Jett was nibbling on pieces of dried apple when one of the Raven's scouts came up the ladder. She was out of breath, chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

"Mr. Black," she gasped.

Raven's hood turned toward her. "Yes?"

Everyone on the roof looked curious. Except Andrew. The nervous man kept his head down. He'd barely eaten anything, instead choosing to play with the hunk of bread he'd been given.

Jett kept half an eye on the man. It was unlikely he'd try anything, but people were unpredictable. You never knew when they'd make a mad bid to the edge of a cliff and dive off in an attempt to escape.

"One of them is approaching."

"Sky?" Raven asked.

"No, ground. He's walking."

"I see. Then please guide him over. I'm curious to see what he has to say."

The Scout blinked, like she wasn't sure if she'd heard him correctly. Then she appeared to think better of her doubts and gave a short bow. "Of course, Mr. Black."

Jett watched her go back down the ladder. She was smart. Trying to make sense of Raven's thoughts was a quick way to go mad. It was easier to just go with the flow. He shifted his gaze back to his brother.

"Who's coming over?"

Raven dug into one of the little pouches in the basket and pulled out a piece of dried apple. He tossed it into his mouth. "One of Troit's flyers."

Jett nearly choked. It turned into a coughing fit when everyone stared at him. Even Andrew gave him a doubtful glance.

"Have some water," Ava suggested. She passed over a canteen of lukewarm water.

Jett took it and desperately chugged it down. As it turned out, he wasn't the only one deeply concerned by this development, because Moxie grew very still.

"You're letting one of them come up here?"

"Sure," Raven easily said. "Why not?"

"They're the enemy," she hissed. Her eyes narrowed into mere slits, and her hands curled into fists.

"And?"

"You're going to let them come here? Just like that? What the hell you thinking?"

Raven's lips curved. "Don't be scared. I'll protect you."

She snarled, and grabbed the nearest thing. It happened to be a small piece of concrete that had landed on the roof from a distant blast. She threw it at him with deadly aim.

Raven simply tilted his head and let it fly harmlessly past. He took another piece of dried apple from the pouch. "These apples are great, Ava."

"You—!" Moxie fumed.

"Thank you," Ava smiled brightly. "You should thank your scouts, though. They found the tree in one of the yards and picked some for me."

"Mm, I'll make sure to do that."

Ava was all smiles and Raven was the picture of a perfectly relaxed man. Meanwhile, Moxie looked ready to sprint off the rooftop or explode, and Andrew just huddled quietly in his corner. He'd perked up for a second when he heard the word Troit, but when Jett glanced at him, the little man abruptly deflated.

Jett felt uncomfortable. It made him feel like he was a bully. He wasn't. He was the furthest thing from a bully, and he wished he could explain that properly to Andrew. Maybe when this was all over, he would. For now though, he was here to help Raven.

A low whistle came from below.

Raven cocked his head. Then he released an answering whistle, though his was short and higher pitched. A few moments after that, the ladder to the roof began to shake.

Warily, Jett watched it. His brother didn't appear concerned, but Jett certainly was. What if it was a flyer they knew?

When the flyer's head finally crested over the edge of the roof, Jett frowned. He didn't know that face. But he could tell from the suit that the man was part of the Reconnaissance unit. A scout. But even stranger was the fact that one of his arms was in a sling. He had to climb with one hand.

No wonder the guy had walked over. There was no way he was going to fly like that.

Jett wrinkled his nose. Why on earth would Troit send an injured flyer to talk to them? That didn't make any sense.

"Hello," the Troit flyer said. He spoke quietly, but there was a confidence to him that was almost palpable. "My name is Raith. May I know who I have the pleasure of meeting with?"

His gaze passed over the rooftop, taking in every single person there. He also looked at the painting they were using as a tablecloth, but to his credit, he didn't even blink.

Jett found himself staring back. Something about Raith seemed vaguely familiar, but he didn't remember seeing him before. Maybe it was back in his training days. There had been a lot of flyers coming and going at one point.

Movement pulled his attention to Moxie. She looked extremely tense, but she'd settled on sitting on her legs, her eyes glued to Raith. If he so much as blinked incorrectly, she would have caught it.

After examining the entirety of their little picnic, Raith's attention settled on Raven, and stayed there, as if somehow understanding that this was the person in charge.

Raven's great hood dipped slightly. "You may call me Mr. Black, as everyone does."

"Mr Black," Raith carefully repeated, as if tasting each syllable. "I see. You are the master of Shann Tei, then?"

"Am I?" Raven plucked another piece of dried apple and placed it in his mouth. He chewed in a relaxed manner.

Jett just shook his head. He didn't understand how relaxed his brother could be in a moment like this. Then again, there were incredibly few people on the planet who were strong enough to face Raven in a fight. Against a man with an arm in a sling, Raven probably wouldn't even have to get up.

Raith watched as Raven snacked on the apple. "I think you are."

"Hmm." Raven made a thoughtful noise. "It's possible, I suppose. But then so could anyone else here."

"Unlikely. Simple deduction is enough to refute that."

Raven pointed at an empty spot on the painting. It was closest to himself. "Why don't you sit down and tell me about your deductions? It must be tiring to stand when you're injured."

A curve appeared on the flyer's lips. "Thank you. I think I will."

He lowered himself to the painting, folding his legs comfortably beneath him. Again, his gaze seemed to briefly flicker around the group. "You have quite the gathering here."

"Do I?" Raven sounded intrigued, as if this was the first time he became aware of everyone on the roof.

Raith kept his gaze on Raven as he spoke. "You have a rebel, a traitor, and two hostages, as well as an interesting collection of stolen items. All of these are known to me, save yourself, Mr. Black. That is why you are the head of this arrangement. How is that?"

While he spoke, everyone had some degree of reaction. Moxie grew pale, while Andrew and Ava got a little wide-eyed. Jett, on the other hand, was only curious. This Raith was a smart man. He tilted his head, waiting to see how his brother reacted.

But Raven just smiled, mirroring the subtle expression on the injured flyer's face. "Not bad. But you missed one thing."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I'm not going to tell you what it is, though. If you missed it, that's your problem. Not mine."

Jett coughed, only just managing to hide a startled laugh. Raven really wasn't pulling any of his punches. He was doing what he did best—being completely and thoroughly irritating.

To his credit, Raith merely chuckled, as if amused rather than annoyed. "That is only fair. After all, even a pigeon knows its place. I am curious, however, as to your goal. What are your intentions by doing this?"

When he said this, he gestured about them, indicating their little gathering.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Raven said. He leaned forward ro pick up the entire pouch of dried apples. "We're just having a picnic."

A quiet giggle came from Ava. When Jett looked at her, she was busy smoothing down her skirt like it was the most important task in the world. Her cheeks and ears were blushing a light pink.

Raith glanced at her, then returned his attention to Mr Black. There was the faintest of creases in his forehead. "I am certain—"

Another low whistle came from somewhere below. Raven held up his hand, as if saying hold on, pardon me, and gave a short, shrill whistle in response. It was very similar to the last time he'd done so.

The ladder trembled. And once again, one of Raven's scouts came up. It was a different person, this one a lanky male who wore a dark hooded sweater with bandages covering the lower half of his face.

When he saw Raith, he paused and looked at Raven.

Raven nodded once. "Go ahead."

"There's two groups approaching the city," the scout said. His voice was heavily accented, but he spoke slowly, making it easier to understand him. "Two vehicles to the east, and from the south, four flyers. They all have responded with your code."

Jett stared at Raven. Code? Flyers? What was going on?

He wasn't the only one confused. Raith's eyes had narrowed and intensified, his full attention focused on Raven rather than the scout. It was like he tried to burn a hole through Raven's hood so he could see inside.

Raven didn't appear bothered by the attention. "Thank you. Please receive them as planned. Others will be coming as well, so you don't need to report unless they fail to provide the code."

"Understood." The scout offered a low bow, and quickly retreated down the ladder.

Silence settled over the roof. It was a surreal moment while everyone processed what had just happened.

Jett for one was trying to understand what Raven was thinking. Flyers were coming to the city. He doubted that the flyers were from Kairg, so that left the alternative. Troit. And if they were coming because of Raven, then it was very possible that Jett wasn't the only traitor.

Jett felt faint. He realized that he really had no idea of the sheer scope of Raven's plan. Just how long has the man been planning all this?

Raven tossed the pouch of dried apples to Jett, who reflexively caught it. "Eat more, Jett. You're looking a little pale."

Jett immediately scowled. "I'm fine."

That was when Raith abruptly rose. "I'm afraid I must be on my way. It's been a pleasure to meet you all."

"It has been quite a delight," Raven agreed. "Please be careful with the ladder, though. It has a bit of a wobble, which can be challenging with only one hand."

Raith's lips thinned into a tight smile. "Your concern is appreciated."

"Oh, I'm not concerned at all. But perhaps you should be. My friends aren't the only ones coming to visit this city."

"Is that so?" Raith went still.

"I'm afraid so." Raven tilted his head up, revealing a beatific smile. "Please be careful."

Raith gave Raven a long look. He didn't say anything else. Eventually, he turned and went to the ladder, descending easily.

The ladder, Jett noticed, didn't wobble once.