They resumed their walk down the cobblestone street toward the assigned meeting point where Anders was to give them their crystals. Max, Evans and Sanka had continued down to the docks while Thomas and Kirsten stopped to grab their packs from the house.  

The three walked together in a line as the sun began to set. As they walked, Bo asked, “Thomas, do you still have the poudrettite?”  

Thomas pulled the sapphire necklace out from under his shirt and said, “Never let it out of my sight after that demon incident. Why? Do you want it back?” 

Bo shook his head, “No, it’s your family's; you keep it. I’ve healed up good enough. I just wondered if it helped in the training?” 

Thomas looked down at his feet and said, “Not yet.” 

“Anders said you don’t even have to be a part of the fighting if you don’t want to,” Kirsten chimed in. “He told me Rune and his assistant will need as much help as possible. The camp had three other doctors before the last fight, but they died and now Rune’s the only one who knows anything about surgery. We already know the poudrettite has healing properties. Why don’t you help them there?”  

“We’ll need all the help we can get with the fighting. Bo saw what this thing did to scare off the demon,” Thomas said. “And I’m still good with a bow.”  

“With Anders and all the others using magic during the fight, we’ll need healers who can offer any extra advantage,” Kirsten persisted. 

“The elves probably have some; there were a few in the camp the last time,” Thomas said. 

“Just think it over,” Kirsten said.  

Thomas shrugged, “eh,” then pointed to the docks at the end of the street. “Hey, I think the elves are landing. I bet the King is in the boat that landed first.”  

Kirsten nodded, “Anders and Zahara are landing on the beach. If we hurry, we can still make it.” Without another breath, she took off running. Bo sprang quickly after her, and she heard Thomas calling for them to wait as he jogged to keep up.  

*** 

Zahara glided in over the elves and dwarfs huddled on the ship decks below. To the east, Anders could see the ranks of Westland’s Army gathering. They were nearly ready to march toward Aquina, the city on the Plains. The three thousand foot-soldiers grouped away from the trees, out in the open. 

Where are the Lumbapi? They should have joined the others by now, Anders thought. 

They are in the trees, Zahara said. 

Anders searched the forest with his senses and felt the Southland natives huddling just inside the tree line. The one thousand strong army had arrived ready for battle. They’d already established camp in the forest.  

If they’d been here last night, they might be joining the others out in the open, Anders thought. 

They are used to living in Southland’s forests; maybe the trees comfort them, Zahara said. 

Looking down, Anders saw the Rollo Islanders still camped near the beach. He’d discussed his idea with Rune and Helga and stopped them from following the other forces onto the Plains. The Rollo Island Navy was three thousand strong. Their ships remained ready to set sail at any moment. Their shallow-hulled ships could sail up a river. Now that the elves and dwarfs had arrived, Anders felt his confidence growing.  

Zahara dropped, landing on the beach down from the last of the Rollo ships. Anders remained in the saddle while he waited for the first of the elves to come ashore. From the corner of his eye, Anders saw a small group of Rollo Islanders standing with their arms folded, staring at the approaching ships. He hoped they wouldn’t start any trouble when the elves landed. Past the group of tan men, Anders saw three people running and shook his head when he recognized, Bo and his two cousins. Climbing off of Zahara, he was joined by Raffa and Maija, all ready to greet the elves. 

“Is Natalia coming?” Anders asked Maija. 

She nodded, “She was about to come down for the meeting, but said she’d come sooner when I told her.” 

“Is Maylox still with the Lumbapi?” 

She nodded. 

“I’m sure Remli will be thrilled to see her,” Anders said just as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking back, he saw Kirsten, Thomas and Bo, damp with sweat and breathing heavily. “Shouldn’t you three be heading out with the ranks soon?” he asked. 

Kirsten nodded and said, “Couldn’t go without our crystals and when we saw the elves had made it,” she looked at Thomas and smiled, “we just had to meet the King.”  

Anders frowned and saw that Kirsten’s hand was held on her chest, inconspicuously pointing at her brother. He quickly eyed Thomas and saw that he was standing on his tiptoes in his attempt to see the elves. Anders rolled his eyes and asked Bo, “What about you? I thought you were already out there, too.” 

“He’s ready just the same as we are,” Kirsten answered for all three.  

Bo shrugged, “I’m just following her.” 

“Anders,” Maija said, interrupting them. “They’re approaching.” 

“Right,” he answered before turning back to Kirsten and Thomas. “Go back to the docks. I set aside your crystals there.” He looked back toward the ships to see Nadir and Remli, the Dwarf King, step down from their ships.  

“Anders, wait,” Thomas said, stepping closer to him. In a bashful tone, he nodded toward the two foreign leaders and asked, “Do you think you could introduce us?” 

Seeing there wasn’t time to argue, Anders nodded, “Yes, I can introduce you.”  

At first glance Remli and Nadir appeared in decent shape for having survived the overthrow of their kingdoms. As they drew closer, though, Anders could see that their plate armor bore fresh dents and gouges. They’d been washed clean of blood, but they now appeared more tarnished than those of the Revolution’s Army. Nadir’s normally straight hair looked wavy and a bit greasy from so much time near saltwater, but his noble demeanor had not changed despite the recent defeat. Anders instantly noticed Remli’s armor appeared to fit his body better and part of his beard looked to have been cut out. Anders could almost see his jawline on the left side. 

Breaking from the controlled walk, the dwarf rushed toward Anders laughing. With his arms spread wide, he launched into Anders. Anders had to crouch to receive him but embraced the Dwarf King with a brotherly hug.

“Anders,” Remli nearly shouted, “it’s good to see you alive!”  

“And you as well,” Anders said with a chuckle, releasing his hug. “But what happened to your beard?” he asked, pointing to his own jaw. 

“Going back for my queen’s shield,” he said, feeling at the gap in his whiskers. “Dragon fire nearly got me, but I managed to escape with most of my beard.”  

“What about the shield?” 

“See for yourself,” he said, pointing back toward the ship he’d just left. 

Anders saw the queen helping others step down from the elven ship. She wore a ruby-crested shield on her back. He nodded and stepped to Nadir, who’d come to join them. “Nadir,” Anders said taking his hand and shaking it firmly in both of his.  

Nadir gripped back and said, “I thought the next time I would see you would be before the High Council and that they would be thanking you and Maija for extinguishing our world’s greatest threat.”  

“I should’ve killed him when I had the chance,” Anders said.  

Nadir shook his head and broke from his stoic expression, “What’s in the past will stay there. I should have ordered his execution after we captured him. At least then he wouldn’t have taken the city.”  

“What’s done is done,” Remli said, clapping his hands together. “I want to know what we’re going to do about Merglan now.”  

Maija stepped forward and paid her respects to Nadir with a hug. “Remli,” she said, turning to the dwarf and giving him a hug as well.  

“My word,” Remli gasped, looking from her to the second dragon seated nearby. “Is that the red dragon from the boulder garden?”  

“If you can call that a garden,” Maija replied with a nod. 

“And have you bonded?” he asked.