Zebulun meditated in the hours before dawn. He now understood why Sarah chose this location for her campsite. Not only was it high ground, with close sources of water, but it was just close enough for him to reach the beasts and birds at the edge of the wood when he extended his consciousness outward.
He watched the soldier’s camp. Two rings of torches circled the stockade. The inner ring stood an arrow-flight from the camp; the outer ring, two. Five-man patrols passed by every few minutes, most looking bored and tired.
He shifted his perception to a single animal — the red wolf he healed in the clearing. It loped through the woods, stopping to sniff the air, looking for prey. He could feel the lupine’s hunger and need. He could smell its excitement when it caught wind of a rabbit.
Zebulun woke Quinn at Dawn. "It’s time."
Quinn sat up and rubbed his eyes. "As much as I hate to leave my new friends to their fate," he said, "I do so love to travel! Besides," he said with a grin, "someone has to watch out for you."
Zebulun nodded.
Emet, Elu, and Zoya came up from their camp at the creek to say goodbye. Elu and Zoya both grappled Quinn in bear hugs.
Elu clasped Zebulun’s hand. "You’re a fine opponent."
"Thank you," said Zebulun. "I’m a better ally." Elu smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for the warning," said Emet, "and for your counsel. I know you can’t stay."
"Even if I had no other task," said Zebulun, "I couldn’t help you fight my own men. But you deserved to know it was coming." Emet nodded.
Davion shook Zebulun’s hand. "Sorry I can’t go with you."
"No," said Zebulun, "You stay and learn everything you can. Do what you can to help these people."
Davion took a deep breath, nodded, and lowered his eyes. "I’ll try."
Quinn jumped at Davion and threw his arms around his neck. "Take care! Be careful with dragons!"
"Heh," said Davion, paralyzed. "You too."
Sarah embraced the both of them, in turn, as a mother would a child. "Go find your path," she said.
"Be careful," said Zebulun.
"You as well," said Sarah. "Good travels."