ZYGRADON by Michelle L. Levigne Page A

there,
waiting for him. Ceera had gone to the bubble in the rock behind Le'esha's office and
listened, but she was delayed and only heard the very end. What she heard was
enough.
    "The Nameless One is preparing enough blood magic to drown the world, the
Warhawk said," Ceera whispered, when the children retreated to the privacy of her
bedroom. She wrapped her arms around herself and hunched her shoulders a little more.
"What did he mean?"
    "He's getting ready for an attack, I suppose. And he wants to be strong enough
to overcome us." Mrillis leaned back against the wall. "I think the Warhawk's spies have
found out something, and he came here to see if our Lady understood what they
learned. Did they say what they were going to do?"
    "They're riding to war. They're going to Flintan." She shivered. "What if the
Nameless One kills her?"
    "I won't let him. I'll ride with her, and I promise I won't let anybody hurt our
Lady."
    He bit his lip to keep from telling Ceera about the red-haired boy from his
vision. This might be his only chance to find and help him. Mrillis had heard enough war
stories; he understood that innocents were often killed during battles and sieges. Perhaps
the Estall had shown him this boy as a command to help him. It would be dangerous,
but it was the perfect opportunity to go to Flintan and find the boy from his
dream.
    "They won't let you. They were talking about you, and they think the Nameless
One is trying to control you." Ceera cocked her head to one side as a new thought
visibly took her attention. "What if they're going to Flintan to fight for you?"
    "Don't be silly." He grinned, despite his fear for Le'esha's safety. "I'm nobody.
Maybe the Nameless One is mean enough to want to hurt me for what my father did,
but I'm not important enough for anyone to go to war."
    "They're worried about you. That's all I heard. They won't let you come
along."
    "Then I won't tell them," he said with a shrug.
    The moment those words left his lips, Mrillis suspected he had spoken too
quickly. Wanting to ride to war, to fight the Encindi, protect his beloved Queen of
Snows and find the red-haired boy was one thing. Hiding among the warriors and
arriving on the shores of Flintan undiscovered was something else altogether. How could
he accomplish it?
    * * * *
    Mrillis chose hunting clothes that would help him blend in among the older
boys who rode with the war party to serve the Queen of Snows, her ladies and the
warriors protecting them. He planned to stay with the horses and keep his head covered.
He didn't delude himself that he could stay undiscovered for long.
    If his imbrose awoke fully, then Le'esha or someone almost as sensitive
would feel his presence. If he had more terrifying nightmares, he could wake up the
entire camp. To protect Le'esha, to calm Ceera's fears for their foster mother, and for the
sake of his dreams and longing for adventure, he had to risk it. Taking a risk didn't mean
he could act foolishly, however. He hoped to avoid the inevitable scolding by taking
precautions. After all, he wasn't a little boy any longer.
    He went into the armory late at night, after everyone else had been outfitted
and the party was to leave before dawn the next morning. Mrillis knew what his
strengths were, and how to defend himself. The warriors of the Stronghold had given all
the children lessons in self-defense, using knife, staff, bow and slingshot. When Mrillis and
the other boys went to Wynystrys, they perfected their archery and learned more skill
with the knife and staff. Of the weapons that remained, Mrillis chose three knives, a
good bow and a triple helping of arrows. Then he stood staring at the swords that had
been left in the racks, wishing he could carry one.
    The swords left behind needed repairs or had lost their balance or just weren't
good to begin with. That didn't matter to a boy who had yet to earn the right to carry a
sword. Mrillis knew better than to strap on a sword and take it on the journey to