Peacebringer

Chapter Twenty Nine - Hatching a Plan

Asha woke up quite late the morning after the feast, feeling wonderfully refreshed. Food and sleep were exactly what she needed after the exhausting ordeal of creating dragon fire. She reached out her hands and stretched deeply, flexing every muscle down to her toes. A little sore, but much better.

Sunlight was streaming in through the window, so Asha could tell that it was late morning. She got up slowly and got dressed.

She wasn't feeling hungry at all after all the food, so she ventured out into the village for some fresh air. It seemed remarkably quiet out, and she suspected most people were still at home relaxing with their families.

After a few moments of walking, she spied Tana and Valda sitting together on the same rock she had been sitting on a few days ago. They were talking softly, and it seemed pretty amicable. Asha wasn't sure what to think about Tana after what happened last night.

The conversation soon ended and Valda walked over to Asha. Tana gave a small wave and headed back to her own home.

"I'm so glad you're up! I need to talk to you." Valda was smiling. She seemed really excited.

"Here?" Asha asked.

"No, let's go make tea back at the house," Valda said quickly, starting to head back.

Asha shrugged and followed. Whatever it was must be important. She had to run a few paces to keep up with Valda's speed.

Valda rushed into the house and immediately started preparing tea. Asha pulled out mugs and sat at the kitchen table.

"Tana and I had an idea based on what Rone said yesterday," Valda said quickly.

"What Rone said about what?" Asha leaned her chair back for a moment to stretch again.

"About breaking into the palace. Tana and I were thinking that someone should go in first to scope out the layout and figure out the best entrances and exits. Someone who already knows where to go..."

"So...you?" Asha said.

Valda walked over with the teapot. "Exactly, but I need a partner."

"Who are you taking?" Asha asked as Valda poured the red tea into her mug.

"Well, I need someone who can scare off rangers if we see any, and since they don't really seem to like fire..."

"I get to go? And Tana wanted me to?" Asha was convinced Tana would shut her and Finn out of all operations after the conversation last night. Maybe Tana only blamed Finn. Asha hoped not, she wasn't sure how much of that Finn could take.

"We decided we should keep it a secret to make sure that no one gets their hopes up," Valda put the teapot back in the kitchen.

"So not only do we have a mission, we have a TOP SECRET MISSION!"

"Yes, we can't tell anyone until we get back with our findings." Valda smirked. "But it's going to be SO FUN to tell everyone when we do."

Asha couldn't help breaking into a grin too. This was a huge honor.

"We leave at dawn the day after tomorrow."

"I'll spend this afternoon practicing with Tana at the training field. Can you keep the others distracted so they don't know what we're up to?"

"Of course."

At that precise moment, Havi burst in, his backpack on his back and stuffed.

"Going somewhere?" Asha

"Uh, yes." Havi looked sheepish.

"Where?" Valda asked.

"Um, that's the thing. I'm actually not supposed to tell you," Havi said slowly. "I'll be back in a few days, I just wanted to say goodbye before I left."

Havi has a secret mission too? Asha thought. How many people is Valda sending away?

"Okay, see you in a few days! Good luck!" Valda said cheerily. "Tell us everything when you get back."

Havi wasn't even looking at Valda. "Bye Asha," He said with an awkward wave. "See you soon."

Asha also awkwardly waved, and Havi headed out with a small smile. Valda started to laugh as soon as he was out.

"What's so funny?"

"You two are ridiculous." Valda shook her head.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Valda elbowed Asha playfully. "It means you like him and he likes you."

Asha turned red and started sputtering. "That...that's not..."

"Don't even try to lie about it. We can all see it." Valda turned back to her tea.

All? Asha thought. I wonder if that's why Finn has been a little stranger lately. And maybe that's why Havi was so upset after the dragon incident.

Asha looked down and smiled too. At least Valda thought Havi felt the same way.