On Fire's Wings - Christie Golden [136]
But the men perched atop that Dragon could see the army’s fires.
Tiny little sparks they were, and at first, the eye could not be certain as to their identity. Gradually, the Dragon dove closer, and the small orange sparks became campfires.
There were hundreds on the other side of the mountain, several in each encampment.
The army of the Emperor from over the mountain had thousands.
Again, Kevla heard gasps and murmurings. The Dragon went lower still, sailing silently above a vast army that was almost invisible save for their campfires. Now they could glimpse movement, see the faint outlines of tents.
When at last the men behind her fell silent, Kevla patted the Dragon’s neck. Obediently the great beast wheeled smoothly and returned the way he had come.
No one spoke on that journey back to the encampments. Tahmu kept his arms around his daughter, and at one point she could have sworn he pulled her closer to him. She did not think it was because he feared for his own safety.
Finally, the Dragon headed for the clearing, easily recognizable because of the circle of fires Kevla had left burning, and settled down gently. The men were in no hurry to dismount. Slowly, they did so, not speaking. Kevla remained atop the Dragon, waiting for their decision. Would they join her and fight for their own lives? Or would they scatter, seeing in their isolation an ability to escape from so terrible a foe?
Her mouth was dry and she was aware that she trembled. If they fled, there was no hope.
“Well?” she said finally. “You have seen the campfires with your own eyes. You know what is coming. The army will be here very soon. Will you stand and fight together, or will you scatter like frightened liahs?”
The first to step forward was Tahmu. “The Clan of Four Waters will fight with the Great Dragon and the Flame Dancer,” he cried.
“As will the Star Clan!”
“And the Sa’abah Clan!”
“The Horseriders will prepare for war!”
“As will the Sandcattle Clan!”
One after another, the cries went up and the pledges were made. Not a single clan chose to abandon the others. Kevla felt her heart fill to almost bursting. They believed her. They trusted her.
Jashemi, this is your moment. This is your dream. I wish you could see them.
“We will have a council of war,” announced Tahmu. He turned to his daughter. “Kevla Flame Dancer—will you join us?”
Kevla’s eyes widened. This would be a council unlike any ever seen in Arukan before. All of the khashims, their Seconds, and their most trusted advisors would be present.
A female had never been permitted to participate.
Slowly, she nodded. “Of course,” she said, and slipped off the Dragon. Tahmu extended a hand to help her down. They stood face-to-face for a long minute, each searching the other’s eyes.
In Tahmu’s face, Kevla saw Jashemi. The two men, father and son, had been so alike, she now realized. They had shared the dream that was coming true at this moment, and she would be a part of that.
She squeezed her father’s hand, and went to the council of war.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kayle’s attendant Parneth stuck his head inside the captain’s tent, grinning fiercely. “Captain? The scouts have returned.”
“Excellent,” said Kayle. “A moment more and I will meet with them.” He took another bite of bread and honey. If Kayle had anything resembling a weakness, it was his fondness for sweet things. The golden liquid dripped off the bread onto his fingers and he sucked it off. He had gone ahead of the army with seven of his most trusted scouts, to find the best path through the mountains and, perhaps, to see if there were any unsuspecting Arukani clans within easy attack distance. Even though the army had many men, they could always use a few more.
“Captain.” Parneth hesitated. “I think you had best meet with them now. They come with an extra prize for the Emperor.”
Kayle sighed and rose, still licking his fingers. Parneth knew his master well, and would not push so if it were not important. However, when he stepped outside into the moonlight and sawthe “extra prize,” Kayle