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“Hardly secret. Come. I found the perfect place to launch.” They went to a terrace on the second floor, large and empty of people, also not in plain sight of anyone. It overlooked the gorge running behind the citadel.
An uncertain Gurlok peered over the edge. “Are you going to transform into a bird?”
“Close.” She pulled out her wooden figurine and, with a huff of magic, it expanded. She strapped her bags to it before sitting on its back.
A confused Gurlok eyed her. “This thing can fly?”
“It can with a little bit of help.” She activated its runes which drew in the threads of air all around. It lifted and Gurlok’s face beamed with surprise and delight. “How wonderful.” He then snorted. “My son will be most surprised to see you.”
“More like angry, most likely yelling, but he needs me whether he wants to admit it or not.”
“Indeed, he does,” murmured Gurlok. “Best of luck, Lady Fionna.”
“And the same to you, Warlord.” Because he might be retired, but he still commanded respect.
With those parting words, she flitted off. She was a little tired still from the fight with the dragons, but a nap would cure that. She set a ward of watching before she closed her eyes. She had her bird follow the hex she’d placed on Kormac’s horse when she petted it, a little piece of magic that acted as a homing beacon.
She caught up to him before midday, longer than expected as he and the small squad he’d taken ran their horses hard. She had to wonder how he knew where to find Lomar. He would know his friend better than anyone, but it wasn’t necessarily Lomar in charge. Given Kormac went east, he must be thinking Lomar returned to the cave. Hopefully he guessed right.
Rather than surprise him so soon, she flew ahead, scouting the area. Srayth was a mix of terrain from heavily forested pockets to valleys of lush green to arid open spaces where the dirt cracked, and scrubby weeds attempted to grow.
She kept an eye open for predators, both in the sky and on the ground. The perfect sunny day made it possible to see for miles around. If there were threats, they remained hidden.
As the sun set, she circled back to find Kormac. He and his men were setting up a camp. A surprise as she’d half expected him to ride all night, but the horses probably needed a rest, as did his soldiers.
She chose to land right by the fire they’d built, startling a grizzled man who pointed his sword and shouted, “Intruder in camp!”
“At ease, soldier. It is just I, the envoy.” She’d no sooner announced herself than she heard Kormac.
“Fionna? How did you…” Before he finished his sentence his gaze went to the wooden bird. “You flew?” It sounded almost accusatory.
“I told you I could keep up. I also scouted ahead. Thus far, your path appears clear.”
Rather than reply to that, his glance next went to her outfit and remained fixed on her bare legs before he snapped, “What are you wearing?”
“You sound like your dad,” she mocked. “This is my combat uniform. Leather so it’s easy to clean. Form-fitting, to avoid fabric being caught or used against me.”
“You forgot short.” His lips pursed in disapproval and yet his eyes smoldered as he stared.
“Long skirts are fine in court settings, but as I told your father, when it comes to fighting, I prefer to not have them in the way.”
“There is something called trousers,” his sour response.
“I have a pair of those in case the weather turns cool.”
He shook his head. “I told you to stay behind.”
“You don’t command me, and Lomar is my business. You asked me to help him.”
“And I told you, he is beyond help now.”
“Even if you believe that, you’ll want my aid. He won’t be easy to take down. Especially since he managed to remove the talisman.” She’d heard they found it around a guard’s neck, embedded so deep it cut flesh.
“Speaking of talisman, you should have one since you foolishly insist on coming.”
“Already taken care of.” She held out her hand to show a ring set with a large, milky stone. “My grandmother gave it to me last night. Said it was the only rune-inscribed piece not in the collection because it was the ring my grandfather gave her when he asked her to be his wife. I assume your men are protected?”
“Yes. Although, I didn’t explain exactly why they had to wear the talismans.” He rubbed his jaw. “I wasn’t even sure I should bring them, but my father felt it best I not do this alone.”
