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WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR to her what Ironwing meant, I saw Sid show anxiety for the first time.
I bowed low to Ironwing and said, “We are honored by your generosity.”
“As well you should be,” Slashtail hissed. And once again Ironwing turned a glare at him that caused him to close his eyes and duck his head for a long moment.
“Take with you only what you can carry on your backs,” Sixtalon said. “A coat is recommended. We will return for you when the sun reaches midday.”
The thought of flying with a gryphon pleased me no end — it’s a truly amazing experience, once you grow accustomed to the tingling of loft. We would be taken up by Ironwing and her companions, and flown to the snow-capped peaks that were the ancestral home of her kind. Trey took it in stride. The others were less than enthusiastic.
“I’m no Guardian,” Grevin protested with evident alarm as he watched the gryphons fly away.
“Nor am I, my friend,” said Parick, laying a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “But it is a needful thing, to travel thus.” He hesitated, then added, “I do not command this of you.”
Grevin clenched his jaw for a moment, then with a short nod said, “I will go where you go, sire. And by whatever means.”
“Thank you,” Parick replied, smiling.
“You okay?” I asked Sid as we turned and walked back to Korl’s wagon.
“I fear nothing in my life has prepared me for such an adventure.” The smile she tried to give me faltered. “Daffyd — it will take all my courage to do this thing.”
“You don’t have to, you know,” I pointed out.
Her eyes widened into a glare. “Oh, yes I do!” she declared, bristling. “I have never backed away from a challenge in my life, and this will not be the first time!”
“You won’t fall, you know. If a gryphon consents to bear you, you’re as safe up there as you would be down here.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Indeed? I will hold you to that!”
“Feel free.”
Sid glanced up at the sky, face pale but now determined.
We packed as little as possible, mostly weapons, clothing, and bedrolls. The rest was left with Tensta, who did little to conceal her dismay at our departure, or her puzzlement at one of the players — Parick had resumed his disguise — jumping ship to fly away with us. Her unasked questions must have been agonizing, but to do her credit, she didn’t pry.
“We’ll miss your swords,” she said. Then, with a short laugh, added, “I will miss you, my friends!”
“There will be Guardians watching you the rest of the way,” Trey said. “The remainder of your trip should be peaceful and safe enough.”
I bit back on the observation that, with us leaving, the Regent had no further reason to bother with their caravan. Something in the look Korl gave me made me suspect such a comment wasn’t necessary in any case.
“A word in private, before you go,” he said.
“Of course.” And we walked away from the group, while Parick took his leave to make his farewells and gather his own gear, as well as to handle a more personal — and we all hoped temporary — farewell, Grevin at his side.
“The attack we endured,” said Korl. “They came at us from more than one direction, but the worst fighting was where Willame died. What do you suppose drew them to the players?”
“I can’t say.” Which was, at that moment, the literal truth.
Korl grunted and folded his arms across his chest, his expression one of open skepticism. But like Tensta, he chose to tread carefully. “I expect no answers if speaking would compromise your quest,” he said.
“Fair enough.”
A gryphon shadow passed over us, one of those watching over the caravan. Korl glanced up for a moment. “You’re convinced the gryphons are guiltless in the tragedy that struck the Sky Guard?”
“I am. I’ve spoken to someone who examined the dead, both human and gryphon.” I shook my head. “They didn’t die fighting each other, but against a common foe. One they could not have expected.”
Korl looked down at the ground for a moment, then met my eyes again. “I was in Morvain that night, Daffyd. I heard the alarm bells ringing. I saw riderless gryphons fleeing the lights of the city, in blind panic.”
“Fear, not guilt,” I said. “They were being manipulated.”
“And I saw something else in the air, that night,” he went on. “Dimly seen, but a glimpse was enough — Daffyd, I saw nightmares! Great dark shapes that made no sounds as they passed over my head, chasing the gryphons. As I gaped at the last of them, there was a foul smell, like an untended latrine in summer!”
“Did anyone else see this?” I demanded.
“No,” and he looked away and down in chagrin. “I was in the alley behind a tavern, taking a piss. I was alone, and it was halfway from midnight to dawn.” He looked at me again, eyes narrowing. “You are not surprised by what I say.”
“No, I’m not. Those were manticores you saw.”
“Manticores!” His eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. “Monsters from tales told to frighten children into better behavior?”
“Those tales are the last faded bits of ancient truths, my friend. Once upon a time they lived on this world. They came from elsewhere, much as I did. The gryphons destroyed them. Now they’ve been brought back.”
“Brought back by whom?” he demanded.
“We believe the Regent is responsible,” I replied. “He means to deny Prince Parick his throne and rule this land. I don’t intend to let him get away with it.”
“But the Prince is...” Korl stared at me for a long moment, and then looked over his shoulder toward the players’ carriage. “God and Goddess!” he whispered. “Young Orlis?” He looked back at me, but when after a long moment and a hard stare, I merely nodded, he said. “Well, that explains the pattern of attack.”
“Agents of the Regent were almost certainly placed among the travelers to keep an eye on us,” I said. “To see where we went and what we found. I’m guessing, but since Grevin knew the true identity of Orlis soon after we joined you, he somehow gave it away. Those agents got word back to their master.”
“How could they do that from out here?”
“I don’t know for sure,” I said with a sigh, and that was true enough. “But all it would take was a long walk after dark, and a meeting with one of the Regent’s pet manticores. We wouldn’t know a thing about it.”
“But our night watch would...” Korl grimaced as he came to the inevitable conclusion that he had been betrayed. “I will determine who is responsible and leave him staked out on the plains! Alive!”
I might have objected to such a punishment, but just then the look on Willame’s face in the moment he died flashed into my memory. “If I’m on hand at the time, count on my help.”
Korl sighed deeply and shook his head. “Ah, I’ll just cut off the bastard’s head. So, I will delay you no longer.” He held out his hand. “It’s been an honor, Daffyd Outworlder. I pray the Two cross our paths again, one day. I’d like to hear the rest of this story.”
“I hope for the same, Korl,” I replied shaking his hand. “And I’m glad we were able to be of some service to you and Tensta along the way.”
“Be safe, my friend!”
“You too!”
Since I had my stuff together, I walked back to the others with him. Trey and Sid said farewell to Tensta, and the three of us hiked away from the caravan and into the grassland. In the approximate spot where we’d met the gryphons, we stopped and looked up into the sky, bright blue between fleets of puffy, grey-bottomed clouds.
“I don’t see anyone,” said Sid.
“You won’t,” Trey told her. “Not until they are ready...” He had looked back down to address her, but stopped speaking abruptly as his gaze focused beyond her, back toward the rail and the caravan.
I followed his gaze. “Uh, oh...”
Three people approached: Parick, Grevin — and Veresa, hurrying up from behind. Behind them was a crowd that looked like most of the caravan, holding their ground, waiting to see what would happen to us. Grevin looked seriously pissed off, Parick’s frown wasn’t much of an improvement, and Veresa’s face displayed a mix of anger and determination that was flat out impressive. I could guess what the argument had been, and looking at the young woman as she approached, knew the two men never stood a chance. There was a bundle slung over her shoulder, the strap held in a white-knuckled grip, and two long knives in the belt of the trousers she wore. Her coat was about half a size too large.
Sid guessed in a heartbeat what was going on, but a tiny, stifled laugh was all that gave her away. Trey gave no sign of reacting to the rather obvious situation at all, until Parick strode up to him, a small bundle slung under his left arm and the hilt of his sword showing over his left shoulder.
“Perhaps you can talk some sense into her,” Parick said, looking up slightly to meet Trey’s eyes.
Trey gave me a bemused look and a small shrug.
“That’s okay, Trey, I’ve got this.” Turning to Parick I asked, “What’s the problem?” as mildly as I could.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Parick demanded. “She intends to come along.”
“Right, I get that. But what’s the problem?”
Parick literally gaped at me. “The risk is too great. She should remain here, with the others, until this matter is resolved.”
Veresa’s face was flushed with anger and it was clear she was about to lose it. “You consider the risk to her safety unacceptable?” I said, hoping to forestall an explosion.
“Yes!”
“But risking the life of the only heir to the throne of Morva doesn’t bother you?” I met his glare and held it until the young man flushed and looked away. “If we’re to deal with this in such terms, we should leave both of you behind.”
Parick opened his mouth and closed it, caught by a thought that hadn’t occurred to him, and should have. He glanced quickly to Grevin, who had nothing to offer. “I have been trained for this,” Parick finally replied. “I can defend myself and with your help, I am confident...”
“Veresa attacked a warrior more than twice her size, with nothing but a pair of long knives,” I said. “If he’d been a heartbeat slower, she’d have cut his throat! She can handle herself.”
“This isn’t for you to decide!” Parick snapped.
“Isn’t it?” I took a short step toward him, and to do him credit, Parick didn’t so much as bat an eye, let alone step back. “I’ve sworn no oaths of service. I’ll never tie myself down that way. Putting you on the throne is only part of our mission here, Your Highness. Remember that. An important part, to be sure, but Trey and I did not return to this world simply to serve you!”
“The fate of your entire world is at stake,” Trey said. “That is why we are here.”
I nodded toward where Veresa stood, watching and listening intently. “She’s shared considerable risk already, for love’s sake. The choice is hers to make, not yours or mine, and she’s already made it. I’ve seen that she can handle a fight, so I see no reason for her to remain behind.”
Parick glared at me a moment, then turned that glare to Trey, who shrugged and said, “I have always trusted his judgment in such matters.”
“If Veresa wants to share the risk, she’s welcome in this company,” and I gave the young woman a nod. “So long as it’s understood that Trey and I make the decisions, and the rest of you follow them.”
“You and Trey?” Grevin raised an eyebrow. “It sounds to me as if you alone have command here.”
Trey laughed suddenly, then said, “It always seems to work that way, Grevin. I get us into trouble, and Daffyd takes charge of getting us out.” Then he sobered and added, “I have trusted my life to this man a hundred times or more. Your best chance of regaining the throne, Your Highness, is to follow his lead.”
“We’re all clear on this, then?” Everyone nodded and Parick looked angry and resigned. “Look, Parick, I do understand. You love her. You don’t want any harm to come to her. I’m sure she understands that, too. But even as a noble-born lord, it’s not for you to determine her fate.” I matched his gaze and refused to look away, watching as he processed what I’d just said. It took several minutes.
“You are right, Daffyd,” he conceded at last, not looking happy about it.
“And you, my lady,” I said, meeting Veresa’s eyes. “You’re good in a fight, but you’re not a warrior. You lack the physical strength and training you would need. Let’s be realistic about this. If I tell you to back out of a situation and keep your head down, you will do so.”
“I do have some skill with a blade,” Veresa said then. “They taught me.” And she hooked a thumb toward Grevin and Parick. “But — I will agree to your terms, sir. With thanks.”
“Good.” I turned and started walking further from the caravan. Sid fell into step beside me. “First chance you get, spar with her. See what she’s got.”
“Yes.”
A shadow swept over us, then others in rapid succession. We all looked up. Sid’s eyes widened and her face grew pale. “They’re here!”
