Chapter 19
It was three days after the ambush that Eleanor decided to make a move. It was hard to judge whether the students would be more help or hindrance on the journey, but she wanted to get well clear of the caves before anyone decided to come back and try to wipe them out. They loaded the horses with what remained of their provisions, and started the days-long walk back to Woolport.
They rowed out to the island under cover of darkness. Sebastien was on the night watch and Mack called out greetings before he had chance to challenge them.
“You’ve brought us fresh blood, then.” He glanced across at the students. “Just seven?”
“Three didn’t show up, and one was killed in the ambush,” she said flatly. “The Empire lost more.”
She waved the students forward from the boat, and pointed them towards the rocky tunnel which formed the entrance to their new home.
“Do you want me to wake the council?” Sebastien asked.
“No, it’ll wait till morning,” she said. “The kids can sleep in the practice hall.”
She settled them with blankets and plenty of snacks, and woke a couple of her colleagues to keep watch at the door. In her own mind she was sure she could trust them now, even Gaven, but she’d never hear the last of it if she gave them the run of headquarters and anything did go wrong.
The next morning she summoned the council to convene over breakfast.
“That was fast,” Laban said. “I don’t think anyone was expecting you home so soon after the solstice.”
“They’re a good group,” Eleanor said. “They need a lot more training, of course, but I brought them back as soon as it was safe to travel.”
“Where are they?”
“In the practice hall. I set guards at the door – I know some of you are nervous of our new Venncastle colleagues.”
She looked pointedly at Daniel. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, but said nothing.
“I’ll need some help with their training,” she added. “Someone to take them on with hand-to-hand, definitely, and some sessions of athletics, sailing, climbing, and general sneaking around.”
She’d already cut poisons from the schedule entirely, much to Daniel’s displeasure, arguing that it was more efficient for everyone if skilled apothecaries like himself made up enough preparations for everyone. It was, she’d insisted, only the equivalent of Harold’s mastery in the smithy: no-one argued that every man should have to forge his own blades. Eventually she’d managed to shut him up only with the promise that he could take as much time as he wanted to instruct the new students once everything had stabilized. He knew better than to reopen the issue in front of the council.
“I’ll keep up with projectiles for a month or two,” she continued, “but then I need to head back to Almont and pick up the revolutionary guards again.”
“We had a report while you were gone,” Don said. “From one of our people embedded in a rebel group in Dashfort. They’ve heard about what you’re doing in Almont, and three groups there have started to talk about working together.”
“Great. Have you sent some words of encouragement?”
“I wrote straight back. It’s the perfect opportunity for him to step up and take the lead there.”
Daniel caught up with her after the meeting disbanded, leaning against the wall to block her passage.
“I did not think you could succeed,” he said. “Not with Venncastle.”
“I know.”
“I was wrong.” She watched as he struggled for words. “About many things.”
“Well, you won’t make that mistake again.”
She smiled to try and signal that she was prepared to forgive him, but he was staring morosely at his feet.
“You said... You said we were broken,” he said. “What does that mean? What do you need me to do?”
“It’s okay,” she said, reaching up to touch his cheek. “Let’s just forget it.”
He avoided her eyes. “How can I forget you?”
“I mean, let’s forget we ever fell out. Okay? Let’s start again.” A smile spread across her face. “Just like we started the first time – with half a bottle of Burning Death. I’ve still got some.”
“It is early for that.”
“Well, we can skip the drink.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and tucked her fingers into his waistband. “But I wouldn’t mind going back to bed.”
She took his hand and led him to his room; it was closer than hers, and for once she didn’t mind that it was a laboratory full of strange-smelling potions. She hardly even noticed. She forgot all about the students, too, and Daniel had to remind her to go down to the practice hall after they’d finished making up. She splashed water over her skin, but she was still flushed when she arrived.
“Been busy?” Tal asked. She wasn’t sure if she imagined the smirk... but the boy always smirked.
She ignored his question and directed their attention towards the waiting target boards and their varying degrees of competence with the battle stars. As she demonstrated a couple of easy techniques she knew she was flinging the stars with a little more than the necessary force, annoyed at herself for relenting so easily.