Callen bows his head again and steps back. I wonder how Rowan feels about him being on a team. The day they met changed our lives—he and Rowan took to each other like flowers and summer rain. Part of me always suspected he was in love with her, but the rumors of the Warriors’ Hall travel far. I would have heard of it by now.

It’s Carrick’s turn to speak. The red-haired sentinel goes on to explain the flight pattern the warriors will take. Noam told us the cure used to thrive on the southeastern side of Balmora, and that is where we are sending the teams. “We have reason to believe the flower may be inside the human city called Ramsgate,” says Carrick. “Should you not find the cure outside the city, you are to sneak inside. But do your best to remain undetected. We want to give the humans no reason to provoke us or the other kingdoms.”

Again, we leave Noam out of the conversation. It was Renna who had first suggested keeping him out of our message to the warriors and the other kingdoms, but I seconded the plan. The city needed focus and simplicity. There was no point in relighting embers of gossip that had been put out months ago.

Hammond and Carrick take more questions from the teams.

“How long will the journey be?” someone asks.

“We estimate no more than ten days’ time,” Carrick replies. “Five days to find it, five days to return. You should pace yourselves accordingly to ensure you last the whole journey.”

More questions ring out, but I know the answers already, and my gaze wanders to Seth. He knows the weight of responsibility he and the teams carry. Callen was right to worry about the price, but if the disease begins to strike adults as well … At the rate it kills, our people could be decimated in a matter of weeks. I shouldn’t think like that, but I can’t help it.

When the questions ebb, Carrick and Hammond dismiss the warriors to a mixture of murmurs and hushed whispers of reassurance.

“Lyreina, Shirene,” says Sentinel Renna. “Stay here and give the teams support as needed, but don’t linger long. Afterward, make your presence known to the citizens. It’ll help keep the people calm to see us enjoying the festival, for however long we can.” She exhales, straightening up farther, though I know she’s been awake at least as long as I have, if not longer.

When she goes, I walk an arc through the room. The team leaders speak to their reports about strategy. Seeing so many warriors ready for battle eases my worry. We have trained for this. They’ll be fine.

“Sentinel Shirene,” calls Seth, and I am undone.

“Warrior Sethran,” I say, using his full name purposely. “What is it?”

He bows his head. “Congratulations on being named the King’s Voice.”