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That little story kept coming in very handy.

Massi hissed out a breath. “What are you doing here?”

“That was always the plan, remember, to do some reconnaissance in Bartolo and then come straight back.”

“To Luc, not us.”

“Oscar and Deni have gone to warn Luc, I’ve come to warn you, then I’ll be on my way to Luc, don’t worry.”

“Warn us?” Raun-Tu finally sat back down.

She walked over to sit between them and lowered her voice as she told them of the nasty surprise waiting below the city and in the hills.

“Shit.” Massi leaned back. “I’ve never heard of these flares. Have you?”

Raun-Tu nodded. “Never seen one. I didn’t know if they were a myth or real.”

“I can’t tell you what to do.” Well, she could, and make them do it, too, but Ava recognized that would be crossing a line. “But I suggest you sneak into the city, lock the cistern exits and trap the army units hiding there, and take the small force above ground. The mayor is inclined to trust us over the Kassian, and most of the townspeople are supportive, as well.”

“Take the city now?” Raun-Tu glanced over at Massi.

“That would be a feat to sing about.” Massi rubbed her hands together. “You sure about the cistern exits?”

“I got it from the mayor herself.”

“You sure she wasn’t lying?” Raun-Tu leaned forward on his forearms.

“She’s very angry with the Kassian for setting up her city to be a battleground. She wasn’t lying.” Ava paused. “Keep the damage in the city to a minimum and you’ll be welcomed.”

“Avasu, the general never once told me about you in all the years she was using you as her spy, but I have to say, your information is invaluable.” Raun-Tu clasped a hand to her shoulder and squeezed.

“Yes.” Massi’s smile was wry. “We’re lucky to have you among our number.”

She sometimes forgot who knew the spy story was a lie, and just remembered Massi was one of that small number. She lifted her shoulders and twisted her lips. “Use the information well.” She stood.

“You’re going now?”

“I’ll ride a little further, sleep for a few hours, then keep going.”

“Be careful.”

She nodded, then remembered something else.

“We saw Haslia in Bartolo. She was spelling the mayor, and I stopped her. So watch what you accept from strangers and keep your eyes peeled.”

“You let her get away?” Massi hissed.

“It would have drawn too much attention to try and find her after she disappeared into the crowds, and I think you’ll agree the information we got instead will be a lot more helpful to the Rising Wave than having Haslia as our prisoner.”

Massi had stood while she explained, and she slowly lowered herself back down. “You’re right. We’ll watch out for her. I’ll look under every rock in the city for her.”

Ava nodded, then walked back into the darkness, donning her scarf again to avoid having to explain herself to anyone as she was leaving.

She’d gone the fast way out of Bartolo, and she actually might get to Luc before Oscar and Deni.

She didn’t have a moment to lose.

* * *