Natalia shook her head slightly.
“I’ll ask the Lumbapi if we can put it on a wagon or something now that we’re back in civilization,” Solomon said placing a hand on Maylox’s shoulder.
She grinned, her saturated underclothes sticking to her skin and her matted thick hair a fiery mess. Chuckling slightly, Natalia said, “Okay. Let’s get into some dry clothes; then we’ll enjoy a good meal before tomorrow.”
As she led them into the inn, Solomon called out, “Inama has requested your presence tonight at the Brokencurl. It’s five buildings to the right.”
Natalia waved to acknowledge she’d heard him. Getting the room number and key from the attendant, Natalia and Maylox hurried to their room. Solomon must’ve arranged for them to have new clothing because when they opened the door, they found dry clothes folded on the bed. After starting a fire and climbing out of her damp clothes, Natalia relaxed in a chair near the flame’s warmth. It was nice not having to sit on the ground for once. Her thoughts turned to Maija and wondering how her sister was faring in the North. She hoped the girl would find that dragon. The connection they shared outside Hardstone was undeniably strong.
After drying off and warming up, Natalia stood to leave for the Brokencurl. “Coming?” she asked Maylox as she moved toward the door.
Maylox grabbed one of the coats Solomon had placed in the room before their arrival and said, “Yep,” as she joined Natalia in the hallway.
They ran the short distance, trying to lessen their exposure to the rain, but the five blocks to the Brokencurl Inn proved to be more than enough time to drench their clothes and hair again. After knocking the mud off her boots at the inn’s doorframe, Natalia entered the establishment. Muffled street noise now turned to loud laughs and shouts within. Natalia looked around the dimly lit room for Solomon or Inama. Not seeing either near the entrance, she stepped farther into the Brokencurl.
Lumbapi crowded the room, filling each table beyond its capacity as they feasted and drank in merriment. Natalia led Maylox in search of Solomon’s dreadlocked mess of gray hair. She spotted Solomon seated on a stool at the bar. She squeezed her way into a gap next to him.
Looking up from his mug, Solomon said, “Natalia! You’re here! You just have to meet Puconathini.”
Natalia glanced from Solomon to the mug and back again, noticing the frothy line of bubbles stuck to his mustache. “Puco who?” she asked.
Rising from the stool, Solomon said, “Puconathini. Come now, I’ll introduce you.”
Natalia and Maylox followed Solomon through the mingling Lumbapi toward the back of the room. Coming to a table where Inama was seated, Solomon stopped, attracting the group’s attention. “This is who I was telling you about,” he said, placing his hand on a bronzed man with a thick array of short black hair pricking out from his skull.
The man’s muscles rippled as he rose from his seat, smiling brightly as he looked at Natalia. “So, this is the woman who will be infiltrating the castle.”
Maylox came from behind Natalia and the man’s smile broadened further.
“And this is the other daredevil who will be entering the city of danger,” the man said in a full voice, lightly accented in the Lumbapi way.
“Natalia, Maylox, this is Puconathini, leader of the Lumbapi people,” Solomon said, grinning and sipping from his mug.
She watched the large man place a hand on Solomon and say, “Please call me King Puco.”
Natalia bowed slightly, “You’ve raised a fine warrior for a daughter, your Majesty.”
Puco turned, looking at Inama and said, “She didn’t tell me that she owed a debt to the veiled huntress.”
Natalia shifted, that description catching her off guard. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean?” she asked.
“No need to apologize. Forgive my rudeness. Please sit with us,” the king said, waving to three of those at his table to offer their seats.
Natalia didn’t understand how the Lumbapi leader knew of the veiled huntress, a figure described from a prophecy she had put her faith behind, but accepted the seat next to Inama. Maylox and Solomon joined her with ease.
“So, tell me, elf. What is your plan to infiltrate the castle,” Puco asked, not caring if anyone overheard their talk of strategy.
Natalia described in detail how she, Inama and Maylox would enter the city disguised as farmers transporting grain from their harvest. She went on to describe their plans to climb the castle’s back wall, and begin their search for Ivan and Anders. Once they were freed, the group could use their magic to locate Zahara and fly from the city.”
“She is bold,” Puco chuckled as he looked to Inama. When she met him with a steady expression, he looked to Natalia again. “And when will you be attempting this suicide mission?” he asked, folding his hands and leaning forward.
“Tomorrow,” Natalia said straight-faced.
The king’s eyebrows rose and he tongued at something stuck in his front teeth, “Will you be requiring assistance or can you pull this off on your own?”
Natalia glanced to Inama, “It was my understanding that you and your army would be launching an assault on Kingston after our arrival. I won’t lie to you; my plan would be better executed with the distraction of an opposing army at the capital’s gates, but I can get along just fine without it.”
Puconathini didn’t respond instantly, and Natalia thought he was mulling over his options before replying. “You’re right in the fact that I’ve been planning an assault on Kingston. As we speak, most of our forces are moving into position. With the help of our friends sailing in from the north, we’ll be ready for our assault tomorrow.”
Natalia sat up, “Friends from the north?” she asked.
“Ships from the Rollo Islands have been landing along our shores over the last several days. Their numbers continue to grow as they readily embrace our cause for freedom from this evil ruler.”
“What’s your strategy?” Natalia asked.
“Tomorrow the Rollo ships will sail just to the edge of view of the city. When their presence is known, the Kingston Navy will send out a sizable force, big enough to squash the attackers. What they won’t know is that we’ll be waiting for them in ambush. Once they get to the beach, we’ll wipe out the force before they can set sail. Then donning their clothing as a disguise, we’ll enter the city, acting as a victorious war party. Once they open their gates, we’ll storm in unopposed. Catching the orcs off guard, we’ll take over their city, fighting in the town’s close quarters and preventing them from organizing. They’ll be thrown into chaos and we’ll win the day.” The king sat back in his chair, grinning and exposing his teeth that appeared even whiter in contrast to his darkened skin.
Natalia nodded, “You haven’t accounted for Merglan and his dragon.”
“Nope. But that’s where you’ll come in. An elf sneaking around the castle. That will catch his attention and he’ll be distracted while we carry out our plan.”
Rising from the table, Natalia said, “Make sure your ships are seen.” She walked swiftly through the crowded bar and back to the front door. Maylox and Solomon caught up to her at the door. Before she could leave, Solomon grabbed her by the hand and said, “Don’t leave without me tomorrow.”
Natalia shook her head, “You’re not coming with us, Sol. We’re already two people too many on this mission. I can’t risk having you there, too.”
“I will be of use,” he pleaded.
“How? You can’t use magic without the lizards.”
