thoughts, which was something he did with enough regularity to make her wonder if he had that talent. “This war can’t last forever, Dari. We’ll do what we must, then locate your sister and plan the shape of our future.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said, imagining how it would be when she had Kate with her again, and the rest of her family. When she could reach for a new future and shape it as she wanted it to be—as she and Nic wanted it to be, and as it should be—full of love and joy and the normal trials of life instead of the madness they had both survived in these last years.
Madness that continued, even as they rode away from the Stone Guild stronghold.
They traveled at the center of a column of fighters, with Aron and Stormbreaker forming the front guard on their talons and Snakekiller and another Stone Sister taking up the rear. A dozen more Stone Brothers filled out these first ranks, talon-riders on the left and horse riders on the right. Lord Cobb and his personal guard formed a second layer of human shields. Lord Ross and his personal guard made for a third ring, completing the wall of warriors on the ground. In the air, Blath, Iko, and a silent group of Sabor more than twenty strong flew in challenge formation, letting any who saw know that those who traveled beneath them were under their protection.
These defenses might not stand up to an army, but no simple contingent or fighting group would dare to start a conflict with them. They would travel this way until they reached the open plains near the border of Dyn Brailing and Dyn Cobb; then more Sabor would meet them and transport them to the main strength of the Cobb and Ross armies, camped in the grasslands above the Scry and the Cobb-Ross border.
Dari hoped Nic could make the journey, and resolved to lend him whatever energy he would accept. From sunrise to moonsrise, they had to move, or they’d never reach safety before they were attacked.
• • •
The second morning of their ride, Dari helped Nic pack their tent as Stone Brothers and Sisters and soldiers tamped out tallow rings that had been protecting their encampment. The scent of oiled smoke made Dari’s eyes water, but Nic didn’t seem to notice the stench.
Dari marveled that Nic was holding up despite his damaged, twisted body. His bravery touched her, and once more, she felt blessed to have been given time with him, even in the midst of a war and a forced ride into danger they might not survive.
They mounted quickly, and moved out before the mists of morning had cleared from the byways. As the ride grew longer, Dari’s thoughts shifted from Nic to Aron and Stormbreaker. They had taken her news and her decision about Nic as well as could be expected, and Dari found she didn’t worry about Stormbreaker at all. Aron, however, was a constant cause for concern.
Nic nodded toward Aron. “Do you think we’re the source of his tension, or is it the trial he thinks he failed—or the drawing his first stone on Canus the Bandit?”
Dari’s heart grew heavy. “I don’t know, Nic. The world always weighs painfully on Aron’s shoulders.”
Nic’s frown held no jealousy or reproach. He showed only concern for Aron, which was nothing less than Dari expected, and one of the reasons she adored him. “Maybe he would talk to you.”
Dari shook her head. “I think it’s more likely he’d talk to you, Nic. You didn’t reject him and hurt his pride.”
Nic steadied himself in his saddle, and his response was quiet, but direct. “No. I only married the woman he loves.”
Dari glanced at her band-mate to see if he was joking, then realized he was serious. She also realized he was right. She probably had the better chance of getting through to Aron. She maneuvered her stallion close enough to Nic to lean over and kiss his cheek, then urged her mount forward, until she drew even with Aron.
He looked down at her from his position high on Tek’s back, and his smile of greeting seemed genuine enough.
“Are you well?” Dari asked, studying his face to judge his truthfulness, but when he responded, she knew there was no need.
“Do you mean am I grieving myself into illness over your marriage? No.” Aron smiled again, and when he exhaled, he sounded relieved. “I had a vision of the