407 The Only Way Out is Through

RETH

Reth had arrived at the security council building almost an hour earlier and spent the time preparing for the Captain's arrival. But in truth, he was wallowing in the silence, trying to settle his own heart. His pulse raced. He did not want what this day brought. But he would meet it, and meet it to the best of his ability.

He was already pouring over the maps when Behryn and Tobe finally arrived, Behryn moving more slowly than he had when he'd left the cave. Reth looked at him sharply—and then at Hollhye, who stood in the doorway behind him, her forehead lined with worry.

"I'll get him back to Aymora's after this," Reth told her without even greeting them first.

She snorted, but nodded, and closed the door.

Tobe was glancing worriedly at Behryn too, but his second walked normally across the room, his stride unbroken. What worried Reth was the paleness of his face, and the way he seemed to breathe too quickly.