The commander propped both hands on his thighs. ‘Tell Elaaron we will hold a council as soon as he arrives. Meantime, I will continue to amass arms and men. The scouts regularly bring reports, but I depend on the intelligence you provide. Let us hope the weather stays clear.’
* * *
The weather did not stay clear. By late morning the next day, a bruised sky hurled rain at Elaaron’s burgeoning company. The squalls almost pelted Irenya out of the saddle, snatched at her cloak, and whipped the folds behind her to flap like a flag. Thunder rolled over them and spears of light punctured the charcoal slabs of sky. Irenya endured, drenched and cold, struggling to control a spooked horse. Time passed in ragged blocks of wind and rain. The world ceased to exist outside of her soaked and frozen sta
