Rune nodded.
“We must speak with your army’s leaders and enact a plan immediately,” Anders said.
Rune wiped is hands on his surgeon’s apron, “I’m one of the voices for our revolution. You can tell me your plans and I will relay them to the others.”
Anders motioned for Rune to follow him outside the medical tent. He didn’t want to stand in the horrible-smelling room for much longer than he needed to. Rune instructed his apprentice to prep the next patient while he spoke to the rider.
Anders didn’t want rumors to spread, so he led them out of earshot of the other patients. He knew how quickly information could spread in a community. If what he was about to tell Rune got out of hand, it would cause widespread panic and pose an opportunity for the enemy to strike. Speaking quickly, he highlighted the major events over the recent weeks.
“We must seek out Natalia and learn what’s become of the elves. We can only hope that Merglan doesn’t attack the Riverlands soon, but we must be prepared for anything he could send this way,” Anders said.
“Can’t one of you stay behind to help us?” Rune asked.
Anders frowned, “Maija and Raffagaun have only recently bonded and need formal training to be most effective. I didn’t receive the proper training needed for my fate and now I must pass what little I know on to her. If you are attacked while I’m gone, then she will be in great danger. We can’t risk losing another rider.”
“Yet you and Zahara were newly bonded during a battle against Merglan’s forces and you stayed to heal and help out the wounded,” Britt said defending Maija.
“That was different, we had the aid of elves in camp who did most of the work. If I had tried to heal all of those injured on my own, I would’ve killed myself and Zahara from overuse of magic and energy.”
“But you can use it properly now,” Maija said.
Anders looked at her, “Yes, but that took months of practice and I still required help from Tarron to heal that man in the tent.”
“Anders, you think you must bear this burden alone, but you don’t have to. You’ve always had help, from Ivan and Natalia and now me. I might lack the skill and knowledge to heal the wounded, but I have a smaller target on my back than you do. Merglan’s attention is focused on you and hurting those you love. No matter where you go, he’ll try to stop you first,” Maija said.
“What are you saying?” Anders asked.
“I think she’s saying that you should stay and she should go find Natalia,” Britt butted into the conversation.
Maija nodded, “I have training enough to defend myself and if I’m struggling, Raffa will help me.”
“But Merglan saw you, he knows you have a dragon’s help now. What if he starts going after you the way he goes after me?” Anders asked worried.
“He’s wise enough to know the difference between a bonded and non-bonded rider. He saw me as I was before Raffa accepted my bond. He might think of me as a threat now that he’s seen us, but you are the biggest threat to him. You are the one he’ll go after first. I might be able to slip under his radar long enough to reach Natalia and send word of our plan to the surviving elves,” she said.
Anders rubbed the back of his neck, unsure and concerned. He knew she was right. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that she would be able to sneak under Merglan’s radar while he remained laser-focused on Anders. If Anders left the Riverlands, who knows where Merglan would send his monsters and what kind of destruction they would cause. At least the area between Cedarbridge and Brookside included very few inhabitants. Aquina was the only population that Anders knew of that could fall into harm’s way if Merglan advanced his forces to the west.
“It’s risky. What happens if Merglan goes out for Southland and you intercept him on the path?” Anders asked.
“It’s a risk we’re going to have to take if we want to unite the dwarfs, elves, and Rollo warriors. They will be wandering aimlessly, hoping wherever they go is safe. If we want to put up a fight against Merglan, we’ll need everyone in one spot. That’s our only hope,” Maija said.
Anders felt the watchful eyes of Britt, Max and Rune waiting for his decision. He stepped toward Maija, wrapping her into his arms. His eyes blurred at the edges and he held back the tears of letting his love go off on a quest that might be her downfall. But his choices were limited. He could be putting her in greater danger by going with her. If Merglan knew Anders was out in the open alone, he would surely attack and Anders didn’t know if he had the strength to beat him alone, with Maija or with others’ help as well.
“Find her quickly, Maija. Find her quickly and return safely. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you again,” he said as he kissed her.
“You never lost me,” Maija said.
“Well a dagger to the chest was close enough,” he whispered.
“Raffa will protect us,” she assured him.
Anders nodded, detached from Maija’s hug and turned to the others, “I’ll be a minute.”
“You aren’t leaving right now are you?” Rune asked.
Anders glance at Maija and shrugged, “That was the idea,” he replied.
“You have to rest at least a few hours,” Rune said.
“But we harvested enough energy to…” Anders started but Rune cut him off.
“I don’t care how much energy you claim to have. You two both look exhausted and your dragons must be as well. The war will come when it comes so you might as well get a quick rest in before searching the ocean for some elf.” Anders wanted to argue more, but Rune finished by saying, “Doctor’s orders.”
Anders turned to Maija and said, “I could fall asleep right now if I lay down.”
She nodded, “With all these fighting soldiers around.”
“The Westland Revolutionary Army,” Rune corrected. “Of which I am one of seven leaders.”
“Right,” Maija said. “The Westland Revolutionary Army and our Rollo warrior friends could see that nothing happens to Thomas or Kirsten while we sleep.”
“And I heard if Kirsten gets a crystal in her hand to watch out,” Anders said. He sighed, “Alright. First, we’ll rest, then we’ll go.”
He held Maija’s hand as they walked back through the wooded area toward their dragons who were waiting in the grass. When they arrived, Anders and Maija rested alongside their dragons in the morning sun. Sleep took them and when they awoke, the sun of a new day was rising. Surprised at how long they’d slept, Anders knew it was time for him to say goodbye to Maija and Raffa. Before Maija left, Anders hugged her tightly, kissed her sweetly and for the third time in his life, watched her go.
Keep her safe, Raffa. I don’t know what I’d do if we lost each other, Anders spoke into her dragon’s mind.
I will guard her with my life, young rider. Be strong and have faith. Stay alive while we are gone, Raffa responded, his low voice representative of his massive size.
