Warrior King: Warriors - Book 1 by Eden Winters

Author:Eden Winters [Winters, Eden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rocky Ridge Books
Published: 2023-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Draylon and Rufe rode hard, ever watchful for pursuers. The kidnappers made no effort to conceal their direct trail to Delletina.

Either they were totally incompetent or intentionally left traces. Didn’t they know that Rufe and Draylon could easily track them?

Draylon’s blood ran cold when he found a strand of long blond hair hanging from a shrub. He dismounted, approaching slowly. The strand held waves, like Yarif’s had when he released his braid. Draylon twirled the lock around his finger, tightening his hand into a fist. “They’ve been here. This is Yarif’s.” The kidnappers were taunting him.

“They know we’re following.”

“So it would seem.” If they’d taken Yarif against his will, they would pay. If Yarif was running away… Draylon didn’t for a minute believe he’d leave the children or his people.

So, Draylon continued his quest. They rode from sunup to sundown, resting as little as possible.

On the third day, Draylon caught a glint of metal. He barely reined Gryphon in before an archer stepped from the trees, arrow nocked. “What business have you here, Commander Draylon?” She wore the blue and gold of Glendor.

Then there was a Glendor presence here. Why? The woman looked vaguely familiar. Oh, yes. Draylon had seen her on the training field. “Corporal Crees?”

Crees’ lips turned up ever so slightly at the corners. “It’s Sergeant Crees now, sir.”

“Congratulations, Sergeant. Are you here in an official capacity?” Of course, she was, or Draylon would be dead by now.

Sergeant Crees confirmed with a nod.

“Who is in command here?” Draylon searched the trees for more uniforms.

“Commander Vihaan.”

Vihaan himself? Their assignment must be of the utmost importance.

Sergeant Crees saluted with an arm across her chest. “How may I serve, Commander?”

Draylon dismounted, motioning Rufe to do the same. “Take me to Commander Vihaan.”

“As you wish.” Sergeant Crees whistled twice. Whistles from two locations answered her. She led Draylon and Rufe into the forest along a narrow trail. The sun hit zenith and began its descent before Draylon caught traces of woodsmoke and muted conversations while dodging low branches and leading Gryphon.

Sergeant Crees stopped to whistle twice, resuming at an answering whistle.

The path opened onto a clearing filled with tents, cooking fires, and soldiers. Many stared as Draylon and Rufe strode by. Some saluted, so they must have knowledge of Draylon’s rank, even out of uniform, as he and Rufe both were, though their armor was obviously high quality. Some had served the empire's combined forces when Draylon acted as high commander.

Sergeant Crees stopped before a tent far larger than the others and poked her head in. “Commander Vihaan, Commander Draylon Aravaid and one of his captains to see you.”

So, the sergeant recognized Rufe too. Draylon fought shoulder to shoulder with Glendoran soldiers on occasion, but most instances occurred before this woman reached an age to join the forces.

The commander strode out, a tall, imposing mountain of a man with graying brown hair, an impressively full mustache and beard, and shoulders wide enough to push the edges of the tent opening. He

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