The faintest hints of dawn were just beginning to weave their strands of color across the stars as we caught up with Sinbad, using his overly large red coat as a beacon. He slowed down to a jog, then to a walk, allowing us to catch up even as he ushered the rest of his crew back to the ship, signaling them with his hands.
As the different crew members caught wind of Sinbad's intentions, they dispersed like dust on the wind, vanishing into the trees. Underneath the shadow of the captain's hat resting on his head, I could make out Sinbad's excited grin. "Quick work! We would have tried harder if we knew you'd finish so quickly."
Cove shrugged. "The faster we can get this over with, the better."
His words slammed into me like a gust spell, and I slid to a stop. Sinbad was too kind and courageous, and Cove, despite his desire to interfere as little as possible, was too impatient. It didn't necessarily surprise me–the part of me that wanted to change for the better, that wanted to be more active had already realized–but I was choked by a sudden bought of fear and anticipation, my heart pounding in my chest to the drums of war. All the battles I'd been in until now would seem like mere redneck party favors to a billionaire's birthday. A scale such that predicting the minute flow of the battle would be nearly impossible without full knowledge of all the working parts and parties involved.
To both my detriment and my benefit, my involvement would be premeditated.
My spine tingled, and my skin itched in warning.
The sudden sharp, metallic scent of blood that invaded my nostrils recalled my dream of Shahrazad's head rolling on the floor. The dread in my bones rose like the tide, breaking over me with a sudden rise in certainty. The Grim Reaper was on the horizon.
I braced for another torrent to wash over me and felt nothing but an odd sense of calm. For a moment, I wondered if I even cared about Shahrazad. Wouldn't I have felt something if I did?
It disturbed me that I didn't know the answer to the question.
What I did know, though, was that I'd already decided to rise up and meet Sinbad's faith in me. And so, I flagged Cove and Sinbad down. "If we help in the battle, we'll get the fragment faster."
My words hit Cove hard as I placed him on the spot, forcing him to decide between additional interference and additional time spent in Zenith Online. "They'll be fine. We shouldn't interfere," he said. His face gave away the lie.
It took a monumental effort not to roll my eyes. "She'll win regardless. We're just being opportunistic." When his face didn't change to interest, I added, "We can also keep an eye on her and prevent her from going back on her word. "
His thin facade cracked, and he nodded. "Alright."
"I'll be joining in as well," they looked to me for the next step, expecting direction I didn't have.
Moments like this were why I tried not to speak too early, lest I make myself out to be a fool. I glanced up at the sky, wondering how long we had left. The horizon had just the slightest hint of violet, a prelude to dawn.
Shahrazad, my target and the clock that bound us together, a hand in each of the moving parts, would be in the castle. "First, we need to head to the castle," I suggested.
Without question, Sinbad and Cove nodded, both able to see the source of my decision. I met Cove's bright blue eyes. "We won't make it in time if we walk," I said pointedly.
Cove snagged both of our wrists before hesitating and glancing at me for elaboration. "Shahrazad's wardrobe," I decided, figuring it would be a decent spot to hide while I figured out what was happening inside the castle itself so we weren't running blindly into trouble, attacking the guards on our side.
The slightly salty and chilly air was replaced with the claustrophobic and body-warmed air of the wardrobe, the faintest scent of pine leaking from the doors, covering the scent of perspiration I was sure made us rancid. We were packed into the wardrobe like sardines, our shoulders jammed uncomfortably together.
Trying my best not to make the situation more uncomfortable than it was, I pressed my face against where the light crept in at the edge of the wardrobe, straining to see any movement beyond even as I reached out with my mental magic. A shadow blocked the light near the bottom of the door, and I felt my heart crawl into my throat.
"Mrrow?"
I brushed against the familiar presences of Ani and Ranch, sagging against the side of the wardrobe in relief. I prodded him, establishing a burning link between us and pressing Ani for all the details he could provide.