She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. She had a feeling Phillip wasn't so much stuck as trying to escape.
"Oh, and can you do something about that menace? She showed up a day ago. She's nipped me several times and keeps trying to kick me. It's getting tiresome." Phillip nodded to his right.
A grumpy Caia glared at Eva from between two rock columns.
Eva gave a glad cry at the sight of her, sliding off Sebastian and racing for the mare.
She'd been losing hope of ever seeing Caia again.
From what the Kyren had told her, they'd left one of their own to watch over Caia only for the mare to vanish. Even the search parties Caden sent out couldn't find any sign of her.
Eva flung her arms around Caia's neck. "I thought you were gone, you dumb horse."
Caia pressed her chin against Eva’s back, hugging the woman to her chest. Eva's tears wet Caia's coat as she clung to the mare. She'd been so afraid she'd lost Caia forever.
When her tears were exhausted, Eva drew back, scanning the mare to make sure she was okay. Wounds that had scabbed over dotted the mare's sides. Thankfully, they were mostly minor. The kind she would have gotten trying to bully her way through a small opening.
Phillip's face was sour as he watched the mare. "There's something seriously off about that horse. I'm almost certain she understands what I say."
Eva's laugh sounded soggy as she ran her hands along Caia's forelegs, checking for heat that might indicate injury. "I've heard that a lot."
Phillip acknowledged Caden as he slid off Polaris. "Commander."
The two clasped forearms.
"I see you made it safely," Caden said.
Phillip grunted. "The entire affair was far stranger than is my taste. Next time Fallon offers me an assignment, remind me to refuse."
Caden chuckled. "I'll do that."
The two's exchange was interrupted when Jason landed a few feet away on Talia.
"There's a large force heading in this direction," he said, reaching down to pat Talia's shoulder in gratitude.
"Show me," Caden ordered, starting for Polaris.
To Eva's surprise, the Kyren had offered to allow Caden to ride him on the trip to the herd lands. Even more interesting, the Kyren didn't protest as Caden mounted.
Eva hurried toward Sebastian, lifting herself into the saddle as Caden shot her a look.
"I'm going with you," Eva informed him.
She might not be able to fight, but she could carry messages to those who were still vulnerable outside the herd lands.
Caden expression was unhappy, but he didn't argue. Smart man.
Eva leaned forward on Sebastian, her body telling him she was ready to move. "Besides, the Kyren will want me to translate."
With that, she and Sebastian galloped forward, shooting into the sky seconds later as Caden chose those who would be traveling with them.
She and Jason circled as they waited.
A short time later, Caden and those he'd chosen led the way as they flew into the mist. They exited over a mountain range Eva recognized as being close to the battle where they'd fought the Whisperer's army. Only about a day's ride south and east.
Sebastian dipped low as they spotted the force Jason had warned them about. It covered the land, extending far behind them.
Caden let out a whoop from where Polaris flew a few feet away.
Seconds later, Eva saw why as the banners at the front of the army came into focus. It was a hawk on a blue background.
"Fallon," Eva whispered to herself.
Caden signaled as he and Polaris circled, heading for the vanguard of the army. Eva and Sebastian followed, setting down next to them.
Those in the sky circled as Caden rode up to Fallon with a smile. "You're late."
"That's what I get for relying on directions from a child." Fallon reined his horse to a stop. "We've been looking for you for days. These mountains don't give up their secrets easily."
Fallon gave Eva a respectful nod. "Caller."
"Warlord."
Caden and Fallon clasped forearms.
"You managed to find us in the end anyway," Caden said.
Fallon tilted his head at a group waiting not far away. "You can thank them for that."
Buck and Witt nodded a greeting, looking at ease.
"I saw where you fought. Quite the battle you had," Fallon said.
Caden grunted.
Fallon lifted an eyebrow. "Am I to assume you took care of the mess?"
One side of Caden's lips twitched up. "Most of it. There may be a few stragglers hiding in the hills. I trust you can take care of them."
Fallon's lips curved. "I've already sent forces out. Any who managed to survive won't slip through our net."
As the two men talked, Eva scanned the faces of those behind Fallon.
"Shea's out scouting," Fallon said, noticing where her attention had gone. "You'd think having a baby would slow her down a little, but instead it has only made her more stubborn. Pathfinders, I've found, must be allowed to roam as they will. Anything else invites chaos."
Caden sent Eva a look. "We both chose women who can't be contained."
Humor glinted in Fallon's eyes. "Didn't you once tell me all women are the same and that I should find someone a little easier?"
Eva lifted an eyebrow at Caden to see a rare red flush in his cheeks. "Did you now?"
"That was before," he said.
"Good answer."
His wicked smile made her remember the things they'd done a few nights ago. Eva looked away, studying the army that extended for miles.
Worry niggled at her.
The last time an unexpected force showed up it had changed everything. Who was to say the Kyren wouldn't react in the same manner?
As if sensing her thoughts, Polaris's deep voice sounded in her mind. Invite your Warlord back to the herd lands.
Eva's startled gaze landed on the Kyren.
"What is it?" Fallon said with a sharp look in his eye as he noticed Eva's movements.
Eva's expression smoothed out. "The Kyren wish to invite you to their home."
Surprise showed on Fallon's face before it was gone. He sent Caden a sidelong look. "I see relations with the Kyren are better than I expected."
"Some days," Caden admitted as there was a scream from above.
A Kyren that looked as battle worn as Polaris swooped down to settle a few feet away. He fluttered his wings and looked at Fallon in invitation.
Like the rest of the Kyren, except Sebastian, there was no saddle.
"It looks like you're finally going to join the ranks of those who've ridden on a Kyren," Caden teased.
"How lovely," Fallon said in a voice that made it seem like he thought it was anything but.
"Come now, Warlord. You're not scared, are you?"
Eva looked down, trying to hide her laugh at Caden's teasing. The last thing she wanted was for the Warlord to take offense.
Fallon narrowed his eyes at Caden. "You're enjoying this."
"Immensely."
Fallon looked like he was bracing himself as he lifted his leg and dismounted.
"Your army will need to wait here," Eva told him as he headed for the chestnut.