She nodded, “I’ll make sure he gets the message.”
“Thanks,” he said, then looked to Natalia and Maija. “The crystals can go up near the port. We’ll divvy them up after the meeting.”
“Where are you going?” Maija asked.
“To greet the Lumbapi,” Anders said, motioning to the Southland natives now swarming the docks.
“Can I come? I heard so many stories when I lived on the Kewians, but never got to travel to the Ramhorn or the Drakeshead.”
“Sure,” Anders said, and they started out toward the docking area.
Walking out onto the cobblestone street where the docks made landfall, Anders spotted Princess Inama from among the group in the street, staring at the portside town. Her sinewy form stood taller than most women and her tattoos and piercings would also have drawn attention had the town still been occupied with citizens. The colorful clothing she wore the first time they’d met was, for the most part, similar enough to seem unchanged. Coming to stand before her, Anders said, “Inama, when I heard you and your people were coming to our country, I was so relieved to have so many skilled fighters join our struggle.”
“Anders, I am glad to be here,” she said, greeting him as the native Southland people did.
When she leaned in to kiss him on the cheeks, Anders realized he hadn’t mentioned to Maija how they did things in the south. Maybe she already knows? She is from near there, he thought. Blushing, he glanced at Maija and said, “Inama, this is Maija. She is the other recently bonded dragonrider.”
Maija stepped toward her and leaned in, exchanging pecks on the cheeks in the native tradition.
Oh, she does know about it, Anders thought with a wave of relief. Then he began to kick himself for not mentioning that they were together. As she stepped away from Inama, Anders added, “We’re um, together.”
Inama didn’t bat an eye at the information and said, motioning to the town behind them, “I had hoped to see more of the Westland people. This town is so empty; is it always that way in your culture?”
“We’ve shipped anyone who might be in harm’s way out of the area in case the fight came to Brookside. Those in charge thought it best that innocent people be far from any battle,” Anders said.
Inama nodded, “I was told not all of your people are experienced in the arts of war. Surely in this time of struggle, you would’ve welcomed their willingness to fight.”
“It would’ve been welcomed,” Anders said, avoiding the slight, not sure if it was meant to be confrontational. Quickly deciding she meant no harm by it, Anders said, “The Westland Army has been moving out to a camp on the Plains southeast of town. They’re making ready to march tomorrow.”
“I will have my people join them. We have been cooped up on these wooden houses for too long. They will be glad to know we are marching soon. How far is the camp?”
“A few hours’ walk along the path at this end,” Anders said pointing to the aviary. “You can start on it there by the tall caged structure.”
“Thank you. I’ll have them walking on it soon.”
Anders was about to leave when Maija nudged him, “Aren’t you going to tell her about the meeting?”
“Oh, shoot,” Anders said under his breath. “And Inama,” he called before she had gone too far. She looked back and he said, “We’d like you and your father to join in our meeting of leaders here this evening at dusk. We’ll be going over a plan here in this building.” Anders pointed to Rune’s practice, one of the buildings directly behind him.
Inama nodded and returned to her people.
Maija nudged him again, and he looked at her expectantly, “What? Did I forget something else?”
She shook her head, “No, but why were you so weird about introducing me.”
Anders flushed, “I didn’t know if you knew how they greeted in Southland.”
“I was raised there; of course I know how they greet each other,” she said.
“When I saw you knew, I got flustered that I should tell her we were together,” he said.
“I know. That was weird,” Maija said.
Anders looked to the side embarrassed.
“But cute,” she added. “Next time you introduce me to someone of political standing, you can leave out that we’re together if you want. I don’t need people assuming I’m not independent.”
“Okay, good. I will keep that in mind.”
“Should we help my sister with the crystals?” she asked.
Anders nodded, “Yes. We’ll need them divided and ready when the elves arrive.”
“Or if we’re attacked again,” Maija added.
Anders touched on Zahara’s thoughts to check the status of the surrounding area. She and Raffa didn’t sense anything approaching, but they were also actively patrolling the sky along the path to the Plains as well as the edges of town.
“Hopefully we’ll be out in the open and can see them coming soon enough,” Anders said, joining Maija as they walked to the beach to help carry crates up to Rune’s place.
Chapter 85
Royalty
“Kirsten,” Thomas said, pulling on her sleeve.
Kirsten jerked her arm out of his hand, “What is it!?” she barked. Immediately, she felt a pang of regret at being so terse with him. The strain she’d caused between Max, Britt, and herself still lingered awkwardly among them. Although they had attempted to deal with the situation head on and had cleared the air, Max still couldn’t seem to hold a conversation with her. And the moment all three were together, Britt would become rigid and cold. The thought of losing two of her closest friends set her on edge. As a result, she couldn’t handle her brother’s nagging.
Thomas pulled his head inward and raised an eyebrow at Kirsten’s fiery response. “Look,” he said, pointing through the trees toward the coastline.
