The air from Aurien’s wings as he landed whipped our clothing and hair and caused the horses to pull against their tethers. He tucked his wings in against his back as he sat in deference to the horses’ comfort with him in their midst.
“Riders coming from Arden Retis,” he said as I jumped from the wagon and went to his side. He nudged me with his nose gently in greeting.
“Hold off making camp until we have spoken with them,” I decided. “They may invite us closer.”
The riders rode to a respectable distance away from us, and one from amongst them dismounted. Mariene moved out to greet him. They met in the middle, and after a moment, clasped each other’s arm in greeting. Mariene gestured at my army, and then the man turned and gestured to the riders. They moved forward and followed Mariene back to where we waited.