Of Plots and Mischief

Chapter 20: Deciding on a course

"So they are both missing," Phyllon stated as he stared down Yron, who paced rather anxiously outside the shelter. Phyllon could feel spurts of anxiety and panic coming from him, which made him guess it was far more serious than he first suspected.

"Sonaya left on his own last night, and Nik woke me up and told me he was following him." Yron's voice raised slightly before he sneaked a glance at the shack and calmed down. "Something happened last night, Phyll. I think it is my fault."

Phyllon watched as the beads on his hair shook on his lowered head, glinting in the soft light of coming dawn. The surge of guilt coming from his friend rose his curiosity. Just what happened last night when he left the three alone inside?

The sweet song of the birds greeting the morning broke the silence, somehow feeling accusing. Phyllon watched as Yron subconsciously clenched his fist.

"Why?"

Yron raised his head quizically, not understanding Phyllon's question.

"Why do you think it is your fault?" Phyllon clarified, not accusing. "Did you force them to leave?" Phyllon gave him a soft amused smile. "It is not your fault, what others do. You know that no one can control Nik."

They subconsciously glanced back at the shack. Phyllon could feel the rest of their companions stirring. He sighed. "Let's first talk to the others before we decide."

"Decide on what?" Yron startled as he looked at the open door to see Prince Karriv watching them suspiciously. "And where are the others?"

Phyllon and Yron exchanged a glance. "It seems that Sonaya went outside sometime last night, and Torynik followed."

"Good riddance," Prince Karriv muttered before he caught himself. "I mean, shall we proceed without the two extraneous members of our party?"

"Did he say anything before leaving?" Phyllon turned to Asmir, taking in his distaste. There was something mildly amusing of his repecful yet somehow disagreeable avoidance of everything to do with Torynik.

Phyllon waved a hand at Yron. "Yron mentioned that he woke him up before following Sonaya. Something about..."

"He mentioned something about solving this mess of mine." Yron looked at his feet, shame rising in waves.

"Mess? What mess?" Prince Karriv narrowed his eyes. "What does it have to do with the annoying one?"

"I am guessing it has something to do with whatever you were talking to him last night." Asmir stared pointedly at Yron. Phyllon looked at him sharply before smiling wryly. He shouldn't have been be surprised that he noticed. Yron hummed in acknowledgement. Phyllon could feel the growing confusion and annoyance rising from the prince and decided to help him out.

"Sonaya wanted to find some information about someone, whom Yron happened to have met. That was mainly why he had been trying to convince the portsmaster to find Yron here. Unfortunately, Yron did not know the information that he was really hoping to find. After that, I am not sure what happened." Phyllon explained.

"Then why did he leave last night? As difficult as he is, he would not just go because he was not happy with the information he found," Prince Karriv reasoned.

"His highness has a point, kid. I am assuming that is why he followed him." Asmir paused, catching their attention. "In any case, there is only a couple of days left for our planned meeting with the portsmaster. We won't make it in time if we delay further."

That was a problem. Phyllon closed his eyes briefly before looking at the sky, noticing how it had reached already reached the early part of the morning in the time they had been discussing. He tried to calculate the time it would take to head back, and tried to estimate the time it would take to look for Sonaya and Torynik. "You are right," Phyllon suddenly felt very tired. "We have to chose whether to meet the deadline, or to look for Sonaya." Something suddenly occured to him as he stared at Yron. "Or..."

Yron stood straighter. "Do you have another idea?"

Phyllon tried to estimate the possible outcomes, as he formed a plan. He found himself perking as he realised that it could work. "Or we can trust Torynik. You mentioned that you were planning on heading back after checking out on the secessionist problem hereabouts. You just need to try to contact with your brother and figure out what is happening with Sonaya before you head back."

"What about us?" Prince Karriv interjected.

Phyllon turned to him. "We head back, and trust our friends to solve the secessionist issue. We have another problem to solve."

"The cure," Prince Karriv whispered, remembering. "You think we can find it?"

Phyllon gave a reassuring smile. "I have trust in our ability to try our best. Besides, everyone is counting on us."

"But what about the secessionist problem?" Prince Karriv insisted.

"We can't be in both places at the same time. Otherwise, if you are willing to delegate the search for the cure..."

Prince Karriv shook his head sharply at that. "No, that is more important." He sighed before turning to study Yron. Phyllon could feel his scepticism before the prince sighed before catching his eye. "I am putting my trust in you. I don't know what is the best option for us in this circumstance, but I am choosing to trust that you have Our best interests in mind."

Phyllon caught the royal plural in his words, and realised he was talking in his identity as a prince, not as a member of their group. Phyllon recalled his earlier words and felt a slight dampness in his eyes. He gave a small courtly gesture of acceptance in return, before replying. "I am honoured in your trust."

Prince Karriv nodded in turn as they all turned to head back to the shack to gather supplies for their return. Phyllon almost reached the door when he felt a sharp surge of emotion from Yron and realised that he wanted to say something in private. He paused by the door, before turning to look at him questioningly.

"You need to take something so that my people know to contact yours." Yron reached out and untied a braid before slipping out a distinct bead. Phyllon caught it, sliding his finger across the fine engraving of a bird. He recognised it, and gave Yron a wry look. Yron shrugged. "It is my mark. My people tend to have it on them somewhere, to identify them. You can give it to whomever you trust to be our contact point, but I ask that they have it on them somewhere visible."

"I was thinking, Aunt Naura? I trust her more than the portsmaster, especially given his current manipulations." Phyllon mused as he fiddled with the bead before tying it on his own hair.

A musing smile broke on Yron's face as he considered. "Administrator Naura? Yes, she would be a good person to trust. She would be able to coordinate with the Sahora, and even the portsmaster would not be able to bully her. Yes, she is a good choice."

Phyllon opened the door and paused. "So, what do you say to the portsmaster?"

Yron shook his head. "No need. One of my people would contact you when you head back. He can coordinate with the portsmaster and Administrator Naura." He tapped a bead on his hair. "Keep it visible. As long as they see it, they will find a way to contact you."

Yron moved backwards into the woods. "I'll see you when you come back."

Phyllon raised a hand in salute and entered, pausing to look back, to see a familiar feather floating down from the sky. Phyllon smiled as he entered, trusting they would meet again when he returned from his voyage.