League of Improbable Riders

14

Taz landed heavily yet silently in the grassy glade; tucking his wings into his sides; and swung his head around to examine his surroundings, snuffing at the cool early-morning air as he did so.

Shaska watched him from the saddle on his back, fascinated by the light reflecting off of his dark blue scales.

After a week or so of amassing supplies, they were now just outside the ruined village of Leanon. Shaska hoped that their mission would only take a day, but it never hurt to be safe, so she almost had a week's worth of food.

Beside them, Shadow thudded down and Kanah slid from her back—wobbling slightly on his shaky legs—staring at what was visible of his former home in shock.

Nature was taking over swiftly, weeds, vines, and grass consuming the ruined buildings and rotted Scorway bodies.

Kanah turned on his companions, hate smouldering in his eyes. "What did you do with the people?" he asked angrily. "With all the bodies? Let me guess: you left them; let them lie in the weather to be devoured by beasts and plants?

"I wouldn't put it past you," Shaska heard him mutter sullenly as he crossed his arms.

His words angered her; that he still thought they were savages; and she was about to respond when Taz cut her off.

"Hush," he rumbled, "remember all that he's been through. How would you feel?"

Shaska shut her mouth, and instead pointed to a large mound in the distance where they had buried the bodies after returning a few days after the battle. The Commoners were the riders' enemies, yes, but they were still humans.

"Would you have done the same for us?" Rogue asked him pointedly.

Kanah refused to meet their gazes. In his mind, memories were surfacing of watching the warriors of his village throw a rider's body down into a ravine, and afterwards feasting on dragon flesh. He bit his lip, ashamed of his anger.

"Well?" Rogue demanded. "What do you Commoners do to us?" Once again his quick tongue got the better of him, and Shaska winced as Kanah's face darkened.

"Rogue, stop," she exclaimed, "it doesn't matter. Let it go."

Rogue looked aggravated but, to her relief, he stayed silent.

"Come," she said, extending a hand toward Kanah, "let's find that sister of yours." She suspected—and guessed rightly—that he wasn't bearing the nicest feelings toward Rogue anymore, and wouldn't willingly ride with him. She was also afraid that Rogue's tongue might once again get the better of him and cause more damage.

Kanah gladly gripped her hand and she hoisted him up onto Taz's back. "They were hiding in a cave beyond the other end of the village, last I knew," he told Taz, and the dragon leapt into the air, his hind legs carving deep gouges out of the earth.

About half-way over the ruined village Kanah started suddenly and shook his head, nearly slipping off of Taz's back.

"What's up?" Shaska asked, grabbing at his wrist as he jerked sideways.

"I don't know, I—I think just heard... Ember's voice."

Shaska turned to look at him with a steely gaze, but there was concern in her eyes. "What?"

He nodded, wondering if he'd gone mad.

"Listen!" she said sharply. "Listen to what he's saying, and tell us if his message is urgent." She righted herself and quickly told Taz.

The blue dragon growled slightly. "This is bad. If Ember found his ability without being told about it, he must be desperate."

Shaska nodded. "Let's just hope he's only concerned with Kanah's safety."