All I could do was nod back at him. If anything, I was far more flawed as a leader than he seemed to be, and it was hard enough to find my own way forward. So I embraced him for a farewell and a wish for his success, and then swung into Mystic’s saddle.
“Let me come with you,” Darkovan said. “My horse is ready to ride. ”
“Thank you. ” I meant that with far more sincerity than my tone could offer. “But it’s not wise for us both to go. Just in case . . . ”
“As long as you keep fighting, I will too,” he said. “Whatever comes next, for either of us. ”
“Help is coming soon. ” My words came from hope rather than certainty, but I wanted him to believe it. “Tobias and Amarinda will get through to Bymar. She will convince them to send her armies here to join you. ”
Darkovan squinted against th
