The Matriarch's Daughter

Chapter Thirty-Three: Revelations

Thepa barged into the galley, gathering the attention of the room. For a camboose, the place was large, but mostly empty. Save for a few crates or dry goods and fishing gear, all that was there were the five members of the new elite team.

"Captain," Wilran spoke. "We were just—"

Thepa shut the door. "You were just deciding on whether or not to commit high treason. I'd advise against it. It could cost you your lives."

"That's not necessarily true," Tosh said, crossing his arms. "We were all chosen to be a part of this team for how good we are. If anyone could change the events in the Beachwick, it has to be us."

"Not to mention, we knew that we were putting our lives at risk when we joined the team," Wilran interjected.

"That's right," Yenry added. "Plus, I bet a good arbitrator could make a case for us going into the Beachwick."

Thepa shook her head at their recklessness. There was more at stake here than their lives. "I expected better of you, Yenry. The Treaty of Nations doesn't protect unlawful actions. Even if Goldale wanted to do something about it, they wouldn't because the Beachwick is essential to the war effort. Your risk would be pointless."

Zuna stepped forward and stared her down before saying, "It isn't for me."

"I could order you," Thepa replied.

"Then let's vote," Wilran said. "I vote yes. If someone is in trouble, it should be our job to help them."

"I also vote yes," said Zuna. "It is my home. I have a right to defend it. I will defend it. Sister Zelphina does not belong on the throne."

Julius sat down on one of the crates, the wood creaking below him. "I will respect the wishes of the team, but I don't like it. I vote no."

"I'm with Julius," Tash said. "It isn't our place. If we step in here, what kind of precedent would that set? I sympathize with our satyr sisters, but should stick to our directive."

This was not going the way Thepa had hoped. Wilran was pushing the advantage Zuna was giving her. She would just have to hope Yenry sided with the rest of the male members of the team. She looked over in the halfling's direction and found him staring at the floor.

"Both sides have merit," Yenry stated without looking up at the group. "However, Sister Vivian is one of us. We have an obligation to each other as much as we have an obligation to our nations. We shouldn't leave people behind. So, we get in and get her out. Nothing else if we can help it."

Wilran and Zuna smiled triumphantly, but the decision frustrated Thepa. Even if she didn't care about the state matters, there was still a larger problem.

"And what about Rory? Who's going to keep an eye on her? We can't ignore what just happened."

Yenry nodded. "I'm curious about that as well. I've never seen such a powerful display of magic. Perhaps Goldale could help? How far is the outpost from the Beachwick?"

"About two miles," Zuna answered.

Wilran nodded. "Then we leave her at the outpost. She should be fine and out of the way. Just in case, we can have someone from Wildehaven meet us there to assist."

Thepa didn't like it, but it was clear the team was going to help out no matter what she said. Maybe it was true Rory should have been safe with the small army at the Goldale outpost, but after what happened outside Pearlview, Thepa thought it wasn't far enough. As far as she was concerned, the farther away the better.

"You're sure about this?" Thepa asked. 

"No," said Julius. "But it looks like the tarot are on the table, and sometimes you gotta play the hand you're dealt. What's the battle plan?"