League of Improbable Riders

12

"So, what w's that about?" Kanah asked, breaking the long silence.

Taz had flown after leaving Jareck's meeting room, and had landed near Shaska's room where she'd gotten a worker to start readying a room for the boy. Afterward, Kanah had wanted to explore on his own two feet, so now the three of them were wandering through all the passages and hallways that wound through the mountain ranges.

Shaska groaned slightly, and Taz flicked his tail in displeasure. "Well a few weeks ago when the—I mean when you—uh..." she stuttered, trying not to seem or sound offensive.

"The Commoners, yep," Kanah nodded, helping her out.

"Yeah that one," she said quickly, and continued. "Anyway: ...Attacked the Southern Wall, Jareck's fiancé was killed.

"He changed when he saw her. Something changed in him and not in a good way. He used to not kill unless he absolutely had to," she frowned, "and now he wants me, Taz, Shadow, and Rogue—at the very least—to completely wipe the Commoners out." Her frown deepened as she contemplated her brother's strange actions. She wondered if maybe Fury's natural ferocity had over flowed onto Jareck just a little too much.

Kanah frowned thoughtfully and chewed his nail. "Odd." Then added methodically, "Strange things happen when those we love are in danger." Then he made a strange noise suddenly.

"What was that?" Shaska asked, slightly amused.

The boy avoided her eyes. "Nothing."

Shaska grinned, then turned suddenly, hearing a call, to see Rogue and Shadow racing toward them, both on-foot.

"What's up?" she asked as they neared. She knew Rogue well enough to know something was going on.

"Jareck," the boy panted, eyeing Kanah curiously, "wants us to meet him in half an hour: says we need to find out who the fourth person is.

"Is he the third?" he changed the subject and stared at Kanah; Shadow snuffed his hair curiously and he tensed.

"Yup." Shaska nodded.

"What—where's your dragon?"

"He's a green Cinder Blaster," Kanah told him, evasively dodging the actual question, "and his name's Ember."

"Ember? Isn't that a g—"

"No, actually," Kanah interrupted, grinning slightly for no apparent reason, "it's not."

"Do you know who the fourth kid of the prophecy could be?" Shaska asked suddenly, she had ignored the boys' conversation, distracted by her thoughts.

Kanah looked away. "N—no."

Liar, Shaska thought as he refused to meet her searching gaze. But she said nothing, only mentioned that they should be heading back if they wanted to get to the meeting. She was determined to interrogate him later.