I didn't know how much of a chance my master and I stood, but I wasn't going to let my fears come true.
“Let me help you up, my son,” said Master Stradus. I took his hand, and he pulled me onto Cynder’s back. “Come now, Cynder. Take flight and lead us to Alexandria.”
“Yes, Master.”
It was time for my final lesson—war.
CHAPTER 21
Cynder raised his great wings and, with one swoop, took to the sky. He lit up like the sun, his body blazing red in the early morning light. It felt marvelous being in the sky, the wind flowing through my hair. From up here, everything seemed so much smaller. It was as if everyone on the ground was a tiny ant, oblivious to the greater world. It was no wonder Cynder was arrogant. With his power armored body looking down from this perspective, who wouldn’t be?
The plain south of Alexandria was littered with troops. Thousands upon thousands of elves and dwarves had gathered, and now they marveled at Cynder as if he were a god of some sort. In ancient times, some people had actually worshipped dragons as gods. Cynder said he always got a kick out of that. The elves’ encampment was different shades of green—a forest moving and shifting with the breeze. The dwarves’ earth tones of browns, reds, and grays made them look like tiny pebbles.
“Over there!” Master Stradus said, his voice piercing the wind. He pointed at an empty space in between the two great armies. “Land right there!”
Cynder nodded and dove. He must have looked like a great red fireball about to crash into the ground. Just before he touched down, he backwinged and landed gently, right between two very large tents. A far cry from what he’d do if it were only me riding him. Both armies closed in on us. I hopped off of Cynder. Some friendly faces came into view.
I took a moment to look around at all my new friends: Prastian, Demay, Behast, and Jastillian. I had never had many friends growing up in Sedah. Now I did. I was surprised that, in such a short time, I had met so many people I could trust and who were willing to lay their lives on the line for me, as I would for them.
While I could tell by my friends’ faces that they were both relieved to see my master, and a bit in awe of him, they were even more so of Cynder. Cynder basked in all the attention. Master Stradus told Cynder to stay in the landing area and not let it all go to his head.
“Please come inside the command tent,” Prastian said, after introductions were made. “We're working on some final details and could use your expertise, Wizard Stradus.”
My master nodded, and we followed Prastian to the tent. Just outside stood King Sharald and Lenora Rammalong. “Who is that old man with the unusual crutch?” King Sharald asked loudly.
Master Stradus’s face brightened when he recognized Sharald. “Old? Why, I hardly feel a day over two hundred. Besides, you don’t look too youthful yourself, little Sharald.”
“That may be true, but compared to you, I’m still a baby.” Sharald gave Master Stradus a hug. As soon as I saw those two side by side, I knew Master Stradus was the one in the portrait I had seen in Sharald's palace. “Stradus, this is Lenora from the Rammalong House, leader of the dwarves of Erlam.”
Master Stradus grasped Lenora’s forearm. She said, “I’m honored to go into battle with you, Wizard Stradus.”
“And I with you, ma'am. It's been ages since I last fought alongside your people. It was an honorable experience.”
“Thank you. Come inside, and we’ll fill you in on our battle plan.”
I was the last to walk into the tent. When I got inside, my stomach clenched and my heart stopped. Krystal stood next to a map-filled table. Here! I couldn't believe the princess was alive and safe. Seeing her banished one fear—that Premier would hurt her when we attacked. My first impulse was to rush to her and throw my arms around her. I held myself in check.
“I’m so glad to see you’re all right, Your Highness,” I said, walking closer. “I was afraid something might have happened to you.”
The princess gave me a small smile. “You came, and brought help, as you said you would.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but as she moved her head, I saw the bruise that covered the left side of her face. She saw me staring and moved her hair to cover it.
“What happened to you, Princess?”
“Now’s not the time.”
“Premier.” I said, feeling my anger rise. I stared at the bruise, imagining what other things he might have done to her. She wore loose peasant clothes, so I couldn’t see if she was wounded anywhere else. I thought of Master Stradus's story and of how Premier used to love the ladies. My anger exploded. All the candles in the tent went out.