Page 96 of Pretense

The others nodded, including Jalissa.

“Search in pairs, though don’t walk next to each other. This prevents one of you from being taken out by a spy without anyone else knowing. And if you do spot someone suspicious, one of you can linger and keep an eye on them while the other runs back to report to me.” Edmund stared down at the sketched map rather than glance at the others. “I’m going to sneak into Farrendel’s workshop, and you can report to me there if you find anything.”

The workshop was at the outskirts of Ellonahshinel, making it a better headquarters than Illyna’s shop.

Illyna straightened and faced the others. “I will lead those going into Ellonahshinel. We can get into Ellonahshinel by Laesornysh’s lift. I know how to summon it in an emergency.”

One of the other elves, a male with black hair and a scar across his face over a sightless eye, stepped forward. “I will lead those searching the trees surrounding Ellonahshinel.”

Edmund stepped back, watching as the elves divided into two groups. With their warrior backgrounds, they followed orders efficiently, organizing into a command structure as if that was second nature to them.

Fingol stiffened, then turned toward the window. “Is that shouting?”

Everyone froze, listening.

Edmund cocked an ear. After a moment, even he heard it, despite his less acute human hearing.

Shouting. In Estyra. Never a good thing.

Illyna crossed the room and entered her shop, with Edmund, Jalissa, and several of the others following. When Illyna cracked open the front door, the sound of shouting blasted inside, along with a whiff of something sharp and acrid.

Jalissa stiffened. “Smoke.”

Fire was one of the most feared things in Estyra. Their entire city and palace were created out of wood. Living wood, but it could still burn with a hot enough fire.

Several of the elves pushed toward the door, reacting on the elven instinct to rush to the fire to put it out.

The exact same thing that Weylind would do.

Edmund’s stomach dropped. Forget waiting until evening. The assassins had figured out another way to take out Weylind. “Wait!”

The elves froze, then glanced over their shoulders at him.

“This is the work of the assassins. They are making their move now. Stick to the plan, but hurry.” Edmund layered steely command into his voice. He turned back to Jalissa and held out his hand. “The princess and I will find King Weylind and keep him safe.”

No one argued, not even to point out that King Weylind already had plenty of guards protecting him. Jalissa and Edmund might make little difference.

But those guards would be just as distracted as Weylind, fighting this fire. And Jalissa and Edmund had seen many of these spies, at least while dressed in human clothing back in Escarland, although they had only seen one of them so far in elven disguise.

The gathered elves nodded, then Illyna and the other elf gave their orders, leading their respective groups from the shop.

Jalissa stepped forward and gripped Edmund’s hand. He didn’t think it was a sign that she forgave him. It was more a visceral instinct. A statement that they were in this together, at least until her family was safe.

Edmund hurried out of the shop on the heels of the last elf of Illyna’s group. Jalissa kept up with him, their strides matching as if they had grown accustomed to running next to each other.

The shouting and smell of smoke came from the direction of Ellonahshinel. Even on this normally quiet side street, elves dashed from their homes and shops and raced toward the fire. Edmund and Jalissa joined the tide of elves racing toward the treetop palace.

As they reached the main street, it was as if all Estyra sprinted in that direction. Above their heads, tongues of flame leapt into the sky from the base of Ellonahshinel.

Jalissa gasped, her steps stumbling. Edmund tightened his grip on her hand and kept them moving forward. He dodged around and between the other elves. In the chaos, none of the elves around them even seemed to notice his short hair and lack of pointed ears.

As they neared Ellonahshinel, they were halted by a thick, milling crowd, held back by a line of guards.

Jalissa hesitated, but Edmund shoved his way into the crowd, using his broad shoulders to his advantage. Jalissa trotted after him through the gap he created. She didn’t protest his grip on her hand, even though he held it as a human would since it gave him a better grip so he wouldn’t lose her in the chaos.

When they reached the line of guards, the elf warrior before them barred their way with his spear. “You cannot pass.”

Edmund ignored the guard, taking in the scene at the base of Ellonahshinel. Fire licked up the side of one of the roots, the kitchen building entirely consumed in flames. Palace servants rushed about, throwing buckets of water on the fire. Those with plant growing magic layered roots over the building, trying to smother the flames.

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