Page 147 of Phoenix's Fire

"He told me to stay behind him!"

"Sounds like you were," Rymar pointed out.

I laughed at that, because he wasn't wrong. "Well, I took my team to the left, Drozel's went right, and a few went around with Zasen and Ayla. Lansin and Omden, I know, but I swore I saw a few tailless as well."

"It was crazy," Ayla said. "The bullets made the trees explode, so I was running and ducking, trying to shoot some of them."

Rymar just nodded, then paused. Holding up a finger he called out, "Lansin! Hey, don't leave yet? I need a word in a minute?"

"No problem," Lansin called back.

"Is Jerlis making an announcement tonight?" I asked when he turned back to me.

"Probably," Rymar admitted. "Why?"

"I need to talk to him first," Ayla said.

Rymar nodded to show he heard, but I said, "Because her friend is good news. Callah sent this guy, and according to Zasen, he's going to get us intel. A hunter, Rymar."

"And I need to talk to him," Ayla said again.

Rymar nodded. "Okay. Kanik, I'll send him around behind the stage. You take Ayla that way." Then he sighed. "I have to make sure Ermial’s family knows."

"Zasen's already doing that," Ayla assured him.

"I need to as well," he said, offering her a weak smile. "And I'm glad you made it back okay, Ayla. I hated being here, not sure what was happening, and not knowing if any of you were coming back."

Ayla scrunched her face up, thinking hard, then she did the last thing I would've expected. She stepped into Rymar, pressing her head against his chest and wrapping her arms around his back to hug him hard.

"It makes it better," she explained.

His hands hung in the air for a moment before he realized what was happening. Then, gently, he pulled her in close and hugged back. One hand reached up to slide against her upper back, but his eyes turned to me.

"Yeah, I needed that," he breathed, flicking his eyes at her as if asking, "Is this normal now?"

I shrugged, but I wasn't about to discourage her. Clearly, neither was he. So after a moment, I touched her arm lightly.

"Let him go, Ayla. We're not done yet."

"Right. I need to tell Jerlis about Tobias," she said.

"This way." I led her to the side.

Rymar headed the other way. Around us, more and more people were gathering. I wasn't sure what time it was, but it couldn't be too late. Probably not even midnight, so the bells probably had everyone who knew a militia member headed this way.

"Okay," I warned, "you need to know Jerlis doesn't understand fighting, Ayla. A lot of what happened tonight he won't understand."

"I know." She gave me a reassuring smile.

"And he probably hasn't talked to Zasen yet," I reminded her.

She nodded but kept walking. I honestly didn't know if Zasen had asked her to do something, or if this was all her. The truth was, it could be either, and the fact that she was taking things upon herself like this? I was pretty sure that was even more impressive than her new fondness for hugging.

But when we reached the back of the stage, the mayor wasn't there. From the north, small groups were walking this way. Some quickly. None of them bothered to look at us. The sky was dark, but while we waited, someone thought to light the lanterns around the stage, making a warm glow.

It took a few minutes, but eventually Jerlis came around from the other side. Ayla noticed him before I did, turning at the sound of his steps.

"What was your sister's name?" she asked.

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