“Ask her what realm she’s from. If she doesn’t answer Ronel Realm, then it’s not Drisana.”

Ronel was the dangerous sea east of the Fifteen Realms. It made sense not to use a real realm, as a person had a one-in-fifteen chance of guessing it right.

“And you trust this Drisana?” I asked.

“Oh, yes, she’s been with me since before the plague. Just follow her orders and the mission should go smoothly.”

Odd huffed. “Follow orders? You do remember who you’re talking to.” He jerked his thumb toward me.

“Hey.” I batted Odd’s hand away.

“Do I need to provide examples?” Odd asked. “I’ve several.”

“No need,” Ryne said drily. “I’m well aware of Avry’s...uh...unpredictability.”

“Good save,” Odd said.

“I’m sure he learned that in school,” I said, matching Ryne’s dry tone.

“You’re right. It’s one of the four Ds we studied.”

“Four Ds?” I couldn’t resist asking.

“Diplomacy, defense, deception, and disinformation.”

“Ah. And which D were you referring to?”

Ryne handed me the map. “I’ll let you figure that one out. You’re a smart girl.” He left.

* * *

Just as I feared, a flood of memories assaulted me as soon as I entered the cave near Grzebien. Outside this cave, Kerrick had taught me how to move silently in the forest, and we had all played a fun game of hide-and-seek to test my new skills. I’d boasted of being Queen Seeker and Kerrick had tried to trick me by hiding in a tree. But I’d sniffed him out, following his wonderful scent of spring sunshine and living green.

I wondered if the painted targets were still visible on the trunks from when Belen had shown me how to throw a knife with accuracy and heat. I’d learned survival skills, and after three years of searching for information, I’d discovered my sister, Noelle, had survived the plague and been conscripted into Estrid’s holy army.

And it all had happened only three seasons ago. So much had transpired since then it just amazed me.

I checked on the patients. The move had gone well and no one with major injuries had arrived during the transition. All were settling down for the night.

When I joined the boys, I didn’t need to say a word. Flea and the monkeys’ expressions of sad acknowledgment spoke volumes. We huddled together around the communal campfire and exchanged information. I told them about my adventures at HQ.

“I’m not surprised she’s being aggressive,” Loren said. “I think Cellina’s been planning to take control of Tohon’s army from the beginning. Tohon didn’t know about her sister, did he?”

“No, and Wynn claimed she hated him, and Cellina did sic her pack of dead ufas on Tohon,” I said.