added. “And a highlander homeland, no less? Wigg’s and Faegan’s reactions to this development should prove most interesting.”
Abbey shook her head. “They’re not all that way,” she protested. “I’ve often bought herbs from highlanders over the years and I’ve never been cheated or robbed.”
After giving Abbey an approving smile, Tristan looked at Ox. “How far is the clan from the city?” he asked.
“They be three leagues away to the northeast,” Ox answered.
Tristan thought for a moment. He knew that his agreement with the highlanders would be controversial among the Tammerland citizens. Three leagues was close enough, he decided.
“Tell Hector to fly back,” he ordered Ox. “He is to ask the clan elders to make camp where they are. Rafe and I will visit them after I bathe and get something to eat.” He thought for a moment. “Have a litter made ready,” he added.
Ox’s face screwed up. “It be only three leagues,” he said. “Jin’Saino take Shadow?”
His legs still burning with fatigue, Tristan shook his head. “No,” he answered simply. Out of the corner of her eye, Abbey saw Aeolus stifle a smile.
“We’re done for today,” Tristan told Aeolus. He handed the master his wooden staff.
Aeolus bowed. “Until tomorrow morning, Jin’Sai, ” he said.
Abbey walked to Aeolus and threaded one arm through his. “In the meantime, let’s you and I have some lunch, then I’ll reacquaint you with the palace and the Redoubt,” she offered. “Much has changed since you were last here. Even so, our tour should bring back many pleasant memories.”
Aeolus smiled. “Thank you,” he said. “Is your nerveweed tea still as good as I remember?”
Abbey gave Aeolus a wink. “Even better,” she answered. “After all, I’ve had three more centuries during which to practice.”
Ox gave Tristan a hopeful look. “I go withJin’Sai to see highlanders,” he said. “Ox never see highlanders before! Everyone say they be thieves!” His face took on a glowering seriousness. “I no let them steal anything!”
Tristan smiled. Knowing how he had disappointed the warrior yesterday, he decided to agree this time. “All right,” he answered. “You can come.”
After walking to collect his vest and his weapons, Tristan accompanied everyone back to the palace.
CHAPTER XLVII
AS TRAAX WATCHED THE AWFUL THINGS SOAR TOWARDhis patrol party, his hands clenched tighter around his dreggan handle. Without needing to be told, his seven remaining fighters immediately formed a battle line on his right.
His face grim, Traax watched the oncoming swarm climb to a place well above the Minion position. Darkening the sky with their numbers, they caused a massive shadow to crawl across the ocean surface. The swarm would be directly overhead in moments.
There must be thousands of them, Traax realized. He could run, but his warriors were already fatigued and the enemies’ speed was great. He decided that it would be better to die here, trying to buy time for Axel and Valgard. There would be little hope of that, but he had no choice other than to try. Axel and Valgard simply had to warn the fleet before the monsters and the giant wave that birthed them could reach the Black Ships. Given the wave’s incredible speed, it was the only chance the fleet had. As Serena’s monsters neared, the warriors could finally see them for what they were.
Each was about the size of a man, but that was where any similarity to mankind ended. They were dark gray reptilian things. Their bodies were broad and muscular, ending in long, forked tails that bore rows of sharp barbs along either side. Each beast had two muscular arms and their clawlike hands ended in sharp talons. Two leathery wings protruded from each of their backs, propelling them through the air with amazing speed. The heads were goatlike, with dark, beady eyes and two sharp horns protruding from either side of their skulls. As Traax looked closer he was surprised to see that the creatures bore no weapons.
Just then he saw one advance to a place about ten meters ahead of the others. That would be the leader, Traax knew. His jaw clenched as he watched it near. Come to me, you bastard, he thought. It is only right that you and I clash first.
Knowing it would flash brightly in the setting sun, Traax raised his dreggan blade high. Certain that this would be their last act in defiance of the Vagaries, the other warriors did the same.
Seeing Traax’s challenge, the monsters’ leader let go a menacing cry. A strange cross between a human scream and a bearlike growl, it resonated loudly through the sky. As the leader cried out, its sharp teeth flashed briefly in the setting sun.
The leader and about twenty others quickly peeled off to dive on the Minions, while the remaining swarm continued, accompanying the huge wave. For what he knew would be the last time, Traax looked down at Duvessa’s ruby pin.
Refusing to wait for death, he shouted an order to his fighters to follow him higher. Struggling skyward, the eight warriors rose to meet their fates head-on as the twenty monstrosities plummeted to attack them. With a great clash, the two opposing forces tore into one another.
Three of the enemy and one brave warrior died on the spot, one monster perishing at the point of Traax’s blade. Then Traax saw his trusted friend Brutus tumble end over end from the sky. Brutus’ right arm was gone, and blood poured wildly from his mouth. But he did not scream as he plunged to his watery grave.
Suddenly Traax heard another of the awful things cry out, and he turned just in time to see one lunging at him. But even he could not raise his sword in time. As he glared into the beast’s awful face, his warrior’s instinct told him that he was about to die.
Then he saw a sudden flash of silver cross his vision, and the monster’s face split vertically into two grotesque halves. Green brain matter tumbled from the thing’s split skull as the expertly thrown returning wheel kept on going, exiting the back of the creature’s head. Gurgling black blood from its ravaged mouth, the beast tumbled from the sky.
As the fighting raged all around him, Traax stole precious seconds to turn and see who had saved his life. His left arm covered with blood, Yuri gave him a quick nod. Traax nodded back. But their respite would be short- lived.
Traax heard a strange cracking sound, and Yuri screamed in agony. From about four meters away and behind Yuri, one of the monsters had snapped its tail like a bullwhip, wrapping it tightly around one of Yuri’s legs and burying its sharp barbs into his flesh.
With a vicious scream it flew a bit closer, then snapped its tail again. To Traax’s horror, the thing tore Yuri’s leg away at the hip joint. Screaming insanely, Yuri tried to stay aloft. But massive blood loss quickly overcame him, sending him into unconsciousness. He too plunged toward the sea.
Hovering with its tail still entwined around its bloody prize, the thing stared greedily at Traax for a moment. As it sneered at him it raised its talons and let go an insane victory scream. Enraged, Traax went after it.
But just as he started toward Yuri’s killer, Traax heard another of the awful cracking sounds rip through the air. A searing pain suddenly shot through his left arm. Another beast’s barbed tail had found him from behind. The snarling thing that had killed Yuri dropped the severed leg and rushed toward him, its talons flashing orange-red in the disappearing sun.
Raising his dreggan high with his other hand, Traax turned in the air, purposely tightening the tail’s length. The added pain nearly caused him to faint, but it had to be done. Raising his dreggan, he brought it down with everything he had.
The dreggan cut deeply into the barbed tail but did not sever it. More black blood spurted onto his sword hand, threatening to loosen his grip. Raising the sword again, he was finally able to cut the thing’s tail completely through.
The beast that had entwined him screamed in pain, then tumbled downward. Turning wildly, Traax sensed that the one that had killed Yuri was still coming for him. His vision a blur as he whirled, he knew that the
