The Quest, or perhaps The Task Set Before Her Part 21

(Today's is shorter. I forced myself to write and now I'm stuck 😄)

"So what's our plan?"

An hour had passed since the letter's arrival. Peleg, Jeddi, and Andy sat in the main cabin.

"We only have one option," Jeddi said. "We have to go."

"Hold on there," Peleg interrupted. "Ye can't just give the book to her! Wasn't Frieda's mission to deliver it safely to the King?"

Sighing, Jeddi responded, "Yes, but if there's a chance she's still alive, we have to take it. And what about Layan? Don't you want her to be safe as well?"

"Aye, I do, but Seassa's a good liar. There's no proof she has Layan."

"But can we take that chance?" Jeddi asked. "I mean, this is your first lead on her whereabouts."

"I may have an idea," Andy piped up.

Jeddi and Peleg turned and looked at him. They had both been so caught up in their conversation, they forgot Andy was sitting there too.

"What idea?" Peleg asked.

"I've been to Castle Rock before. I know the layout," Andy said. "If we plan carefully, we could orchestrate a fight."

Puzzled, Jeddi asked, "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, we could cause a fight to break out and arrange a means of escape beforehand. That way if Frieda or Layan are there, we could rescue them and still deliver the book to the King."

After a minute of silence, Jeddi said, "I like it. What do you think Peleg?"

"Hmm, I don't know. It seems too risky. If I know Seassa, she'd have a backup plan or two. But," Peleg paused. Jeddi and Andy looked at each other in anticipation. "But," he continued, "this looks to be our best course of action. Tell us everything ye know of Castle Rock."

——————————————————————

Frieda was forced to sleep on the rough ground with no pillow or blanket. The sand from her fall still clung to her hair and clothes. No one had allowed her to bathe or, at the very least, brush her hair. She felt dirty all over and she was sure she stunk worse than the victim of a skonk spraying. Surprisingly, she slept quite well. Nearing the morning, Frieda awoke to see the sunrise peaking out from behind the edge of night. The warm light reminded her of the Maker's promise. Using her elbows, she sat up and turned to face the approaching dawn. Closing her eyes, Frieda breathed in deeply. There was a shift in the atmosphere. Somehow she knew that her journey ended today.

——————————————————————

@Darth Pip Defender of Emus @Leeli Iggyfeather (ᛋᛟᚾᚷ ᛗᚨᛁᛞᛖᚾ) @Oskar (ᛖᚱᚢᚾᚨᛗᛟ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚡᛁᚴᛁᚾᚷ) @Johannes the Warden (Mordecai) @Janna The Heart @Luke the Exasperated Squeeblin