“We’ll come back, and the noise will be deafening.”

“Bring them back to me, Moira.” The strain began to leak through now, through her eyes, her voice. “My husband, my father, my brothers, bring them back to me.”

She took Sinann’s arms. “I’ll do everything in my power.”

Sinann pressed Moira’s hand to her belly. “There’s life. Feel it? Tell Phelan you felt his child move.”

“I will.”

“I’ll tend your seedlings, and keep a candle lit until you all come home again. Moira, how will we know? How will we know if you... ”

“You’ll know,” Moira promised. “If the gods don’t send a sign of our victory, then we will. I promise. Now go kiss your father, and I’ll kiss all your other men for you when I see them.”

Moira moved to her aunt, touched a hand to Deirdre’s arm. “I’ve spoken with the men I can leave with you. My orders are clear, simple and to be followed exactly. The gate stays locked, and no one leaves the castle—day or night—until word comes that the battle is done. I count on you as the head of my family who remains here, to see these orders are followed. You are my regent until my return. Or in the event of my death—”

“Oh, Moira.”

“In the event of my death, you will serve until the next rightful ruler is chosen.” She pulled off a ring that had been her mother’s, and pushed it into Deirdre’s hand. “This is a sign of your authority, in my name.”

“I’ll honor your wishes, your orders and that name. I swear it to you. Moira.” She gripped her niece’s hands. “I’m sorry we quarreled.”

“So am I.”

Though her eyes were wet, Deirdre managed a tremulous smile. “Though we both part here believing we had the right of it.”

“We do. I don’t love you less because of it.”

“My child.” Deirdre held her close. “My sweet girl. Every prayer I know goes with you. Come back to us. Tell my sons they have my heart and my pride.”

“Sorry.” Blair touched Moira’s shoulder. “Everything’s ready.”

“I’ll say goodbye to you.” Deirdre stepped forward to kiss Blair’s cheeks. “And trust you’ll keep my eldest out of trouble.”

“Do my best.”

“You’ll need to. He’s a handful.” She opened her mouth to speak again, then took a steadying breath. “I was going to say be safe, but that’s not what warriors want to hear. So I’m saying fight well.”

“You can count on it.”

Without pomp or pageantry, they mounted horses and dragons. Groups of children were gathered, clucked over by the women who remained behind. The old leaned on walking sticks, or the arms of the younger.

There were tears glimmering. While they might look through the mist of them to loved ones leaving them behind, Moira knew they looked to her as well.

Bring them back to me. How many had that single desperate wish in their hearts and minds? Not all would have that wish granted, but she would—as she’d sworn to Sinann—do her best.

And she wouldn’t leave them or lead them with tears.

Moira signalled to Niall who would lead the ground force. When he called for the gates to be raised, she lifted the sword of Geall high. And leading the last of the troops from Castle Geall, she shot an arc of fire into the pale morning sky.

The dragon riders arrived first to mobilize the troops. They would abandon the first base to begin the next leg of the march to the battlefield. Supplies and weapons were packed, and men were taken up on dragons, or onto horses when they arrived. Those who went on foot were flanked by riders—air and ground.

So they traveled across the land and the skies of Geall.

At the next stop they rested and watered their mounts.

“You’ll have tea, my lady.” Ceara joined Moira near a stream where dragons drank.

“What? Oh, thanks.” Moira took the cup.

“I’ve never seen such a sight.”

“No.” Moira continued to watch the dragons, and wondered if any of them would see such a sight again. “You’ll ride with your husband, Ceara.”

“I will, my lady. We’re near ready.”

“Where is the cross you won, Ceara? The one you’re wearing is copper.”

“I... ” Ceara lifted her hand to the copper cross. “I left it with my mother. Majesty, I wanted my children protected if... ”

“Of course you did.” She wrapped her fingers around Ceara’s wrist and squeezed. “Of course.” She turned as Blair strode toward them.

“Time to round them up. Mounts are rested and watered. Supplies and weapons are packed, except for what we’re leaving behind with the squad that’ll hold this base until tomorrow.”

“The troops behind us should arrive well before sunset.” Moira looked to the skies. “Do they have enough protection if there’s a change in the weather. Natural or otherwise?”

“Lilith may have some snipers and scouts scattered this far west, but nothing the troops can’t handle. We have to move on, Moira. Leap-frogging this way keeps soldiers from being exposed and vulnerable at night, but it takes time.”

“And we’ve a schedule to keep,” Moira agreed. “Give the order then, and we’ll move on.”

I t was well past midday when the first of them arrived at their final destination. Below where she flew, men stopped and cheered. She saw Larkin come out of the house, lift his face. Then change into a dragon to fly up and join them.

And she saw the dark earth of fresh graves.

Larkin circled her with a quick, showy flourish, then paced himself to Blair’s mount. Moira lost her breath when Blair stood on her dragon’s back, then sprang off into the air. The cheers from below rose up like thunder as Blair landed on Larkin, and rode him down.

Like a festival, Moira thought, as other riders executed showy turns and dives. Perhaps they needed the show and the foolishness for these last few hours of daylight. Night would come soon enough.

She would have seen to her own mount as she had along the way, but Larkin plucked her off her feet, gave her a whirl and a kiss.

“That doesn’t sweeten me up,” she told him. “I’ve a bone to pick with you. You were to travel, gather reports and secure. Not go out looking for trouble.”