His question echoed the very thought in her mind. The dragonriders should have been here. They would’ve landed last night and warned the people of our arrival, she thought. Yet they saw no sign of a welcome party or a city defense.
“Britt?” Max asked, his voice dropping an octave when she didn't answer.
Britt blinked, returning to the reality they now faced. “The smoke,” Britt said, pointing to the columns on the opposite side of Aquina. “It’s widespread.”
“Yeah, and it looks to me like something dangerous started it,” Max said.
Britt nodded slowly, “For it to be widespread without a large column means it’s been burning through the night at least.”
“Maybe that’s where all the people are?” Max suggested.
Britt shook her head, “This city is too large for our group to go unnoticed at their border. Things did not go as planned. I think dragons were involved and we’re late to the party.”
“You think Anders and Maija have already been here?” Max asked.
“Could’ve been the dragonriders Anders ran into or it could’ve been the enemy riders. Either way, I think they’ve run the people off and set fire to one side of the place.”
“Maybe everyone is on the other side of town trying to put the fire out?” Max suggested. “If dragons were involved, why would they only burn part of the city?” Max paused seeming to discover the answer to his own question, “Unless, Anders and Maija drove them off and that’s why they aren’t here to greet us.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Britt said, eyeing him steadily. “I’m going to lead a scouting party into the city to check out the damage.”
“I’m coming with you,” Max instantly replied.
“No,” Britt said. “You should stay here with the ships. If Merglan’s the cause of these fires in Aquina and the dragonriders come back, you and Sanka are the only ones who could protect our ships. Those long ships are our quickest escape if things go bad.”
“You realize that Sanka and I have only practiced with this magic, right? We haven’t been tested, so unless something miraculously changes, we won't be able to hold off a dragon by ourselves. I think I’d be of more use if I came with you,” Max said with some empathy.
“Those crystals are our only hope if it comes down to fighting by ourselves,” Britt said.
“Sanka has had just as much practice as I have. Let me come with you and have Sanka stay behind with the ships. I’ll even give him my spare crystals. Britt, you don’t know what could be lurking in there,” Max said firmly.
Britt chewed at the inside of her lip. She didn’t want to see Max get hurt by coming with her, but she also couldn’t help but consider their conversation on the ship. “You’re right. We should stay together, to the end.”
Nodding, he said, “We must be crazy.”
Britt turned back to the crowd of Rollo Island warriors who continued to scramble up the riverbank. They were three thousand strong and Britt knew they could hold their own against orcs and kurr. They’d done it before. If dragons came for them, they would be exposed without much protection. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, she thought as Red strolled up to her and the rest of her crew.
Strutting with a swagger that Britt had learned to hate, Chief Red asked, “What do you make of this situation now, Captain?” Without giving her a chance to reply, he spoke loud enough so the other warriors surrounding them could hear, “I would expect you'll be wanting to retreat back down the river and wait to take any action until your elf and dwarf friends arrive?”
Britt clenched her jaw as Red looked around to gauge the warriors’ response. He obviously thought his comment would win them over at her expense. Several harrumphed, but no one gave him the satisfaction of a laugh. “This might defy your expectations, Red, but as a leader I believe we need to do the opposite. Clearly things have not gone to plan, but our primary objective has not changed. We were sent ahead of the foot soldiers to secure the city. I thought this was explained to you, or have you forgotten why we’ve come here?”
Red's cheeks showed a dark crimson through his tan skin. He planted his hands firmly on his hips, “I’m Chief. I know our objectives better than anyone. Our army will sweep through the city and take control of it by force.”
“And abandon the ships?” Britt asked. She could see the wheels in Red’s head begin to turn as he realized that would put their people in the same situation as they’d been in Eastland where they were surrounded and their ships burned, leaving them without a quick escape route. “Wouldn’t it be better to send a scouting party into the city first? That way our army could defend the ships if needed.”
“Yes,” Red grasped onto the idea as if it were his own. “I will send a scouting party into the city while our warriors create a perimeter of defense around our ships. We do not want to leave them alone if orcs or worse are near.”
“I’d like to volunteer to lead the scouting mission,” Britt said, standing tall and puffing out her chest.
Red narrowed his eyes and considered her offer for a moment, then relaxed and said with a nod, “I agree that it should be you. If the rumors of wraiths and demons are true, you are best suited to sacrifice yourself for our people.”
“What about the crystal bearers?” a warrior behind Red asked.
Red eyed Max and said, “We need Sanka to stay with us, but the Westland boy will go with you. It would be a shame to lose a Rollo warrior with such skills before a major battle.”
“But we’ll be better guarded, too,” the warrior behind Red said.
Red frowned, turning to see who was questioning him. “I do not see any dragons in the sky. The one will be fine for our magical protection.” Red looked back at Max, “I’ve seen what he’s capable of in a fight. If he’s as good with the crystal as he is with the sword, then you’ll be,” Red scratched at his beard, then smiled, “well protected.”
“Max has seen more action since you saw him last,” Britt said, lowering her voice.
“Take a handful of my crew with you and make sure you’ve searched the entire city before coming back. I’ll be wanting people I trust to keep an eye on you.”
Britt glared at Red, infuriated that he seemed happy to risk her life and Max’s for this mission. “We’ll return if the riders come,” she said and then strode away from Red and the group of warriors as she led her crew back down toward their ship.
“That went about as well as I expected,” Max said, joining her. “But I thought he would want to come. He seemed to love being the first to fight before.”
“Now everybody will see what kind of leader he really is. In our culture, the Chiefs are the ones who put themselves in harm’s way before anyone else. We value strength above all else. By volunteering myself and leading his men, we are proving to anyone who still thinks he should be in command that he was the wrong choice.”
“Surely he realizes that his people will see him as a coward,” Max asked.
“I’m sure he thinks we’ll die and he can be rid of us without having to do it himself,” Britt said.
“I wasn’t listening that closely, but I heard him say that I would protect you,” Max said.
“Max, I love you, but everybody knows you’re about as skilled as a child when it comes to the sword. By comparing your magical abilities to your sword fighting skill, he was mocking you,” Britt said.
“He can say what he wants; I know the truth,” Max said with a grin.
