Chapter 36

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Taga Village was in upheaval when Jacob and Matt got there. Makalos ran everywhere, toting things to and from the tree.

"Finally!" Kenji said when he saw the brothers. "Here's the key. Run, get Gallus, then come back here so we can regroup before heading to the Fat Lady's."

Jacob took it from Kenji, then keyed to Gallus's shop. The store was dark, and Gallus waited by the window. He wore intricately designed metal armor and looked ready for battle.

"Ready to go?" Jacob asked.

Gallus looked at him. The expression on his face was unreadable. "If . . . if Dmitri doesn't return, then you are the rightful ruler of this kingdom."

Jacob cleared his throat. "He'll return—he's . . . he misses this place. Almost as much as my mom does."

Gallus glanced at Jacob and smiled. It was the first time Jacob had seen him do so in a very long time. "Good. Then we'll have our leader again." He picked up a bag, swung it over his shoulders, then gestured to the door. "Let's go."

Jacob keyed them back to the village, where the usual group waited near the tree.

Ebony and Sweet Pea wore armor of a sort. Ebony's was made of leaves, moss, bark, and hardened leather.

"She didn't realize she'd be able to go until today," Kenji said, "when I decided to stay behind to watch the kids. She spent all morning fixing her armor and will be invaluable to you."

"Who else is coming?" Jacob asked.

"I am," Sweet Pea said. "They can't keep me here this time."

He stood next to Gallus, and Jacob almost laughed at the difference between the two. Gallus was tall and a little overweight, but he'd been preparing himself during the past few months and his muscles popped under the metal he wore. His black skin shone in the sun, and he looked happier and more excited than Jacob had ever seen him. Sweet Pea was short, hairy, and dressed in a fancy suit of armor made from leaves. Jacob nearly choked, looking at him.

"What's wrong?" Sweet Pea asked.

"You look like a pansy," Matt said, voicing Jacob's thoughts. "That's girl armor."

"It's all we had," Ebony said.

Sweet Pea snorted. "At least I'll be protected." He pulled a mace from behind his back. "Plus, I've got this bad boy to help me."

Ebony tightened a strap on her armor. She nodded to the brothers. "You two will outfit at the Fat Lady's. She has some leftover things from the last war."

Jacob turned to Akeno. "Are they going to let you come?"

"Not this time, but the Fat Lady says I'll be ready soon."

Jacob nodded, realizing it probably hadn't been long enough since the operation.

"All right, let's go," Ebony said.

Jacob opened the door, letting everyone go through ahead of him. Gallus, Sweet Pea, Matt, and Ebony. Not a big group. Would they be enough? He hoped so.

"Jacob, get over here," the Fat Lady said when he stepped into her cabin. She held out clothing and armor to him. "You get to wear Dmitri's old stuff."

Ebony gave Jacob a wistful expression. "It'll be nice to see you dressed up like your father. We only wish he could be here."

"So does he, trust me."

"Enough chit-chat," the Fat Lady said. "We've got a damsel to rescue." She handed Matt his things, then pushed the brothers down the hall. "Through that door. Aldo's in there, but he won't mind."

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