“Not funny.” She huffed. “I should go with you, too.”

“You’re welcome to come along.”

Bain cleared his throat. “That would be ill-timed. We have—”

“Council business. I know. How about taking along another magician for added security?”

“Who do you have in mind?”

Irys covered her surprise. Guess she’d thought I’d give her more resistance. Normally, I would. These weren’t normal times.

“Let’s see... There’s your friend Dax.”

“No. I need him to help research Yelena’s problem,” Bain said. “Plus he’s teaching classes.”

Too bad. Traveling with Dax would have been fun.

“And Zebb won’t leave Councilor Moon’s side.” Irys rubbed her temples as if she had a headache. “Hale’s between assignments. He proved himself when Opal was having all that trouble.”

“Does he have a Sandseed horse? We’re planning on traveling through the Avibian Plains as much as we can.” Plus the Sandseed’s magic in the plains would prevent anyone from following us.

“I don’t think so, but talk to the Stable Master and see if he’ll allow Hale to borrow Garnet.”

I gave her a flat look.

“Oh, all right, tell him I sanctioned it.”

“I can’t believe you’re afraid of the Stable Master!”

“I am not.”

I laughed at how childish she sounded.

Irys smiled back. “What else do you need from us?”

I sobered. “Just keep searching.”

“You got it. And I’ll tell Hale about his new mission. When do you plan to leave?”

“Noon.” Which wasn’t that far off. I said goodbye to Bain and Irys and hurried to finish getting ready for the trip.

I stopped in the message office on the ground floor of the administration building and sent a note to Valek. Using the code we’d developed just for this purpose, I informed him about Ben just in case he hadn’t heard and listed my travel plans. There was no need to worry him about my condition. At least, not yet.

After I collected my backpack, I headed to the stable. When I arrived, Leif stood next to Rusalka. He smirked as he watched a man arguing with the Stable Master. The man had close-set eyes, short black hair and a high forehead. Probably Hale.

“...you can’t have him, you idiot,” the Stable Master said. “I don’t care who you are or what you’re doing. He’s—”

I interrupted them. “Hale’s coming with us on an important mission.”

Leif made a choking sound. His smirk disappeared.

“Do you have any Sandseed horses he can...borrow?” I asked. “We’re going to be traveling through the plains.”

“Ah hell.” The Stable Master ran a hand through his mane of hair as if smoothing it down. If anything, he made it worse. “Why didn’t the...he say so?”

“He just received his orders from Second Magician, so I’m sure he’s a bit out of sorts.” I shot Hale a significant look.

The Stable Master stomped over to Garnet’s stall. “If he’ll let you saddle him, then he’s up for the trip. If not, then you’re out of luck.” He scratched him behind the ears. His features softened as he gazed at Garnet. Then he glared at us and continued down the aisle, muttering under his breath.

“Hi, Hale,” I said, shaking his hand. “Thanks for coming along. Did Irys fill you in on where we’re going?”

“Uh...Irys?” Hale appeared to be a bit flustered.

“Second Magician.”

“Oh, she said we’re traveling to Fulgor and I was to protect you.” His face creased in confusion. “I’m not sure why. You’re already covered by a null shield. Plus you’re the...Soulfinder.” He said the word almost as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.

“I’ll explain on the way. See if Garnet will stand for you.”

“Okay.” Hale approached the horse as if he’d never seen one before.

Leif pulled me aside before I could saddle Kiki.

“What’s with the stiff?” his voice hissed in my ear.

“Irys thought I should have more protection. Seemed like a good idea.”

“It is, but why Skippy?”

“Skippy?”

“Hale. Let’s just say we don’t get along.”

Oh great. “Irys assigned him. Are you saying he’s not trustworthy?”

Leif sucked in a deep breath. “No. He’s loyal and has plenty of magic.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“He’s...annoying.”

I laughed. “So are you.”

He frowned. “I’m funny and lovable. He’s...a snob and thinks our Zaltana magic is impure.”

“I don’t care what he thinks. Is he good in a fight?”

“Yeah.” The word tore from Leif’s lips as if it pained him to say it.

“Then we’ll let Garnet decide if he’s worthy. If the horse rejects him, we will, too. Okay?”

Another huff. “Okay.” Leif pulled a thick silver chain from his pocket. Dangling from the chain was a clear glass octopus about the size of my palm. “Here.” He handed it to me. “It’s from Quinn. There’s a null shield attached to it so when you wear it next to your heart it protects your entire body.”