Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 14.1

It took three days for Sabrina to be satisfied with her illusions of Corweign and Miah, and she and Ford began to plan out their first appearance for the Council of the Realm. They agreed not to alert anyone in advance, so that everyone's reactions would be genuine. Sabrina was nervous about that, in addition to everything else, but Ford's sense of mischief was giving him great enjoyment.

"It doesn't have to be complicated," she protested as they lay in bed discussing their grand entrance plans.

"Miah was impressive. We need some pageantry to sell her return," Ford replied. "What if we made a big puff that resolves into a giant tree, and then it fades away to reveal us?"

"I like the symbolism, but trees are complex shapes."

"A stylized tree then."

"That, I could probably do." Sabrina thought for a moment, then made a cloud of glowing golden energy and condensed it into a tree-like shape. "I need some practice though."

"Yes, and at scale," Ford mused. "And it has to be solid all the way around, since we'll be at the center of the room. We should try to practice in the actual space."

"That room is under the highest security protocols," Sabrina pointed out. "And it can't get out that we are in there."

"So? There's nowhere we can't get in that one of us has been before. And we've both spent plenty of time in that room."

Sabrina sighed. "Okay, but after some sleep, okay?"

He kissed her. "Whenever you feel like it, sweetheart. Sleep well."

"You too. Love you." Sabrina yawned and closed her eyes.

It felt like only a second later that a noise woke her, but Ford knew it was almost morning. "What?" she yawned.

Ford was sitting up. "Marvan?"

"Summons to Dansestari," the bodyguard replied. "To meet with the Wayfarer Council."

Sabrina came fully awake at the name the surviving Wayfarer pairs had given themselves, setting up a structure to replace the inaccessible one in their home system. "Both of us?"

"Just the prince," Marvan replied.

"You can come, or I can update you after if you need more sleep," Ford told her. She could feel the effort he was making to appear calm.

"I'd rather sleep, but let me know if you need me."

"I will. Get some more rest." He slid out of bed, kissed her, and went into the dressing room.

Sabrina took a deep breath to calm herself as she lay back down, hoping she'd be able to fall back to sleep. As it turned out, that was not a problem—she was fast asleep before Ford was fully dressed.

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An hour or so later, she was awakened again, but this time there was no one in the room with her. "Huh?" she said, frowning as she sat up.

"Sabrina," Khediva's voice said. "I am sorry to wake you, my child. But there is some urgency. May we speak?"

"Of course. One moment." Sabrina pressed the call button near the bed. "Terel? I'm going up to Khediva for a minute."

"Acknowledged. Do you want me?"

"No, I'll be fine. I'll let you know when I'm back." Sabrina cut the connection, then concentrated, transporting herself to Khediva's control deck. "Permission to come aboard?"

"Granted, and thank you," Khediva said. "Please sit, Sabrina. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"I could use something to drink," Sabrina replied, walking back toward the galley. "But I'm fine otherwise. What's going on? Ford was summoned a while ago."