“We are a strange group of allies,” she said. “But in this, we stand united. Let us make certain that the world we love remains intact.”
Chapter 3: A Shift in Power
Water embraced Elenyr and bid farewell to the other fragments, unable to shake the strangeness to the parting. Their personalities had altered after the separation with Draeken. Since he was the only one to retain a fragment of Power, he was the only one unchanged by the separation.
Water watched the fragments and wondered where he fit. He was still a fragment, but without his brothers, was he still a part of someone greater? Or was he now whole? Shadow slid up to his flank.
“Don’t die in the war,” Shadow said with a wink.
“I don’t plan to,” Water said.
The feeling of the group had changed since Elenyr had devised their plan of four paths. Water appreciated the hopeful tinge to their words, while Shadow and Light were borderline jovial. Rynda was obviously impatient to depart for combat, while Tardoq alone seemed somber. Elenyr appeared worried, and to her Water smiled.
“They’ll be fine,” he said, stepping to her side and handing her the waterskin he’d filled.
“I hope so.” She smiled as she accepted the skin. “Because I already lost a son. I don’t want to lose one again.”
“Me?” Fire turned, having overheard the comment. He smirked. “No war can stop us now.”
Water chuckled, unable to deny his brother’s amusement. Then he reached for the flow of water trickling down the slope from melting snow and swept it into a circle, the liquid wrapping up and around to form his traveling wheel. A seat rose from the base, and he added three more.
Rynda snorted and jerked her head. “I’m not traveling in that thing.”
“You won’t be able to keep up.”
“You won’t be able to keep up,” she retorted.
“I think she’ll be fine,” Lira said, climbing into the water wheel and claiming the left seat. Fire nodded in agreement and claimed the seat in the back.
Water placed a hand on the center chair but turned back to the group. Senia stood with Light and Willow, the trio mounting Isray, the dragon bonded to Rake. The white dragon made the clearing feel small, and he snorted when Light kept trying to touch his wings. Smoke curled from the dragon’s nostrils.
Mind stood with Tardoq and Jeric, the trio shouldering packs. Mind’s expression was reserved, but there was a trace of excitement about his frame at the prospect of going to the Krey Empire. Their eyes met and Mind spoke into Water’s thoughts.
Keep Fire safe.
Water nodded to the mental words. If you promise to return.
Mind inclined his head and flashed a rare smile. I have to. I can’t trust you fragments to survive without me.
Water chuckled at that, and then noticed Elenyr. The Hauntress had joined her own group, and stood with Shadow, Lorica, Sentara, and Rune. Sentara still didn’t like Elenyr, the animosity visible on her features, but Rune seemed excited at the prospect of their journey.
“Ready?” Lira asked, drawing Water’s attention.
Water glanced to her, the woman he’d come to love. “Of course.”
“Don’t start kissing in front of me,” Fire warned. “Not unless you want to see burning vomit.”
Lira grinned. “No promises.”
Elenyr called to everyone, and the four groups looked to her. A touch of emotion marked her eyes, and for a moment she did not speak. The pride was palpable and Water fought to keep his own emotions in check.
“My sons and friends,” she said, “to look upon you fills me with pride. Draeken and Serak represent everything we abhor. They represent oppression and tyranny, and their plan threatens our lives and our freedom.”
Light burst into a laugh. Everyone stared at him and he stifled his amusement. “Sorry.”
Elenyr smiled at Light and swept a hand to them. “If there was ever a group with which I’d want to go to war, it is you. Be safe in your journeys.”
Water nodded to Elenyr and then climbed into the wheel of swirling liquid. He cast the other groups a lingering look as each departed. The white dragon took to the sky, billowing cold air into the clearing. Tardoq, Jeric, and Mind threaded into the trees, the armored dakorian visible for several seconds until the branches took him from sight. Elenyr and her group re-entered the mine and disappeared into the darkened recess. Then Water sighed and accelerated his wheel, kicking mud into their wake as they sped into the trees. Rynda ran at their side, keeping pace with ease.
Fire leaned forward and spoke in Water’s ear. “You should put her in our dust. Show her how fast you can really go.”
Lira shook her head. “I don’t think angering that woman is a good thing. She’s rather intimidating.”
Water agreed with Lira, and kept the wheel at a pace that would eat up the miles. Rynda did not seem perturbed, her long legs carrying her through the forest as if she’d been born to run. It made Water wonder just how the rock trolls trained to develop such endurance.
They dropped down the slopes of the mountains until they encountered the main highway. Connecting the middle cities back to Terros, the highway wound through valleys and mountain passes on its way west. Villages dotted the region, with a handful of smaller cities. All lay between Xshaltheria and Terros, the path Draeken’s army would take if they invaded.
Patches of snow melted in the gulleys and ravines, and buds blossomed on branches. Deer and foxes flitted about, hunting mice and voles, while badgers sought for new dens. Trappers were out in force, hunting for skin and meat, hoping to stock up for the alliance army that was rumored to be passing in the next few weeks.
“They should be fleeing the region,” Lira said.
“Probably,” Fire said. “But they don’t think Draeken is a threat. To them, he’s just kidnapped their king for a season. How much harm can he be?”
