“So I was told...”
“Good,” continued Kaleb, “then we'll get a bit of rest, wake up early and prepare to make war.”
“You make it sound too easy,” she warned.
“It won't be. In fact, it's possible we'll lose our lives, lose the battle. That's the way these things go...” He tensed a little as he went on. “Since we met Torrent in battle, I admit my perspective has changed. I didn't know power of that kind existed, and I certainly didn't anticipate him joining up with the Wuffs. We're in uncharted territory here, so we'll focus on doing what we do best, you and I. We'll charge in, take down as many of them as we can and have fun doing it.”
“Is that all?” she asked. “Is that the plan? To have fun?”
He grinned. “I mean, aside from that unfortunate dustup with Torrent, that approach has served us pretty well up to this point, hasn't it? We're pretty good together, you and I. And hey, if they take me out... I guess you'll have your dragon's hide after all. I'll bequeath it to you, how does that sound?”
She shoved him, disturbed at the suggestion. “Don't even kid around about that. We'll pull through... I'm sure we will. Don't be morbid, Kaleb.” She sped ahead of him, closing the gap between herself and old Winterlimb. Arriving within arm's reach of the massive tree, she placed her hands against it and was immediately calmed by its presence.
“So... this is Winterlimb, huh?” Kaleb looked upward, trying to get a look at the towering ancient's canopy. “He's, uh... enormous. I can hardly make out the top of him!”
“He's the oldest, wisest tree in the bunch,” explained Minx. “He's been here longer than any of us, and he'll be here long after we're all gone.” She slumped against the tree's mammoth trunk. “He's a good friend.” Reflecting on the battle to come, she shuddered. “I hope we'll be able to keep him safe. The shields are weakening. The borders will become vulnerable soon. Pandling Ground's Trade Center will be the first to fall. Then Pan. After that... Heilo Lake and Gloirs Mountain will be conquered. If we don't stop them, that is.” She turned to him with a pleading gaze. “What can we do, Kaleb? We're going to be outnumbered, overpowered. Can we really hope to win?”
“We don't have a choice, do we?” Kaleb admired the old tree, leaning against it. “If we fail, we lose everything. So, I guess we'll have to give it all we've got. Losing isn't an option. Not this time around. Torrent caught us by surprise before; we'll be prepared for him tomorrow.”
“I hope you're right...” She laughed weakly. “I guess we'll find out soon enough.”
“It's getting late,” said Kaleb. “We should probably get ready for the night—plan our evening.”
The pair spent a few moments more in the presence of old Winterlimb before finally returning to Minx's place. The sun was beginning to set and their friends would be in need of accommodations for the night. Hiking up the steps and reuniting with Mau and the others in her tree-built home, Minx set about giving orders. “There are vacant quarters in the tree across from this one. Mau and I will stay here; you dragons take the other one. Seeing as how you can all fly, I suggest you each take a shift and spend some time flying around the territory, looking for movement in the night. If that army starts advancing before dawn, I want to know about it. Can you guys take scouting shifts and report back with any news?”
“We'll handle it,” said Kaleb, bowing out and leading the others to the vacant treehouse. “Get some sleep. See you in the morning.”
Minx and Mau found themselves alone for the first time in a long while.
I'm going to take him up on that offer and sleep as hard as I can. Don't wake me till the barbarians are at the gates, please. Mau curled up to the right of the bed and closed her eyes.
How can you even sleep right now? Don't you know what we're up against tomorrow?
Sure I do, continued the Faelyr. I'm trying not to think about it.
Minx settled into her bed. After so many days on the road, she'd come to miss it. The comfort of a warm bed was not to be underestimated, and she quickly found herself yearning for a hot bath and a lavish meal, too. There wasn't enough time for all of that, though. She'd have to be content with a decent night's sleep. If you can pause the racing of your mind till sunrise, that is.
While she struggled to rest, she knew the dragons would be running reconnaissance through the night. If Valry's forces arrived within several miles of Pandling Grounds, she would be promptly alerted. This should have comforted her, allowed her to relax, but it had the opposite effect. I should be out there helping them keep an eye on things. She was assailed by guilt from every side. She'd failed her father, failed her people, failed the elders. Unless she and the dragons could pull off an unlikely victory, she would fail Heilo Lake, too. Torrent is coming to extinguish the light of the Lake. What's his goal? Why does a being with his power have to concern himself with the Lake?
Her father had shared a bit of intel with her during their last meeting. He'd told her that Torrent had plans for other half-Fae, like Alla. Here was another mystery. Why did Torrent have to take her away? What does he want with people like her? She hoped Alla was doing all right, that she hadn't been hurt by the spell-caster... or worse.
Gradually, she succumbed to sleep.
Minx was plagued by dark dreams that night. Her mind couldn't hold onto the
