Free The Wizard's Curse (Book 2) by Jenny Ealey

the trees were dead or dying fast, as far as he could see.
    “Why don’t we burn them down then?” asked Stormaway. “It will take much less effort to create a fireball and burn down the whole tree. And then we will have destroyed the bulk of the infected trees, and we can concentrate on burning out the parasites around the edge of the infected area.”
    “Will fire work in the same way as rage?” asked Summer Rain.
    “Combined with my power, the rage does seem to burn the parasites up. So I think it might work.” Tarkyn smiled at Stormaway. “Brilliant idea. You and Danton can get on with that, while I recover. Then I’ll mop up the periphery with the woodfolk when you’ve finished.”
    Thunder Storm raised another objection, “I’m sorry for being such a pain, my lord, but what about the encampment? Will they not see the trees burning?”
    “Of course! They well might.” Tarkyn looked around. “It has to be done, though. We’ll just have to be ready to move in a hurry, if need be.”
    “And what about Rushwind? We can’t carry her.” Thunder Storm sounded apologetic.
    “Good point,” said Tarkyn patiently. “Either Danton or Stormaway can carry her using levitation so we don’t come into direct contact with her.”
    “And Golden Toad and Ibis Wings?” Thunder Storm was almost flinching now.
    Tarkyn smiled at him. “Come and sit down here next to me, Thunder Storm. You and I can iron out all the problems while everyone else gets on with the preparations. How does that sound?”
    Thunder Storm nodded in relief and sat down with a sigh.
    “In answer to your question, Thunder Storm, I think Golden Toad and Ibis Wings can probably go free. The sickness in them has not been mutated by my power so I think they are safe enough, provided someone keeps an eye on them and they know that they mustn’t go near Rushwind. Do you agree?”
    Thunder Storm nodded and then went briefly out of focus to relay this, “Good. I think that covers most things. Although I don’t see how we can stay and destroy the infestation on the periphery if soldiers come from the encampment.”
    Tarkyn raised his eyebrows, “If I didn’t know you better, Thunder Storm, I would say you were deliberately teasing me. Every answer I come up with, you come up with a new question.”
    Thunder Storm looked apprehensive. “No my lord. I wouldn’t dream of teasing you.”
    “Thunder Storm, I’m sorry I bit your head off the other day when I returned from rescuing Autumn Leaves. You were just the unlucky one who said what everyone else was thinking. I know you were only trying to look after me. Please stop looking like a frightened mouse every time you talk to me. You’re only asking sensible questions. It’s only when you start trying to order me around that we strike problems.”
    Thunder Storm relaxed slightly.
    “I don’t mind you teasing me or making suggestions, Thunder Storm; just don’t tell me what to do and then we’ll be fine. So, ho w ar e we going to attack the residual parasites if the soldiers come out to investigate the fire? Come on, Thunder Storm. My turn to ask. Your turn to answer.”
    Thunder Storm gave a faint smile of acknowledgement. “Well, I suggest that if the soldiers arrive quickly, we hide ourselves up in trees before we attempt to destroy the rest of the infestation.”
    “Can we get close enough together?” asked Tarkyn.
    “I think so. We can share thoughts across reasonable distances.”
    “No one will fall out of a tree while they’re concentrating, will they?”
    “No. We are, after all, quite adept in trees.”
    “And should we take up snacks, do you think?”
    Thunder Storms eyes narrowed in sudden suspicion. He turned to find Tarkyn grinning at him.
    Tarkyn shrugged, “Well, if you won’t tease me, I’ll just have to tease you, won’t I?”
    “Your Highness, we are in the middle of a crisis, and you’re playing games.”
    “Yep. That about sums it up.” Tarkyn smiled ruefully.