“Anders,” Maija said, again hugging him. “Why didn’t you tell me? I had no idea. If only I had known.”
“It wouldn’t have changed anything,” Anders cut her off. “I transported us to another continent. There’s nothing we could’ve done to get here faster even if you’d known. I didn’t want to weigh you down with the added worry.”
“No, Anders. You shouldn’t have to carry this secret alone. I can help you.”
Anders pulled away from her hug, wiping a tear from his cheek. Sniffling, he tried to wrangle in his emotions, “Thank you, Maija. If you hadn’t called me out, I don’t know how long Zahara and I would’ve kept that a secret.”
“You can tell me anything, you know,” Maija said.
Anders looked to the dragons. Zahara nodded approvingly. He turned and continued walking down the narrow trail with Maija at his side. “When we get to Cedarbridge,” he told Maija. “I think we should keep the High Council in the dark about my identity.”
“Why’s that?” Maija asked.
“I don’t want to give them a reason to hold Zahara and me back from any attempts to rescue Ivan,” Anders said.
Maija nodded, “Okay, Anders. It will be our secret.”
Anders grinned slightly. He didn’t think it possible to feel relief from having told Maija about Ivan, but he did. After stopping to camp, Anders felt that a massive weight had been pulled from his body. He was glad that she was so understanding.
In the morning, Zahara and Raffa killed and consumed several deer before they continued on their journey toward Cedarbridge. Anders again gorged himself on some of their charred meat to bring renewed energy to his body. By late afternoon Anders thought they had walked far enough from the Nagano/elven border to chance a flight above the trees. He knew they could get a better idea of where they were if they could see their surroundings from the sky.
Raffagaun and Maija took the lead while Anders and Zahara walked along behind them. Anders wanted to make sure they had a well-formed plan of what they needed to do once they reached the city.
Are you feeling up for a flight soon? he asked her.
Yes, but are you? she asked skeptically.
In an ideal world, I would want weeks to fully recover, but as it is, I feel almost fully restored, Anders replied.
I just thought you might be feeling burned out emotionally. That was the most I’ve seen you two argue, Zahara said.
You were right in saying I should’ve told her sooner. It created the tension between us that could’ve caused damage had we been in a combat situation, Anders said.
You did the right thing. We don’t want to lose her trust.
I told her how I’m struggling with Lazuran’s residual effects.
You’re still feeling it? she asked.
I felt it again in the village. I could’ve sworn the sword was whispering to me.
You can’t let the power back in, Anders. It turns you into something else, something dark.
I know. I think you and Maija can help, keep me in check when I’m feeling its pull.
Ultimately, you’re the only one who can stop it, she said.
But I’ll be stronger with your support, Anders said, placing a hand on Zahara’s side and petting her.
It’s the difference between you, she said.
What do you mean? he asked.
The difference between you and Merglan. You’ve got her, she glanced at Maija and Raffa in front of them.
Anders looked to Maija, then noticed Zahara’s gaze as she lingered on the red dragon’s form. And you’ve got him, he said.
Zahara snorted and Anders felt a wave of embarrassment flash over her. You don’t have to be ashamed, Zahara, it’s perfectly natural. I think Raffa would be lucky to attract your attention.
He doesn’t think like that, not now anyway. It’s not his time, she said.
Anders wondered what she meant but didn’t think he should prod her on the matter. She’d resisted sticking her nose in Maija and Anders’ relationship, so he felt he should give her the same space and quickly changed the subject, I hope we don’t find Cedarbridge a bigger challenge than facing the kurr.
You think there’s something wrong in the capital? Zahara asked.
How else would you explain kurr roaming the forest unchallenged and dragon supremacists flying at will on the outskirts? If Nadir were on his throne, he wouldn’t stand for it.
Maybe that’s why it’s happening. Many weren’t happy about his decision to leave the capital. Perhaps they’re allowing these horrible things to occur in hopes people will deny him his throne.
Anders thought for a moment, then said, I hope for their people’s sake that’s not the case.
If you figure out a way to recharge the crystals, will you do it? Zahara asked.
Anders had spent the night mulling over this very question, I think I might respond differently to a freshly charged crystal.
And if you didn’t?
