Odd and his squad would be escorting us since they just had happened to run into us on their way back to Ozero. Claiming they were obeying the High Priestess’s orders to return to relieve a few of the guards on duty at the monastery, Odd and his squad would become part of the security team while Flea and Ives would remain in the city to explore the aqueducts and map an escape route.

As one of the men who had lived and worked in Chinska Mare before the war, Ives was familiar with the day-to-day routines. He’d been the one to steal the robes from one of the creator’s houses of worship. Since we’d been in Ozero, there appeared to be a worship house in every town.

My job would be to find Melina as quickly as possible while the others figured a way out of the monastery. It sounded simple...right?

As we changed and practiced our stories, Kerrick fed and watered the horses. He’d find a stable for them once we left. He’d been unusually quiet ever since Odd and his men had joined us. While we were gone, he’d planned to find that southern aqueduct exit and meet us there. Once we reached that point, he’d be in charge of getting us out of Ozero without encountering any trouble. And he’d help us lose any pursuers.

We had all the angles covered...right?

“We’ll leave two hours before the shift change,” Ives said. “That will get us there right at the end of the day shift. At that time, those guys won’t care who they let in. They’ll be more interested in when their replacements arrive than anything else.”

We finished going over the plan. I handed Odd the container I’d swiped from the infirmary and explained how it worked. With about an hour left before we needed to leave, I packed my bag and then headed toward the horses. Kerrick had found six hardy Tobory horses so we could double up. Yet only five stood.... Oh. It popped into sight along with Kerrick. He cleared a stone from the horse’s hoof.

I smiled. “For someone who doesn’t like horses, you sure know a lot about them.”

“It’s not a matter of like or dislike,” Kerrick said. “They’re useful at times and must be cared for. And since I’ve nothing else to do...” He checked the horse’s other hooves before moving to the next one—the large chestnut-colored stallion shifted his weight obligingly.

Ah. The reason for his...moping? I’d been so busy planning Melina’s rescue, I hadn’t had much time to spend with him. We shared a mount and a bedroll, but hadn’t had any privacy.