was there, however, patiently awaiting Brynn's return.
"To-gai's conflict with Honce-the-Bear is at its end," Brynn explained to the man. "King Aydrian has been warned to stay north of the mountains, and given his loss here, it will be a long time before he can turn his eyes south to us once more. When the issue of his struggle with Prince Midalis is settled, To-gai will go to the victor in parley again, to reaffirm the treaty we have signed."
"You have done well for our people," Grenk congratulated, and he offered a respectful bow. "Yet again."
"My efforts have been no less fruitful than your own," Brynn replied.
"Your actions and leadership saved Dharyan-Dharielle, and allowed us to break out from the besieged city." The woman paused and looked to Pagonel, taking strength in his serenity.
"And that is why it is with complete confidence that I hand the leadership of To-gai into your able hands, Chief Tanalk Grenk," Brynn explained, and for perhaps the first time in his entire life, the powerful To-gai-ru warrior seemed as if his legs would not support him! "My lady?" he stuttered.
"My road takes me north," Brynn explained. "By his deeds has Aydrian named himself my enemy, and I cannot go quietly home while he continues his errant course."
"An enemy of Brynn Dharielle is an enemy of To-gai!" Tanalk Grenk said determinedly.
Brynn offered him a grateful smile and patted his shoulder. "Aydrian's misdeeds against the Touel'alfar are no business of any To-gai-ru except for me. I am a ranger, as surely as I am To-gai-ru. I could not ask my warriors to follow me across the mountains. I could not risk the welfare of To-gai in my defense of Lady Dasslerond, who was as my mother. I am going north to do battle with Aydrian because I must. To you I entrust the leadership of our people, and I have no doubt that you will perform magnificently. To you, I entrust the care of Runtly, who is precious to me."
"And when you return?" Grenk asked.
"I will take back my pony, but that is all," Brynn replied. "My abdication is complete. If ever I am needed by To-gai, I will be there, by your side, but if I return from Honce-the-Bear, my road will be..." She stopped and glanced over at Pagonel, who smiled and nodded.
"You are going to study with the Jhesta Tu," Tanalk Grenk reasoned.
Brynn smiled and continued to look to the mystic. "If I am fortunate enough to live through the trials with Aydrian," she admitted.
When she turned back to Tanalk Grenk, she was surprised to see that he didn't appear ready to argue, nor was he puffing his chest with pride.
"If I serve To-gai half as well as did Brynn Dharielle, then my name will be legend among our people," he offered, and he bowed so low that it seemed as if his face would touch the ground, and when he came up, Brynn saw the hint of tears in his dark eyes.
"I would ride with you anywhere in all the world, against any enemy," he said. "I would battle the dragon itself if you but asked. You cannot know..."
Brynn interrupted him by moving forward and wrapping him in a great hug.
"I could not go and do what I must, were it not for you," she whispered to the man. "I leave To-gai in all confidence that she will be safe and well led."
Tanalk Grenk nodded, and Brynn hugged him again. Then she gathered up Pagonel and walked off the plateau encampment, down to where Agradeleous waited.
The eagerness of the dragon had the woman more than a little concerned.
"He is worth killing," Agradeleous explained to her.
"And you mean to do that?"
The dragon fell back and the eager sparkle in his reptilian eyes dimmed considerably. "Better for another, that task," he said. "For me, I will fly about the beast's kingdom, putting towns to the flame!"
"No," Brynn replied, and she closed her eyes against the memories evoked by Agradeleous' obvious hunger. She remembered well the carnage she had allowed the dragon to inflict upon the Behrenese settlers in To-gai, and knew that forevermore she would hear their terrified screams in her mind.
Her fight in the north was not with Honce-the-Bear, however, but with Aydrian - specifically Aydrian.
She would not turn Agradeleous loose in such a manner ever again.
They spent the night in preparation, Pagonel and Brynn determining how they might best serve Prince Midalis, and then they were off with the dawn's light, flying east to