"What are we going to do? What can we do? Nothing. Really? Can't we do something? But that's an army. One Rider can't take on an army." Mellary stopped to breathe. She was pacing across the clearing they had seen from the air. It was surrounded by a ring of tall stones, completely inaccessible from the ground.
Embrald was lying along the curve formed by the stones. His slit green eyes tracked her back and forth as he tore into a deer that hadn't heard the wind whistling over his wings as he dropped from the sky.
"Should we warm somebody? But who'd believe us? But we don't even know where they're going. Or why. So, what do we do?" Mellary plopped down in the dirt and leaned back against Embrald's side. She glanced over just as her dragon tilted his head back to swallow a mouthful of meat.
Are you alright? She asked. He had never carried her before. Even though she was slim and slightly short, it must have been hard on his relatively young wings.
Fine. He ripped out another bite.
Any of that left? She just noticed the empty feeling in her stomach. Embrald fixed her with an amused eye.
No. Mellary made a face at him and dug out some dried meat. She nibbled at it half-heartedly.
"So, back to the beginning. What do we do about that massive bunch of stinking, murdering Kull?" They were a good ways away, almost ten miles distance from the camp. Up in the air, the campground was a blot on the horizon.
Mellary lay back and let her eyes drift shut.
The first light of dawn touched Mellary's eyes. She sat up and yawned. The sky overhead was grey, but mercifully free of clouds. One of the stones around their camp had a series of grooves running up the side, almost like steep steps. Mellary climbed up the boulder and perched on the top, watching the sun rise.
She had an idea, half formed in the back of her mind. Once the shock of seeing so many Kull together in such a great force had worn off, her mind had begun to work again. She was beginning to think normally.
Just as the first rays of light peeked over the horizon a great cloud of dust rose up, almost obscuring the sun.
Mellary jumped up and almost fell off the rock. She squinted at the dust cloud then remembered she was standing ten miles away from where they were. She wouldn't see anything.
She murmured swear words as she leapt down from the rock. She landed neatly on the ground and leapt for her pack.
Embrald's eyes snapped open as she noisily ripped into her pack and pulled out a shallow dish of clay. It was about as wide as hand when she spread her fingers out. Mellary set it down on the ground and splashed water into it. She waited impatiently for the water to settled, almost dancing from side to side.
Finally the ripples stopped. Mellary gently placed her hands on either side, careful not to disturb the water. She closed her eyes and focused on her memory of the Kull camp as she had seen it from above as she whispered the words for scrying.
The water was alive when she opened her eyes. The clear liquid had turned brown. Blurry figures rushed around, tearing down tents. Mellary watched as the orange circles of bonfires vanished, doused by workers smaller than the hulking Kull. Probably several contingents of Urgals were traveling with the army.
Mellary held onto the magic a minute longer, watching ranks form and begin to march. They were organized. That more than sheer numbers scared her.
She rocked back on her heels and felt the toll of scrying settle on her. Her mouth was suddenly dry and she felt slightly tired. Mellary picked up the bowl and drained the water out of it. She licked her lips to get every drop of water as she looked at Embrald.
How long can you carry me? She asked.
Long enough. He responded, picking up her thoughts.
Good. She pulled out a blanket and spread it over his back before settling between the spikes on his spine. Her legs had been cut from the moving scales yesterday. It hadn't been anything she couldn't heal, but it had been painful and uncomfortable while flying. And she was still sore. It was worse than riding a horse.
Mellary felt a pang as she remembered her faithful mare. She hoped Tanyian had gotten away.
Embrald crouched and launched into the air. The wind whipped past Mellary's face as she felt the exhilaration of leaving the ground behind. Her dragon grinned.
It didn't take them long to return to the place where the camp used to be. As Mellary knew, it had been abandoned. A great patch of dead ground, it was dotted with black circles big enough for Embrald to curl up comfortable in. Leading away south was a wide, trampled trail.
Without her having to say anything, Embrald banked south. In a few minutes they had caught up the rearguard of the army. They passed almost a half mile of running Kull and Urgals before they reached the front of the column. Embrald slowed down, coasting on the breeze. Below them, far below them, the army was slowly falling behind.
They're moving fast. Mellary commented.
Do we have any idea at ALL where they might be going? Embrald asked
The Varden. They're going to the Varden. Mellary said with conviction.
How can you be so certain they're heading to the Varden?Embrald asked as he coasted. Mellary could feel the warm air on her face.
What else could the king use the Urgals for? He's supposed to be the good guy, remember, protecting the citizens of the empire from Urgals. If he used this army to attack a town or city then people would know that he could control them, and might be behind some of the raids. They'd rebel, and we'd have wide spread civil war. If the entire Empire decided to revolt, there's a good chance he's loose. Mellary commented thoughtfully. Maybe. I wonder.
They were sill above the army. It was noon. The Urgals were still running, having covered miles.
Mellary stretched and yawned. Maybe we should set down for a while. Take a break. She frowned. Are you tired?
Embrald growled in answer. Mellary could feel his disdain at the thought of being tired this early in the day. He folded his wings and they plummeted. Mellary screamed happily as they sped up. The wind pushed against her body, almost yanking her off Embrald's back. They were dropping toward the army.
When they were still high above the Urgals, much too high to be clearly seen, Embrald snapped his wings open and pulled up out of the dive. They were still falling, but at an angle, and they were flying much faster than they had been. Mellary was pressed hard onto Embrald's green back.
Was that punishment for implying tiredness? Mellary asked wryly. Embrald's laughter rang through her mind, sounding mischievous.
No. This is.
Before Mellary could do anything, her world inverted. Gravity tugged at her, trying to pull her off her dragon. She grabbed for Embrald's neck and her fingers wrapped around one of his neck spines. She began to fall.
Embrald rolled over, throwing her loose body over to the other side. She would have been jerked off and into empty air if she hadn't had a death grip on the neck spike. Her nerves were trembling.
We need to get you a saddle. Mellary said shakily. She felt Embrald's growl rumbling through her body. Sorry. She said sarcastically. We need to get ME a saddle.
By now they had passed far ahead of the army. Embrald traveled for a little while longer before settling down on a ledge. Mellary slid off and stretched. She watched as Embrald shook out his wings and crouched down to take off again.
Hunting? Mellary asked. Embrald nodded his great head and launched.
Later they watched the army come into view.
"We still don't know what to do." Mellary murmured. She twisted to look at Embrald. The green dragon was crouched amid a bunch of bushes, and blended in perfectly.
About what? The army? I though we were just going to follow it until it gets wherever it's going.
They're going to the Varden. Mellary was certain. We could go ahead.
Do you know where they are?
I have an idea. I know they're in the Beor Mountains, but I'm not sure where or how to get in. But if they are attacking the Varden, they'll have their own way in. We can just follow. Mellary said logically. She was quiet for a while. I was planning to go anyway. When makes no difference. She said absentmindedly. Embrald turned to look at her. Well, it's that or go to the king. He already tried to kill me once. I don't intend to give him a second chance. I'd be dead anyway if he found out I was a half-elf.
They both turned back to watch the ranks of Urgals file past.
What's that? Embrald suddenly asked. Mellary focused and looked through his eyes. A single horseman was riding up to the head of the army. Embrald looked closer, and Mellary recognized with a shudder the red hair and maroon eyes.
Durza. The king's shade. I killed him.
Apparently not. Embrald commented. Mellary rolled her eyes.
Shade's come back to life if you don't stab them in the heart. I missed the heart.
Apparently. Mellary shot her dragon a look.
They sat in silence for a long time as the army passed. These are going to be a couple long weeks. Mellary sighed. Already she was bored. And watching such a destructive force was pulling her down into a slump. Not doing anything was against her nature.
The main bulk of the army passed and now they were watching the supply train and smaller groups pass. Then came the stragglers. Watching Urgals walk by one at a time gave Mellary an idea. It made her sit up with a grin.
Embrald saw. What? He asked cautiously.
Mellary pulled herself up and settled into place. Head back the way we came. Then circle around and stay high.
Embrald did as she asked, uncertainties and caution radiating up. They were coming up on the last straggled, a single Urgal walking along. The next one was a ways ahead, and not looking back.
Mellary waited until they were above him. Just like hunting deer. Mellary said to Embrald. She felt his malicious satisfaction.
Drop.
They fell out of the sky, landing smack on top of the unsuspecting Urgal. He was crushed beneath the dragon before he could hear anything, dead before he could open his mouth. Embrald took off as soon as he hit the ground, the lifeless body of the Urgal clenched in one claw. They flew back, away from the army.
We can't put him in a body of water, we'd poison the fish. Mellary said, half joking. This is far enough. They were out of sight of the last of the army. Embrald opened his talons, letting the body drop to the earth below. If he hadn't already been dead, the fall would have killed him.
Embrald, we have something to do for the next month.