it all, and fuel for cooking fires and fields for their camps. No matter how many of their own supplies the warriors brought, hosting such a large number might lay waste to the realm’s resources—and in the battles against the Destroyer, perhaps more than Krimathe’s forests and fields would be laid to waste.
“And if we are quartered in Krimathe,” Tyzen continued, “we will have two opportunities to stop him: once in the north—and if that fails, again in the south.”
The Krimathean closed her eyes, her expression torn. She looked up again as Kelir sat forward and spoke in a low, resonant tone.
“Many generations past, the demon Scourge left nothing but blood and ashes across the plains where my people lived, and only by uniting our tribes against the demon were we able to defeat him. But that alliance was only a beginning, my lady,” he said quietly. “For we remained united, named a Ran to speak for us, and each tribe sent a warrior to serve on the Ran’s Dragon guard. That is what we would build here: not merely an alliance, but Dragons made of warriors from every realm—with claws that will make the Destroyer’s armies bleed, with deadly stings to pierce his defenses, with wings that we will stretch across the western realms, so that everywhere he goes, so too we will be. And all the while, our Dragons’ armored scales will protect the people at the heart of every realm. As one we will gather, so many together that when the sparks fly from our swords, his armies will face a Dragon’s raging fire—and as silver-fingered Rani rides her dragon to carry the dead into Temra’s arms, so we will be the Dragons who send the Destroyer back into whatever foul pit he crawled from.”
Each word kindled its own spark in Aerax’s chest, so that a raging fire already seemed to burn there. As it did to the Krimathean, he saw. Her eyes were alight, as if seeing the warriors gathered and the Destroyer’s end.
Tyzen did not wait for that flame to cool. “We know full well how much we ask of you and your people, my lady. In return, we would pledge to Krimathe our lives, our blood, and our steel—and a promise that after the Destroyer’s defeat, we will help your people rebuild. Will Krimathe pledge itself to this alliance and join the gathering of Dragons?”
The Krimathean eyed him with a narrowed gaze as sharp as the smile she wore, as if to tell him that she was well aware of how neatly coordinated his and the warriors’ persuasive maneuvers had been. Then her smile softened and she held out her hand.
With a relieved laugh, the prince grasped her forearm as she gripped his, sealing their agreement. More relieved grins appeared on the Parsatheans’ faces, tension easing from their shoulders as if a softening wind blew through them all.
Seated beside Aerax, Riasa had been watching the exchange. Now she sought explicit confirmation. “Then our people will join the southern alliance, my lady?”
The Krimathean turned to the captain and nodded.
“I will tell your cousin upon our return,” Riasa said, appearing pleased by the other woman’s answer. “And will you also hear from the Kothans?”
Eyes narrowing on Aerax, the High Daughter inclined her head again.
Lady Junica leaned forward in her seat and said, “My lady, on behalf of all Kothans, let me first express my humble gratitude—”
The Krimathean silenced her with a glance, then looked to Aerax. Clearly he must be the one to speak.
His jaw tightened. She ought to hear this from Lady Junica. No fine stories of goddesses did he have, no rousing words to inspire with.
“We need Krimathe’s help,” he said bluntly. “Koth is besieged and has not enough soldiers to defend the island.”
The Krimathean frowned and glanced at Riasa.
The captain asked what the other woman could not. “Besieged by whom?”
“Bandits in the outland forests.” A great lake surrounded the island that formed the heart of the realm; only the King’s Walk connected the island to the outlands. “Patrols found no camps—and some outlanders claimed they were not bandits but malevolent spirits.”
A frown creased Riasa’s brow. “We have heard rumors of terrors in the north.”
“They were but illusions.” Lady Junica broke in, exasperation filling her voice. “Created by a band of murderous thieves who knew that terror is more effective than any blade and makes cowards even of the brave.”
Aerax’s teeth gritted. So they had said of Lizzan, too—that she was a coward. Yet