Page 118 of The Explorer
“That’s risky.”
“Yes, I imagine that Victor and the others are going to seek out Banni soon after returning to Old Europe. They will want to know if he’s willing to move to the Northlands for a while and train Explorers with Aubri. If he’s not to be found, they’ll know.”
I shook my head. “They won’t know because Val and his other friends are covering for Banni and making it seem like he’s sick.”
Freya’s face remained impassive. “You forget that Banni has a brain implant. They can track him if they want to know where he is.”
I crossed my arms. “If that’s true, it’s wrong on so many levels.”
She shrugged. “Yet practical if an Explorer gets lost in the wilderness. His team can track him down and rescue him.”
Thor rubbed his forehead. “Freya has a point. Banni needs to be back home before you and the French delegation arrive. It needs to look like he never left. I don’t want to involve Khan and Magni in this mess. Aubri, is Banni still with Belle?”
“No, he’s with Kya and Archer.”
“All right, then here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll send my personal drone to the school. Aubri, you call Sparrow and have her explain everything to Banni. My drone will drop him off somewhere in Europe where the others on your team can pick him up.”
“Sounds like a risky plan, but I guess it’s the best one we have,” I muttered before we all went quiet as Holly and Oliver came toward us.
“Are you ready for the closing session?” Oliver asked.
“Sure.” Freya gave a convincing smile, hiding the fact that we were just discussing something of high importance.
While Aubri disappeared to call Sparrow, the rest of us joined the other delegations for the last stretch of the summit. The Motlanders had us all talk about our favorite part of this year’s summit and our hopes for next year.
“My favorite thing was to see everyone again and to make a new friend.” Doreen smiled at Zola.
“For me the highlight was how we worked together on our plan to speed up the cleaning of Europe,” Freya said. “And of course, spending time on this beautiful beach.”
“What are your hopes for next year?” Holly asked Freya.
“That we continue our work together to improve the lives of everyone on this planet, humans, animals, and plants.”
“Well said, Freya.” Holly beamed. “That is so beautiful, and to hear it from a Northlander is touching.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Thor asked with a frown.
Holly shook her hand. “My apologies if I said that wrong, Thor. We’ve just come to expect a different tone from your delegation. To hear Freya include the well-being of animals and plants is new. I can’t help feel a sense of pride that maybe we Motlanders have influenced her a little through the many debates over the years.”
“Hmm.” Thor looked to his sister and back to Holly.
Aubri joined us and managed to lock eyes with each of us Northlanders, silently telling us without words that Banni had been warned.
After we’d all shared our favorite part of this year’s summit, we said our goodbyes.
All the Motlanders sent their greetings to Belle and made Mason promise to share pictures of their baby after the birth.
With the French delegation joining us, the diamond drone was at capacity when we took off.
Zola’s excitement over the luxurious aircraft was amusing to me. I didn’t blame her because Aubri and I knew the French exploration drones well.
“I still can’t believe how silent this machine is,” Zola said.
“You flew in it when Freya went to get you after your drone broke down,” I pointed out.
“Oui, but I’m still amazed. This is all still new to me. You’ve all seen the entire world, but I’m excited to go to the Northlands and see your mythical country myself.”
Aubri and I had joined our seats together and she sat with her legs over mine. “It’s a magical place for sure, but so is Old Europe.”
