“True, but she still has us outnumbered. And if your marks on the map are accurate, she has already positioned her troops in prime locations. So instead of an outright offensive to retake the city, I’m sending only a few elite squads to harry her defenders and draw them away from the manor house while you, Flea, and another squad rescue Estrid and as many of her staff as possible.”

I considered his plan. “With her troops coming from the north and the ones in Zabin, won’t you be caught between the two?”

Ryne stared at me a moment. “I should make you a general. That’s exactly what’s going to happen, but we’re going to hunker down in these mines and make a nuisance of ourselves for now.”

“And the rest of us?”

“The new infirmary location is near Grzebien, southeast of Zabin. There’s a cave system that’s—”

“I’m well acquainted with that cave.” The grief inside my heart pushed against my throat. I spent about twenty days there with Kerrick and the boys. Lots of memories waited to ambush me there. Looking past the pain, I recognized the strategic strength of the location.

“Here’s a map. I’ve marked where you, Flea, the monkeys, and the odd squad need to rendezvous with the rest of the team.”

Odd moved closer to study the markings. “When?”

“Twelve days,” Ryne answered. “That’ll give you enough time to travel to the infirmary, check patients, and get to the rendezvous location.”

“I thought you were worried about time,” Odd said.

“My squads are on foot. If I had enough horses for everyone, it’d be different. But the same goes for Cellina, and I hope by the time the news reaches her and she adjusts her strategy, we’ll be there and gone.”

I calculated. We’d have to give Zabin a wide berth as we headed south—familiar territory for me, and I’d have at least three days with my patients. “Twelve days works for me. What about Jael?”

“What about her?” Ryne asked.

“Last time I saw her, she was in that area. She could be holed up in Grzebien.” I’d no desire to run into the air magician.

“My intelligence agents report she’s headed toward Dina.”

Dina was one of Tobory Realm’s major cities. A little too close for comfort, but better than in Pomyt.

“Okay. What if we’re delayed? What’s the contingency plan?” I asked.

Ryne tapped the map. “Second rendezvous point for day fourteen. If you don’t arrive there, then the mission is cancelled until we can regroup. Details about the mission will be given to you when you meet up with the team. Captain Drisana will be in charge.”

“How will I know it’s her and not one of Cellina’s spies?” I asked.

Odd nodded. Wynn’s betrayal remained a raw spot in our hearts.