“I’ve no idea if he will help. It wasn’t too long ago he wished to slaughter our entire population, but Danny did save his people. We won’t know unless we ask.”

Ryne asked Kerrick to write a message. “I’ll send someone tonight.” Then he sobered. “I can’t count on him, so I’ll need to go forward with the plan to rescue Estrid.”

“When is the attack?” Kerrick asked.

“Two days from now.”

It would take Kerrick four days to walk there. “Do you have any horses?”

“No. Big noisy creatures aren’t good for guerrilla-warfare tactics.”

Too bad Kerrick had sent Oya back to the northern tribes. He’d have to find another horse.

“I know you want to catch up with Avry and Flea. Then what?” Ryne asked.

“What do you mean?”

“With your forest magic, you’re my best scout. You can get past enemy lines and I really need accurate information on where Cellina’s forces are.”

“I’d rather stay with Avry.” If she wanted him. Kerrick worried she’d distance herself from him in order to avoid getting hurt again.

“I’ve two of my best squads guarding the infirmary. Once Estrid’s rescued, Avry won’t be in any more danger.”

Kerrick just stared at his friend.

“She shouldn’t be in danger, but... Yeah, we both know it’ll find her.” Ryne rubbed his hand along the stubble on his chin. “It’s up to you. I won’t order you to return. But think about this....” He paused as if debating what to tell Kerrick.

Kerrick braced for bad news. “Think about what?”

“Belen. No one has heard anything or seen him. But no one can get close enough to the enemy.”

Ryne didn’t disappoint. His words sucker punched Kerrick right in the gut, implying only Kerrick could discover where his best friend had been.

“Low blow, Ryne.”

“I’m despicable, I know. And you shouldn’t be surprised.”

“I’m not.”

“Will you think about it?”

“Yes. But Avry first.”

“Of course.”

“Anything else I need to know about?” Kerrick asked.

“I’ve heard rumors about a Skeleton King down in Ryazan Realm. He’s gathered an army and is marching north.”

“Bad news. We encountered him once when searching for Avry, and barely made it out alive.”

“I sent a scout.”

From Ryne’s dour expression, Kerrick braced for more bad news. “And?”

“The scout returned with a package for me. The Skeleton King sent me a crown made from human bones and a note.” He sighed. “He warned me that he was coming and he planned to conquer—his word, not mine—both Cellina’s and my forces. And that when he is victorious over us all, I will crown him with this special crown.”

“How much of a threat is he?”

“Pretty big for us. For Cellina, not so much. She has over two thousand living troops and close to a thousand dead ones. Plus a dead-ufa pack or three.”

“Could that be another reason she’s pulling out of Zabin? Clearing the way for the Skeleton King to come after us? Then with the sneak attack from the north, you’ll be caught between them.”

Ryne cursed. “Another reason why I need you, Kerrick. To find out how many troops the Skeleton King has. My scout learned nothing of value.”

“I said I’d think about it.”

Kerrick wrote a message to Noak and left soon after, heading south to Zabin. Traveling through the night, he avoided the various patrols, but he kept track of animals in the forest, seeking a loose horse. In the morning, Kerrick skirted small towns and farms, hoping to find someone willing to sell or rent him a mount.

By midafternoon he finally spotted two horses grazing in a large pasture near the woods. Summoning all his magical strength, Kerrick turned his skin and clothes to normal before leaving the forest. Each step forward required a concentrated effort. By pure determination, he reached the farmhouse.

He found the horses’ owner and, if the man thought Kerrick’s strained demeanor odd, he didn’t seem to care once the two gold coins hit his palm.

“No saddle,” Kerrick whispered to the farmer. “Just a bridle. Please bring him to the forest. I’ll be waiting there.”

Kerrick’s legs shook as he hurried to return to the living green. As soon as he entered its domain, he collapsed.

Two seconds later, or so it felt, the man arrived with the horse in tow. “Hello?” he called, almost stepping on Kerrick. “Harper’s all ready.” He walked farther in.

Drawing on his final reserve of energy, Kerrick stood, changed to normal and caught up to the man, who jumped about a foot when Kerrick approached from behind.

“Thank you,” Kerrick said, taking the reins.

The man nodded and then bolted back to his farm.

He’ll have an interesting story to tell his family. When the man disappeared from sight, Kerrick mounted Harper. The dark brown horse instantly turned green, brown, orange, red, and yellow, exactly matching Kerrick and the rest of the forest. Handy.

Kerrick had a day and a half to reach the rendezvous spot. He spurred Harper into a gallop.

CHAPTER 8

“You can’t,” Flea said after I explained what I needed to do to save Yuri’s life.

I placed the syringe carefully on my pack to free my hands. “It makes the most sense.”