“What would make you certain?” I asked him bluntly.
He looked past me then to the Nephilim gathered at one end of this cavern, then to the Fetch at the other and shook his head. “I never thought I would live to see the like,” he muttered, then locked eyes with me again. “I will lay my shoulder to this yoke,” he said formally, nodding. “However I will not tie my brothers to a purpose they haven’t chosen. If your men will help me return to Kyrion Vale, I will present your ideas, and see who might follow.
“I… surely you would need to speak further—”
“Your heart speaks wisdom, Melek Handras. And strength, as well. It is the goal that must be shared. Not every path to it. I will tell my brothers what you choose, and if they follow me, we will meet with the others in the foothills next week.”
I was stunned. “Thank you!”
Kavros shook his head. “I only saidIwill fight with you. The others may not. We’ll find out.”
I nodded, stunned, then hurriedly offered him the formal respect again. “It is agreed,” I said, hoping I correctly remembered their customs.
Kavros nodded. “Give me your word on one point?”
“What’s that?”
He eyed Yilan. “Don’t send the Fetch into Kyrion Vale. They give me the creeps.”
Jann burst out laughing behind me, at the same moment Yilan forgot herself and planted her fists on her hips. But I screamed caution in the bond, and nodded. “I’ll do my best,” I said, rubbing my face to hide the smile that wanted to come.
Yilan glared at me, but thankfully didn’t speak up.
Kavros, apparently satisfied, turned and clopped away to speak with the other Centaurs, while I turned back to the gathered Neph, still shaking my head in disbelief.
“That was… easier than I anticipated,” I said quietly to Yilan, Jann, and Diadre at his side, who looked alarmingly pale.
‘She’s feeling her pregnancy,’Yilan assured me, then spoke out loud for everyone’s benefit. “Where did he get off saying that about us? We’re strong, notcreepy.And—”
“Your people are like spiders hidden in shadowy corners,” Jann chuckled, ignoring Diadre’s slap on his arm.
“Speaking of spiders,” I said to distract them before they started arguing again, then nodded towards Hever.
Yilan’s expression went from irritated, to grim. “He deserves the title far more than we do.”
I sighed. “I want to use his knowledge, but I’m uneasy.”
“I trust him,” Jann said emphatically. “He got us through the Shadows of Shade—surely he couldn’t have done that if his heart was dark? The others tell me despite his age, he helped carry warriors across the Peaks.”
That surprised me, too.
The four of us quickly discussed strategy for timing—when we would send Neph back over the peaks to return Kavros to his people, and then take shifts flying others back and forth.
The numbers that had followed me were gathered in Meyrath. It was a longer crossing, but safer, and an easier land for the Fetch to travel. Yilan and I had flown it together, but the others came in groups, with several Neph carrying bundles of Fetch, and others who’d volunteered, as we passed through the different kingdoms.
When I’d told Jann how many followed me, he’d been surprised. But now, seeing even Centaurs here, he was clearly no longer questioning my estimates.
“…the only real question is, can we truly house, and keep those kinds of numbers secret, for long enough to get them all here and rested before we move?” he asked.
“As long as you don’t share our secrets, I’m certain we can.”
Jann jerked, then stared at me. I wasn’t sure if it was offense, or hurt on his face. Looking aside at the girls—Yilan leaned over Diadre with some concern, and the two whispered to each other—he pinched my sleeve and pulled me aside.
“Have youtrulystarted to question me?” he asked incredulously. “Or are you just repeating your mate’s prejudice?”
“Do you bring me a challenge, simply because your mate raised it?” I asked him bluntly.
“Of course not, I—”
