Page 74 of The Study of Magic
Valek explained what they needed to do.
Janco rubbed his hands together in glee. “Should we take bets?”
Valek left them to it as he spurred Onyx to the head of the column. He wasn’t expecting trouble during this trip, but just in case the scouts missed something, Valek scanned for anything out of the ordinary. The trees were all dressed in bright green leaves and the underbrush provided plenty of hiding spots. Cloaks wouldn’t be needed during the day unless it rained. During this time of the year, rainstorms would form over the Sunset Ocean and blow eastward, carrying the salty tang of the sea.
No matter how well-trained or physically fit everyone was, it was slow going. They had to stop while it was still daylight to set up camp. Major Granten and his soldiers handled all the construction and cooking. Only the Commander and Valek had their own tents, the rest shared. Star was assigned to Hildred’s tent. The agent reported that Star never connected her to the housekeeper who showed her around on her first day.
Each night, Valek walked the perimeter after dinner. On the third night, a storm threatened. When Valek was halfway around the camp, big, fat, and cold raindrops splatted on his forehead. A couple at first and then more and more as the storm unleashed a torrent. Valek abandoned his task and hustled for his tent.
Hildred intercepted him. “Star’s gone.”
“She took the antidote?”
“Yes. She stole the bottle from your tent during dinner and headed southeast.” Hildred put her hand up to protect her eyes from the rain. “Do you want me and Inrick to chase her down?”
“No need.”
“Are you going to follow her, then? Find her accomplices?”
“No time right now. Don’t worry, she’ll be back.”
“But that bottle has at least two months’ worth of her antidote.”
“It appears so.”
Hildred groaned. “Are you always one step ahead of everyone?”
Valek grinned despite the rain pouring down his face. “Not always. Sometimes I’m two steps ahead.”
“And so modest about it, too.”
Star caught up to them the next afternoon. Hugging her stomach and retching, she begged for the antidote.
He handed her a pipette filled with White Fright. “Not a fan of spoiled goat’s milk?”
She downed the liquid. When she caught her breath, she told him exactly what he could do with his goat’s milk. It didn’t sound pleasant.
“That’s not nice.” He filled up the pipette again. This time he squeezed the contents out onto the ground. Then did it a second time. “Whoops. That’s a shame. I hope you’ll have enough to last the trip.”
This time she bit down on her nasty remark.
“You are now under tent arrest because of this stunt,” he said. “When we stop for the night, you’re only allowed to come out to taste the Commander’s dinner.”
Star’s second escape happened three nights later. The entourage would reach General Rasmussen’s manor house the next day.
When Valek seemed unconcerned, Hildred asked, “More goat’s milk?”
“No. She’s got the genuine antidote.”
Hildred pursed her lips but didn’t ask the question in her gaze. Instead, she scanned the camp. Valek waited.
“Ha!” she said. “Ari and Janco aren’t here. Can scouts also track?”
“Yes. Although, they’ve been watching her so no need to track.”
She deflated. “That’s my job. Except, I haven’t been doing it well.”
“You’re doing fine. I’ve been giving her some opportunities, and she knows you’re watching her. While she has no clue of Ari and Janco’s interest. Until now.”
