An evening in the rain

The plans, even set in motion, didn't progress quickly. Cael spent a month sparring, preparing and studying, before Father agreed to let him and Ginevra onto their mission—and mostly because they were pressed for time. They also had the spectral warriors, set to appear near the stone now, and Cael got his first shipment of dragon blood from Princess. He consumed it all and now had plenty of Blood Points for regenerating during the fight with Enzo.

The journey shouldn't have taken long. With a pair of good horses, driving for most of the day, Cael should have reached the most convenient spot for an ambush—a stretch of a thin forest a good day of travel outside of Oliveira's borders—in five days, at most. More than enough for Enzo to move out and reach the travelers in time.

But on the evening of the second day, the weather had to turn from sunny to a storm.