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That would be pointless, given I could be anywhere between here and home, and the tracking stone’s range is not that good.

You taking the same route?

Yes—it’s safer than flying direct, especially with the riders being active beyond dawn.

Then at least this time, your mother will have a good idea where to send the gray hawks.

It would probably take the hawks far too long to find us, given the sheer scale of the search area, but they’d certainly offer a better chance than simply relying on the tracking stones.

Handing you over to Katter’s people now.See you soon.

You will.

I smiled and passed the tablet over to Jay. “They’re waiting for the list.”

“Thank you, Captain. Safe journey down the mountain.” He briefly scanned the blanket of gray. “It’s not going to be pleasant in this weather.”

“At least it isn’t raining yet.”

I rose and, after a nod to them both, started the long hike down to the ledge. With the thick damp clouds clinging to every surface, it was every bit as treacherous as I feared. I slipped more than once, and though quick reflexes saved me from multiple tumbles, I nevertheless gained multiple scratches. My jacket was thick, but even leather could tear if sliced with a sharp enough knife—and many of the rocks littering this slope were honed by wind and weather to a point any smith would be proud of. I was close to the ledge and bleeding from a half dozen wounds scattered across my hands and shins when I finally reached for Kaia.

You awake?

Bored.

I couldn’t help but smile at the tartness of her reply.Did you hunt?

Hunger remains.

Being aboard a very hungry drakkon probably wasn’t a great idea.Once we reach the mainland, we can take a break so you can hunt.

Longhorn? We fly near.

Sure.

Satisfaction rumbled through our link. I smiled and continued on warily, sliding down the final few feet to the platform. The world remained a sea of gray, but I could hear the distant sigh of air and feel Kaia’s ever-increasing closeness. I quickly treated the worst of my wounds, then dragged the harness out of my pack and climbed into it. Once that was done, I slung the quiver and bow over my back and attached the pack.

As the wind of Kaia’s approach grew stronger, I stepped back, not only to give her more room but to avoid being accidentally squashed. She appeared out of the gloom, her scales gleaming with golden fire, and wings banked as she braked. I couldn’t help but smile. I would never—ever—get over the beauty and the elegance of our drakkons.

She landed lightly, then snaked her head around for a scratch. Once I’d complied, I scrambled up her extended leg and clipped on the spine rope. She crouched and then leapt skyward, her wings pumping hard as she climbed slowly but steadily.

The tumultuous stream of icy air blasting my face and fingers soon had me shivering, and I once again tugged the long collar of an undershirt up and pushed enough heat through to my extremities to keep frostbite at bay. The jacket and layers were doing enough to keep the chill away from the rest of me, even if I wasn’t toasty warm, so I resisted raising the inner fires any further. We remained in enemy territory, and my headache and overall weariness meant my reserves weren’t what they could and should have been.

We’ll need to fly faster once we’re clear of this fog, Kaia.The winged ones have been sighted flying in the hours after sunrise.

Will. Not cloudy over water, so see if near.

It wasn’t seeing them I was worried about. It was outrunning both the birds and whatever weapons their riders might be carrying.

Am faster.

I hoped she was right but feared we just didn’t know enough about them to be certain of anything. Besides, they were now aware of the drakkons’ presence in Arleeon, so it was very possible they’d develop a weapon to neutralize them.

We soon cleared the mountains, and Kaia increased her speed. As the low-lying fog began to dissipate, the day brightened, the last flags of morning color lending the heavy clouds dotting the sky a pastel hue. The seas far below were white capped and wild, and its blue emptiness stretched on for as far as the eye could see. It wasn’t like our boats would be anywhere close to Jakarra yet, even if they had risked leaving earlier, but that didn’t stop me continually checking for them. If our ships didn’t make it this time, the survivors would be in big trouble.

As one hour became two, and the distant, shadowy mountains that lined Arleeon’s shores finally came into view, I began to relax.

I should have known better than to tempt Túxn like that.