He sagged forward, lying over Huxley when they took the bait. Flea touched his wrist and energy flowed into him. Kerrick squeezed the boy’s shoulder in thanks. It still amazed him that Flea, Avry, and he could share magical energy between them. After a minute, he pulled Flea’s hand away. No sense draining Flea when his magic might be needed. This wasn’t over.

“Stay quiet,” he whispered to the others. “They’ll be back.”

The sun rose. Kerrick frowned at their long black shadows stretching across the clearing. Nothing he could do but wait. And wait. And wait.

The shadows shortened as the sun climbed higher in the sky. He kept tabs on the soldiers. They had fanned out and covered a wide swath of forest. Too wide for Kerrick and the others to sneak past.

By midday the soldiers had given up and retraced their steps. Once again a few wandered too close and Kerrick distracted them.

Kerrick dropped the camouflage when the soldiers were a couple miles away. Everyone groaned and stretched stiff muscles. He slid off the saddle and Huxley shook off the hands, then trotted in circles. After he fed Huxley, Kerrick collapsed onto the ground.

“We shouldn’t linger long,” he said to Belen, who had plopped down beside him.

Belen agreed. “Those filthy cannibals are like an infestation. They’re quick and strip everything down to the bone.”

“Will one of his followers take the princeling’s place?” Flea asked, joining them.

“I don’t know. I’ve been out of it for a while.” Belen rubbed the scar on his head.

“And instead of listening to Mom, you decided to take on the Skeleton King’s army all by yourself,” Flea said.

“I just went to scout and gather information for Prince Ryne. But I saw them...” Horror reflected in his eyes. “And, well, I couldn’t just stand there and watch them butcher those people.” He grinned. “Did a fair bit of damage, too.”

Kerrick debated if he should explain to Belen how he shouldn’t have charged into the fray without first considering the consequences, but it was Belen and no matter how logical his argument, Belen wouldn’t listen. He’d just smile and say it turned out fine in the end. Except one of these days, it wouldn’t.

“What’s the plan?” Flea asked.

“We’ll take them to Mengels. They can gather supplies and head for safety and we’ll head home,” Kerrick said.

“Home?” Belen asked.

“Back to the infirmary where Avry and the others are,” Flea said.

“Is everyone—”

“Quain and Loren are as annoying as ever.”

“I actually missed those guys,” Belen said with amazement.

“Don’t tell them. They can be insufferably smug,” Flea said.

“I know that. What don’t I know? How did Avry and a Peace Lily bring you back to life?” Belen asked.

Flea glanced at Kerrick.