The heat of the day made his armor uncomfortable as he stalked past the tents of his men. The letter in his hands filled him with confusion, as he read it a fifth time. His eyes burned across every word, and he felt a great void form in his heart.

“This can’t be right,” he said to himself as he arrived at the dark gray command tent.

“Herris!” he called out, drawing his captain's attention.

“Yes, my lord,” the man said, coming to attention and tipping his head.

Herris was a bald man with a strong chin and heavy brow. He was as stoic as they came and fiercely loyal to both him and the order of Astikar. He stood in the tent in his armor, feeling the heat as sweat beaded on his forehead.

“Where did this letter come from?” he asked.

“It was delivered by brothers heading east,” Herris said.

“You are sure this came from a brother?” he said, holding the note up and shaking it in his hand.

“I spoke to the man myself,” Herris replied with a concerned look. “He told me that a dozen copies were dispatched to make sure one found you.”

“Why are they going east?” he asked his captain. “The war is in the west!”

“They have orders to go to Eastgate. There is some trouble there,” Herris said. “It was only two brothers; the rest were conscripts.”

“And they didn’t tell you why?”

“No, my lord,” Herris said. “They delivered the letter and moved on.”

He paused to wonder why he’d not heard of a reason to move brothers away from the fighting. He tried to work the mystery out, but he lacked enough pieces of the puzzle to see a clear picture. He glanced down at the letter again and scowled, his long hair framing his face with a dark countenance.

“Is something the matter?” Herris asked.

He tossed the letter at the man and turned his back on him.

Herris reached down and picked the letter off the grass. His weary eyes began to read over the words written on the paper. He mumbled to himself as he got deeper into the letter. A moment later, his brows dipped as his jaw fell open. He looked up with a lost expression on his face.

“What are you going to do?” Herris asked.

“The only thing I can do,” Jessivel said as he turned to glare at the man. “I find Gersius. I find him, and I get answers.”

*********

The battle at the bridge was a full day behind them as they crested another hill. They no longer traveled on the road choosing to stick to the tall grass and running parallel to it. Several times they were forced to hide as small groups of armored men traveled down the road.

“How many men did they send east?” Tavis asked while they hid from another group.

Ayawa shook her head as she watched them closely.

“I have no idea. Counting these men, we have seen well over a hundred since we left.”

“A hundred men to bring down one?” Tavis whispered.

“That one man is Gersius, not to mention they think we are with him, and that he has a dragon.”

“We won't make the deadline if we have to crawl all the way there,” Tavis pointed out.

“That problem will likely get worse,” she said. “The bodies must have been discovered by now.”

“It will take a few days for word to spread,” Tavis replied. “We will be well ahead of the news.”

“We have to come back this way later,” she said. “And we have to send the others this way.”

“I think Jessivel is the bigger problem,” he said with a glance at her.

“Let's hope we killed the only messenger. The more we delay him, the better,” Ayawa replied.

“The letter was full of false accusations and lies,” Tavis said.

“This whole war is full of falsehoods and lies,” Ayawa replied.

The patrol faded down the road, and they dared to stand. They dusted off and moved on running at speed to gain ground. By midday, they saw the small town of Kylisburg and paused to consider their options.

“Do we risk going into a town?” Tavis asked.

“We could use more food,” Ayawa said. “It will delay us if I have to keep hunting.”

“If we're seen by anyone who knows us an alarm will be raised,” he said.

Ayawa nodded as she scanned the small town.

It was a village of a dozen large buildings and two dozen simple peasant houses strewn about haphazardly. It had no defenses beyond a few stone walls around back gardens.

“There’s no wall or watch to be seen. They may not even have a town guard,” she suggested.

“I want to scout it first,” Tavis said as he sat down.

Ayawa agreed and waited while he fell into his weave and projected his sight. He carried his tone as his sight ran ahead and entered the village. After a few minutes, he ceased his note and opened his eyes.

“There’s a small market on the north and a tiny inn,” he said. “I didn’t see anybody who looked like a soldier or a priest.”

“Then let’s risk it,” Ayawa said. “Some food and supplies will speed our journey.”

They carefully worked their way down the hill and approached the outer houses. It was a village like any other with thatch roofs, and muddy lanes. The houses weren't laid out in any particular order, and chickens, goats, and pigs ran between them.

The people were simple peasants in linen dresses marked with sewn tears and dirty hems. The men tended to wear vests that looked worn by many weeks of hard work.

They made their way directly to the market, drawing a few glances and stares as they went. They paid these no mind but kept wary eyes to corners and dark alleys. They rounded a small stone house and saw the market stalls ahead when they heard a rumbling noise.

“Horses!” Ayawa said. “A lot of them!”

“What if it’s Jessivel?” Tavis asked.

“Off the street!” Ayawa snapped and ran between two buildings with Tavis close behind. She nervously drew an arrow and held it to the string of her bow. They ducked low and waited as the sound grew louder.

“It sounds like it's coming from the east?” Tavis said, confused.

“They must have found the bodies. Just keep low and wait for them to pass,” Ayawa scolded.

The sound grew louder and louder until they could hear the whinny of horses, and the first riders went by.

The horses wore green caparisons trimmed in gold with the head of a white doe on the flanks. The riders wore green armor with white cloaks and plumes. Many had helmets off and as they rode by their long hair trailing in the breeze.

“Their all women,” Ayawa whispered.

“Those are priestesses of Ulustrah,” Tavis added.

“Heading west,” Ayawa observed. “They must have come from Eastgate.”

“If Eastgate has mobilized a force like that, then the news can only be dire,” Tavis added.

Ayawa watched as the last of the riders went by.

“Fifty of them riding hard,” she said as they dared to creep out of the alley. “Wherever they are going, they intend to get here quickly.”

“This can’t be good,” Tavis added with a shake of his head. “No faith mobilizes numbers like that for peaceful reasons.”

“Nothing good has come out of this fool mission!” Ayawa snapped.

“Gersius has a wife who loves him dearly. I call that good,” Tavis argued.

“And she is a dragon,” Ayawa said with a glare. “Let’s hope that makes a difference.”

Tavis hoped it would as well and nodded to the merchants in the dust ahead.

“Let’s get our supplies and get out of this town before another patrol passes through,” he suggested.

They wasted no time in going to the market and bought whatever would keep for a few days. It consisted mostly of bread, a jar of honey, and some hard cheese. Tavis got a bottle of cheap wine, and Ayawa found a man with dried fruits. They quickly packed their purchases away in backpacks and fled the town desperate to be off the road again.

That night they camped in a depression hidden in some trees. They risked a small fire to keep the bugs away and planned the next day's journey. They would reach Brackenwall by late afternoon and with any luck find Gams. If they got him moving quickly enough, they could be out of the city by morning and on the road to the next man.

They woke early to continue traveling and ran with great haste using Tavis's weaving to speed the way. Ayawa ran slightly ahead using her sharp vision and senses to search their path for threats.

The road was barren for most of the day, a change they were not at all comfortable with. By mid-afternoon, they had still not seen a single traveler.

“I don't understand. The road was busy yesterday and day before. Now it's empty?” Tavis said.

“I can’t help but wonder if it was cleared,” Ayawa said.

“By who?” he asked.

“That horde of priestesses,” Ayawa replied.

“That would mean the faiths are fighting,” Tavis said. “There hasn’t been a battle between the major faiths in five hundred years.”

“You said it yourself,” Ayawa reminded. “Faiths doesn’t mobilize numbers like that for peaceful reasons.”

“Let’s just get to Gams,” Tavis insisted.

They ran on as fast as they could without tiring and raced across the fields beside the road. When Brackenwall finally came into view, they slowed their pace and walked toward the town trying to avoid drawing attention.

“What if the gate watch is looking for us?” Tavis asked.

“I doubt they could alert every guard in every city,” Ayawa replied. “If we walk in like any other peasant, they may not even look up to take notice of us.”

The town of Brackenwall was too small to be a city but almost too large to be a town. It was on the shores of the Shalla River and acted as a trading stop.

The town was built on a raised mound ringed by a stone embankment built by a Lord Bracken known as the brackenwall. The mound lifted the town well above the plains to protect it from flooding. Over the years the mound was expanded and built out so that the town now stood with an impressive number of buildings from single-story homes to large three-story houses, shops, and Inns.

It had several small temples to Vellis, Gorin, and Ulustrah, and a large temple dedicated to Astikar. On a slightly higher natural hill to the north of town was a small fortified keep with a single large square tower that housed the city watch.

The town had no wall, only the raised mound, but there were small stone guardhouses at all the roads in. These were lightly guarded by two or three men who did little but stand idly by.

As predicted, the two men at the guardhouse didn't pay them any attention, and one even yawned as they approached. They walked by like any other travelers and quickly disappeared into the streets. They worked their way in, heading for the northern part of the town where the wealthier homes were.

The streets consisted mostly of narrow cobbled lanes. The only reasonable road was near the water to help with commerce from the river. Here berms of stone were stacked to make landings for the small trading ships that plied the sluggish waters.

“He is a brave man to be hiding so close to a temple of Astikar,” Tavis said as they picked their way down a narrow lane.

“It’s the last place they would look for him,” Ayawa replied.

The street turned right and went down a row of two and three-story buildings that ran right along the edge of the mound lip. They pressed together, and each floor hung out a little further over the street so that half the lane was cast in shadow. Most of the buildings had stone ground floors, but some of them were plaster, washed bright white, and trimmed out with intricate carvings on wooden beams. Many had flowers hanging from window pots, and all had beautiful glass windows.

“He will be in the third house on the right past the fountain along the Brackenwall,” Ayawa stated.

Tavis nodded as he looked down the street to see a small white basin with a statue of a woman holding a jug over her head, water cascaded down from it and collected in the pool below. He counted three houses to see a dull white plaster manor with dark stained wooden beams and a wood shingle roof. It had no sign or marker out front and was slightly larger than its neighbors. Otherwise, it looked no different than the other homes on the street.

They walked up the single stone step to the door, and Ayawa knocked.

A few moments later, a woman with a pruned face and squinted eyes opened the door. She had on a black outfit of frills trimmed in white lace. Her hair was golden in color but was hidden under a white hood tied under her chin with a strap.

“Can I be of some service?” she said to the two strangers on her door with a shrill voice.

“We are here to see Gammagerous Lounder,” Ayawa said in a dry tone.

“Pardon miss, but there isn't anybody here by that name,” the woman said and then immediately tried to close the door.

“Just tell him Gersius sends word,” Ayawa said before the door shut.

“I do hope she heard you.,” Tavis said as he turned to regard her.

“She heard me. We just need to wait a moment.”

They turned and watched the street as they waited. A few people were out, mostly servants busily going on errands for masters. None of them seemed to be paying the two any attention, but Ayawa watched them all the same.

The door suddenly opened, and the same woman now stood tall with a face of smooth stone looking at them both.

“Master Gams will see you now,” she said with a clear firm voice and ushered them in.

“How did you make your face look like that before?” Tavis asked, amazed that it was the same woman.

“This way,” she said in reply and led them into the house. When she turned, they could see the two short swords in crossed sheaths on her back.

“I see Gams is taking precautions,” Tavis said.

“He has good reason. He abandoned a post in a border keep. He will be executed if he's caught,” Ayawa said.

“So did we,” Tavins reminded her as they followed the armed woman.

She led them down a narrow hallway and into a large room with no windows at the rear of the house. It was dominated by a fireplace, and the wall beside it was stacked with chopped wood. A thick brown woolen rug covered the stone floor, and a large, plush high-back chair rested on it.

Seated in the chair was a man with broad shoulders and chest. His face was aged but strong with deep creases from years of worry and thought. His hair was gray and thinning on top, but still thick and vibrant on his face where he had it trimmed into a mustache and thin beard. He held a book in one hand and a silver cup in the other sipping from it as they walked in.

“If you two are here, then whatever trouble Gersius has gotten himself into is dire indeed.” His voice was old but sturdy and had a tone of authority to it. He spoke without taking his eyes from the book he was reading.

“Astute as ever Gams,” Tavis said with a slight bow.

The man looked up and past them, and it was only then they both realized the dangerous woman was standing right behind them.

“Channi dear, it’s alright, they are friends,” he said, waving her out. “You can go.”

They looked over her their shoulders to see the woman withdraw from the room with a fierce gaze fixed on them both.

“Feeling a little threatened?” Ayawa asked when the woman was gone.

“You can walk from my door to a temple of Astikar in a few minutes,” Gams said, giving them both a fixed glare. “I want to make sure I can fight my way out if they discover I’m here.”

“One bodyguard isn't going to stop an armed temple patrol,” Ayawa pointed out.

“Who said there was only one bodyguard?” Gams asked, taking a sip of his wine as he set his book down on a table beside his chair.

“So, tell me, what has Gersius gotten himself into?” He sat back in his chair, waiting to hear the story.

Ayawa and Tavis shared a glance, and she went to explain it.

“Gersius went on a mission to find and subdue a dragon,” she said fixing his gaze.

“I’m aware of his mission. Word is, all his men are dead, and he was missing. Then I hear rumors he attacked Whiteford with a dragon.”

“Gersius does indeed have a dragon,” Ayawa replied. “But he was ordered to Whiteford by the Father Abbot. He didn’t attack the city.”

“If the reports I've gotten hadn't already confirmed the Father Abbot was in Whiteford I would already be convinced you were lying,” Gams said, taking another sip of wine. “I thought that was odd. Gersius wasn't a week into his mission, and the Father Abbot packs up his retinue, and the holy guard, and heads east almost like he's following Gersius. He sends the raven guard ahead of him first to Dawnsbrige, then to Whiteford. Then my spies tell me he rushed out of Dawnsbrige and ran to Whiteford himself. They say he left in quite a hurry.”

“He left before Gersius was even a week away?” Tavis asked.

Gams nodded as he glared at them.

“I had my contacts scour Calathen and Dawnsbridge for information. They even stole and read dispatches. I can't find a single mention of why he went there. Only one letter even mentions Whiteford and all it shows is a purchase for some chains.”

“He was laying a trap for Gersius,” Ayawa said. “He knew Gersius had the dragon and wanted to make sure he didn't suddenly show up at Calathen and walk through the golden gate,” Ayawa replied.

“Why?” Gams asked, leaning forward in his chair to look at them both. “For what possible reason would the Father Abbot want to stop Gersius from delivering a dragon to Calathen? He would unite the Empire in days! They would crown him the Dragon Knight returned and hand him the blue and red banner to carry into battle.”

“It would appear the Father Abbot has a vested interest in seeing that the prophecy is not fulfilled,” Tavis said.

Gams took a final sip and then set his cup down next to his book.

“The order of Astikar lives and breaths that prophecy. They make them all memorize the verse about the dragon and the golden gate. Why in the name of the divines would they be trying to prevent it?”

“We don’t know, Gams,” Ayawa said. “All we know is what has happened.”

Gams nodded and looked at the empty glass of wine with remorse.

“I told that boy he was making a mistake,” Gams said. “But he was sure it was the only way. He kept repeating that fool prophecy saying he had to try.” Games shook his head. “You know walking through the gate with the dragon isn’t the only sign. I asked him who the daughter of the silver moon was? He didn’t know. I asked him when had he ever been rescued by a vengeful blue lover and he didn’t know.”

“A blue lover!” Tavis said and looked at Ayawa.

Ayawa glanced back at him with pressed lips and a stern gaze and gave him a quick shake of her head.

Gams studied them both and decided to change his line of thought.

“So Gersius managed to subdue a dragon and march it to Whiteford,” he said reiterating their story.

“Actually, he didn't subdue it, he married it and took it to bed,” Tavis corrected with a grin.

Gams looked at them both with an expression of annoyance

.

Ayawa closed her eyes and cursed under her breath before turning to Tavis to scold him.

“Did you have to say that?” she said, looking him right in the face. “He doesn't know about dragons! How is he supposed to understand what you just said?”

“I just wanted to see the look on his face when he found out Gersius was married,” Tavis replied with a shrug. “He could have grandchildren soon.”

“You two are trying my patience and wasting my time,” Gams barked in an angry tone.

Ayawa took a deep breath and turned to face Gams whose hands were now both clasped together over his chin as he scowled at them.

“Tavis is telling the truth. There is something you need to know to understand it, but Gersius has married the dragon.”

“What do I need to know to understand such a ridiculous story?”

Ayawa shot Tavis an angry look before continuing.

“The dragon can magically change shape. It can appear as a human when it wants,” Ayawa answered.

“And when it does, it appears as a rather exotic and beautiful woman,” Tavis added.

“You expect me to believe Gersius has a shape-shifting dragon, who can appear as a human woman, and he married this woman?” Gams asked his voice dripping with disbelief.

“Gams, we wouldn’t make up a story like that. We didn’t travel all the way here dodging patrols to find you just so we could tell you lies,” Ayawa pleaded with him.

“How did you find me anyway?” he asked.

“Gersius told us where to find you,” she replied.

“And where is Gersius and this dragon woman?”

“They are traveling over the mountains north of Eastgate to reach Avashire. He hopes to get High Priest Lengwin to aid him,” Ayawa said.

“Lengwin,” Gams said with a nod. “He's a good man. Strong heart for Astikar, but he's not a fighter, he's a holy priest. How is Lengwin going to be of use?”

“He wants Lengwin to replace the Father Abbot,” Ayawa replied.

Gams sat back in his chair and slammed his hands to the arms as he shook his head.

“Gersius intends to wage war on his own order then.” He took a deep breath as his brow furrowed. “And how does he plan to get to Calathen? How does he plan to fight through the raven guard, and the city militia?”

“That's why we are here to see you,” Tavis said, tipping his hat up.

Gam's eyes turned in his aged face to look at Tavis and then Ayawa. “He wants me to form an army,” he said without waiting for them to clarify.

“He wants Tavis and I to find the other people he told to run. We are to gather them up in the hills near Windcrest. He wants you to organize them into a fighting force so when he arrives with Lengwin and whatever forces he gathers we can march on Calathen.”

Gam's hands returned to his chin as he eyed them both.

“So what happened in Whiteford?” he asked, returning to the story.

“The Father Abbot captured Gersius and the dragon. He tortured them both to try and get them to tell him the dragons true name,” Ayawa answered. “What they did to Gersius was horrific.”

“And somehow they magically escaped,” Gams said, throwing his hands out in a shrug.

“Just like you didn't know dragons could shape change, neither did the Father Abbot. They had her bound in magical chains designed to hold the dragon. When the opportunity came, she changed form to a human to escape the chains, and then back into the dragon. She freed Gersius and fled the city.”

Gams made a mental note about the chains and spoke.

“I heard all about the city. Nearly a hundred people dead, and houses caved in. They say this dragon blasted the gates off the walls. It sounds like your dragon did a little more than flee.”

“She was in a panic and couldn't find her way out. She climbed over the houses to go straight to the wall,” Ayawa told him. “The gates were closed and barred. She didn't know how to open them, so she shattered them.”

“Why didn't she fly over them?” he asked.

“Her wings were broken in an earlier incident. Gersius arranged for a healing ceremony to restore them, but the Father Abbot sent Dellain,” Ayawa said her voice going strained.

“That butcher should have been hung years ago,” Gams said while making a face like he wanted to spit.

“He’s more of a butcher than you know,” she said. “Dellain immobilized her and cut her wings off instead.”

Gams looked at Ayawa with a calculating expression. “And now Gersius is going to wage war on his own house?” he said after a moment of silence.

“He is hoping to gather enough support that the order won't challenge him. Especially with Lengwin formally leading a charge of apostasy against the Father Abbot himself.”

“I don't care how many men and women you field,” Gams said, pointing at her. “If you march them on Calathen there is going to be a battle, the raven guard will see to that.”

“We have already told him this ourselves, but it’s the only way to get Lilly to the city,” Tavis replied.

“Who is Lilly?” Gams asked.

“Lilly is the dragon, and Gersius's wife,” Ayawa said, rolling her eyes at her own words.

Gams glared at them both and shook his head as he pondered what they had said.

“On my honor, I am telling you the truth!” Ayawa implored him.

He sighed and leaned forward, pointing at them.

“If anybody but you two had come in here with this crazy story I would have Channi beat them and throw them into the street!” He waited a moment and then stood. “But you and I have both known Gersius a long time, and I know you have his best interest at heart, so fine, what do you need me to do?”

“We need you to travel to the old fort in the hills near Windcrest and set up a base of operations while we start to funnel people to you.”

“Windcrest,” Gams said. “He picked a place close to the road from Avashire. He always did have a good mind for logistics. Is that all you need from me?”

“We could use some horses,” Tavis said before Ayawa could continue.

Gams nodded as he considered them both. “Channi!” he called out. “Tells the others to pack up, we’re leaving tonight!”

“How many others are there?” Tavis asked.

Gams paused as he went to walk past him and turned to smile. “There are more soldiers in this house than there are priests in that temple down the street. I already have a small army.” He winked and walked past them down the hall.

Tavis and Ayawa looked at one another, and Tavis let out a sigh of relief.

“So it begins,” he said.

“It begins alright, let’s hope Gersius can finish it,” she replied.

Tavis nodded as he thought of an idea.

“Why don’t we pay the temple of Ulustrah a visit. Maybe we can learn why those riders were on the move.”

Ayawa looked away as she thought about it.

“There is a temple to Astikar here. If our descriptions have spread, they will likely be on the lookout for us. If we're seen, we could spoil our efforts here.”

Tavis smiled. “Then we go tonight like we did when your family was hunting for us.”

Ayawa smiled back and nodded.

The tall buildings filled the narrow alleyways with deep shadows and inky blackness. It would conceal their movements and help them remain unnoticed to all but the most alert guard. However, the two of them found a better route as they jumped from rooftop to rooftop in the light of the moon. Tavis made them both lighter, and they easily cleared twenty paces with a leap and landed softly.

The streets below were lit by candle lamps that provided dim light. They made their way across the peaks until they reached a thatched roof of a small home that overlooked the temple of Ulustrah.

It was a much like Thayle’s little temple. A flat front of stone built into a hill that was overgrown with flowers and vines. This temple had a second floor; however, that rose up above the hill. It too was made of stone, and the roof was capped by a carpet of moss and small flowers.

It was the sight before the temple doors that raised their curiosity.

“Why are there eight women in full armor on watch?” Tavis asked.

“The temple is on alert,” Ayawa said as they looked down from their hiding spot. “There are assuredly more inside.”

“This temple can’t possibly house more than four,” Tavis suggested. “Thayle’s only had two bedrooms.”

“They are probably using bunks,” she said. “The extra are sleeping in the worship hall.”

“But where are they coming from?” Tavis asked.

“They must be calling them from the smaller villages to bolster the bigger temples,” Ayawa suggested.

“Then the faiths are fighting,” Tavis said.

“Or preparing too. You can see the temple of Asikar from here. If there was an open conflict, they would already be at each other's throats.”

“Can you hear what they are saying?” Tavis asked.

“Not yet, but I will in a moment,” Ayawa said as she closed her eyes and fell into herself and reached for her spirit.

Her people used to be attuned to the earth mother, the great spirit of the world. Much of what they could do was lost in an ancient war when all their shaman died. Some fragments of the knowledge remained, and she put it to use as she listened to the wind. A simple technique that allowed her to hear a voice if carried on a breeze.

“They don’t really expect us to fight?” one woman said.

“We have no choice,” another replied with an angry tone.

“But they are trained soldiers. Most of them have fought in wars,” a third said.

“Are you going to falter when our Goddesses temple is threatened?” the angry voice said again.

“There are only twenty of us,” the first voice replied.

“There are only twelve of them,” the angry voice stated.

“Any one of them is a match for three of us,” the third woman said.

“We bless plants, they throw hammers!” the first woman added.

“Maybe the danger will pass,” the third woman suggested. “The letter only said to be prepared. It didn't promise there would be conflict.”

“If we had a high priestess, we could do a summoning,” the first woman said.

“We don't need a summoning to fight,” the angry woman said. “We will stand and protect our Goddesses honor and her temple. If the fools of Astikar come here, we will not give them an easy victory.”

Ayawa’s eyes flashed open.

“What did you hear?” Tavis asked.

She nodded her head. “You were right. They are preparing for battle with the priests of Astikar.”

“Divines help us all,” Tavis said. “Did they say anything about the cavalry?”

“Not a thing in the little bit I heard,” Ayawa said.

“I wonder why they were on the move?” Tavis said.

“Something terrible must have happened in Eastgate,” Ayawa suggested. “It put those horsewomen on the move and has the temples on guard.”

“We should tell Gams,” Tavis said. “He will need to know.” He glanced down at the women on the street below. “I wish we could reveal ourselves and talk to them. We could get some solid answers.”

“We can’t risk one of them being captured in future fighting and revealing we were here,” Ayawa said.

Tavis nodded, and they retreated heading back with heavy hearts. They told Gams about what they discovered, and he frowned.

“We leave in the morning,” he said. “The sooner we are away from here, the better.”

They could only agree.