"There are plenty of herd masters among the Trateri who are more experienced in working with horses than I am."
"They do not fit the Kyren's requirements. You do. They did not answer Sebastian's call. You did. They didn't stand at his side while two armed men threatened bodily harm. Again, only you did all that." The smile Ajari directed toward Eva appeared taunting.
Caden's eyes narrowed. The winged horse had told Ajari a lot in the short time they’d had. Enough so, that Caden detected a degree of respect for the woman in the mythological's manner.
Interesting—because Ajari and his people were nothing if not consistent. They tolerated humans, but Shea was the only one who was shown a modicum of respect.
Shea had impressed them during her time in the Badlands, but they were still withholding judgment on the rest of humanity. Perhaps one more human had managed to distinguish themselves in their eyes.
"If it's not you, it is no one," Ajari said with a finality they all felt.
Fallon shifted, drawing Caden's attention. The Warlord looked thoughtful.
Caden had enough history with his warlord to see the wheels turning. Plans and schemes were shifting and changing in his mind. He was already plotting how best to use this information for the Trateri and his own advantage.
Caden almost pitied the woman at his side. Whether she realized it or not, liked it or not, she had just become an important piece on the Warlord's game board.
"To be clear, if we do not send her, the Kyren will not ally with us?" Darius said.
"This is a test," Ajari stated. "They need your help. Fail them and you are correct—they will never ally themselves with you."
Caden knew how badly Fallon wanted the winged horses at his side. They would give the Trateri an advantage that couldn’t be overstated. Perhaps enough of one to build an empire that would stand a thousand years.
To have a form of transportation that could take a journey of several weeks and turn it into one of a few days? With such a force, the man who controlled it would be nearly unstoppable.
Fallon's gaze met Caden's for a short second. Caden nodded slightly, showing he understood. Darius watched the two of them before lifting a glass of wine to his lips.
"You will have what you need," Fallon said finally.
Eva made a small sound like she wanted to protest but held her silence.
Smart woman. The herd mistress was turning into an unexpected surprise.
Ajari's smile was small until Fallon continued, "But I will be sending people to accompany her."
Ajari eyes narrowed. "That is not the deal."
"Even I didn't go into the Badlands alone," Shea spoke up, smirking. "Eva is one of us. She won't face this task on her own. With the return of the mythologicals, these lands are more dangerous than ever. She will have our support and protection."
"I can send a few pathfinders with them as well," Lainey offered. "You might have need of them."
Shea nodded, accepting the offer.
The skin around Ajari's eyes was tight and his expression careful.
Eva's head jerked toward him, before she lowered her eyes again. One hand drifted up to rub at her forehead.
After several minutes of silence, Ajari said, "That will be acceptable. However, the woman will be the only one allowed into their herd lands."
Shea hesitated as she looked at Fallon. The two shared a silent conversation before Shea directed her attention to Eva. "Is that acceptable?"
Caden tensed, expecting the mouse to waver and ruin months of hard work getting the winged horses to the table. She was a Lowlander. She’d done well so far, impressively so, but they only had so much courage in them.
Eva cleared her throat, looking uncertain. "If that is Sebastian's wish, I’ll do my best to meet their needs."
Shea rubbed her head. "I guess we have an accord. Eva, you're going to want to pick several people you trust to go with you. You might be in their herd lands alone, but the journey there won’t be easy."
Eva's hands clenched by her sides as she gave the Battle Queen a shaky nod. Uncertainty on her face, she glanced around the room before making her way toward the entrance of the Keep.
