He could stand here and guess all night, or he could ask. Pulling power, Kerrick uncamouflaged. Testing their abilities, he scuffed the dirt as he walked and rattled a few leaves.

Four of the seven men had their swords out and faced in the right direction, including Sergeant Odd. Impressive.

The sergeant relaxed when he recognized Kerrick. “At ease.”

His men sheathed their weapons, but stayed alert.

“Running home to hide under your High Priestess’s robes?” Kerrick asked, baiting him.

“My home is in a small town near Koo in Ryazan Realm,” Odd said.

“Well, then, you’ll want to make a right at the next tree and head straight south.”

“Cute, but I’m not planning on going home until I see this through.”

Kerrick waited.

“I’m not going to explain myself to you. What do you want?”

“Confirmation.”

“Of what?”

“That you’re not a threat.”

Odd grinned, but there was nothing humorous about it. “To who? Because the answer changes depending on the person.”

Nice. “To Avry.”

“Do you mean the woman you left in the middle of the night without so much as a word? The woman you tortured by disappearing for over a month?”

Kerrick refused to be provoked. He had started this, and Odd’s comments revealed quite a bit. Keeping what Avry called his flat stare in place, Kerrick said nothing.

“If you’re referring to her, she has nothing to fear from us.”

“And her companions?”

“We’ve no problems with the monkeys or Flea.”

“Good. And since you’re no threat to me, I’ll be—”

“So the mighty Prince Kerrick can fight off seven men now? Did you disappear to a secret training camp?”

“Avry understands what happened and that’s all I care about. I do like the secret-training idea, but you can go ahead and assume whatever you wish. However, there’s one thing that’s indisputable.”

“And what’s that?”

“You can’t fight with a tree in your lap, or vines wrapped around your legs.” He nodded to Odd. “Until the next time.” Then he dropped the normal camo just in case they doubted his abilities.

No reaction from Odd, but a couple of his men started. Kerrick backed away, thinking if he hurried, he could return in time to get a few hours of sleep before dawn. With Avry wrapped in his arms and tucked in close, sleeping had been his favorite part of the day.

“Kerrick, wait,” Odd called.

He paused.

“We came to help Avry on her mission.”

Kerrick rematerialized. “Help how?”

“Some of my guys grew up in Chinska Mare. Plus as soldiers in the High Priestess’s army, we blend in better.”

“Until the High Priestess learns of your treason.”

“Which is why I hope the plan has us well away before that unfortunate time.”