forces on your way to confront Thorn.”
He turned back to the soldiers on horseback, all of whom were drawing closer to their commander, to hear their charge for themselves. “My granddaughter remains with me, and she’ll take my command should I fall. Our riders will flank Triune and attack Thorn from the rear. Dari and I will have one purpose, and that’s to rescue Kate. We will be a spear, moving only forward, never slowing until we reach our target.”
To Aron and the Stone Guild, he said, “Fight your way through, and join us when you can. Help us if you can.”
“We will,” Aron said, wanting to shout all over again. Stormbreaker and Snakekiller agreed by turning toward their talons and mounting for the rough ride ahead.
Aron followed them as Lord Ross’s instructions continued to ring out above the murmuring crowd. “Cobb will take the east, and shattered be any blades raised against them.”
The Cobb soldiers let loose with deep, blood-pumping battle-cries.
Tek stamped as Aron steadied her and thrust his foot into the stirrup to mount. He pulled himself into the saddle as Lord Ross moved toward Blath and Iko. “Get to our army and the rest of your people. Bring as many as you can. You’ll have to leave the mounts behind, but fly well, and fly hard. Fly until you fall out of the sky.”
Blath’s bow was deep and reverent, and as she rose, her gaze was only for Dari.
“It’s the best way to help me.” Dari came forward to grab Blath’s hands. “It’s the best way to help Kate. In doing this, you will be keeping your vows to me, and going far beyond that duty.”
Blath pulled Dari’s hands to her lips and kissed them. Dari hesitated for a moment, then wrapped her arms around Blath’s neck. When the Sabor woman released Dari, Aron saw pain and resolve mingled across her usually unreadable face. He caught a movement below him, and looked down to find Iko gazing up at him much as Blath had gazed at Dari.
With a start, Aron realized the Sabor had come to him seeking release, just as Blath had gone to Dari for the same purpose. Iko wanted permission to leave Aron’s side, to surrender his vow of protection in answer to Lord Ross’s command.
“Please help Kate and Dari,” Aron said, pressing one hand into his chest to staunch the quick ache in his heart. “Do whatever you have to do. I can take care of myself now.”
Aron was unprepared for how much he didn’t want to see Iko leave him, and for Iko’s deep bow. Aron returned the bow as best he could from his seated position on Tek’s back. When Iko once more stood to his full height, something in his gaze told Aron that his service to Aron had ended forever. Iko had a new charge now, to defend his dynast lord and Dyn Ross’s only surviving heirs, and Aron knew Iko would give his last breath and drop of blood to see the task done.
Lord Cobb mounted his ebony stallion and donned his battle helmet, shaped in the form of a great black stallion’s head. He shouted to the nearest Cobb soldier wearing a helm reflecting rank, “Zeller. Dolf Zeller! Go with the Sabor and take control of my army. Ride for Triune like you’ve never ridden before—as if Cayn himself were storming across the grasslands behind you!”
Aron watched as the father who had once begged Stone for Mercy for his only son leaped off his mount and charged toward the nearest blue warrior. A man from Dyn Brailing, leading Cobb’s army into battle. War did make for strange situations, and strange sights.
Soldiers and Stone Brothers moved aside for Blath and Iko to pass. They ran toward Zeller and the waiting Sabor at the edges of the gathering. Moments later, the pounding of massive wings filled the air. Golden gryphons burst into the sky, screeching louder than Altar’s Great Rocs as they went. The sight of them made Aron’s pulse surge, as he hoped it made any enemies who could see them quake where they stood.
Lord Ross mounted in one flowing motion, and Dari leaped aboard her battle stallion Toronado, bareback as always, with nothing but a halter and lead to guide the animal. Aron waited for Nic to struggle back to his own stallion, but instead, he abandoned the horse and limped toward Aron.
When he reached Tek, Nic turned back to Lord Ross and Dari. “I’ll be going