Page 125 of An Archer's Redemption

He looked toward Cribbs. “I need to go back to Oliver to interview this witness and the officers, confirm whether or not the story is credible. While I’m there, Atikus and the Sheriff should continue working toward locating Irina.”

Jess leaned back and crossed her arms.

“It’s a three- or four-day ride. By the time you get there, do the interviews, and get back, who knows where Irina will be or what she’ll have been up to.” Cribbs mirrored his Queen, crossing his arms.

I leaned forward and cleared my throat. “I can help with that. Using my magic, I’ll take Keelan to Oliver, then bring him back. Your four days will be a blink if we Travel, and Atikus and I can coordinate using Telepathy. Now that we both have that ability, we can conduct a two-way conversation.”

“I like it,” Atikus said. “Jess—I mean, Your Majesty, do you think your Mages would be willing to help? I could use some extra minds thinking this through.”

“Chancellor, summon Mage Ernest to the Palace,” she said to Marks before turning back to me. “Ernest is sharp and a good man. You will like him. He can get whoever you need involved.” She leaned forward and placed her palms on the table as if to rise. “Are we agreed? Anything else?”

Everyone looked around at each other, but no one spoke.

“Fine.” She stood and turned, then looked back at me. “Ranger Rea, please keep Keelan out of trouble.”

I shot Keelan a startled glance.

Keelan returned a lopsided, boyish grin.

Jess rolled her eyes and strode out.

I gripped Keelan’s arm. “You may be a little dizzy when we get there. It’ll pass in ten or fifteen minutes. Now, picture the area just outside the inn’s front door in your mind—as detailed as you can.”

Keelan nodded and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked at me.

And then he threw up all over my trousers.

“Aw, really? You couldn’t hold on for just a minute?” I groaned. “Are those chunks of apple? Ugh.”

“Sorry, but if you’d just stand still—” And he threw up again.

I walked my pale brother to the front of the inn and sat him on the ground.

“As big as you are, I thought you might be able to handle that better. Just sit there until the nausea passes. I’m going to find somewhere to clean up.”

Keelan didn’t look up. He just raised a hand in acknowledgement and let his head loll forward. I disappeared into the inn, returning several minutes later with somewhat cleaner trousers and a serving boy named Liam in tow.

“Lieutenant?” Liam said from behind me. “Didn’t you just leave us?”

Liam kneeled down and helped Keelan drink some water from the mug he’d brought out.

“It’s a long story,” I said. “We need to see your Sheriff, or whatever you call the head Constable in the town.”

“That would be Chief Kerr. He’s a few streets over. When the Lieutenant is back on his feet, I’ll take you there. It’s right on my way to the market.”

Keelan looked up, focus slowly returning to his eyes. “Thank you. I should be all right in a minute.”

It took another twenty minutes for Keelan to stand without wobbling, then another ten to reach the Constabulary, but we made it. We thanked Liam and entered the building.

“Ah, Keelan, come in.” Chief Kerr rose from behind a heavy wooden desk in the back of the one-room space to greet us. Four other desks faced the door from various points in the room. Two were occupied by green-uniformed officers.

We settled into a pair of simple wooden chairs opposite the Chief’s desk and were handed mugs of steaming tea.

“Chief, this is my brother, Declan. When we get into what we have to tell you, you’ll understand why he’s here. Would it be possible for us to have some privacy as we talk?”

Kerr quirked a brow, but before he could ask his officers to leave, I held up a hand. “No need to send your men out, Chief. I’ll silence the room so only the three of us can hear our conversation. There, done.”

Kerr’s eyes widened. “How—”

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