After a long day in the kitchen, Bell could finally relax in her room.
She had just finished her shower when she heard a knock on the door.
Without tying her hair, she went to answer.
She saw Ryan.
She felt slightly self-conscious.
"Sorry for bothering you so late."
His semi-formal way of speaking was endearing.
"No, please come in."
She did feel shy, but she was curious about what he wanted to say.
He walked past her and sat on the small chair at her nightstand.
"There is something I have to tell you. Please don't tell the others."
He had a very serious look on his face.
She sat down so that she could face him properly.
"When we were in the village, an assassin was sent after me."
She shot up and tried to yell.
"What…"
The words died in her throat as he stood up and hugged her.
"As you can see, I am fine, and I didn't want to worry you."
She tried fighting for a moment.
His words then settled in her mind, and she hugged him tightly.
"What happened? Were you hurt?"
She felt Ryan let out a sigh of relief.
He let her go and sat down.
He waited for her to sit before he continued.
"Firstly, the assassin was sent after me on a contract. As a professional courtesy, they told me who sent them."
Bell felt a cold hand grasp her heart as she asked.
"Who sent them?"
He looked down.
"I didn't get a name, but I was told it was an Amazon."
He paused to look up at her.
To his surprise, she finished his thought.
"My guess is Reina; she was embarrassed, and you helped her second defect."
He nodded as she asked a question.
"What are you planning?"
He smiled at her.
"Vivian owes me a favour. I was thinking that the three of us could infiltrate and get evidence."
She swallowed hard.
"Why me? I can handle myself, but Eragon and Grizzly are much better fighters."
He got up and sat next to her.
"I asked you for two reasons. You are a woman and can blend in if needed."
He then looked down for a moment.
"I also thought this could be an opportunity for us to be alone."
She blushed at his words.
The plan did seem exciting.
"I'm in. We can talk to her tomorrow. Oh, how are we going to get there?"
He smiled.
"Aleksandar is a very lenient leader. I told him my plan, and he told me to be careful, and we can take Femur as the pilot."
She shrugged and chuckled.
"That does sound like him."
He gave her a tender kiss and stood up.
She felt slightly sad at his departure.
"Good night, Isabelle. See you tomorrow."
"Good night."
She smiled and went to bed.
As the sun rose the next morning, a smiling Vivian was getting the tavern ready.
All she had to do was make sure that there was enough food and drink.
The rest was done by the silent skeleton army at her command.
She enjoyed this relaxed life, a far cry from where she came from.
At random moments, she would forget that she had been given back her voice.
She took a deep breath and got to work.
She worked while singing for a few hours.
She stopped when she saw Bell walk in.
She was confused as she would normally start working in the afternoon.
"Good morning, Miss Bell. How can I help you?"
The girl approaching her had an anxious look on her face.
She sat down at the bar and waited for Bell to approach.
When she sat down, she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Vivian, I need your help."
Vivian tensed.
What was wrong?
She quietly waited for Bell to speak.
"While we were in the Orc village, Ryan was attacked by an assassin. They said an Amazon sent them."
Vivian gasped, but her words were steady.
"Ryan seems in good order."
She was quiet for a moment before she continued.
"It was probably Reina who sent the killer."
Bell nodded.
"That is what we think too. That is why I am here to ask for your help."
Vivian was confused.
"I'm not sure what help I can offer here."
Bell swallowed and asked.
"You know the Amazon guild, and you can help me and Ryan infiltrate to get evidence."
Vivian frowned.
"You can get in, and Ryan may be good looking, but he is no woman."
Bell smiled.
"He is really good at hiding."
Vivian shrugged.
"It doesn't matter how good he is at hiding; they will find him."
She heard a voice behind her.
"They have to see me first."
She spun around and saw Ryan sitting on the bar.
"How did you…"
Her eyes darted between them, and she sighed.
"You do realise that if I am seen, I will be killed. Miss Bell can walk in and say she is a recruit."
Ryan jumped off the bar and sat next to Bell.
"What are you saying? I remember you saying that you have a debt to pay."
Bell elbowed him in the ribs at his harsh words.
He kept quiet and let Vivian speak.
"I can't go with you, but I can give you a map and all the codes to get in."
Ryan nodded.
"That will have to be good enough."
Vivian relaxed.
If he had forced her, she would have gone.
The couple stood up, and after a brief farewell, they were off.
Vivian had no idea what these two were planning.
She began working on the intel they would need.
They returned the next night for the information.
She went through what they would need to know.
"The Sisterhood is built in such a way that the mountain defends from one side and a river defends from another."
Ryan looked over her map.
"What are the houses made of?"
Vivian frowned at his odd question.
They are made of bricks. Why do you ask?"
He pointed at the map.
"Because of the limited space, they are built close together. They are made of bricks, so I can jump from roof to roof."
Vivian gave him a half smile.
"That is a pretty good plan. But there is one problem."
She went back to the map.
"The square between Reina's mansion and the houses is open ground."
Ryan took her attention to one side of the open ground.
There were large rocks that formed an arc from the side of the mountain.
"This part is rocky. I can move between those rocks and make my way to the eastern side of the mansion."
Vivian nodded.
"That could work, but there are patrols day and night. Also, the eastern wing is where Reina's room is."
Vivian then pointed to a spot on the map at the eastern wing.
"There are two escape routes in case of invasion. The most likely one for her to use is connected to her room and leads to the mountains."
She then pointed to the western wing.
"This one leads to the river. She has her own personal boat that is ready at all times. Have you decided how you will infiltrate?"
Ryan nodded.
"We will walk in the front gate. Isabelle will pose as a recruit, and as they are occupied with her, I will break in that night."
Ryan saw Bell tremble slightly.
He then linked his hand with hers, and she seemed to calm down.
Vivian smiled at him.
"I believe you two will have a fun trip on your own."
Ryan and Bell both blushed.