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confident in his walls."
"Another thing," said a new voice as a crested head poked in through the flap
and Kalestari entered. "I believe a single flight of fireborn should be
dispatched to the Regent's forces." Aejys stood up and went to her, dropping
to her knees to hug the fireborn. "That way they do not have to worry with
bringing siege engines through the gorge. Let Hoon settle down for a long
siege, and then we'll tear his walls down." The fireborn, who could reduce her
size to that of a large dog, waddled slowly into the tent and settled beside
the table. "The one thing I miss about my human body is the occasional glass
of wine."
"Why didn't ya say somethin'," Tagalong shouted. She immediately dug a bowl
out of the chest at the end of the bed and filled it with wine. "Try that."
Kalestari lapped it. "Uhmmm! That's good. What's the vintage?"
"Faewin. It was a gift from Geoa's na'halaef," Soren said before she thought.
No one had told Kalestari that Geoa had remarried.
The entire tent went silent. The fireborn's head drooped. "She thought I was
dead. She had a right to get on with her life. I am dead." Kalestari shook
herself, settled her feathers, and went back to lapping the wine. "When I
leave here, I'll take a flight of fireborn with me to the Regent. Anaria will
be entering the gorge tomorrow. Barring unforeseen circumstances, she should
reach the castle in three days. Four at most. You need to move out first thing
tomorrow. If you have dispatches going back, Aejys, get them ready."
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"Jumpfree, inform the winged ones, support units and the auxiliaries to move
out immediately."
"You're not leaving me behind, Aejys," Josiah said, his eyes searching her
face.
"I want to," she said, her voice soft with concern. "But I did that to some
others that I loved and they're dead. I won't do that to you. I'm not going to
say good-bye, because it isn't. Get out of here. I'll see you in Hoon's
Valley."
Josiah nodded and left with Laurelyanne. They would be traveling with the
winged ones and the auxiliaries, since Laurelyanne felt the stress of a Jump
could hurt Josiah in his weakened condition.
"Kalestari, I think you'd better collect your flight before they all take
off," Aejys said. "We'll go tonight. Camp in the valley."
The fireborn nodded, following the others out.
The winged units, ferrying wagons and supplies, were given a four-hour head
start. The column, organized in a square formation, stood at the edge of the
cooling lava. Jumpfree circled the center, his power rushed through them in a
tingling of nerves. Horses screamed. Then they were gone.
The troops materialized in the middle of the asphodel meadow, feeling
momentarily disoriented. Scouts were immediately ordered out. Even with the
head start, the company arrived ahead of the auxiliaries and was camped and
waiting when the winged ones arrived at dawn.
The horses were hitched to the wagons and the columns formed up. The fireborn
dispersed into forests finding what cover their huge bodies could beneath the
largest trees and settled to sleep away the daylight hours. Skelly found a
river and sank into its depths where his pastel feathers became just one more
reflection of the light upon the water. The quetzelcoatli were fishing
dragons.
A village was spotted at midday. Aejys ordered it quietly encircled before
she rode in and had the villagers taken in hand. A priest read them for the
taint of sa'necari and undeath. Those that were found with it were destroyed.
The others were taken prisoner and brought along. She could take no chances
with them.
They made camp that night on a small rise above a stream.
"Do you think they know we're out here, yet?" Aejys asked.
"They are aware of the Regent's forces," Kalestari told her, enjoying a bowl
of wine. "We've had some skirmishes with shifters. Nothing serious yet."
"I'm sure they suspect," Soren said, "But unless they've scryed us..."
"Not likely," Dynarien replied. "I've kept the wards up. I haven't felt
anyone testing them."
"Hoon doesn't know about Jumpfree, so he probably thinks we can't get past
the lava yet. Now, if we're finished," Aejys said, rising, "I have a few
things to take care of." She walked out.
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Dynarien followed her. "Josiah?"
Aejys nodded, her face tight. "I shouldn't have brought him. The pace we're
setting..."
They reached the healer's wagon and Aejys climbed in first, folding her wings
tightly. She knelt beside him, took his hand, and kissed him. Dynarien
crouched near the door watching them, thinking, reading the lines of pain in
Josiah's face that should not have been there.
"Aejys, could you leave us alone for a moment, I want to check him over, not
just a Reading."
"All right," Aejys left the wagon.
Dynarien moved beside Josiah and Read him. "You're not going to tell her, are
you?" It was more an accusation than a question.
"No. I've forbidden Laurelyanne to also. Let her believe I'll get better. So
long as I don't overtire myself it will seem like I am. My body was damaged to
begin with ... I just finished it off. Please, don't tell her."
"I won't. You won't see winter solstice, you know that. I doubt you'll make
it to autumn."
"I never liked autumn."
"I'll talk to my father, see if he has any suggestions."
"Thank you."
* * * *
A group of riders crested a small rise in the distance, hesitated, and then
turned tail.
"Do we go after them, majesty?" Soren asked.
"No," Aejys answered. "It's time Hoon knew for certain we were here. He'll
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