Red shook his axe and shouted a roar of anger meant to intimidate Britt. As Natalia and the others could see, it did not. Red pointed the battle axe at her and growled, “Better take out that sword; you’re going to need it.” 

Britt’s hand shot to her hip, but stopped as a tremor shook the ground around them. The violent quake knocked many of the Islanders and elves to the ground.  

“What’s going on?” Natalia shouted at Nadir, but he had no answer for her. As she watched the confrontation between Red and Britt, she was shocked to see Red scrambling back toward their people.  

Natalia hear him shouting, “Back to the ships!” Britt’s efforts to take control had not been resolved. 

Almost as suddenly as it started, the quaking stopped and a burst of light shot up in the distance. Far northeast of the city and beyond the mountains bordering Westland and the Everlight Kingdom, a thin beam of light rose high into the sky. Natalia stared at it as it glowed for a long moment, then vanished. Forgetting the escalation that had happened between them and the Rollo Islanders, Natalia looked at Nadir.  

“He’s finally done it,” Nadir said. 

“Done what?” Natalia asked. 

“Merglan’s broken the ancient magic in Cedarbridge and turned it to his will.”  

“How do you know?” she asked. 

“I don't, but what else would you say just happened?” 

“We don’t have time to speculate anyway, his armies will be here soon,” Natalia said, seeing the black line on the eastern horizon growing larger.  

“We need the others to hurry,” Nadir said.  

“What about them?” Natalia asked motioning to the Rollo Islanders scurrying toward their ships south of the city.  

Nadir shook his head, “They’re too hostile for us to join them now. Perhaps when the fighting starts they'll see us as allies again.”  

Natalia nodded and looked to see Britt and Max walking after the warriors. What, are they crazy? It’s not safe for her to go back with them now. Natalia rushed across the grass and quickly caught up with Max and Britt, stopping them. “Where are you two going?” 

“I mean to take command of my people,” Britt said sternly. 

“You can do that after we have lived through this fight. Do you see the dark line out there?” Natalia asked pointing east.  

Britt nodded. 

“That’s them. They’re going to beat everyone else unless our soldiers somehow magically learn to run as fast as horses.” 

“You mean to defend the city?” Britt asked.  

“That’s what we’re here to do,” Natalia said.  

“But there were two demons,” Britt said. “It’s not safe in there.”  

“The demons must have come before the fairnheir,” Natalia said. “But Nadir and I can help protect us against a couple of lousy demons.”  

“Lousy?” Max said in disbelief.  

“Okay, not lousy. But it would take more than a couple to get past me,” Natalia said confidently.  

“I can’t say that Red won’t try to lead our people against you again, but we could set up a defensible space on the east side. Somewhere near enough that the warriors could join quickly,” Britt suggested. 

“When they catch sight of what’s coming for us, I don’t think they’ll have any hesitation about joining up with us,” Natalia said. “You two had better come with us.”  

Britt nodded, and Max asked, “You were with Anders and Maija?” 

“I was scouting with them, yes,” Natalia said. She explained how she’d gone back when Anders and Maija stayed to help save the city. “But it looks like the other riders might have gotten to them first.”  

“Either that or they went off to try a sneak attack on Merglan,” Max said. “Anders was pretty gung-ho about trying to end this before the war started.”  

“Whatever happened to them, we’re going to be in deep if Merglan or any dragons arrive,” Natalia said. She saw Britt and Max exchange a worried look and said, “Come on. If I know my sister and Anders as well as I think I do, they wouldn’t just abandon us.” And I hope they show up soon, Natalia thought. 

***  

“Are you really going to challenge Red for the position of Chief?” Max asked as they trailed behind the elves. 

“I don't really have a choice now, do I?” Britt replied. 

“You could see it in the way they hesitated to listen to Red. I think the warriors would choose you if it were put to a vote.” 

Britt stopped, “I'm not sure you know what it's like for me. I have always been a leader and my people mean the world to me. You were there when the other clan chiefs chose him over me. It’s been my dream to take care of our people for as long as I can remember, and yet they chose the man who is the least invested in our future. Look at what he's done to us, to my crew. I would never treat someone like that.” 

Max understood what it must feel like for her. Tony was the Red in his life. “I get it,” Max said as they started walking again. “You two will not see eye-to-eye and no matter what the people around you say, Red will always try to undermine you.” 

Britt nodded, “Exactly.” 

“It's just like Tony and me. As long as we are in the same place, there's never enough room for both of us. He will always try to undermine me and probably will try to kill me, too.” 

“Which is why you must confront him, as I confront Red,” Britt said. 

Max shook his head, “That's not my way, Britt. I wasn't raised in a warrior culture. Though Tony and I will never see eye-to-eye, I do not wish to see Tony’s children without a father. No matter how much he hates me, he does love his birth children. And I love them, too, which means I won’t fight him.” 

“Then you are a bigger man than most,” Britt said. 

“A big man, you say?” Max asked, raising his eyebrows. 

Britt punched him in the shoulder, “Gosh, how are you always like that? You know what I meant.” 

Max laughed, “It’s how I cope. I’ll be needing some darn good jokes after all this serious war stuff is over.” 

“Maybe you can teach me how to be funny, once I’m Chief,” Britt said. 

“Maybe,” Max replied. 

Chapter 93

Norfolk Riders

“Are there others like you, who know how to use the powers of the crystals?” the dragonrider asked Kirsten.