Avry rounded on him. “Didn’t you just hear Ryne? He sent the bones of the last two scouts in a box.”

“Those scouts weren’t forest mages,” he said. “You know I’ll be careful.”

“What if he already invaded Mengels?” Loren asked.

“Then I won’t go near the city. Mom’s inn is at the edge, but if it looks like it’s been commandeered, I’ll keep away.”

Except Ryne, no one seemed overly pleased with his plan, but despite Avry’s outburst, no one else argued. It made sense. Ryne kept his face neutral, but Kerrick had known him long enough to recognize the subtle change in his demeanor. Between the addition of two thousand plus soldiers and Kerrick scouting for him again, renewed hope flared in Ryne’s eyes.

Avry returned to her place next to him. She leaned on him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tucking her close. The warm scent of vanilla filled his nose.

She sighed. “I’d go with you, but I’d just slow you down. Besides...” Avry glanced at Ryne. “I’m needed here.”

Again, Ryne impressed Kerrick by not showing his approval over Avry’s good sense. Or commenting on it. Instead, he stood. “I need to talk to Fydelia and determine how to best integrate her women into our forces. Kerrick, let me know if you need anything for your mission. Do you know when you’re leaving?”

Avry stiffened. They both knew he should head out right away.

“In an hour or so,” he hedged.

Ryne nodded and returned to the infirmary. The monkeys lumbered to their feet, stretched, and yawned with jaw-popping exaggeration.

“We’re beat,” Loren said.

“Yeah, dog tired,” Quain agreed. “Time for bed. Come on, Flea.”

“I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” Flea said.

They peered at him, but then ambled off.

Once they were gone, Flea shoved his stick deep into the fire and met Kerrick’s questioning gaze. “I’m going with you.”

Avry drew a breath, but he squeezed her shoulder, warning her to keep quiet.

“Why should I take you?” he asked.

“I can help you when you can’t leave the forest. Like purchasing feed for Hux and blending in with the street rats to find out information. That’s how I survived before I met you, remember?” Flea inclined his head toward Avry. “And I’m not useful here. Besides, all these soldiers think I’m just a kid—even the caregivers. You never treated me that way.”

Kerrick sensed there were more reasons, but he refrained from asking. Avry had said to be subtle with him. While it would be harder to scout with Flea along, he thought the young man had presented a valid argument. Plus Kerrick had a bad feeling he might need Flea’s energy. Every day it was harder to keep the relentless fatigue at bay.