“If it did not, when you summon the huts back to you, you will receive mounds of dirt with a silly note on top. No loss.” Mikel shrugged.
“No loss but a bit humiliating.” Ronan glanced around at the others. “Can we get going now?” He swung atop Sorcha’s back and kicked his horse forward without waiting for the others.
A gust of wind nearly blew Ronan from the horse’s back and he looked up to find the Dragon landing alongside him. “You are an impatient little wizard,” The dragon said as his pace slowed so that he was walking alongside at an even height. “I’ve been watching you and I wonder does Yarro know it was an amateur wizard that joined his tribe and promised him a river.”
“I will find a way to keep my word,” Ronan said with irritation.
“Foul tempered today are we?” the dragon purred. “Man is an odd creature.”
Ronan’s frown deepened as he looked at the dragon. “What are you talking about? Man is complicated. We aren’t like wild curs.”
“I shall uncomplicated things for you,” Monty continued. “The horseman feels as if you do not appreciate him. The sorceress feels you are pushing her away when she only wants to do for and help you. The centaur keeps silent because he only wants peace but thinks you take too many risks. The boy continues to attempt to impress you but still you do not notice him. And your woman feels you keep your distance because you do not trust her.”
“That is not how I feel toward any of them,” Ronan murmured.
“Then why behave as if you do?” The dragon shook his head. “They make such effort to do what you wish, to please you. Can you not find it in your heart to give the same in return?”
Guilt washed through Ronan. “I did not want to be a wizard. It makes me angry.”
“None of us asked to be born as what we are. We all have things about us that we don’t like. We accept those things and learn to live our lives the best we can.” Monty quickened his pace, leaving Ronan behind to consider his words. Moments later he soared up into the sky.
Ronan sighed heavily. The dragon was right. He was acting selfishly. This journey to Merisgale was not just about him. It was about them all.
That evening he called them to stop early. Hesitantly he summoned the huts and was surprised when they appeared before him intact. Yarro’s mark indicated that the spell the changeling had suggested worked.
“Want me to ride ahead?” Keegan offered but Ronan shook his head. “I’d feel better if it were Arien. His young eyes can spot trouble better than either of ours.” Arien’s face immediately lit up and he kicked his horse forward.
“And I’d rather have you close by just in case something should happen to me,” Ronan added when the boy was far enough ahead. “You know the way to Merisgale.”
Keegan nodded and Ronan continued, “I know I rely on you greatly, Keegan Yore. I just think you should know that I appreciate your wisdom, your sword, and your horses. You’ve sacrificed a lot for this trip. Like me, you too lose business when you are away. I am thankful you are here though. I feel a bit safer because of it.” There. Ronan didn’t look at Keegan, a bit embarrassed of the words he’d said to the man and he could feel Keegan’s stare.
“What brought that on?” Keegan asked, chuckling lowly.
“That damned dragon. He pointed out how selfishly I’ve been behaving. And to my surprise and shame I realized he was right.” Ronan glanced at Keegan. “So I thought to tell you that I do appreciate your presence and that I understand it can be difficult for you when my mood is ill.”
“Like a woman.” Keegan grinned and Ronan smiled back at him before allowing his horse to fall back away from the horseman’s. He eased alongside Ula.
“Touching speech,” she murmured. “I suppose you appreciate me as well?” Her sarcasm made Ronan smile.
“Only the food you feed me,” he teased and her mouth slanted. “No, I wanted to apologize to you.”
“Apologize?” Ula’s face grew serious when she looked at him.
“For treating you so poorly. I do not know who the betrayer is and have treated each of you as if you were guilty. Especially you.” Ronan sighed, shaking his head. “But the truth is that I do not suspect you, Ula. I have prayed it isn’t you, unable to conceive that someone who had done so much for me would be the one to turn against me.”
Her black eyes watered but she did not shed any tears. “It is not me. My loyalty is to Merisgale and…to you.” He nodded and reached to touch her hand. His fingers closed over hers for a moment before he released her again. He watched her ride ahead with Keegan.
“You owe me nothing,” Bryan murmured.
Ronan smiled at the centaur and then the changeling on his back. “No?”
“We are not so silly as these others,” Mikel agreed.
The two were an odd pair but Ronan had noticed that they often chatted back and forth as they traveled, becoming some strange kind of friends. No doubt they had discussed Ronan’s behavior between themselves.
“I take many risks to get this sword to Merisgale.” Ronan scratched at the short beard on his chin. “Risks I normally would not. But it is because many are relying on me to complete this mission successfully. I have never been on such an important journey. I cannot fail.” The centaur nodded, as if he suddenly understood Ronan’s drive.
“And no one is dead yet,” Fiona pointed out, riding along the other side of him. “Risks must be taken but you are always cautious of danger.”
“I try to be. And I’d rather make friends than enemies,” Ronan added.
“So you strike deals that obligate you to people?” The centaur raised a brow.
“It’s what I do. I’m a blacksmith, a businessman like Keegan. I make bargains with people everyday. I give them what they want and they give me what I want.” Ronan shrugged.
“You are also a wizard,” Bryan said. “A wizard should not have to bargain for what he wants.”
“No? You knew I was a wizard and still came after the sword.” Ronan smiled. “Threatened to kill me.”
“It was an empty threat,” Bryan admitted.
“Hmm. If I had known that I might not have struck you.” Ronan chuckled and glanced at Fiona. “This one was ready to kill you for it.”
“Yes, I know. Perhaps I take risks myself.” Bryan smiled.
“But for good reason.” Ronan blew out a breath. He’d done what he could to settle all their fears. His eyes lifted to find Monty flying overhead. The dragon inclined his head slightly before flying higher and disappearing from sight.
Now Ronan could focus his attention on other things. Like the fact that Robusk was missing. He’d had another dream in the hours he’d slept after he and Fiona had spent themselves. The wizard was frail and thinned and pleaded for him to hurry to Merisgale and save the land of Meris from Sleagan. He awakened at dawn, disturbed and troubled.
Monty dipped down again, then landed and kept pace alongside him. “You are scowling. Don’t you feel relieved now?” The dragon asked.
“I do feel better. Thank you.” But Ronan shook his head. “But I have other worries I cannot release. The wizard Robusk spoke to me again last night.”
“At least we know he still lives,” Monty soothed. “He is still the King until he hands the sword to Thestian. No doubt his captor means to keep him alive long enough to get his hands on the sword.”
Ronan frowned. “But if it were Sleagan that captured him, wouldn’t he have taken the sword Robusk carries?”
Ula let her horse fall back to join their conversation. “When a new sword is made, the old one is no longer useful. It is retired in the sword chamber with all the other swords of the King’s past.”
“I’ll bet that chamber is a bit intimidating,” Bryan said.
“It is a library of history.” Ula nodded. “Started by the Dragols when they ruled over Meris.”
“We never ruled,” Monty corrected. “It was man who thought to dictate over these lands. Dragols offered guidance and wisdom. We were revered and respected but we did not rule. To rule is to treat those below you as slaves.” Bryan nodded in agreement.