Stealth B6C8

"I'll be okay," I promised. "We're going to play this safe. As safe as possible."

"In that case when they make camp, let me be the one to go in first," Blake said. "Let me go in alone."

"As an Assassin…?"

Blake nodded, and I wasn't sure how to respond. I'd thought she hated that expectation, that she was only good for stabbing people in the back or taking advantage of those who were weak. Maybe she counted this as being an exception, either because of the threat the enemy posed or because if her actions might remove the need for a protracted fight that would place us all in danger. Either way, she met my gaze with deadly focus, pleading silently for me to agree.

I didn't want to. Putting her in danger was the last thing I wanted, and not for entirely selfless reasons. Blake was still too important to me.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Okay…"

"Okay?" She seemed surprised. "You agree!?"

"I don't agree and it's not okay," I said, "But I can see the logic. And I trust you. I trust you to know if it's too dangerous, and to back out if it is."

"Thank you," she whispered, obviously relieved, "And I'm hardly going to risk my own life, either. If I'm discovered, I'll flee. You don't have to worry about that."

"We'll have to wait until they make camp."

"The Illusionist can't keep up her spells forever. She has to sleep. I'll go in then." Blake's hand wrapped around mine with more confidence, our fingers intertwining. "Thank you," she said again, "For trusting me to do this."