"For the raid," he said. "And because I'd rather not drag a supply ship deep into enemy space and pretend timing doesn't matter."
Neris looked at the marked location for a moment, quiet as always, then asked the only question that really mattered.
"When are we leaving?"
"Soon."
She gave a small nod. "Then I'll get ready."
Aurelian had thought about taking Solenne instead of Rhoswen, or adding another ship, but in the end, he didn't.
This needed to be fast, and if possible, quiet. Neris was the point of the mission, and Rhoswen was more than enough extra force if something went wrong.
Astra was informed, but he didn't pull her into anything more than necessary.
"Short local operation," he said. "I'll be back quickly."
She looked at him for a moment. "Then be quick."
That was enough.
By the next morning, they were already moving.
