help. Kerrick can’t even leave the forest and Chinska Mare is a big city. You’ll need two weeks just to map the layout.”

“Then it might take us a little longer. It doesn’t matter, Ryne. We’re going regardless.”

“You keep saying ‘we,’ yet you haven’t consulted with anyone about this suicide mission.”

Good point.

“She doesn’t need to,” Kerrick said.

“I’m in,” Flea added.

“We’re packed,” Loren said. He entered the clearing with Quain. Both had their knapsacks over their shoulders.

Warmth and gratitude spread through my heart.

Ryne studied us. “If you leave, it will be considered a desertion. If you survive, don’t bother coming back or I’ll have you arrested on sight.” The cold, hard tone of his voice indicated he meant it. Without another word, he left.

Uh-oh. I glanced at my guys. Would they stay?

“Is that considered burning a bridge?” Flea asked into the silence.

“Oh, yes,” Loren said.

“I’d like to see him try to arrest me,” Quain said.

“You don’t—” I tried.

“Nonsense,” Kerrick interrupted. “Let’s get packed before Ryne can order everyone not to help us. Flea, gather your things. Loren, grab some travel rations. Quain, fresh water. Avry, medical supplies and your pack. Meet back here in ten minutes.”

The men rushed to obey as Kerrick assembled his travel pack.

I lingered until he noticed me still standing there. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. Now git! You have nine minutes.”

“Yes, sir!” My smile lasted until I reached the cave. Estrid held court in her corner of the infirmary. The shortsighted, ungrateful, selfish woman had refused to listen to reason. As the creator’s chosen representative, she ensured I wouldn’t be joining her religion ever.