"You think that you will find some answers to the present state of Behren in there?"
"I think that I will understand better that which is unusual if I have a bet-ter grasp of what is usual," Pagonel answered.
Brynn nodded, not about to argue, and quite certain that her mystic friend was doing her a great service with his information gathering. Knowing one's enemies was vital - her understanding of Yatol Grysh and the Behre-nese mindset had allowed her to turn their weaknesses back against them at both Dharyan and Pruda, and now had a great Behrenese army of nearly fif-teen thousand warriors wandering the steppes to the west in search of her.
She knew that Pagonel would not disappoint her.
He started up the long fright of steps, but paused and turned back. ?There is one other problem you must attend. I stopped by to look in on Juraviel, Cazzira, and Agradeleous before entering Pruda this day. They are right where you left them, and ordered them to remain - but Agradeleous is not pleased. The beast does not wish to be left out of the fighting."
Brynn took a long and steadying breath. She was thrilled, of course, that she had taken Pruda without the dragon's aid, and without much loss of To-gai-ru life at all. In fact, the number of To-gai-ru slaves within the city of the elite scholars was so large that Brynn's army had actually grown by several hundred after the battle. And she was glad that she had not been forced to loose the terrible dragon upon the people of the city, as she had done in Dharyan. She could still hear the screams of the civilians scrambling futilely along the lanes as Agradeleous had approached, and it was not a sound that she wished to replicate.
But she understood the mystic's grave tone, and wholeheartedly agreed with it. Agradeleous was a creature of action - destructive action. Such a beast as the dragon would not be ignored throughout the war.
"How many days were we to linger out here while you led your pitiful humans to battle?" the dragon's angry voice greeted Brynn as she trotted Runtly to the camp of Juraviel and Cazzira.
"Do you think it wise that we reveal our strongest and greatest weapons when they are not needed?" Brynn asked, both innocently and incredulously.
"Do not play me for the fool!" Agradeleous roared back at her.
Brynn looked to the elves, and neither wore a reassuring expression.
"Our friend has not enjoyed watching from afar," Juraviel remarked "That is not why I left the comfort of my home!" Agradeleous added "You agreed that you would serve me in this matter," Brynn bluntl replied. ?That means that you will defer to my judgment."
"My patience is not without end."
Brynn slid down from Runtly and walked to stand right before the dragon ?I will use you as I need you, and nothing more than that," she said. ?Our enemies suspect the truth of Agradeleous, and that is a dangerous thing You saw the great engines of war they dragged along with them down the road from Jacintha."
The dragon snorted. ?The toys of children!"
"Dangerous toys," Brynn argued. ?Toys that could bring Agradeleous from the sky." The dragon started to argue, but Brynn wouldn't allow the interruption, shouting over him until he quieted and listened.
"You are not a spectator here, but a valuable tool - perhaps my most valuable tool," she explained. ?I'll not risk you when there is no need. A lucky shot from the Behrenese could spell disaster for me, while you are needed for far more than sacking a barely defended city like Pruda!"
That last statement seemed to pique the dragon's curiosity, for he tilted his head to the side and - more importantly - stopped arguing.
"There is a great force canvassing the steppes of Behren unchecked," Brynn explained.
"You would send me against them?" the dragon asked, obviously hopefully.
"I will use your speed as I used it in the Autumnal Nomaduc," Brynn an-swered. ?I must keep a watch over that army, and use your speed to ensure that my forces within To-gai are apprised of their movements."
"I am a scout?" the horrified dragon asked. ?I could sack a city without you! I could - "
"And so you shall!" Brynn promised. ?When there is need. For now, this night, I need your speed. Fly me to To-gai, great Agradeleous. Let us find Shauntil's army."
Agradeleous stood quiet for a moment, staring at her. Then he nodded, seeming