The Ivory Star

Chapter 33

"But why?" Tamarra demanded, fists on hips.

Eric answered her as he saddled Skyking, "There will be heavy fighting. We will be in the thick of it. And Skyking flies faster with only one rider." His face was a mask of emotionless iron, concealing the pain that ground at his heart.

"But I don't want to go home!" she shouted.

Eric said, "Then I will bind you and leave you in the courtyard."

She gazed at him, straight in the eye. "Worse has been done to me."

Eric winced.

Capian piped up, chuckling, his voice mischievous, "Then you would not mind." He led Starjumper out of the forest beside the road.

A ghost of a smile flickered across her lovely mouth, then swiftly disappeared in her anger and confusion.

Eric kept his back to her, unwilling to even look at her, fearing it would only cause him more grief, and waver him in his conviction.

"Let's go," he said grimly, climbing astride Skyking's broad shoulders. Without bothering to buckle the safety strap he hauled back on the top rein, leaving Tamarra standing open-mouthed on the ground.

She wiped at the tears trickling down her cheek. "Why? I thought ..." her voice trailed off.

From his perch on Starjumper's back, Capian's eyes softened at her anguish. "I don't know what's gotten into him, my lady," he said, offering his hand to her. "Climb aboard. He seems to be in a hurry."

As Starjumper leaped into the air and gained a cruising altitude, Capian said, "It is better that you remain with your people until this is over."

She sniffled, wiping at her eyes. "I know that." A sob cracked her voice. "But why did he have to be so ... so cold?"

"I don't know, my lady, but I do know something. He loves you more than his own life, and he was willing to risk everything to see that love fulfilled. What he feels right now, it will pass, I think."

She hugged Capian tightly from behind, saying nothing more.

* * *

An hour later they were circling the Fortress on the Crag. They landed on the grassy strip between the Crag and the surrounding forest, opposite the rock from the town of Cragmoor. They dared not pass too close lest an overzealous sentry shoot one of their mounts from under them.

After Tamarra dismounted Starjumper, she quickly circled to stand at Eric's stirrup.

He didn't look at her, staring straight ahead, his face hard.

She said, "Please, promise me you'll return for me." She gazed up into his face, and his carefully built facade crumbled into dust. The agony poured out of his eyes, and then, in that moment, she understood.

"I cannot," he said, and he hauled on the straps, and Skyking leaped into the air. Gone.

Capian said, "Farewell, Lady Tamarra. I will try to keep him safe."

"Thank you."

"And if necessary," Capian added. "When this is all over, I will bring him back to you myself."

Then he too pitched into the air, and was gone.

* * *

High above the two eagle riders, the Day Stars were so close they shone as one, a single bright point of light in the azure sky. The sun had already passed them on its celestial path.