Page 54 of To Fight and To Fold

Thea sighed, because he was right, in a way.

But sometimes magic didn't stand up to a greatsword. Did they risk their people against this… half-baked plan?

"Don't we train entire forces not to go off half-cocked?" Thea argued. "If we act without care, we will pay for it."

"Then don't act without care!" Rolim said. "I made a copy of the letter I left, so we'd have exact details. We could save a Tethered."

Vaelen looked thoughtful, and Thea had to admit it couldn’t hurt to save another Tethered. One less Tethered, one less dragon for Evergale to use. If Rolim's lover, Carissa, would truly agree so willingly.

"You're certain that Carissa would come with you?" Thea asked. "How do you know?"

He flushed, and for the first time his charm seemed to dissolve beneath Thea's stare. "We talked of marriage. Talked of me leaving the Guard."

"Youthful wishes of young love," Vaelen scoffed. "That means nothing in the face of war."

"Vaelen's right," Thea hedged, drawing on her knowledge of Aaryn. "She would give up her home for you?"

Rolim was older, nearing his forties, and Carissa wasn't far behind him. Maybe with her time in the castle, Carissa had been able to see through the lies.

Dare they risk their whole operation on a maybe, though?

Rolim put his hand to his heart. "I swear it. If she refuses to come with me, I can give a signal to retreat. But I believe we can be in and out within… moments."

His surety struck Thea, and she found her lip twisting before she masked her expression. Thea recognized the ugly feeling in her chest, striking true and filling her with shame in the same vein.

She was… jealous.

Jealous that Rolim knew such love so certainly. That he knew his Tethered would come with him.

Unlike Aaryn.

Thea turned her gaze from him, lest her bitterness darken her eyes. Instead she shifted her attention toward the frosted window, the hint of sunlight outside.

She knew Aaryn would love it here too, if only she weren't so…

A few choice words came to mind: Stubborn. Foolish.

Maybe if Carissa left, it would show Aaryn that there was something else out there. Something more than the castle. Something worth leaving for.

"I could use the opportunity to find Aaryn," Thea suggested. "Maybe if she sees Carissa go willingly, she will too."

"I doubt they'd put her on the battlefield. They wouldn't lay that much bait out."

"I can use a location spell," Thea suggested. "Find her during the drama."

"You want to traverse deeper into the castle?" Vaelen said in disbelief. "Into the beast's belly? You won't make it back out."

Thea's lips curled. "If she's in the Tethered's tower, it will be easier to get to her."

Vaelen threw her hands up. "I am hearing nothing but ifs and maybes. You two are going to have to convince me this will work. I want details by nightfall."

With a growl, she left the building, and Thea winced as the door slammed behind her.

When she glanced up, Rolim was beaming at her.

"I know this will work," he said.

Thea sighed and went to stand over the map of Rishika. "You heard her. We have until nightfall to come up with a plan that will succeed."