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He glanced away. “I hope so.”

Every nerve in her body stood on end. “What’s wrong?”

He frowned. “Nothing.”

Had she imagined the uncertainty in his tone? She checked no one was within earshot and lowered her voice. “Your fatheriscoming?”

“The last update I received from him confirmed it.” He lifted his head and scanned the tree tops.

Why was he avoiding looking at her? She wanted to yank him around so she could see his eyes. “And he is bringing only five warriors with him.” Maybe her unease at being in the forest was turning her paranoid. Dagar had never given her any indication he couldn’t be trusted.

“That was the agreement.” He nodded to Bat who rode ahead of them and had turned around.

Unable to resist, she grabbed Dagar’s reins and pulled his horse to a halt, letting others move past them. “Will we be safe at the meadow?” Fear coursed through her veins. Were they walking into a trap? Ogodai hadn’t set a time limit on the temporary truce. What if he’d only meant until they all arrived at the meadow?

“As far as I know.” His eyes were full of confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Vachir rode past. “Is everything all right?”

She forced a smile. “Yes, keep going. We’ll bring up the rear.”

Vachir didn’t look convinced, but kept going.

When he was out of earshot she said, “There was uncertainty in your tone, Dagar.” She stared into his eyes. “Am I being paranoid?”

He hesitated and then sighed. “No. I’m worried about those in my tribe who were vocal like Gan about not wanting a truce. My father says he made it clear to them that their opinions weren’t wanted, but I keep thinking about Gan out there somewhere and worry he’s making trouble.” He turned to her. “I want this peace as much as you do.”

Relief filled her. If that’s all it was, they could deal with any mischief Gan caused. The khans had sent their tribes a message about Gan’s punishment and it was unlikely the western tribes would trust him if they ran into him.

Up ahead a couple of people shouted and she nudged her horse faster to find out what was happening. They had arrived.

The meadow spread out in front of her, a flat plain of grasses and colourful flowers, with the beautiful blue sky above them. No one else was there. She sighed. Was that a good sign or a bad one? There were still two nights before the full moon. “Shall we set up camp in the middle?” she asked.

“Let’s put the pavilion in the centre,” Erhi said. “That way if the other tribes want to camp apart from us, they can.”

She dismounted, leading her horse out of the shade of the trees, turning her face to the sky and the warmth of the sun. She was perhaps three horse lengths into the meadow when her horse whinnied and reared, almost pulling her arm from its socket. A roar echoed throughout the air and Shuree’s heart leapt to her throat.

“Dragon!” someone cried.

Sure enough, three dragons, the size of small horses, swooped towards them, their leathery wings outspread and their focus on her. Magnificent and terrifying, glistening in the sun.

She fought to control her panicked horse but the reins ripped from her grasp and it bolted into the trees. The others were similarly fighting with their steads. The dragons opened their mouths and flames rushed towards the group.

Shuree dived to the side, feeling the heat from the fire, smelling the scorched grass.

Her pulse raced as she leapt back to her feet. Erhi had said the dragons lived further up the mountains.

“Shuree, get back under the trees,” Dagar yelled.

Everyone else had taken cover.

The Gods had said to come here. They couldn’t leave. The other tribes were expecting them to be there.

The dragons came around for a second pass. She knew little about the beasts. Some tales said they were intelligent creatures with their own society, but they might be as dumb as sheep for all she knew.

How dare you!The voice reverberated in her mind and Shuree fell to her knees, clutching her head.We are nothing like sheep.

Her mouth dropped open. Was the dragon speaking to her?