They crossed plains now. That would continue for much of the journey. While it made their going easier, it also provided them with little cover.
At midday, only two days from the border, they sighted a huge patrol, too far away to be identified. But it was plain the patrol had seen the trio as well, for the soldiers shifted in their direction and their pace quickened.
Kaz removed his battle ax. Huma leaped from the back of the wagon and unsheathed his blade. Buoron remained with the wagon, but he pulled out his sword and waited for the approach of the patrol.
The bearded knight was the first to identify them. Turning to Huma, he said, “Ergothians. Part of their northern army, I would say.”
There was no way to outrun them. How would Ergothians act when confronted with an ax-wielding minotaur and two knights from an order responsible in great part for the decay of the once-mighty Ergothian Empire?
The commander of the patrol raised his hand as the group neared the trio. A broad, almost fat man with a small beard and thin gray hair, he studied each of them in turn, his gaze lingering on Kaz, who, despite his nature, tried his best to look unthreatening. In Huma’s opinion, the minotaur failed completely.
First, the Ergothian addressed Buoron. “You are from one of the outposts in the south, are you not?”
“I am.” Both knights stiffened. This commander was a keen observer.
“Your companion knight is not?”
Huma answered. “Lord, I am Knight Huma of the Order of the Crown.”
“I see,” said the Ergothian with about as much interest as if he had been told that there was grass growing on the plains. He pointed at Kaz. “And that? Where did that come from? I’ve heard rumors . . .”
“I,” the minotaur announced proudly, “am Kaz. I have rebelled from my former masters and am now companion to Huma, most noble and brave of knights.”
That might have brought a few smiles to the faces of the Ergothians if they had not seen the dark look on the face of Kaz and knew he meant every word of it.
“I am also a minotaur, not a ‘that.’”
“I see.” The commander shifted his girth in the saddle and turned to Huma. “I am Faran and though we have never met, I and my men are presently attached to an acquaintance of yours. Lord Guy Avondale,”
Huma could not help but flinch.
“I see you remember him. I have been asked to escort you to him, and I will not take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Huma looked at his two companions. The patrol outnumbered them and included more than a few archers. To resist would be foolish. As long as they lived, there was hope. “We will gladly accept your escort.”
Faran smirked. “I thought you might.” He waved his hand and the patrol split, one half flanking each side of the wagon. There would be no escape. “We have a day’s journey ahead of us, so I recommend we waste no more valuable time.”
“I must admit to being greatly surprised at your sudden absence that night, Huma,” Lord Guy Avondale was saying the next day.
The three of them sat, alone, before the chief commander in his tent.
“I have explained those circumstances.”
“Yes, you have.” Lord Avondale put down his goblet. The trio had been offered wine as well, but none of them had accepted. “I should have known better, I grant that, but when we discovered that nest of pestilence, I was more than happy to accept the mage’s assistance.”
Kaz, his patience wearing thin, stood up fiercely. “We have been sitting here for the past three hours, two of which were wasted waiting for you, commander. For the past hour, you have spoken of nothing but false pleasantries and news so old—how much longer are we to put up with this? Are you going to let us pass into Solamnia with the lances?”
Two guards came rushing in, but the commander waved them off. They did not leave the tent, Huma noticed.
The Ergothian put down his goblet. “For the past three hours, and all of last night, I have been debating in my mind as to what to do about you and those weapons. In answer to your last question, yes, you may pass through with the lances. For what reason would I turn them over to the emperor? He would merely mount them on some palace wall as the latest of his trophies, despite what they could do for all of Ansalon.”
Huma and Avondale locked gazes. “Other than a few die-hards, most of us are realistic enough to admit the truth. It is no longer the emperor we truly fight for, although perhaps that once might have been the case. We are fighting for Ergoth, our homeland, and our families. That is what matters in the long run. Emperors come and go, but it is the people who sustain. We lost sight of that at some point, and a good portion of the empire decided they could do better without us—but you know that, of course.”
“Then,” Huma said calmly, “if what you say is true, why are we being held here?”
“You are not. We are waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
A horn signaled the approach of someone or something. Guy Avondale rose and smiled knowingly. “I think that is them now. Come with me, please.”
They stood and followed the Ergothian commander. They were trailed by the two guards.
When they had entered the camp, the first thing Huma had noticed was the vast, open plain situated before the tent of the commander. He had wondered at its purpose then, even as he had wondered until now how Avondale had known where they were and that they were coming at all. Now the knight understood.
The first to land was the silver dragon herself. She seemed fully healed and, in fact, greeted Huma with such enthusiasm that he was overwhelmed.
“I apologize for the delay, Huma, but it proved more difficult than I thought to locate assistance. But I have found them!”
Two more silver dragons landed, one female and one male. They were introduced as the silver dragon’s siblings, and both greeted and gazed at Huma with such seriousness it was as if they were inspecting him. Huma returned their greeting with some unease.
The final newcomer was a bronze-colored dragon, slightly smaller than all the rest. What he lacked in size, though, he more than made up for in muscle and speed. He had, from humans, acquired the nickname of Bolt, which he wore proudly. Here at last, Huma decided, was a kindred spirit for Kaz.
“Four or five lances between us will be no difficulty,” Huma’s silver dragon explained.
“The saddle—” Huma began.
“I have had someone working on that,” interjected Avondale. “We have four saddles, which should suffice. I assure you that they will be more than capable of withstanding the rigors ahead.”
“They had better be,” Kaz muttered.
“You said four,” Huma said. “We have only three, without Magius. Unless you think—”
“I do not!” The Ergothian commander looked Huma straight in the eye. “In the name of Paladine and all of Ansalon, I forbid you from going and throwing yourself at the renegade in a futile attempt to rescue the mage! You yourself have spoken of how much the Dragonlances mean to the future of all of us. If you throw your life away, you are condemning us to the Dragonqueen’s dark dreams!”
Inwardly, Huma felt shame at the relief that flowed through him upon hearing Avondale’s words. Part of him desperately wanted to rescue his companion, while another part of him yearned for his own safety. Huma was torn.
“Who is to be our fourth member, then?”
“I am.”
“You?” Kaz snorted in derision. “Have all the world’s commanders gone mad?”
Lord Avondale replied coldly. “Faran is more than capable of stepping into my role. Despite his dislike of Solamnia, he is a practical man. He will not do anything to upset the situation. I would trust no one more.”
“What would your emperor say?” asked Buoron, silent until now.
“What the emperor would say, he may tell me if I survive. As I told you, I am fighting for Ergoth. I would never forgive myself if I placed another’s life in such danger, though I am sure many would volunteer. Someone must go with you, to represent Ergoth to your Grand Master, and it may as well be me.”