"And you believe you can do it again?" Hant asked, leaning forward.
Tris shrugged. "It's the only way in. I'll have to."
"I've never really liked climbing," Vahanian commented. Kiara elbowed him in the ribs and glared at him. He rolled his eyes. "I guess I could learn."
"I'm up for it," Kiara said gamely. Carina looked uncertain until Carroway spoke up. "I didn't really picture Carina and me taking the castle by storm," the minstrel said. "But if we could find some sympathetic hedge witches and my minstrel friends, I think we could make a diversion, stir up the mob, incite a riot, that sort of thing. Keep the guards distracted from the real action."
Hant nodded, deep in thought. "It might just work. Yes, it just might," he repeated.
"It's much too risky," Darrath said, shaking his head.
"Of course it is," Hant replied with contrary glee. "That's why I like it. Only a fool would try it."
"I'm not sure I like the way that sounds," Tris murmured to Kiara.
Hant looked up sharply, his keen hearing picking up Tris's comment. "That isn't what I meant." He chuckled at the audacity of the plan. "They'll never expect it. Too bold. Too risky. They'll be looking for armies on the border, and while they're busy fending off our phantoms, you'll be dropping in like so many spiders." He rubbed his hands together. "Oh yes, this does have promise."
"Easy for him to say," Vahanian said under his breath. "He's not going." "Hush," Kiara admonished. Darrath nodded. "I have no better plan," the general admitted. "And there is an element of surprise that I must admit I find intriguing."
"Intriguing," Vahanian commented dryly. "I'd feel better if you said 'promising' or 'brilliant.'"
Darrath ignored him. "How long until you plan to depart, Prince Drayke?"
Tris had debated that question with himself the entire evening. "We have to reach the palace before the Hawthorn Moon," he said. "That's when Arontala will try to free the spirit of the Obsidian
King." Darrath frowned. "Is such a thing possible?"
Tris nodded. "The Sisterhood believes so. I can't take the chance."
Darrath rubbed his chin. "That's half a year from now."
"Mikhail and I can start with the refugees. If we can get a few clusters of fighters in position, we can make sure Jared doesn't send more soldiers across the border. The mercs can sweep up after us. The snow is bad here, but it shouldn't be quite as much of a problem once we get a little further south into Margolan. And we're moving small groups, not a full army," Soterius said. "We'll need time to train the rest of you to climb. It will take more than two months to get from here to the palace in Margolan without taking the main roads."
