“Very resourceful,” Meran said. “And where is your child now?”
“Upstairs playing with Hayden.” Delphina smiled at Fatima. “The two get along like mutton and gravy.”
Gregory glanced down the table. “What say you? Is she telling the truth?”
“Yes.” Juna’s gaze slid from Fatima to Gregory. “As far as I can tell.”
Next he looked at Brita. She nodded but didn’t add further remarks. His stare leveled on Siban. “What is your impression?”
Everything Fatima said rang with truth and no vibrations of dishonesty registered against Siban’s Tell. He, for one, was willing to trust her at her word—for now. At the risk of more conflict with Rell, he spoke what he felt. “Her words ring with truth.”
Gregory nodded and leveled his gaze on Rell. “You seem more skeptical than the others, Rell. It is important that we are united in decisions that affect us all. What do you think about what Fatima has said?”
“I am living proof that one can make poor decisions, grow to regret them, and endeavor to make amends.” Rell swirled her finger in a circular pattern on the table but didn’t look up. “But I also know the treacherous nature of the dark entities that give the Splinters their powers.” She lifted her head, her gaze locking with Fatima’s. “So though what you say feels like truth, know that I will be watching you and will expect lies. But most of all, know that I will be the first to run you through with my blade if you do lie to us.”
The room was silent for a few seconds, the tension taut. A slow smile spread across Gregory’s face. He nodded and looked back at Fatima. “It appears you are to be trusted for now. If you fight and serve with the Bringers, we will protect you to our dying breath.”
Fatima stared at the group. “I have never had anybody willing to die for me.”
“It is a great responsibility,” Rell said. “Do not take it lightly.”
“I won’t.” The Splinter inhaled. “My child is the most important thing to me. I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. And whatever it takes to keep her from growing up in the same world I did.”
“A child is a strong catalyst,” Brita said. “Sha-hera knew this and she used it against you.” She bestowed one of her soul soothing smiles to Fatima. “You’ve made the right decision coming here.”
“I believe it, too.” Fatima stood. “That is all the information I have for you. If it’s all right, I’d like to go check on Aurora.”
“Of course.” Gregory stood, watching her depart. When the click of her footsteps had faded, he turned to the group. “It seems we are picking up some unexpected allies.”
“One,” Juna said. “There is no telling if Sha-hera has made other contacts among the group.” She rested her elbows on the table. “I doubt the Splinters as a whole would be open to aiding us.”
“I agree,” Meran said. “Fatima seems the exception in a community of black magic doers. Even if her priorities have not been straight before Sha-hera’s demands, I feel they are now.”
“I’m curious as to what the precious cargo is that the demons will be transporting.” Rhys looked at the group. “What are the chances it’s the missing Bringers?”
“My thoughts exactly.” Jacob picked at the rough edge of the table. “But why the Frost Lands?”
Luc let out a frustrated grunt and shook his head. “Your guess is as good as mine, but rest assured, Vile has a purpose.”
“Gregory?” Rhys turned his attention to their leader. “Are there other Bringers from your party in the north?”
“Yes.” He braced his hands against the table and leaned in. “Near Pillager’s Peak, as a matter of fact. I had several establish themselves there among the people, but from their reports, the land is desolate and nothing travels beyond the border towns.”
“Which would be perfect if Vile wanted to hide something there,” Ravyn added.
“True, but he has hundreds of miles of caverns where he could keep the Bringers and we’d probably never find them.” Jade shrugged. “Why go to all the trouble of moving the Bringers north?”
Gregory was silent for a few seconds, his gaze leveling on Brita and then Magnus. Siban opened himself up to the three’s silent exchange. They suspected something, but he couldn’t decipher anything further. “You suspect something?” Siban looked back to Gregory. “What is it you’re not telling us?”
He sighed. “There is a rumor of a place far beyond the boundary of the Frost Lands. It is said to be watched by sentinels.”
“Bane?” Juna asked.
“I don’t know.” Gregory straightened and paced a short path in front of the table. “But from the tales, this place was once a portal.” He stopped and looked at them. “It’s called the Threshold.”
“I’ve never heard of it,” Rhys said.
“Only those who came from Bael would have heard of it,” Magnus said. “Though even there it was part of legend.”
“Is it another portal into Bael?” Meran asked.
“Not necessarily.” Gregory began pacing again. “It is said that the Threshold can open into thousands of different worlds.”
“Why hasn’t Vile tried to use the portal?” Siban asked, growing frustrated as more questions arose. “Or has he?”
Gregory shook his head. “Not that I know of. The Threshold is said to be dangerous. The laws of time and physical space do not apply near the portal.”
“Meaning?” Siban sat forward. If he was going to risk his life yet again, he wanted all the details of what they would be facing—if that was even the plan Gregory was edging toward.
“We have little knowledge of the place.” Brita looked at Gregory, as if asking permission to proceed. He gave a single nod, and she turned her attention back to the group. “Time is linear within our world. We are born, live a long time, and then die. Events happen in order, cause and effect. But near the Threshold time is warped. Events fold in on each other, creating chaos and power rifts.”
“Lovely,” Luc said. He smoothed his hand across the table. “And I’m assuming that is where we are headed?”
“Until now, we had hoped it was a legend, and even if it wasn’t, that the Threshold remained hidden.” Brita folded her hands in her lap. “But if Vile is moving toward the Frost Lands, then we can assume the Threshold exists and that he knows of it.”
Luc dropped his forehead to the table and groaned.
His reaction mirrored how Siban felt. He leaned an elbow on the table and massaged his temple, trying to ward off the growing headache. “I can sense how perilous this journey will be.”
He lowered his hand and looked at Gregory. “That’s what you’re proposing, correct? To travel beyond the boundary into the Frost Lands in search of the Threshold and the Bringers?”
“I think we should consider the fact that Vile has access to another way into Bael.” Gregory paused. “Or many worlds. He needs to be stopped.”
“And we need to find our mother once and for all.” Juna stood. “I’m in. When do we leave?”
“It’s not that easy, Juna.” Ravyn pinned her sister with a glare. “You can’t rush headlong into this battle. We need to prepare—have a plan.”
Juna opened her mouth to retort, but Gregory gripped her upper arm, drawing her attention. “She’s right. It’s not only the Threshold that is perilous. The land beyond the boundary towns is riddled with dangers.”
“I’ve heard tell of white, fanged animals bigger than a horse,” Jade said, her eyes wide.
Luc lifted his head and glared at her. “You almost sound excited.”
“I’m not scared.” She rubbed his back. “I’ve got my dragon to protect me.”
“Your dragon would rather stay here and quell the Splinter invasion,” he grumbled.
Juna pulled her arm free of Gregory’s clutch. “We’ve got to move fast. Fatima said they were to be there in three weeks’ time. That leaves little time for talk.”
“For once I agree with Juna,” Magnus said. “I say we gather provisions and head out as soon as possible.”
“Your enthusiasm is encouraging, but first we must decide who is going. There are other tasks besides this journey that require completing.” He looked at Brita and Magnus. “I’ll need you two here at the manor.” When Magnus opened his mouth to protest, Gregory held up his hand, stopping the warrior. “You will need to bring those who travel from Illuma Grand to full power.” Magnus pressed his lips together but didn’t argue. “It is imperative that I have two people I can trust. You know the ritual and I have no doubt that you can prepare the new recruits for battle.”
Magnus stroked his beard, but his brow remained furrowed. “You wish us to command the new recruits?”
“You and Brita have seen more combat than any one of us. Your knowledge of battle tactics is unparalleled.”
Siban couldn’t help but feel that though the things Gregory said were true, he was using thinly disguised flattery to gain compliance. From the look on Magnus’s face, it was working.
“If and when the need to move to Illuma Grand arises, I need somebody who will do it without hesitation,” Gregory continued. “You are an extension of me and I trust both of you completely.”
“Well.” Magnus lowered his hand to rest against his knee. “Perhaps you’re right. You will need a seasoned warrior to run things in your stead.”
“Two seasoned warriors.” Brita arched a brow at him.
“Yes, of course, two seasoned warriors. We accept.”
Siban repressed a grin, realizing that Gregory was a master of manipulation.
“What about the rest of us?” Rell asked. “What are our duties?”
Again Gregory was quiet for a minute as he regarded each of those gathered, assessing where they would be best used. He pointed to Trace, Odette, and Okee. “Travel east, south, and west. Tell the others of our quest and about the Summoners. I will write up orders tonight for you to deliver to the captains in the areas. You are in charge.” Gregory turned to the remaining seven. “We will travel north to the Threshold.”
Siban released a silent sigh, his halfhearted hope of he and Rell receiving a less dangerous mission dashed.
“I can have my ship ready by tomorrow’s evening tide,” Rhys said. “We can get more provisions at my home in Alba.”
“Excellent.” Gregory looked at Rell and Siban. “I recall mention of a wedding.”
Rell had told Jade and Ravyn about Siban’s proposal. Not surprisingly, the news had traveled quickly through the group.
“We had hoped to wed after our return from the Shadow World,” Siban said.
“Though we won’t be able to stay long, the Dragon’s Inn is on our course northward.” Gregory held out his arms and smiled. “I think we could all use something to celebrate.”
“Your mother and I found a lovely gown among Lord Le Daun’s items. It turned out just beautiful. We worked two solid days on it before she left. It will be perfect for your wedding.” Delphina stood. She bustled toward the stairs. “I’ll need to fit it to you, but I can have it ready by the time you leave.”
Rell turned to Siban. “It looks like we’re going to have a wedding.”
“Finally, you’ll be all mine.”
“As if I wasn’t already.” She leaned into him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
He cupped her head and drew her to him, not satisfied with the brief kiss.
“Please tell me we’re not going to have to watch them paw each other all the way to the Frost Lands,” Luc said.
Siban broke the kiss but didn’t look at Luc. “If you’re lucky.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd and Siban kissed Rell again. Even though their wedding a few days away, he had no plans of waiting until their wedding night to show Rell what it meant to be truly joined with somebody she loved. If previous events were a glimpse into their future, there would always be some threat looming, just waiting to disrupt their lives. Taking advantage of opportunities when they arose was Siban’s new motto and he had every intention of taking advantage of the peace tonight.