Guilt seeped into the cracks of Kai’s heart. Diu was his childhood home, a place he would forever love but belong to no more. A fact he was coming to realize the nearer he got. “Can you make the arrangements?” Kai pressed Dresnor. “Send for the Dragaron. I wish to be home swiftly to see my father before the festivities.”
Dresnor bowed, “Your Highness, Prince Kai, I will be honored to see to your preparations. I will send a letter on the afternoon ship. Enjoy dinner with your grandfather; I expect the Grand Duke’s ship could be here tomorrow early evening, or the following morning at the latest. Either way, we should be in Diu with days to spare before the festival.”
The brevity in Dresnor’s tone left Kai sour, but he kept his face neutral while saying his goodbyes.
♦ ♦ ♦
Running at a quick clip, Kai darted through the forest. The smell of earthy pine and melting snow was a welcome aroma to his Beastmaster nature. Thankful for the moment alone, he thought about telling his grandfather Lucca that he needed to say goodbye to his father before he died. If this was Iver’s time to die, he owed him for a lifetime of love. Nobody could begrudge Kai one last moment.
The use of magic pricked Kai’s senses, giving him an uneasy feeling as an unnatural fog rolled through the Zabranen Forest. Suddenly worried about Rayna and Smoke, Kai ran faster. Each footfall pounded into the soft wet soil, and red mud splashed his black boots. Greeted by the sounds of rushing water, Kai weaved through the trees to follow the narrow trail along the river.
When Rayna’s familiar form emerged through the mist, Kai quickly noticed she was not alone. Two Katori Guardians he recognized from training waited with her. The Weathervane, Gail, stood silently weaving her hands in a pattern he recognized; she was creating the mist. Dressed in deep purple and black with a longbow slung across her back, she stopped and looked to her fellow Guardian. The menacing brawny Stoneking, Mekael, carried two battle axes, several daggers strapped to his chest, and one shoved into his boot. His stoic profile made him difficult to read, but Kai knew both were deadly serious.
Before Mekael could tell Kai why they were here, beasts of all sorts rushed through the trees. Concerned by the multitude, and their distress, Kai reached out to an oncoming black panther. Their minds joined, and he felt the creature’s fear. The animal stopped in front of Kai as he knelt on one knee.
Why do you run? What have you to fear? he asked with his mind.
The panther responded, Men in black attack anything that moves, animal and mankind alike. They wear a raven on their chest.
Shocked by the news, Kai connected to his sight and gleaned the forest. The vast distance was no challenge for any seasoned Katori, and Kai’s range was more than adequate. Animal upon animal darted in fear. His mind drifted deeper northwest until he found Davi’s village. True to the panther’s story, men with swords were attacking the Katori villagers, who were struggling to fight back. Volley after volley of flaming arrows rained from the sky. Flames licked at the trees and danced from structure to structure.
“Beastmaster,” Mekael interrupted Kai’s gleaning, “you should return to Katori. It would appear that Diu and Milnos soldiers march on the Katori outsider camp. I glean at least five hundred warriors.”
Stunned by Mekael’s order, Kai stepped toward Rayna and took her hand. “I will not abandon Davi and his people. If you are going to help them, let us come with you!”
“You are no Guardian, boy,” Mekael thundered. “It is our place; other Guardians are already on their way. We will defend our people, but we do not need an unseasoned Beastmaster boy in the way. The girl would be of more help; as a Kodama she could heal the wounded, but she should stay here until it is over.”
Two thoughts tabulated in Kai’s mind as he slowly collected energy from the sunshine and the rolling waterfall. First, he knew there was no arguing with the Guardians, even though he wanted to help. Second, he knew Rayna would agree with him to stay and fight.
“Very well, Mekael, but I should not risk my dragon form with so many outsiders in the woods. We will run up the mountain to the winter caves until the battle ends.
Gail nodded. “Wise choice, Kai. Make haste; we will report after the battle.”
“You are—with me, Rayna.” He let his tone fall between a question and a statement.
“Always,” she winked at him with understanding.
Mekael and Gail darted off toward the action without another word while Kai, Rayna, and Smoke ran in the opposite direction. Deeper into the woods, Kai stopped. “You know I mean to help, right?”
“I meant what I said,” Rayna replied. “I am always with you, I may not be able to use magic to fight, but my skills with a sword have improved. I only wish I had my bow since it is my weapon of choice. You mean to travel as your snow wolf, do you not?”
Kai nodded in agreement. “They do not know I can become anything but a dragon. I can only hope my slow collection of power went unnoticed. If we can slip through the wintery forest to the battle before anyone detects us, the Guardians will have no choice but to let us fight.”
Pleased with their plan, Kai took
