“Is that your advice?” Erin asked, her voice tense and her fireball hand squeezed tight into a fist. “Is that all you have to tell us?”

“Take it as friendly advice. The enemy would be ready for you if you returned... and perhaps now you have new information worth telling the Devidisians: our numbers, relative position, and Kaeif’s name, for example… the young fool...” he trailed off.

The older leader seemed to take notice of the flashlights waving in the hands of his men and addressed them, saying, “Pull yourselves together and make sure no one else approaches.”

“Look, Sensei told us to get further information from the rebels at Thorn Rock…” Jason said, looking to Kaeif. “He practically told us to take orders from you.”

The silver-haired rebel turned back to face us. “And if instead we decide that you’re spies? No, I’m not giving you any more information. You’re far too naive.”

But when his eyes drifted to Kaeif, to the younger rebel’s unmoved expression, the elder leader hesitated.

“Perhaps they’re a bit too pushy, but why not pass on a rumor?” Kaeif suggested, his voice soft.

The elder rebel frowned, then waved his hand, as if clearing the air. “Well, that rumor’s getting around enough anyway. I don’t suppose it would do any more harm than you’ve tempted already tonight, captain.” The older rebel gave the younger a piercing look.

“It would be far away, and we could get them away from the area of suspicion quickly.” Captain Kaeif said. “In the meantime, we would be watching them for signs, both good and bad.”

“We? No, don’t forget,” the elder rebel said, “They really could be agents going under deep cover. Devidis is ruthless and low in all his methods. I heard about a young officer rising through the ranks quickly... Ace Diamond, I think he was called... pulling a scheme like this…” He seemed to be thinking out loud.