elders through Hector had suggested that they make camp on the northern bank of the Sippora River. The river would grant them all the freshwater they might need, yet also separate them from the many temptations the capital city would present. Should added food and supplies be needed, he had every intention of ordering the Minions to deliver it.
Tristan looked over at Ox. From the first moment he had met Rafe, Ox had been highly skeptical and perhaps more than a bit gruff. He has been listening to Abbey, Tristan surmised. The same sense of distrust had possessed Ox when he had first met Scars, but later the two had become fast friends. Tristan hoped that Ox would also accept Rafe, but he wasn’t betting that their friendship would bloom overnight.
Abbey was no happier to be on this journey than Ox. Tristan also had his motives regarding the herbmistress. If there was a key to Wigg’s heart, it was she. If he could convince Abbey that his bargain with the clan was a good idea, she might help temper Wigg’s protests. Either way, Tristan reasoned, he had nothing to lose by bringing her along. Leaning forward, he decided to have some fun by testing the chilly waters between Ox and Rafe.
“You know,” he said to Ox as he thoughtfully rubbed his chin, “if the clan runs low on food I might have to order you and some other warriors to keep them supplied.”
Ox gave Tristan a respectful look, then glared angrily at Rafe. “IfJin’Sai want Ox to do, Ox will do,” he answered. “But if highlanders go hungry, Ox no care. Why they not just steal food? Wigg say they steal everything anyway.”
Looking away, Abbey snorted out a laugh. Despite his uneasiness, Rafe laughed too. He gave Ox a wry look.
“I wouldn’t worry if I were you,” Rafe said. “You Minions are so fearsome that I wouldn’tdare try stealing anything from you.”
Unsure of whether Rafe was being sarcastic, Ox screwed up his face. “Good,” Ox finally said. “It best you remember that.”
Suddenly the litter banked sharply right. Gripping the litter’s side even harder, Rafe started to appear a little green.
“I no worry if I be you,” Ox said, doing his best to mimic Rafe’s earlier comment. “While Abbey andJin’Sai aboard, warriors nodare drop you!”
Beaming at his own cleverness, he smiled, then folded his arms across his barrel chest. Tristan and Abbey couldn’t help but to laugh. Trying to quell his uneasy stomach, Rafe scowled back grumpily. So much for diplomacy, Tristan thought.
After a time Tristan saw the camp come into view, its colorful wagons dotting the lush fields on the Sippora’s northern bank. He was relieved to see that the clan elders had taken his advice.
“Put us down in the camp’s center,” he ordered Ox. After nodding back, Ox barked out some orders and the litter started downward.
As the passengers disembarked, hundreds of highlanders walked toward them. Looking around warily, Ox stayed close to Tristan. The prince thought about telling him that it wasn’t needed, then decided to let the giant warrior persist in his overly protective ways. Tristan cast his eyes around the growing crowd.
He did not see Yasmin, but something told him that she was somewhere near, and that her seductive eyes were on him. He pursed his lips as he partly came to regret bringing Abbey along. Perhaps it was just as well that Yasmin hadn’t greeted him, for he didn’t need her included in Abbey’s report to Wigg. Not to mention what kind of bawdy outbursts Rafe might utter, should he see them together again!
He saw Balthazar and Gunther approach. Gunther was not smiling, leading Tristan to wonder if he ever did. But the look on the elder’s face seemed to carry more respect for Tristan than before. Apparently Tristan’s unmasking of Arwydd had done much to raise his esteem. The prince reached out and shook Gunther’s hand.
“Is everyone safe and well?” he asked.
“Yes, Jin’Sai, ” Gunther answered. “And you?”
Tristan nodded, then introduced Abbey and Ox. When Gunther extended his hand to the herbmistress, Abbey acted like she was being forced to touch a snake. Tristan cleared his throat and gave her a harsh look. Finally she shook the clan elder’s hand.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Abbey said tentatively.
“And you,” Gunther answered. He skeptically raised an eyebrow, reminding Tristan of Wigg.
“I sense that you have your doubts about my clan’s arrangement with your prince,” he added. “Perhaps we can change your mind during your visit. Anyway, rest easy. Our agreement is not permanent.”
Trying to be a bit more cordial, Abbey forced a smile. “I meant no disrespect,” she said apologetically.
Tristan looked over at Balthazar. His fists on either hip, the huge highlander was smiling at Abbey’s expense. His shoulder was still wrapped in Yasmin’s expertly wound bandages.
“And you, Balthazar?” Tristan asked. “How is your wound?”
“Better,” Balthazar answered. “Yasmin has a healing touch. But you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?” Laughing, he slapped Tristan on the back.
“What does he mean?” Abbey asked. “Who’s Yasmin?”
“A highlander healer,” Tristan answered simply. “She dressed my wound.” He looked at Gunther again.
“Does the clan have enough food and supplies?” he asked.
Gunther nodded. “We have enough for now. Our horsemen are wondering about your plans for them.”
“That’s another reason why I have come,” Tristan answered. “I want them to travel to the palace. They can live among the Minions, in tents set up on the surrounding palace grounds. But I believe it best that they leave their families here. We do not know when the Conclave fleet will come home. During the intervening days I want the warriors and horsemen to learn each other’s tactics. I want them working as a cohesive unit, and the sooner the better.”
Balthazar stepped forward. “That brings us to another question,” he said to Tristan. “If you are killed, who do we take our orders from, eh?” He pointed at Ox and gave the warrior a disparaging look. “If you believe that we will take our direction from those like him, you think wrong,” he added nastily.
Glowering, Ox grabbed the dreggan handle at his side. Freeing the sword a few inches from its scabbard, he took a quick step forward. Tristan quickly shook his head at him. Several tense moments followed as Tristan sized up the situation. This was Balthazar’s first test of Tristan’s leadership, and the prince knew it.
“The Minions have no more right to order you about than you do them,” he answered sternly. “I command you both. In the event of my absence or death, all forces will take their orders from my sister Shailiha. Should she fall, you come under the command of my wizards. In any event, your orders will likely come to you through Rafe, just as my orders to the Minions go through one called Traax. Our foes will be of the craft, and unlike any you have ever fought. If you want to keep your head I suggest that you follow orders, and fully honor your elders’ commitment to me.”
Commanding stares passed between Tristan and Balthazar. After glancing at Gunther and Rafe, Balthazar finally relented. Snorting out a short grunt of approval, Ox shoved his dreggan blade home.
“Very well, dango, ” Balthazar said. “We already know that you are a good fighter. Soon we will see what kind of leader you are.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
Rafe leaned closer to Tristan and gave him a sly smile. “Well done,” he whispered. “Balthazar can be difficult to manage. He isn’t known for giving his respect and friendship easily. But once he does he will gladly die for you. I believe you know the type.”
As he watched Balthazar stomp away, Tristan thought of Ox and Scars. “I do indeed,” he answered softly.
Tristan looked at Gunther. “I would like the horsemen assembled,” he said. “For the time being they should say their good-byes to their families. They will be allowed periodic visits back to the camp.”
“There is no need to assemble them,” Gunther answered. “They are practicing their maneuvers as we speak.”
Realizing that this would be a perfect opportunity to show Ox and Abbey what the horsemen could do, Tristan smiled.
“We will go and watch,” he said. “Then Abbey and I will return home. Ox and Rafe will wait here until the horsemen are ready to leave. Then they will escort them to the palace.”
Rafe grinned; Abbey sighed. Ox gave Tristan an obedient but disappointed look.
