Emma, the oldest woman on the council, chuckled while turning her gaze to Sawyer after taking one brief look at Gray. “I told you he’d figure it out and come after you. I said it was a bad idea, didn’t I? Gray can’t handle a headstrong boy like Stinson.”
“I can too.” The angry words were aimed at Emma before Gray could prevent them, but Sawyer sat next to her smiling.
Sawyer said, “I think you’re right, Gray. You can handle him, and speaking of young Stinson, here he comes. I don’t believe he looks very happy.”
Gray pursed his lips and vowed not to say anything else. His loose remarks had already cost him enough today. He slung his pack over his shoulder and looked at Tessa. “Ready?”
Emma said, “One more subject before you depart. You’re to continue to Fleming if all goes well. There you will find Caldor, and you will discreetly listen for mention of those who helped Raymer escape the king’s Summer Palace. No more. You will simply listen to others and return with what you hear.”
Tessa nodded at Gray, then turned to the four on the council and met their smiles with one of her own. She turned away and started walking, Gray at her heels. He heard Stinson calling for them to wait up, but neither slowed.
They passed through the juniper and the cacti wall without speaking. Then, walking on the desert floor, Tessa asked him, “You do know the council set that up between them, right? I mean to force you to take Stinson along?”
“I figured it out too late.”
“Yes, they also planned it that way. They’re very good at it.”
“Any suggestions?” Gray asked.
Tessa pulled to a stop. She looked at him for a long moment, then spoke, her voice curt and harsh. “Yes. Do not let Stinson get you killed. Do what you have to, but do not allow him to place your life, or the lives of everyone here in danger.”
Gray was shocked at her response. He had his suspicions about why Stinson was selected, but to have her confirm it stunned him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Imagine the enemy has him and they are torturing Stinson to reveal our village location. You’re watching from a position where your arrow will reach him. Will you let that arrow fly?”
Gray didn’t respond. Stinson was catching up to them, huffing and puffing.
Tessa hissed, “You better kill him than get all of us killed. It’s a basic lesson we’re all supposed to know as part of the Dragon Clan. If you cannot follow the rule of protecting family first, tell me. We’ll replace you with someone who can do what’s needed.”
“I know the law.”
“But will you obey it? I demand an answer before you take another step.” Tessa waited as Stinson caught up with her and stood at her side, a goofy, disrespectful smile as his greeting.
Gray glanced at him and said, “Yes, I understand. I’ll do what’s needed. But it’s my decision when and where, or if it must be done.”
“That is all we ask.” She turned to Stinson, “I want to make this clear to both of you, but I’m addressing you because I think you’re a problem and a threat. Gray’s in charge. At all times. If you hinder this mission by your attitude, the family will take stern measures.”
“You’re not in charge of me.” His false smile never faltered.
Tessa shifted her eyes to meet Gray’s, without turning her head. When she perceived his tiny nod, she spun and said, “Stinson, you take the point. I need to fill Gray in on a few more things about Fleming.”
Stinson curled his upper lip. “The person on point is the one that usually dies first.”
“Then make sure that doesn’t happen,” Gray snapped, already tired of the attitude.
Stinson looked from Gray to Tessa and rolled his eyes. “All right! I didn’t refuse, did I?”
As Stinson moved ahead, they both watched. Despite his reluctance, Stinson was quick and sure, his movements one with the desert. Tessa asked, “What’s the name of the man you’ll seek out?”
“Caldor. I’ll find him at the Red Bear Inn.”
“Yes. You may also find him watching cargo being unloaded at the docks. He often buys and sells. Do you remember what he looks like?”
“I do, but there must be many who look like that.”
Tessa nodded and continued, “Just remember, you don’t go in there asking a lot of questions. People draw conclusions from your questions. They figure out who you are and what you’re up to from what you ask.”
“Fleet said the same thing. He said if you just listen to enough people, one of them will tell you everything. You don’t have to ask. I listened carefully when you and Fleet told your story at the council meeting.”
“Good, that makes it easier. Follow the triad but from a distance. You’re going to the spring on the other side of the valley tonight and double back before daybreak. When you reach them, probably tomorrow morning, keep out of sight until the time is right. They will be desperate for water.”
“I know.”
“They’ve already been through the drylands to the north, so that’s, at least, two days of travel. Add today and tomorrow and that’s four. The road to Fleming is another two.”
“A person can carry two days of water, three at most. That triad can’t even reach the nearest spring, even if they knew where it is.”
Tessa said, “My other problem is you. For ten years of working for me, you’ve never taken risks or indicated you wanted to explore. You’ve never fought in a battle, not that there was one to join, but you are inexperienced. Now you’re here with your staff in hand, a staff I have rarely seen you practice with. Suddenly you decide to become a hero.”
“Why is that a problem?”
“Are you too soft? Physically or mentally? When you find those men of the triad, they’ll beg you for a drink of water. Can you resist? Remember, they came here to kill us, but will you stand up to them? And in Fleming, will you fight for the family at the cost of your life? I believe, yes, you will. But, will Stinson?”
“He carries his staff with him.”
“To lean on? Or use as a weapon? And who will he use it on? Gray, I am telling you this from my heart, not because of anything the council has asked. Do not turn your back on him, or depend on him coming to your rescue.”
Gray tried to catch her eye, and she managed to avoid it. “You can’t believe Stinson would hurt me.”
She reached for his hand as if wishing to hold it as they walked. Inside were several coins. “Take these. Hide them, even from Stinson. A copper coin will buy a few mugs of the best ale, a silver lodging, and food for a week. A single gold will buy a small house. If you must spend gold, have a money changer give you a fistful of silver and copper coins in the stead of one gold.”
The purse he carried at his waist contained flint, iron, and tinder. He placed the coins inside. He would distribute them amongst his belongings later for security.
Tessa continued. “If I could, I would forbid you from traveling to the land of Breslau. While we think that to be where the green dragons and the others come from, we do not know for sure. I will say that before you do go there if you do, send Stinson home. Do not take him there under any circumstances. Do I have your word?”
Gray stopped and locked eyes with her. He waited for more.
She said, “I will not rescind that order. If you travel to Breslau, there is no method of guessing the odds of your return. I do not think them positive. We, the family, must have the information you glean before you sail. Stinson must be made to understand that he has to bring us all he knows. You may tell him that I personally will promise him another trip in the future, but this one thing cannot be overlooked or changed.”