walked closer again and this time Skarret flapped its wings at Silas in protest, with another snap of its beak.
“Looks like it doesn’t want to wear the saddle,” Coffman said, standing next Silas.
“Can you ride these things without one?” Silas asked.
“You’re askin’ the wrong guy,” Coffman said with a chuckle.
Silas watched as the others placed their saddles on the sarians without incident, and set his down on the floor. He walked slowly toward Skarret, the beast unmoving. He wondered if the bird was protesting because it knew that Silas was stealing Skarret from its master. But without the saddle, it no longer protested. Silas mounted Skarret without incident.
Each of them straddled a sarian and was ready to leave. Inga had chosen Kaden’s sarian, Cole. Silas smiled at her until Lorcan hopped on the back of the animal with her.
“If I’m going into Stühoc territory, I’m not responsible for flying,” Lorcan said. Inga rolled her eyes, but laughed slightly. Silas wanted to tell Lorcan to grow up.
Within moments they were in the air, all of them flying high behind Alric who led the way to Mudavé. Silas held on tight to the deep-rooted feathers of the animal’s neck almost hugging it. Fear gripped his heart as the beast tumbled and soared at high speeds, flying as it had always been meant to. It took a few minutes, but Silas soon became more comfortable as the sole rider without the saddle, praying Skarret would catch him if he were to slide off the back.
It would be hours before anyone would notice that they had gone, giving Silas plenty of time to get into Mudavé by himself. There was also no way of knowing where to go or what to do once he got there. He was sure that Alric would be able to give him some general direction, but that was all. It was a long shot to expect them to go into Mudavé with him and rescue his friend, but he had to try. Silas feared what was ahead, but there was no other choice. How could he stand idly by, knowing that there was a person in Mudavé suffering to death all because of him? If it had not been for Kaden, Silas would be the one enduring the imprisonment and torture. He knew his grandfather would have tried to get him out of Mudavé if it had come to that. Wouldn’t he? Kaden had been the leading member on the Dunarian council in Garland’s absence. That much mattered little to Silas at this point, but it was true nonetheless. If Silas was successful, the council should have no problem with his actions. And if they did, he would go somewhere else and try to start a new life in this land called Marenon. He didn’t necessarily need the Dunarians to do that.
The sun began to rise sooner than Silas thought it would. The cold night air slowly began to warm as they flew their way toward the Midland Pass. The quicker route would have been to fly directly over Timugo, but Alric thought it would be too much of a risk to be shot down in that territory. There would be no escaping a second time. According to Coffman they would be at the other side of the Midland Pass by nightfall and at the foothills of Mudavé. There, Silas would be left alone to fight his way through to Kaden, that is, if he even made it that far.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was early morning and Julian had just woken after a deep sleep. The depth was surprising considering how much work there was to be done. He thought that perhaps his dreamless slumber had mostly to do with the fact that Ward Holden was not in the castle; therefore there was no immediate threat to his life. He knew there was still a possibility others on the council were against him and ready to kill him at any moment, but there had been no evidence to support that theory. Holden’s absence was disturbing to say the least, but it provided a good chance to collect his thoughts and prepare for what was to happen next.
While in the middle of pouring a hot drink, a loud rapping at the door rumbled through his bedchambers.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“It’s Garland,” the voice said from the other side.
Curious. Julian had expected the old man to come visiting him with some sort of plan soon, but not this soon. Julian stood and walked