The next three days flew by as Kryton planned the ambush. He summoned his two best officers, Rondar and Jafftin, not trusting the mission to lesser men. He and Tonn would attack from one side of the road, Rondar and Jafftin from the other. It was likely he and Tonn could handle the mission alone, but Kryton wasn’t taking any chances. This rescue had been twelve years in the making. He intended to analyze every possibility and plan for as many twists as possible.
With that goal in mind, Kryton flew his smallest shuttle to the area Arton had mentioned and assessed the advantages and weaknesses of several specific positions. Mature trees surrounded the lake and Rainforter Boulevard wasn’t heavily traveled. Leisure access was on the far side of the lake. Even if the ambush was observed, no one would be close enough to interfere.
He shot a visual record of three possible approaches and presented them to his men the following day. He was trying hard not to let emotion warp his perspective, but he asked for input from his trusted friends just in case he failed.
“This is not an official mission,” he stressed, “so participation is strictly voluntary.”
Jafftin waved away his concern. “I’m pretty sure I speak for everyone. Official or not, this mission is long overdue.”
Relieved by his vehemence, Kryton allowed himself to relax. “We’ll use my family’s private shuttles. They’re fast and agile, perfect for our needs.”
“I like position B,” Rondar said after each man had seen all three possibilities.
They’d gathered around the small table in the kitchen. Late-afternoon sun streamed in through multiple windows, making the stone countertops gleam.
“B is my preference as well.” Kryton looked at Jafftin, then Tonn. “Do either of you have a favorite?”
“The rock formations in position A will provide more cover, but B will allow for a faster departure.” Tonn wrinkled his nose. “C is a distant third.”
Jafftin shrugged. “I can make any of them work. This is all pretty cut and dry.”
Kryton nodded. “But it has to be fast and clean. I can’t help feeling this is my last chance. Arton is seventeen. He’s been with those bastards twice as long as he was with me.”
Jafftin waved away the concern. “You’re his father. There is no substitute for the bond between father and son.”
Kryton wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t argue. Giving in to his pessimism would trigger a downward spiral and he needed to remain strong, focused and hopeful.
He ended the informal meeting so his men could enjoy the estate’s amenities for a few hours before they turned in for the night. They needed to arrive at the ambush site before Arton, but not so early that they looked suspicious.
His houseguests joined him and Skyla for dinner and he was pleasantly surprised with how quickly they took to her. Learning that her vision had provided them with the information they needed to plan the mission had turned their mistrust to admiration. Rondar was especially interested in her gifts. She answered each of his numerous questions with a patient smile.
“How long have you known Jafftin and Rondar,” Skyla asked a few hours later. She’d washed her face and changed into a nightgown that skimmed over her curves. She stood near the balcony door brushing out her hair.
Kryton was already in bed. He’d propped himself up with a couple of pillows so he could enjoy watching her. “I went through training with Rondar and met Jafftin a few years later.”
“They were much friendlier than I’d feared. Dare I hope others will react the same way?”
“Anyone who snubs you because of your planet of origin isn’t worth our time. I won’t waste energy thinking about them.”
She set the hairbrush down on the dresser and joined him on the bed. “I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you something.”
His eyes widened and his heart flipped over in his chest. “Already?”
She laughed and lightly punched his arm. “You egotist. Even if we are that lucky, it’s even too soon for me to sense a pregnancy.”
It was ridiculous how disappointed he was, so he minimized his reaction. “Then what have you been meaning to tell me?”
“Arton wasn’t the only one I saw in the vision.”
A hopeful smile slowly bowed his lips. “What did you see, or should I say who did you see?”
“You, me, and our three little boys.” She watched him carefully, waiting for his reaction.
“I knew it.” He beamed, joy nearly bursting his heart. “Even though you denied it the other day, you’d seen them. Hadn’t you?”
She nodded, returning his smile. “I wasn’t quite ready to tell you then.”
“Three children.” He took a moment to absorb the concept, to think of all the things he’d be able to teach his sons, all the experiences they’d share. “All of them boys?”
She sighed, some of her buoyancy evaporating. “Are you disappointed?”
“No,” he said without hesitation. “I’ll be thrilled with any child I share with you.”
“But what about magic? You said your life was incomplete without it.”
“I have magic in my life. My mate can manipulate magic. Her gifts are extraordinary.” Her only response was a pleased smile, so he leaned down and kissed her. But then a thought occurred to him. “Was Arton interacting with our children? What exactly did you see?”
She hesitated and he felt the sudden tension in her body. “I was reading to the boys in front of a fire in the library. Arton was standing in the hallway watching us. I didn’t sense danger coming from him, just resentment and restlessness.”
Even after they rescued him, Arton was going to resent them? The possibility broke Kryton’s heart. “How old were our sons?”
“The oldest was five, maybe six. The others around four and two.”
He sighed. Six years wouldn’t be long enough for Arton to work through his bitterness? Another pang of sorrow compressed Kryton’s heart, but determination soon swept it aside. “I don’t care how long it takes. I will help him through it.”