Helga shrugged, “We’re not in any less danger by exposing ourselves in the plains, but at least we’ll see them coming from a ways off and have time to form a defense. It’s too easy for them to sneak through the trees and be on us before we know it here. I’m with them; it’s time to go.” 

“But the reinforcements will be here soon, if we can just hold on a little longer,” Anders said. 

“Why, so you can bring your rider friends in to burn us down and finish us off all at once?” Tony said with a glare.  

Anders scowled, “Someday soon, Tony, you’ll get what’s coming to you.” He turned to leave, nodding for Maija to join him.  

“Did you hear that?” Tony called out as they left. “The truth comes out. He admits he’s against us.”  

Anders climbed onto Zahara and heard Rune say, “Stuff a sock in it, Tony, and get these soldiers organized.”  

Zahara and Raffa climbed over the rooftops and began searching for Kirsten, Thomas and their friends. As they flew, Maija touched on his thoughts, What are we going to do now? I won’t leave without my sister. 

I know. We’ll let them go; they can get a head start. One or two days won’t make much difference in the end. I’ve had enough of these people and their ungrateful attitude toward us.  

One subject’s opinion does not reflect that of the whole people, Tarron stated matter-of-factly. 

He's right, Maija added. Whether they know it or not, you need to lead them. You're their King now. 

Don’t I have a choice? What if I don’t want to be their king? Ander asked.  

We have an obligation to them, Anders, Zahara said. We can’t give up on them now.  

“I hate it when you’re all right,” Anders muttered under his breath.  

We heard that, Tarron and Zahara said simultaneously. 

Alright, Anders answered reluctantly. Maija, you stay behind to guide the arriving forces and I will go with the Revolution.  

If it even comes to that, Raffa said in his low mental voice. Look, he projected a line of sight from his point of view into their minds.  

Following Raffa’s directions, Anders looked out across the ocean horizon to see ships headed their way and he felt a weight lift off his shoulders.  

Chapter 84

Arrival

Retreating into the recesses of his mind, Anders began to channel his source of magic. Pulsing waves of tingling warmth ran through his body, starting in his core and extending out to the tips of his limbs. Harnessing the flow, he channeled the energy at the seemingly simply designed wooden box. Prying with his hands he attempted to force open the thin line separating the box’s two halves. Just as during his earlier attempts, he felt resistance, like trying to force a knife through granite. Anders found the box containing his father’s soul resistant to his magic. In a final act of frustration, he pulsed a wave of energy from his hands onto the box. It shot out of his grip, flying into the air as the side of it glowed white in deflecting the magic. With a hollow knock, the mysterious cube hit the ground and tumbled to a stop. Its white flare had vanished; it was once again sand-colored wood. Any normal piece of wood would’ve splintered into bits, but this box showed no signs of wear. 

Grunting, Anders uncrossed his legs and quickly stood from his perch overlooking Brookside’s port. He unsheathed Lazuran and raised the elven sword high over his head, intending to strike the box open with brute force, if necessary. 

You know that won’t achieve anything productive. You’re more likely to cut your foot off when the box deflects your blade, Tarron said, interrupting Anders’ concentration. 

Ignoring the sapphire soul’s advice, Anders heaved the sword down at the wooden box. Just as with the energy he’d used, the box flashed white the instant his blade struck. Lazuran bounced off the wooden cube, sending a bone tingling vibration into Anders’ hands. He grimaced at the uncomfortable feeling and cursed under his breath. 

See, I told you, Tarron said mockingly. 

I thought I told you not to bother me unless you have something useful to say, Anders complained as he sheathed his sword. 

There you go again, always telling me to be useful and never wanting to have a normal conversation. It's either, help me with this spell or try to figure out why I can't talk to my father's spirit. I already told you that if it's anything like the sapphires, you'll need to be in the presence of a bonding. 

Anders knew that the ancient rider’s statement was true. He also knew that he took the unusual being for granted. I'm sorry, Tarron. It's just that I get frustrated when things don’t go my way. I guess with the pressure mounting, I’m just becoming more stressed by the minute. 

 At least you don’t have to worry about help not arriving.  

Anders glanced at the ships now nearing port. Natalia had taken ships from Southland that carried the entire Lumbapi Army and they’d picked up the bulk of the Rollo Island warriors on the way. Her original fleet had turned into an Armada. Even if the Revolution could assemble and march by nightfall, we would catch them on the Plains. What’s got me so worried is why that group of dragonriders didn’t come after me, he said. 

As Maija suggested, they’re most likely freed from the elven prison. 

That doesn’t make sense to me. If they were, why would they have killed the wraith and taken the sapphire? 

They probably don’t like Merglan either, which would explain why they didn’t attack the first time you saw them and why they would have killed the wraith. Perhaps they are just waiting for things between you and Merglan to fall out before they get involved? 

Anders thought about this for a moment before replying, I could see Asmond hiding a couple of dragonriders in the prison from the elves, but not more than a few. Maija saw three who were on their way to Southland. There isn’t much room for speculation against that theory, which means Merglan managed to capture their loyalty. 

I see your point, Tarron said. 

And if they aren’t from the prison, where did they come from and what are they waiting for? 

Times have changed since I was a rider. There were lands to the east that we did not deal with. Maybe dragons went there when Merglan pressured them out of Nagano?  

And they bonded with two dozen dragons in that quickly? Anders asked. Even the forced bonding pairs during The War of the Magicians didn’t have that much success. 

I was just offering a suggestion. You would know more about current populations than I would. After all, you’re a king now and you should know the extent of your rule.  

Anders picked the wooden box up off the ground and walked inside Rune’s practice. The office was empty as Rune and the other leaders were out organizing their troops for the march into the Plains. He placed the box on the table and sat down in a chair. Zahara would alert him if she sensed any more attacks, or if the riders came for them. Wondering what would happen if he did bring an end to the war, he asked Tarron, What if I wasn’t next in line to take the throne?   

You would have to have siblings older than you for that, unless your father had a younger brother? Tarron asked.  

Anders could feel Tarron prodding him to admit his deeper thoughts.  

Oh, you’re thinking about what Merglan said to Ivan, he said, finding the memory Anders had been mulling over.  

If I did have an older brother, he would have had to survive the shipwreck that took my mother’s life. I know Ivan kept the fact that he was King and my father a secret, but he did it to protect me from Merglan. That didn’t do him much good in the end.  

He never mentioned your mother? 

Ivan might have lied about some things, but he wouldn't about that. He believed she was dead. 

But if you survived the wreckage, they could’ve survived as well.  

Why can’t I just live my life as I wish without this massive responsibility looming over me?  

You forfeited that right the moment you bonded with Zahara, Tarron said. 

Anders knew Tarron was right. He owed it to society to use his superior skills to make it a better place. I wish I could talk to him, you know? Anders said, thinking of his father. Just when I learned who he was, I lost him. 

Like I said, I don’t know what Merglan’s done to enchant that box, but if you give up on it, you’ll never know if there was a way in.