The Thief (A Tale of Heroes & Demons Book 2)

Chapter 13

Reconnaissance

The morning sun burned against their eyes, chasing away the remnants of the night's revelries. The rest of the camp was asleep still. Most preferred the cover of darkness to hide their movements--a secure blanket against the dangers of the day.

Orelius pulled the straps tighter across the horse's flank, securing the small satchels that would hold their supplies as they travelled to the healers. "Good day to you," he called into the still air.

"How did you know I was here?"

He turned and offered Saege a smile. "You cannot move through the trees like one of us, yet. It is easy to pick out movements that don't belong when you spend as much time listening as I."

"Yet?"

Finished with the straps, he turned gave her an appraising look. "Once healed, you'd likely make a good thief. There's a keenness in your gaze that few possess outside of our ranks."

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

"He truly is horrible at flattering anybody, isn't he?" Raenen moved and stretched his arms over his head as emerged from between the trees. "How long have you both been awake?"

Saege moved back so she could face both men. "Only just." She turned and stared at Orelius. "Which begs the question as to why you didn't wake us when you rose?"

Shaking his head, Orelius raised his hands in defense. "It was a late night. You need all the rest you can get before heading out if you are to stay astride a horse without aid."

Scoffing, her mouth twisted into a scowl. "I was asleep for two days. We need to go before I run out of time."

Raenen caught Orelius's gaze. The odds were not in their favour, no matter how early they departed that day.

Soon enough Rhett strolled out to join them, pulling Orelius out of earshot. "What are the stakes of this journey?"

"Excuse me?"

The man waved his large hand in the air. "Don't play coy. You've been off galavanting across the countryside and come back with a woman that's missing an arm. What's going on? We didn't expect to see you for months yet."

With a sigh, Orelius closed his eyes briefly. "She's a member of our team. We need her help to destroy the demons, but to do that we need to heal her enough so she doesn't pass out as soon as something small happens.

"Demons. You said demons." Rhett's eyes widened. "There's more than just the one, then?"

"Dammit." He dragged a hand across his hair. "I shouldn't have said that. But yes, it looks like there's more."

"Then keep me here to fight. I'd be far more useful here in battle than escorting the lass," Rhett pleaded.

Orelius raised his hand and gripped the man's shoulders tightly. "I know you could. But Saege is too important for us to leave anything to chance. Will you do this for me?"

Rhett turned to gaze to where his family stood, waiting to say goodbye. "For the sake of us all, I'd go to hell and back."

"Let us hope it does not come to that."

They split, with Rhett giving large hugs to his family, and Orelius double checking that the packs were secure. It wasn't long, though, until it was time to leave.

"You know the way?" He watched the group as they moved towards the edge of the clearing.

With a quick nod from Ranen, he urged his horse into the forest, with Rhett following suit. Saege paused, giving him a quick smile and saying, "If Katherine and Declan arrive before I'm back, don't wait for me." After receiving his confirming nod, she too turned to follow the others into the trees.