Blood Ward

Chapter 20

I was safe from dreams the restof that night, but the three nights following, I was tormented. Iwoke twice to Anders hugging me and telling me I was okay, and thenight after, Reif waited just outside our tent and when I startedthrashing, he reached inside and grabbed my ankle, throwing himselfinto the dream and having words with Drust.

I sat with a blanket wrappedaround me the next morning, Anders on my left, Reif on my right andBeast at my feet. My hands shook as Daeron handed me a cup of tea tocalm my nerves. "Let me get my hands on this bastard," Andersgrowled, his hand balling into a fist.

I placed one of my tremblinghands on his knee and squeezed. "Give me a few minutes and I'llbe okay," I assured him.

"This Drust is very adamantabout claiming Ana," Daeron said. "It's unnerving."

"Stasia is very valuable. Ifshe's given me this kind of power, imagine what Drust could do withher," Reif explained.

"I don't like it," Stefanadded.

"None of us do," Reif said."But short of killing him, we can do nothing about him invading herdreams."

"I could just notsleep," I joked. Nobody laughed. "Look, the vampire army shouldbe here soon. He feels closer. I can deal with a few bad dreams for afew nights until we can kill him."

Just as I finished my sentence,two elven women rode up to our camp on a black stallion. Theydismounted and I recognized one from the other day when she'ddelivered a message from Beri and Daeron. The other was a mousylooking girl who refused to meet anyone's gaze. "Commander, we'veword that the vampire army should be arriving by tomorrow." Thefirst girl announced.

"Good," I said. "See, wecan end this tomorrow."

"I'll go find Beriima andgive her the news," Daeron said.

"No," Stefan stood. "I'llgo. I've been meaning to get some exercise. A tromp through thewoods will help."

I glanced over at Stefancuriously. The look he gave me clearly said he was fleeing so hedidn't have to watch Anders and I. I didn't blame him. Myattention was drawn back to Daeron who was whispering with theemissary. Then he nodded. "Commander, Lúthiel and myself wish tojoin you. I am quick with a bow and she is an accomplished healer."

"Better than myself, I'mafraid," Daeron said. "Lú can heal multiple people before she isdrained." He looked at her lovingly as if she were another sister.She simply shied away.

"I'll not turn down help whenit's offered," I said, my body returning to normal with thedistraction. I shrugged off the blanket.

"Stefan and Beri should be gonemost of the morning," Daeron said. "I'll show the two of youaround camp." He put a hand on the emissary's lower back in afamiliar gesture as they smiled at each other. Lúthiel followedsheepishly behind. I stopped to wonder if this pretty little elvenemissary was Daeron's Aelairwen whom he'd spoken so fondly of.

"Are you sure you'll beokay?" Reif asked drawing my attention back to him and Anders.

I nodded and stood. "Yes, infact, I think I'll go for a ride... alone," I said putting up ahand as Anders went to stand. "I'll be fine. Reif will know ifanything happens."

"Of course," Reif agreed tothe chagrin of both Anders and Beast.

I made my way over to War Chaserand saddled him up. A wave of excitement washed over me as I mountedhim and kicked into a canter. It had been so long since I'd riddenfor pleasure. Chaser seemed to feel it too as he bounded effortlesslythrough the trees. The wind in my face, pulling at my hair made mefeel alive. I laughed joyously as I pushed Chaser harder. Finally,when he started to slow, I reined him in, slowing to a walk. Ibreathed in the crisp air and loosely set the reins on the pommel soI could re-tie my hair which had come loose during the ride. Chaserstopped to nip at some leaves as we passed by a tree. "Do I trulystarve you so much?" I scolded playfully, tugging his head back tothe middle of the trail as he huffed in disappointment.