When he got back to their campsite, he quickly grabbed his one spare change of clothes and put them on and buckled Lazuran at his side. Somehow the blade already felt like a part of him, and he didn’t want to let it out of his sight. After Anders was scrubbed and had changed into proper clothes, he saw that Kirsten and Thomas were rolling up their sleeping arrangements. Max and Bo struggled to do the same but had already started bickering over whose blankets were whose. Maija had packed up her tent and was sitting on the hill next to Zahara, who had awakened but lounged lazily.

He reached out with his mind, connecting with Zahara, I’m glad to see you made it back safely.

When she didn’t respond immediately, he began to think he hadn’t made the connection properly, but a moment later she answered, The flights were good, but long. I’m talking with Maija right now about the recent events. She’s an elf, you know, and has riders in her family.

I know, I was there when she found out, he said through his thoughts. I’ll leave you two to chat awhile and get acquainted.

Anders rolled up the blankets he’d used as a bed and tied them in a bundle. Max walked over as he tossed his things onto the pile.

“Heard you found the missing riders,” Max said sticking his hands into his pockets.

“Yeah,” Anders replied. “Both dragons dead and one of the riders as well.”

Max grimaced. Noticing the new sword Anders had acquired, he asked, “Is that where you got that? I didn’t know you were a thief,” Max joked, trying to make light of the conversation.

Anders moved his arm that was blocking it and looked at it saying, “Oh no, I didn’t steal it. Nadir gave it to me. He said the rider would’ve wanted me to have it. It’s crazy sharp and super light.” Anders pulled the blade from the sheath and handed it to Max.

Max gripped it around the hilt and admired it. He stuck his finger to the blade and pulled it back instantly wincing with pain. Blood dripped from his fingertip. “You weren’t kidding,” he said, handing it back. “Why do you suppose it has sapphires?” he asked, pointing to the hilt.

Anders hadn’t yet had enough time to think about how and why Lazuran was created. Shrugging, he said, “Not sure. Decoration, I guess.”

“Maybe the rider was rich and liked his sword to look it?” Max suggested.

“Could’ve been,” Anders said doubtfully.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you,” Max said, changing the subject.

“Oh?” Anders asked, curious about what his friend had to say.

Max fiddled with his belt buckle and glanced down as he spoke, “Well it’s about what happens next. To us, I mean. I guess you’ll be busy training with your dragon and learning how to use magic now, and well, Britt offered me and Bo spots as crewmen on her ship.”

Anders hadn’t really thought about his future and Zahara’s; he hadn’t even considered what Max’s plan would be. They’d become very close since leaving Grandwood. He blushed as the silence before responding seemed to last too long. “Well, yeah. That’s great that she wants you,” Anders said. “And you’re not one to say no to an adventure,” he added with a smile, sheathing Lazuran.

Max half smiled and glanced up.

“I guess we were so focused on getting this far in our quest that I hadn’t really thought about what’s next. You’re probably right though, Ivan will want us to go train now that Zahara and I have bonded,” Anders sighed. “I was hoping to go back home. Get the farm going again, you know, but I’ll bet Merglan would hunt us down as soon as he got a chance; stupid prophecy,” he muttered under his breath.

Max chuckled, “Yeah. Well, I just wanted to thank you while I have you alone, you know so I don’t miss the opportunity to be soppy in front of the others when we actually leave.” He extended his open palm for a handshake.

Anders brushed his hand aside and pulled him in for a hug, “No, thank you, Max,” he said wrapping him in a brotherly embrace. “I would’ve never gotten this far without your help. Seriously.”

Max pulled away after allowing the hug to last longer than he would normally. Looking around to make sure nobody had seen their show of emotion, he cleared his throat and brushed the wrinkles out of his shirt. “Well, now that that’s taken care of,” Max gave up his macho act, breaking from his firm posture, and said with a tear in his eye, “I’ll miss you, Anders.”

“You say that like I’m going to die tomorrow,” Anders replied, slugging him playfully in the shoulder.

“You probably will,” Max said jokingly hitting him back.

“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you sooner than you expect.”

“I hope so,” Max said. He picked up his packed bag, slung it over his shoulder and began walking toward the beach. Bo fell in behind him as he walked past their tent site.

Anders watched them walk into the crowd, then turned to join Maija who was still seated alongside Zahara. Thomas and Kirsten now sat with them looking out at the Rollo camp as the tents disappeared, collapsing to be packed for their journey home.

“That was awfully cute,” Kirsten teased him as he approached.

“Max was really hoping nobody saw that,” Anders said, taking a seat next to them.

“Why?” Thomas asked. “There’s nothing wrong with two men embracing one another.”

“I know,” Anders said. “But Max is kind of embarrassed to wear his emotions on his sleeve. That’s why he jokes so much. He uses his jokes as a shield, instead of saying how he really feels.”

You, humans, are strange, Zahara said, projecting her thoughts into all of their minds. Everyone burst out laughing.

Ivan emerged from the crowd, walking toward them with purpose. They rose from their relaxing seats to address him.

“How’s Natalia doing?” Anders asked as Ivan came to a stop before them, looking determined.

“She’ll heal just fine. Her legs will work as they once did, but the emotional toll from the loss of her dragon is much worse. She’s asked to be left alone.”

Anders noticed Maija seemed concerned about the mental status of her newly discovered sister.

“The elves are eager to leave now that she’s been found and attended to, considering the looming threat of Merglan’s return,” Ivan said nodding toward the movements within the camp. The elves moved much faster than the human camp, making ready to leave in a hurry.

“Looks like the Rollo Island warriors will be ready to sail soon as well,” Kirsten noted, as the others listened in on their conversation.

Ivan nodded curtly to her and, turning back to Anders said, “Which leads me to what I’ve come to talk with you about. You and Zahara must be properly trained in the ways of a rider, as I was. We’ll be leaving with the elves and returning to the Everlight Kingdom once they’re ready.”

“What about my cousins?” Anders asked. “Can they come with us?” Thomas and Kirsten looked eagerly at Ivan, awaiting his reply. They were anxious to see the elf kingdom their father had spoken about but knew they would need to be invited or face the wrath of elvish justice.

“No,” Ivan said shortly. “The elves will not allow anyone but elves or riders to stay with them for the amount of time we’ll be there. Your family should return to Grandwood.”

“How are we going to do that?” Kirsten asked. “You don’t expect us to walk all that way do you?”

“You’ll set sail with the Rollo people and they’ll drop you off at Grandwood since it is on their way home.”

“Oh,” Thomas and Kirsten said simultaneously. They were not thrilled with the idea of going back on the ships where earlier they’d been held as prisoners, but at least this time they’d be able to leave their cabins to go to the bathroom.

“When will I see them again?” Anders asked strongly.

“You and Zahara will remain in hiding until your training is complete. We don’t want Merglan to find out where you’ve gone. By now he’ll know you’ve bonded. You’ve become a major target for him, which is why we need to leave as soon as we’re ready. The magic embedded in the capital where we’ll be training is ancient and powerful. It’s protected them from evils like Merglan since its creation.”

“How long will that take?” Kirsten asked, placing her hands on her hips and planting her feet.

“I can’t be certain, but it took me two years to complete my training. Seeing as how our situation is dire, Anders and Zahara will be on an accelerated program,” Ivan said.

“Can’t Zahara and I fly back to Grandwood on the weekends to visit?” Anders said hopefully.

“And have Merglan waiting there for your arrival? No, you would be killed,” Ivan stated.