“What did you see out there?” Helga asked, coming to stand between Maija and Hensal.
“I met another dragonrider,” Anders said flatly.
“You saw one of Merglan’s riders?” Maija asked.
“Not just one, a couple dozen at least.”
They gasped and Rune stood looking serious, “We’re lucky this wasn’t worse. When can we expect their next attack?”
“The riders weren’t related to the fairnheir and wraith’s attacks,” Anders said. “At least I don’t believe they were coordinating with them. These riders seem to be independent. I don’t know where they came from, but they didn’t attack me when we saw them and one of them returned him to me,” he nodded at Dawks’ body.
“And the crystal?” Maija asked.
Anders shook his head as Bert, Alistair and Tony, the remaining leaders, pushed their way through the soldiers to the impromptu meeting. Anders could tell by Tony’s glare and Bert’s frown that they weren’t in a mood to believe anything he said. At their demands, however, he and Maija described in detail all that had happened since the moment Zahara and Raffa warned them.
Tony spat at Anders’ feet when he’d finished, “And it was just a coincidence then that the two soldiers who were assigned to your squad just happened to be on guard when the attack came.”
Before Anders could defend himself, Bert added, “And both of you left the soldiers to defend themselves against a pack of evil beasts.”
“We did what we could,” Anders growled. “If it weren’t for us, the wraith would have killed them all and probably gotten you next.”
Tony stepped toward Anders with balled fists. Anders had had enough of the disgruntled leader. He summoned a surge of magic and pushed it into his hands, causing them to glow an electric blue. “Don’t test me,” Anders said through gritted teeth. He could see fear in Tony’s eyes and knew the man wouldn’t follow through with his actions.
Rune pulled Anders back, “Calm down, you two. There are plenty of soldiers to back what the riders are telling us. Keep in mind it was our decision to stay when Anders warned us what was coming. This is still just the beginning.”
Tony rolled his shoulders, backing away from Anders and said, “We can’t stay here any longer. If there is more of his filth out there, we must get on the move. I say we start toward the heart of the plains at once.”
“We agreed we wouldn’t begin our march until the others arrive,” Helga said.
“Which could be days from now. Who knows how the ships are faring? We might be ash by then,” Bert said, stepping to Tony’s side. “I say we move out today.”
“And what of the rest of the citizens still arriving to board ships to flee to safety?” Rune asked. “Are we going to abandon them?”
“We’ll leave enough people behind to see them off,” Hensal said. “I think we’ve waited out this storm long enough. It’s coming to our borders faster than we anticipated. It’s time to move before the evils strike again.”
Anders looked to Rune, who sighed. “Who else thinks we should start our move to the heart of the plains?” he asked.
Tony, Bert and Hensal raised their hands. Anders watched Hensal give Alistair a nudge and he slowly raised his hand as well. Rune looked to Helga, “What do you think?”
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.
