“And if Melantha is there...I know what she did, and she might not want to leave. But if she is locked in that dungeon with Farrendel, could you please rescue her, too? She is still our sister.”
If Essie closed her eyes, she could still hear the sharp stab of Melantha coldly telling Farrendel, You are not my brother.
Yet, Farrendel seemed to believe Melantha had been helping him. If Melantha was helping him now, then Essie would rescue her, if just for Farrendel’s sake.
Essie rested a hand on Jalissa’s arm. “If she’s there with Farrendel, we’ll get her out with us.”
“But Farrendel will be the priority.” Julien grimaced and glanced between Weylind and Jalissa. “I don’t think we’ll have time to search the dungeon looking for Melantha if she isn’t kept near Farrendel. Essie should lead us to Farrendel, but we won’t have a way to find Melantha.”
“I understand.” Jalissa hugged her arms over her stomach. After the week of fighting across Kostaria, her dark brown hair hung limply over her shoulders. Essie had offered to braid it, but Jalissa hadn’t yet been ready to tie back her hair.
Averett glanced around at them. “Edmund, Julien, Essie. You should try to get some rest. You’ll need to leave several hours before we begin the attack to reach the far side of Gror Grar at the right time.”
Essie resisted the urge to swipe her palms against her trousers. Soon. Just a few more hours, and then she would finally be on her way to rescue Farrendel. Hold on just a little longer, Farrendel. Just a few more hours.
She wasn’t sure Farrendel sensed what she was telling him. He was blocking her again, the heart bond cold as icy steel between them.
Essie adjusted the strap of her rifle where it lay across her chest. The rifle’s weight settled against her shoulder, a reminder that this mission was dangerous. Her mouth was dry, her heart racing. They hadn’t even left the encampment yet, much less reached Gror Grar. How did Farrendel face this kind of fear walking into battle again and again? Did it get easier after the first time?
She stifled a yawn. The stars still twinkled overhead on this clear, cold night, and would remain there in the dark sky for several more hours until dawn broke.
Averett and Weylind exited the command shelter, where they had been consulting with the generals one last time. Averett strode over to Essie and hugged her, tight and long.
Essie leaned into him, drawing on his strength. It was tempting to stay there in camp, as her brothers wanted her to do. It would be safer. Less frightening.
But Farrendel was in that looming fortress ahead, and she was their best chance to get him out alive. Not to mention, it would be safer for the rescuers to move quickly through the dungeon tunnels.
She forced herself to step out of Averett’s embrace and smile. “I’ll be fine, Avie. Julien and Edmund will look after me. And, once we find Farrendel, he won’t allow anything to happen to me.”
Averett returned her smile, though his was strained as if the action pained him. He didn’t remind her that Farrendel most likely wouldn’t be in any shape to help them. He didn’t have to. She could feel Farrendel’s pain even as he slept fitfully.
Julien and Edmund strolled toward them, packs slung over their backs and ropes hanging over their shoulders.
Averett patted Essie’s shoulder, his eyes glinting in the starlight. “Stay safe, Essie.”
“I will.” Essie blamed the cold night air for the husky, choked sound of her voice.
Averett moved off to Julien and Edmund. There was a lot of grinning and back-slapping. No emotional goodbyes or anything like that. But it didn’t need to be said. They knew.
With a cleared throat, Weylind approached Essie. His dark eyes were filled with more emotion than Essie could remember seeing on him. He gripped Essie’s shoulders. “Bring my brother home. Please.”
Essie patted his hands, but that didn’t seem like enough. She stepped forward and gave Weylind a quick hug. He remained as stiff as a tree through it, but hopefully he understood that it was the best human gesture she could give him at that moment. “We will.”
Three Escarlish soldiers jogged out of the darkness, bowed to Averett, then saluted Julien. After Julien returned the salute, all three of them relaxed. Something in their smiles said they had worked with Julien before. Good. If Julien trusted them, then Essie could too.
A few moments later, three elves glided