There was no telling what the morning would bring.
Cael tuggedat the collar of the standard-issue guard's uniform the Zebran's had stolen for him to wear. Their reconnaissance team had noticed the only Zyranthians in the city were guards working at the slave quarters. It would look out of place if he showed up in the Zebran clothes he'd been given by the tribe. They'd used the disguise before to help get them into and around the city.
He watched with curiosity as a group of ten Zebran warriors gathered at the edge of the jungle in the pre-dawn hours, their striped bodies moving with graceful purpose. He'd never seen creatures like the ones they were preparing to ride—huge, lumbering beasts with wide eyes and long split trunks. Midori said they reminded her of an Earthan animal called an "elephant." As each warrior approached, the creatures unfurled from a tight ball, allowing saddles to be harnessed on their backs.
"What are those creatures called?" Midori whispered, clutching Cael's arm. Her eyes were wide with a mixture of fascination and fear.
"Gronklins," Cael replied, equally in awe. "I've only read about them in texts."
A beast uncurled at Zephryn's approach. Although it was massive, it moved with surprising agility as it righted itself on four thick, pillar-like legs. Zephryn put out a foot, and the gronklin assisted with its split trunk. Zephryn pulled himself up onto the creature's broad back with practiced ease.
Midori's grip on Cael's arm tightened. "We're going to ride those things?"
"It would seem so." Cael grinned at her shocked expression.
As if he could sense her unease, Pugly sidled up and nuzzled against Midori's leg. "Do not fear, shining one. The gronklins are as gentle as a spring breeze despite their formidable size."
Zephryn raised a hand, calling the warriors to attention. "We'll reach Mlima City before the sun rises and rescue our sisters taken by the vile slavers!"
A unified cry rose from the tribe. Cael noticed Jessa's hard gaze fixated on him. Cael hoped he would think better of him once the rescue operation was over.
The Zebran warrior turned away, and his gronklin lurched forward. The high-pitched hum of anti-grav tech erupted from plates affixed to the creature's feet, lifting it into the air with surprising swiftness. One by one, the rest followed until the entire troop hovered above the ground.
Zephryn guided his mount over to where Cael, Midori, and Pugly stood. "You two will ride with me."
With a subtle hand gesture, Zephryn ordered his gronklin to lower itself to allow them to climb aboard more easily.
"Pugly, stay with Zana until we return. She'll take care of you."
"Yes, radiant star who sparkles in the endless night. I await your triumphant return." His words were confident, but the worry in his eyes revealed his concern.
Cael bent down and whispered in Pugly's ear. "I promise to take care of her."
The pig dog nodded, his lower lip quivering as if he might burst into tears at any moment.
"Here we go," Midori whispered.
Even in the dim starlight, her cheeks were flushed. From excitement or fear, he couldn't tell from her expression. He supposed it was probably both, since those emotions were also swirling in him like a hurricane.
"Ready?"
Midori took a deep breath and nodded. He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the gronklin's back. She slid her leg over the three-person saddle and gripped the pommel, sliding into place right behind Zephryn. Cael climbed up behind her and wrapped two of his arms around her waist, holding her tight against him.
She glanced back at him over her shoulder. Though he could see the apprehension in her eyes, her expression softened at his reassuring smile. Cael pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, breathing in her sweet, comforting scent.
"I will not let any harm come to you. I swear it."
"It's not just me I'm worried about."
"All will be well. I believe it."
Midori relaxed against his chest with a nod. Her trust in him bolstered Cael's determination.
At Zephryn's signal, their gronklin lifted off, leading the floating convoy heading toward the distant spires of Mlima City. It didn't take long to cover the distance from the jungle's edge to the city at the base of the mountain. To Cael's eyes, the municipality was hardly large enough to be considered a city, buthere on Equus it was the largest community on this side of the mountain range.
The group dismounted from the gronklins on the outskirts of town just as the sun was peeking over the hills. Two of the men stayed behind to guard the beasts curled up into shaggy-haired balls while the rest of the group traveled into town. Just before they reached the compound, half of the remaining Zebran men split from the group to hide themselves. If all went well at the gate, they'd be joining them soon.
Cael marched forward, his two left hands holding onto Midori's arm while Zephryn and Jessa followed behind. The city streets were deserted in the pre-dawn hours; the only sound was their soft footfalls on the dusty road. Up ahead, the slave detention center loomed—a squat, ugly building surrounded by a high metal fence.
