“Alrright, enough.” A huge form loomed behind them. Kade glowered at the two Sabres. “Get moving, you two. Orr we’ll neverr get this done.”
Behind him was a large form that Tyrez recognized as Neil. With the redhaired Dire, Alex. Both dragged a large body between them and dropped it into the pile.
Tyrez was glad they were okay. By the end, he’d lost track of who had lived, and who had died. But even the horse had survived the final push. Last he’d seen, her Empath rider was attempting to scrub the gore off her hooves.
Still discussing the finer points of Kitani’s fighting style, Ryan and Cody moved off with Neil and Alex. Kade moved up beside Tyrez as Razir excused himself, heading back to the bodies lying everywhere among the dead and trampled grasses.
“Herre you might be looking for a job,” the big Sabre rumbled.
Tyrez stared at him. He sighed. “Cara.”
“Yeah. She’s a meddlesome old woman,” Kade’s voice was filled with affection.
“Thats sshe iss,” Tyrez agreed.
“When this is overr, come talk to me. Therre is potential forr expanding the detective agency acrross the rrealms. If you arre rreally interrested, and this isn’t just anotherr of her schemes.”
“I ams interested,” agreed Tyrez.
Kade nodded to him and moved off. As Tyrez turned away from the bodies, and followed Razir’s path, Yoda’s infamous quote ran through his mind.
Always in motion, was the future.
* * *
Ash sat on a ledge far above the grasslands and stared down at devastation.
Figures moved across the battlefield. They’d long since cleared away their injured. Now they were reduced to gathering bodies. Smoke obscured most of his sightlines, and the air stank of it.
It will be years before this place is the same,growled Tyrez from far below.
He offered Ash a close-up glimpse through his eyes. Everywhere the Dragon looked, the grass was torn to shreds or trampled flat. Any bits still standing were bleached a dead brown.
Fresh anger burned through Tyrez’s exhaustion.It’s like that for miles in every direction, and the forest over the mountains has been affected as well. Demeti must have done some of it. But Rindek pulled the life essences from most for that final strike.He hesitated and then added,I can’t believe she lived through it.
Ash swallowed.She’s going to be okay, Tyrez. And the Gryphons and Watchers will heal this place. It’s what they do.
Tyrez was still in full rant.The Torshins are like a disease. They come; they go. They leave devastation behind them. Demeti is still out there, somewhere.
His torment tore at Ash.But he no longer has an army,he pointed out.Or a teacher. The Archmage is dead. Be grateful for what we’ve achieved.
When Tyrez didn’t answer, Ash’s heart ached. All he wanted to do, was ease his bondmate’s pain.You have done enough for now. Come to me.
There’s too much to do. We’re burning the bodies.
They can do without you for an hour or so. You need a break.
They all do—
Tyrez. You will come to me.
A snort traveled through the mental link, but he had the big shifter’s full attention, now.Is that the Oracle speaking, or my soul mate?
Both. I’ll meet you in the tunnel near Dani.
Is she really going to be okay?
Yes.
