“You left one for me?” Willow sounded surprised.
“I’m hungry, not stupid.”
“How many did he leave you?” Senia asked.
“More than I thought he would,” Willow said, and popped it into her mouth.
Light’s stomach still ached, but he did not think it prudent to speak any more. The dragon banked left and soared across the rocky terrain, keeping his body partly in the white clouds. Moisture speckled Light’s face and he smiled. How much he loved to fly.
“There,” Senia said.
Light followed her arm to see the dust rising from a group of mounted horsemen. The snow had melted this far south and the region had warmed considerably. Light squinted for a good look.
“Looks like five companies,” he said.
“We should land out of sight and meet them on the road,” Senia said. “No reason to startle several hundred armored cavalry.”
“That does seem unwise,” Light agreed.
Isray folded his wings and dropped from the sky. He curved between two hills and then backwinged to land in the space between, out of sight from the road. Light and the others jumped off and stumbled on the rocky ground. As the thundering of hooves came from the road, Senia pointed back to the sky.
“Perhaps it’s better if you keep an eye out,” she said. “We have no way of knowing when Draeken will strike.”
I’ll stay close enough to hear your thoughts.
The white dragon retreated back the way they had come and then leapt into the sky. Light waved and then picked his way down the short slope towards the road. The dust cloud was visible around the hills, rising into the sky in a hazy plume. Then the lead riders rounded the curve.
“They’re in a hurry,” Senia said. “They won’t want to stop.”
“You think they have food?” Willow asked.
Light looked to her and she shrugged. “You’re not the only one that’s hungry.”
“Army rations,” Senia said.
Light wrinkled his nose in disgust even as his mouth watered. Dried meat and nuts did not sound satisfying, but his stomach seemed to disagree. The lead rider caught sight of the three of them barring the road and reined his mount to a halt.
“Step aside,” he commanded. “By order of the armies of the alliance.”
“We need to speak to Lachonus,” Senia said. “Is he with you?”
“Captain Lachonus!” another rider called back to the force appearing around the hill.
One of the group flicked the reins and the horse accelerated beyond the others. He caught up to the leading scouts and spotted the four of them. The scout scowled and began to speak but Lachonus cut him off.
“Light?” he asked, dismounting and striding to greet them. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you, actually,” Light said.
Dressed in a captains uniform for the Talinorian cavalry, Lachonus wore silver plate armor with white accents. His helmet hung from a length of leather in the saddle, and his long spear was attached to the opposite side. A sword and scabbard hung on his back. Perhaps the most striking was his hair, which was bright, dwarven red.
Lachonus looked between them, his eyes settling on Senia. “Oracle Senia,” he said. “Forgive me, I didn’t recognize you.”
“Armor is not usually customary clothing for an oracle,” she said. “Can we speak in private?”
“Of course.”
He motioned to the scouts and barked an order for them to continue. Then he led his horse off the road to a space between a group of boulders. The army continued, the horses passing them on their way north.
“What’s going on?” he lowered his tone. “Last I knew, the fragments had been taken by Serak.”
“Things have changed,” Senia said. “We need you to come with us.”
“Now?” Lachonus gestured to the army. “I’ve been ordered to join the army at Terros, where we march on Xshaltheria.”
“It won’t matter unless we can destroy Serak directly,” Senia said.
As they talked, Light eyed the captain’s pack, which looked heavy, he hoped with supplies. Lachonus glanced his way, noticing his attention on his pack. Eventually he frowned and motioned to the bag.
“Is something amiss?”
“Is there food in there?”
“Help yourself,” Lachonus said.
Light grinned and opened the saddlebag, where he discovered pouches of dried nuts and fruit, as well as smoked meat. Officer rations. He dug in, and then noticed Willow’s disapproving look. He gave a sheepish shrug and then closed the saddlebag.
“Sorry.” His voice was muffled with the food in his mouth, and he resumed his former place next to Senia.
