It took quite a while for all of the details of the mission to be repeated and agreed upon by everyone in the room. Every string felt so taut that I swear I could hear the anxiety separate from everyone’s voices, like a high-pitched ringing that only got louder as each person repeated various versions of the deal. Kimba’s leg bounced with her tapping fingers, a sound that twisted even my own insides into nerves. It was hard to tell where her eagerness started and my anticipation ended. I felt myself wanting to pull away from the story, to escape the narrative somehow, when Kimba slammed her hand on the table.

“We get it! Tallo’s the only one that can talk about what we’re doing. We go straight to the Wise Magi, then come straight back, no side quests of any kind. Protect him with our lives, blah, blah, blah. Can we move on from this?” Her outburst released just a little tension from my own being, but it seemed to wind everyone else’s nerves a bit tighter. Still, the small group agreed that this was enough. Captain Ignatus and Steward Emiko rose from the table.

Emiko asked, “Any affairs you need to get in order before your trip begins?” After confirming with just a glance with her companions, Kimba shook her head. “Okay. It’s time.”

“Time?” she echoed.

“To go. Tallo and Fulmosk are packed and ready, and time is of the essence.” And, although she truly didn’t have anything to take care of before they left, Kimba hesitated. “Don’t worry, we will get your payment on the way out. But let’s do separate. Captain, if you’ll take Tallo and Fulmosk, I’ll escort the protection through another way.” The captain gestured for the scribe and his redheaded errand boy to follow him, then unlocked a door and left.

Emiko continued, “They will meet us to the eastern gate. What sort of supplies do you think you’ll need? Do you require horses?” Kimba was the first to rise of the three women. Though she was clearly jostled at the thought of leaving right now, she regained her composure with a crooked smile.

“We don’t, no. But that little stick-man won’t last an hour of walking on his expensive shoes.” Emiko returned her smile with thin lips and unlit eyes, and gestured for them to follow him out the other door.

The group met at the eastern gate. Five horses, all with saddle bags and fresh shoes, waited, tied at a rack while Tallo and Fulmosk pulled on heavier traveling cloaks. Captain Ignatus held a bag of gold and a map, which Kimba took without saying a word.

“Rin?” She hardly had to say anything for her companion to take the gold to start counting it. Kimba opened the map with Nina beside her, and the two took only a few moments to mentally sketch out a pathway.

“Fulmosk and Emiko have a key to cipher our messages. Fulmosk will write a progress report at every town that has the ability to send a pigeon,” said the captain.

“Ah,” Kimba noted, nodding, “Fulmosk is the babysitter.” Captain Ignatus shrugged.

“He’s also Tallo’s assistant, to help in whatever matters he needs.”

“Assistant?” What kind of scribe needed an assistant? I even found myself confused at his knowledge. Tallo didn’t look like a regular scribe, anyway. He didn’t pack books, just notebooks—and not very many. He had rather practical supplies in his saddlebag. Fulmosk packed lightly as well. I could tell, by the way Kimba crossed her arms and let her brow furrow, that she wasn’t entirely buying what was sold to her.

“Anything else we should know before leaving?” Nina was sure to ask the captain. The man shook his head.

“If everything is as it should be, your problems should not be unique to you.” Emiko stepped up next to him, silently noting that Tallo and Fulmosk were ready. “That is to say, if everything remains…confidential.” Kimba frowned.

“Fine.”

“All there, Kimba,” said Rin as she joined at their side. Kimba nodded without looking to her.

“Then I suppose this is goodbye for two months.”

Emiko echoed her, “This is goodbye for two months. Travel well.” The captain broke away first with quick words of encouragement, then disappeared back into the castle without another word. Emiko gestured to the horses the women came in on, still tied to the rack. Fulmosk and Tallo had their own horses, two black stallions, by the reigns. Kimba sighed.

“On we go. Fare well.”

“Best of luck to you all. I eagerly await all of your updates.”

Kimba gestured to Rin’s saddlebag, which she used to pocket the gold. After another minute of inspection to ensure all of her equipment, her food, clothes, and bedroll were all there, Kimba clicked her tongue twice to lead her and the others away.