Elaaron emerged from the farmhouse. He slipped an arm around her shoulders.
‘Who are they?’ she asked.
‘They are the first. Word has gone out. Many more will join us. There is a hostile force on Ilketh’s soil and they are likely holding prisoner the abducted MageGate. People will not tolerate that.’ He growled in his throat. ‘I hope they bring their own weapons. Meia weep, I have all those newly forged ones at Ilkyrie and no way of getting them here. The irony of it.’
She glanced at the line of poplars; the tips were still veiled in the pearly grey of early morning.
‘You may be pleased to know,’ he offered, ‘that Ivoran has sworn allegiance to me. He is anxious to be seen as honourable. In truth, he is desperate for support. For now, I must trust his loyalty.’ He glanced up at the popl
