“Could be. What would they be doing this far east? Are there any giants living in the Danstroms?”
“Not that I recall. It could be a blood mission. If they’ve been enlisted into service and are on a mission, then something big is happening, and right under the king’s nose.”
“Well whatever the reason, I think now would be a good time to pick up the pace.”
“Can we outrun them?”
“If we don’t stop we can make it into the cave that’s just at the base of the mountain range. It’ll keep us hidden until they pass.”
“Let’s be on our way then.”
Bort rode toward the back and yelled out to the men as he passed. The whole party picked up the pace and continued on toward the peaks that were looming ahead. Brogan certainly hoped they could keep up the speed and stay ahead of the approaching mass.
When they reached the cave, they barely had time to get all the horses and men into the safety of the darkness. They went in deeper and hunkered down trying to keep the horses calm. They waited for over an hour for the group to pass. Brogan had been right. Giants. There were about fifty of them, and they were definitely on a mission. They did not sway from their path or seem to notice the men who were not doing all that well keeping the scared mounts quiet. They passed the group and Bort looked back to Brogan.
“Now would be a good time to send word to Dain, I think. Tell him what we know at this moment. The giants are on the move, and this far from the Indriahs mean they have a purpose. He needs to know.”
“What way do you think they’re headed?”
“Can’t be sure without following them, but it seems to me they may be headed for the coast. That does not bode well for the coastal city. If they’re looking for ocean passage somewhere, the city will not be equipped enough to handle a load such as that.”
Brogan frowned but nodded. He crept over to the younger man at the back of the group. He gave him a message and sent him back the way they had come, back to Drydon Keep. They watched as the man made his way silently through the cave and back onto the road when he was sure it was clear. They watched as he rode hard away from them. Brogan returned to the front of the train again and nodded to Bort.
“Let’s move. We need to be at the cliff flat before nightfall. There’s no way I’m going to try and ride the mounts up that hill in the dark.”
“I’m with you. Let’s go.”
***
Dain and Melenthia rode side by side, Taran and Malak behind them a ways to give them some space and freedom to talk. They rode in silence for awhile, Dain gazing over at her every now and then, looking away when she noticed.
She was wearing brown riding pants, gathered at the ankles in order for the black boots to fit snugly over them. Her shirt was long sleeved and button down, with feminine ruffles down the front. They did not hide her figure as her original clothes had done, and getting her to put them on, while difficult, brought him a bit of satisfaction. She was dressed for a day in the countryside, but she still remained an exotic feminine beauty. He felt a sense of pride riding next to her, almost as if he wanted to show her off, like a prize that he’d won. He really didn’t think of her that way, but something in his ego caused him to sit straighter in the saddle nevertheless.
After almost a league of silence, she looked over at him and smiled. He noticed and smiled back, then said, “What?”
“I was just wondering what you were thinking.”
He smiled at her again, larger now, and she swore he almost blushed. He didn’t answer right away so she persisted.
“Are you trying to guess what I might be thinking?”
He cleared his throat and shifted in his saddle uncomfortably. He knew what he was thinking, and he did want to ask her if she had the same feelings of attraction as he did, but thought better of it. “Maybe,” he said instead. “I guess I’m just having a difficult time figuring you out.”
“Why?”
“Well, you are a mystery to me and to everyone else as well, I’m sure. I assume you like it that way.”
“Most of the time, but occasionally I will reveal my secrets.” She glanced at him under long red lashes, then asked, “Is there something you’d like to know, Dain?”
He was pleased that she had stopped referring to him as your majesty. He wanted her to feel as if they could be friends. He wanted her to trust him. “Many actually.”
“Ask then, I have nothing to hide.”
He raised his eyebrows at her and smiled again, this time very boyishly. “Really, anything?”
“If I feel your question is inappropriate, I will end the interrogation and that will be the end of my cooperation.”