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She wouldn’t want to take that chance. And neither would Luc. She’d warned him that she didn’t know whether the magic in the flares could override hers. And to assume it could.

She would definitely be protected against a sword strike or an arrow, but she had a feeling that with her new cloak, there were big gaps in her protective shield.

They finally reached the bottom of the slope, and a horse nickered to the left.

“Captain Rangar?”

She felt a chill that her cloak had not warned her of the group of soldiers who were waiting quietly in the darkness. It might be because they meant her no specific harm, but she had become too complacent, too used to the sensitive, fine-tuned warnings of her old cloak.

“Who’s there?” The officer swung her around so he could see both the path and down the valley.

“I’m Captain Farr. What’s going on?” The officer was no more than a dark shadow on a horse.

Ava thought there might be another five soldiers behind him.

“What unit?” Rangar asked.

“I’m with the Jatan Border Force. I’ve orders to requisition some of your flares.”

“You were going to herd the Rising Wave within shooting distance of my cannons. Why do you need my flares?”

“Because the Rising Wave ambushed us, and there’s barely any of us left. We’re not going to be herding them anywhere. But if you give us the flares, we could fire them into their columns and deal with them. Take them by surprise.” He sounded viciously pleased with the idea. Then he leaned forward. “Who’s that with you?”

Rangar hesitated. “A Rising Wave prisoner. She and her friends have taken out the cannons, but you’re welcome to the flares. Take as many as you like.” Rangar began to edge around the small group.

“Is that a flare in her hand?” Farr leaned forward for a closer look.

“It’s my insurance. There are twenty-nine left for you.”

“Don’t let them get the flares,” Ava said into the darkness. “That has to be your main priority.”

She wanted to crow at the knowledge that General Ru had won her battle. It was good news, despite her current situation.

“Who’s she talking to?” Farr brought his horse closer, and Ava could tell Rangar didn’t like it at all.

“Her friends. Who I hope haven’t followed us down the hill.”

“You’re not going to douse me in flare.” Ava turned her head to look at Rangar. “I’m your ticket out of this mess.” She looked up the slope again. “Better to stop them getting the flares at all than have to get them back later.”

She felt vindicated in her decision to go back and hide the last lot of flares, now. There were only two available to take.

“How many ‘friends’ are there?” Farr asked, his gaze going up the hill.

“At least three.”

“Four people took your whole position of ten cannons?” Farr sounded shocked.

“I said ‘at least’. I’m assuming there are more of them.” Rangar was getting twitchy. He wanted to get away clean from here with Ava, and have the ability to spin the story any way he liked.

Farr was ruining that for him.

“Tie up the woman and then show us where to find the flares.” Farr slid off the horse at last, and moved closer to them.

“The only flares left are up this hill.” Ava didn’t want the soldiers splitting up. It would be harder for Luc, Oscar and Deni to hunt them down that way.

“What?” Rangar tightened his grip.

“As we cleared each position, we took the flares. There are only two left above.”