Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 16: Practice

Baldaran looked excited as Sabrina appeared a few feet away from him, fortunately not knocking anyone over. Ford was already there, along with Mara, Tirqwin, Scotty, and Aurora. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said.

"You have not," Baldaran said. "Commander Rigeon is still on her way. But before she arrives, let me congratulate you on your successful appearance. It was exactly the shock the Council of the Realm needed. They have agreed to commit resources for the simultaneous assault on Homeworld and the Reissian Empire, provided Miah and Corweign agree."

"Which of course we do," Ford said, "since that was the whole point of the charade. When?"

"It will take some time to gather the allied forces for both actions," Baldaran said. "I estimate about a week. The Wayfarers will need time to produce a Nolizar for us, as well. They will have to be brought into the secret."

Tirqwin said, "I will deal with that. The Reissian Empire action will be relatively straightforward, but what, my children, is your plan for the Homeworld system?"

"To follow yours," Sabrina said. "The Wayfarers are best qualified to plan this action. I'm merely the diversion."

"We," Ford said firmly.

"There's no need for us both," she protested.

"Corweign was the military mastermind," he pointed out. "Our allies would take a dim view of him sitting at home."

Sabrina sighed, but Tirqwin said, "Khediva and I agree. You will need a second set of eyes, Sabrina. You will be at risk."

"One more person is one more person to worry about," she said. "Scotty, you said that once about Mara, remember? That giving her a bodyguard just gave her more to worry about?"

Mara smiled. "That is partly true, but many times I have been grateful not to be alone. You cannot override both Niavar and Tirqwin, Sabrina; accept that you are in this together. Miah and Corweign generally appeared together, after all. Rarely did they separate, according to the histories. Besides, Niavar knows the Kyan well. You are aware that you will have to be in the same room with one, in order to convince it you are Miah?"

"Yes," Ford said. "Since we have no way of broadcasting that we know they can receive, we will have to start small and trust to their own communications to spread the word. That means bringing one aboard our Nolizar and keeping it confined for a few minutes."

"Ugh," Sabrina said. She hadn't thought that far ahead.

"So you see why you cannot do this single-handedly," Mara said.

"Yes," Sabrina said. "I'm tempted to take a squad of bodyguards now."

"You should," Scotty said. "Where am I in this, Mara? With you, or Sabrina?"

"That will require some thought," Mara said. "My impulse is to send you with Sabrina, but if anyone begins questioning Miah's appearance, your presence with her would give the game away."

"Not necessarily," Scotty said. "If Miah really did come back, wouldn't you assign her a military aide? And if you're worried about someone figuring out it's Sabrina and Ford, get Kaz to set up in Bathir. The resemblance is close enough; it wouldn't be hard to hide his scar with a little makeup."

"He'd never fool our household," Sabrina said. "Or Lily."

Baldaran said, "In the event of our going to war, I would have my Heirs here with me. Kaz could play his role from Dansestari. It is not a bad idea."

Ford gave a wry grin. "Good. Train Kaz at being the Heir, and then actually stick him with the job, please!"

There was a sharp knock at the door of the royal study, and then Commander Rigeon entered with two aides. "Ah, good, you are all here. We have several options to present, but it would be helpful to know what forces the Wayfarers will request from us for their operation."