Page 41 of Within the Flames

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She glanced between them, trying to work out who to trust with this. She loved and trusted all her men but she was sure not all of them fully supported her mistrust of Izban. Her eyes settled on the daimon. He hadn't known Izban long enough yet. Mistrust would be in his nature.

"Luc, a word." She indicated to the side with her head, making it clear she expected him to obey without question.

The daimon gave her a lazy smile, as if knowing exactly what she was thinking. She ignored him. It wasn't worth explaining things to him at this point. Not with all the ears listening.

"What can I do for you?" he asked once they were far enough away from the others.

"What do you think about Izban?" She fell into step beside him as he headed towards the hill looking over the Keep. Even if this discussion was a bust, she'd be able to get a good view of where they were trying to attack. Macey didn't know enough about warfare to know whether it would actually help or not, but anything which gave them an advantage at the moment was a welcome change.

"The Ice Warden?"

"Yes."

"Cold."

"Very funny." She gave him a look that contradicted her words.

"I don't know him well enough to have an opinion," Luc answered.

"You must have some ideas," she counted.

"Of course. I'm your guide, I've been watching for longer than you think."

"So?"

She waited for him to answer as they continued to walk in silence. The hill was getting steeper and she could feel the burn in her legs but chose to ignore it.

"I think you're looking for trouble in the wrong place," he said evenly.

"But?"

"But not everyone is going to be what they seem."

"Cryptic," she muttered, already feeling more annoyed than she should. It wasn't fair for her to have such high expectations on him. The only person she had the right to expect things from was herself.

"But yes, I'll watch him for you."

"How did you-"

"You're very easy to read, Macey. Your mistrust is written all over your face. Much like your anger is on occasion too. You might want to watch it around the beithir too. She's your friend, true, but you can't ask her to choose between you and the man she loves."

The words sunk in slowly. Mostly because she wasn't ready to accept them yet.

"So what do I do?" she whispered.

"I can't answer that. You're the only one who can. But you need to trust the other Wardens. Any weaknesses in the bonds you share will only play into the enemies hands."

"What did you just say?" Macey asked eagerly, an idea forming in her head.

"Any weaknesses will be an advantage to your enemies?" He cocked his head, a puzzled expression on his face.

She didn't explain to him. She couldn't. The less he knew about this the better. In fact, there was only one person she'd be able to talk to about the plan forming in her head and she doubted he'd like it. Still, he was a Warden. He'd do his duty, as they all would.

"You look like you're plotting something."

"Oh I am, you gave me a great idea." She went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, leaving him shocked in her wake.

For the first time in a while, she felt like she had a handle on the situation. And more importantly, a plan in place. All she had to do now was hope Izban played his role.