SUNLIGHT bore down when Zara regained consciousness. She heard the men breaking camp and saddling horses. Her right shoulder complained when she tried to sit up. Pain radiated across her chest and down her back, nearly taking her breath away. Shifting her weight to the other side, she forced herself into a sitting position. A dull, distant, throbbing ache fanned from one side of her head to the other, making it difficult to focus on her surroundings. It waned within moments.
Cygnet and Jerrod stretched out nearby, looking content and well rested. At her first stirrings, both opened their eyes. Two tails thumped synchronized greetings on the hard ground.
“You should be resting.” Tarsius dropped the flap that served as a door as he entered then knelt to gather his things. He glanced at her briefly, assessing, then returned to packing. There was something odd in his manner. Zara was uncertain what it was, but…. “We will be homebound soon.”
“No!”
His hands stilled and his gaze swung around to her again.
Two white heads popped up, ears perked forward.
“We must. You’re injured,” Tarsius explained calmly. “And we must return Elden to the temple for funeral rites.”
“I’m fine,” Zara replied softly.
“Are you ready?” Kestian poked his head into the tent, his voice low. He smiled brightly when his gaze met hers. “Well, you look much better than the last time I saw you, my lady.”
She frowned. There had to be a way to get them moving in the right direction.
Kestian gave Tarsius a questioning look. The knight shrugged and continued packing.
“Kestian?”
“Yes, my lady.” He paused in leaving.
“How far is Tel’antias?”
“A day’s ride.” His brow furrowed, and he added, “We’re returning to Mil’antias. We’ll arrive shortly after nightfall.”
She offered no response, and he left.
“We can’t go back,” she said almost under her breath.
Tarsius tied his bag shut and glanced at her. “Why?”
“He wants us to.”
“Who?”
“Ray’din.” She sighed. Who else would she mean?
“How do you know this?”
She considered it, trying to capture the answer within her clouded mind. Some forgotten piece of memory. Something she’d heard, maybe even a dream. It eluded her. The pounding in her head returned in force, blocking her search. She shook her head in defeat and rubbed her eyes wearily. “I just do.”
“Father Nandell has already decided.” His gaze softened with sympathy and concern. “There is nothing I can do.” He picked up the bag and ducked through the door flap.
Zara watched him leave with disappointment and something very near desperation. Rising despite the protests of a tender ankle, she wrapped the blanket more tightly around herself. They couldn’t go back. How did she change their minds when she couldn’t remember why that was so important? Hm.... Maybe she didn’t have to reason with them. Finding a knife in Tarsius’ remaining possessions, she slit the back wall of the tent open. After a considering glance, she dropped the knife back where it belonged, remembering a promise given.
Jerrod rose.
“No,” she whispered.
The pup looked at her in confusion.
She stepped through the hole in the tent, turned, and held out a hand. “Stay.” Then she melded with the trees, following the road toward Tel’antias.
* * *
“Zara, we—” Tarsius’ gaze fell on the opening at the back of the tent.
He should have seen that coming. Warnings of rising rebellion had been apparent before Kestian interrupted them. Still, it surprised him. Although she had been, on occasion, passively defiant, she’d never been openly rebellious. He’d see fear behind those eyes minutes before, but he hadn’t expected her to bolt.
Jerrod whimpered pitifully and leaned against him. He knelt and patted the pup’s head. He understood far too well. There were times she made him want to cry, too.
* * *
Zara kept the road in sight as she crept through the forest. In unfamiliar territory, it would be too easy to get lost. Before taking a shortcut through the trees instead of following the road around a bend, she stopped and checked behind her. The others followed in the distance. Reassured they hadn’t turned back to Mil’antias, she continued.
Late in the morning, the feeling that she had company pushed at her senses. She froze and looked around, carefully studying the underbrush as well as the treetops, listening for footfalls or the rustle of leaves. Nothing, neither man nor animal. Only the sound of the wind. She moved again, but the feeling remained, urging her on as quickly as her ankle would tolerate. When she neared Tel’antias that evening, it died away as if it had never been.
With relief, she left the forest for the cleared area around the city then entered the gates. Her shoulder hurt, her head throbbed, and her ankle ached from the rapid pace. Occasionally, someone on the street gave her an odd look as she walked along with the blanket wrapped around her. She ignored them and concentrated on reaching her destination as quickly as possible, keeping watch for thieves.
The temple wasn’t difficult to find. The layout and appearance of the streets and buildings of Tel’antias were remarkably similar to Mil’antias. In fact, if not for the fact she had yet to see a familiar face, she’d almost believe she’d gotten turned around and returned to Mil’antias. The sign outside the city gates had assured her she was in Tel’antias.
She settled on the steps leading up to the temple, huddled in the blanket and waited. Hopefully they wouldn’t be long. It was cold, and the air smelled of snow.
* * *
Tarsius urged Viva forward, his eyes on the road ahead. The big chestnut’s ears twitched back and forth, listening for his voice. He remained silent, his mind occupied with the solemn procession he led and the obstinate woman leading them.
Behind him, Father Nandell’s carriage skipped along the rough road with Dolmar capably handling the reins. Kestian and Daylin brought up the rear, trailing Elden’s mount. Cygnet and Jerrod trotted either side of Viva.
Father Nandell hadn’t been happy about the change in plans, especially since it hadn’t been of his making. He said not so much as one word, but Tarsius knew he was angry. He had a right to be. Zara was wrong, whatever her reason.
He only prayed she was safe.
“Tarsius.”
Reining Viva around, he drew near the carriage and put her into a steady walk alongside. Daylin automatically moved up to ride point.
“Yes, Father.” Here it comes. Dread settled over him. The mare danced nervously under him, sensing his tension. He forced his body to relax and steadied her with a reassuring pat on the neck.
“Does Zara do this sort of thing often?”
“No. She believes Ray’din wishes us to return to Mil’antias.”
Viva snorted at a late season fly buzzing around her nose and tossed her head without breaking stride.
The priest grew thoughtful, settling more deeply into his seat with a frown. “She told you this?”
“Yes.”
Hooves beat a steady rhythm on the hard-packed road. Tarsius murmured to Viva now and then to keep her calm. Her ears flicked back and forth, catching each word. She wanted to run. Powerful muscles quivered beneath him.
“I pray I’m not speaking out of turn.” Kestian pushed his horse forward, closing the gap between him and the carriage. “But Zara knew about the dragon.”
Viva danced a few steps at the tightening of legs around her. Tarsius had little difficulty bringing her back under control. Controlling his own response was another matter entirely.
“What do you mean, she knew?” He turned in the saddle to look at Kestian.
“When she ran into camp, she had this horrified look on her face. It—” He reined in his mount when it spooked sideways at a bird that flew too close. Once he was confident the skittish animal was under control again, he checked to make sure the horse trailing behind was settled. Then he continued. “It was as though she were chased.” He thought about it more carefully, then met Tarsius’ questioning gaze. “Or perhaps trying to reach us before it did.”
“How could she know?” The priest voiced the one question on all their minds.