If I recall from the meeting you had in Brookside, you were going to attempt to join the famous horse riders when you arrived. If they’re under attack now, what better way to gain their support than by coming to their aid and likely rescuing them.
Yeah, that’s what we decided, Anders said.
Not just you aiding in their rescue, Anders. The elves as well.
But they aren’t here, Maija said.
If one of you elves decided to run back to get them, you could bring them here before nightfall. One day’s march for a massive army is not so far for elves with their incredible speed, Tarron said.
“I’ll go,” Natalia said to Maija.
“We shouldn’t split up,” Maija protested.
“Tarron’s right, Maija. The enemy army will be here and we can’t guarantee that the Rollo Navy will get here in time. If I go back now, I can bring Nadir and the others by nightfall. That’s six hundred elves that we’ll need.”
“That’s still not enough to hold the city. If we don’t come back by tonight, they’ll come looking for us anyway,” Maija argued.
“Six hundred elves, two dragonriders and a cavalry should hold the city until the Rolloans and the other armies arrive,” Anders said. “We can’t count on the cavalry, but we can count on the elves.”
Maija could tell she would not be able to talk her sister into staying. “Take Raffa with you; you’ll reach them much faster,” she said.
“No,” Natalia said.
I won’t leave my bonded when an enemy rider is near, Raffa said to Maija and Natalia both.
“You’re going to need to stay and try to get the support of Aquina,” Natalia said, preparing to leave.
“I’ll be fighting the dragonrider with Anders,” Maija said looking at Anders for confirmation.
He frowned, “I’ll try to, but I don’t know if we can pull both the rider and the fairnheir away from the city by ourselves. You’re going to have to take on the fairnheir after I lead the rider away from the city. If you can, you’ll have to rally the people and cavalry.”
Maija was about to argue, but Natalia said as only an older sister can, “There isn’t time for arguing, Maija. They’ve seen you and talked with you before. You’ll need to rally the city and face the fairnheir while Anders deals with the rider. I’m going to get the elves. Look for us at dusk. If we’re not here by then, well, just expect us at dusk.” With that Natalia turned and dashed into the river, swimming easily to the other side.
Anders took several deep breaths and Maija knew he was about to leave her to confront the dragonrider. “Anders,” she said, concern rattling her voice.
“I know this is scary,” Anders said, taking her hands in his. “But right now, we’re the only ones who can do something about it.”
“Don’t make me face the army by myself; come back the moment you win or feel a loss coming,” she said.
“Take Raffa down river into the city, stay on the ground until I’ve drawn the rider away. If you can, call the cavalry to arms. I didn’t see any resistance when I came in.”
“And if they aren’t there?” she asked.
“Wait until I lead the dragon away, then scorch those bastards,” Anders said. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and whispered. “We’ll be fine, Maija. I won’t let them take me away from you.”
“You better not,” Maija whispered, trying to hold back her tears.
Anders kissed her and turned to leave. Maija watched as he mounted Zahara. She rubbed noses with Raffa and walked out of the river’s draw. Anders and Zahara looked back at Maija and Raffa once before Zahara spread her wings and flew out toward Aquina.
As Anders flew out of view, Maija suddenly felt that they’d just made a terrible mistake. She and Raffa quickly ran down river toward the city. She jogged so Raffa could keep up. Dragons were faster than humans on their feet, but if they weren’t flying, they couldn’t keep up with the elves.
What did I learn from Natalia’s story: don’t split up in this kind of situation, she thought.
I don’t agree with it either, Raffa said. And I really didn’t like you saying I should leave you to protect Natalia.
I didn’t say you should protect her, Maija thought. I just thought it would go faster, but you’re right, that was a worse idea. If I was all alone right now...
Don’t even think it; we are together and will not let fear overcome us, Raffa said.
Right, we need to rally the people of Aquina, Maija replied. Shouldn’t be too hard to get them to listen to me now that they’re under attack.
Soon Maija was forced to slow her pace, the smoke blowing across the riverbed was too thick to see through. Coughing, she covered her mouth with the shirt under her leather riding armor. The sooty smoke stung her eyes; they watered profusely. She could hardly keep them open. Stopping, she turned around to see Raffa standing still, looking at her in concern.
How aren’t you feeling this? she asked.
Why are you crying? I can’t see through the smoke, but it doesn’t bother me, he replied.
Dragons, she thought and tried crouching. The smoke was less dense near the ground, so she could see a little farther.
What are you doing now? Raffa asked.
I can’t breathe up there, so I’m going to have to crawl the rest of the way, she told him. Maija used some of her magic to carefully search out in front of her. She made sure to keep her search within the banks of the river. They’d come closer to the north end of Aquina. She could sense horses and people nearby, but no fairnheir. Crawling farther through the smoke, Maija quickly realized it would take too much time to reach a location where she could see Anders clearly.
This is ridiculous, she thought. Raffa, fly through the smoke until we’re into the city.
I was wondering when you were going to ask me to do that, he said.
If I’m slow to realize something like that, please say something about it, Maija said slightly irritated with herself for not thinking of the solution sooner. The smoke would hide them better than the riverbank.
