Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 190
intervened was a test. He may have wanted to find out what it
would take to attract their attention. But it could be that he
really does want to conquer a kingdom. Maybe he needs a
large number of men to help him search for the Winds’
Achilles Heel, or some other resource he’s after." She
shrugged. “It’s all speculation.”
He grinned loosely. "So let me get this straight: we cut
and run now, Turcaret sends the king's guards after us, and
where are we running, but straight into a war zone."
She half-smiled. "Essentially, yes. The problem is what
to do about Jordan."
"We can't very well leave him," he said.
"We can't very well take him with us either. Not only
because he’ll slow us down. You and I are prepared for the
danger, but he is not."
"That's where August comes in," he said brightly.
"Absolutely not. We've already involved too many
people."
Axel threw up his hands. "Will you stop whining about
that! It's their world--you can't treat these people like children.
So a few of them find out what’s going on--what kind of crime
is that?"
"That's not the point. We keep adding extra concerns
that just muddy the main issue, which is how to deal with
Armiger as quickly as we can and get out."
"Is the job all you care about?" He hopped down from
the crenel. "These people aren't going to cease to exist just
because we go away. We kidnapped Jordan. What’s he going
to do when we cut him loose? Haven't you considered that?-or
were you just planning to get him away from Turcaret and
then cut him loose?"
She glowered at him. Obviously, she had been thinking