Walking away from the pavilion at the heart of the camp, the first thing Verdan did was to send a message to Gruthka, explaining the situation and letting them know he’d send transportation.

The Eternal Wardens might not come, or might not make the trip in time, but Verdan would ensure that the Fwyn weren’t left behind. Especially considering that none of the Sorcerers with them could speak low imperial.

A brief impression of confirmation came back from Gruthka, along with what he thought was Gruthka sending the Brecan back to the camp straight away.

A good idea really, the Brecan were hardly quick movers, so it would take time for them to get back.

That done, Verdan went back to where they’d been helping Kai, only to find that everyone had already left.

Drumming his hands, Verdan considered his options for a moment before heading over to the Airta portion of the camp.

The organised and methodical way that the Sorcerers laid out their tents and ran their part of the camp stood in direct contrast to the Airta.

A large cooking pit stood in the centre of their space, with several spits for roasting whatever had caught, and surrounded by a loose circle of tents.

From how Zhalia, Blane and Sylvie were all set up near each other, Verdan had a feeling that the hierarchy within the pack had something to do with placing, but he didn’t know for sure.

Weaving between a few piles of sleeping wolves, Verdan saw Fenn sat outside Sylvie’s tent, keeping careful watch over the area.

A dozen Airta were sitting around the cooking area, some lounging in their wolf forms and others perched on makeshift seats. Seeing Verdan enter their camp, one of them got up and moved to intercept him.

“Wizard, do you need anything?” The Airta was a young looking man with short hair and a mangled ear that showed signs of having been partially healed.

“I was hoping to speak to Sylvie. Is she here?” Verdan asked, already considering alternatives if he couldn’t find her.

“She was having a talk with Zhalia when I last saw her,” Blane said from behind him. “Why?”

Turning, Verdan saw Blane standing with his arms folded and a questioning look on his face.

“I need a favour,” Verdan said, deciding for blunt honesty. That had always been the best way forward with Blane. “I need someone to get to the far ridge and bring the Fwyn back for me. They’re small, and some of you are quite large, so I was hoping they could ride a couple of your brethren.”

Blane frowned slightly as he studied Verdan and subtly sniffed the air. “There’s a problem. What is it?”

“We’re going to have to leave soon, and I want the Fwyn here with us when we do,” Verdan said, hesitating for a brief moment before continuing. “We’ve had a message from the other branch of the alliance army. They need help, and we’ll be moving to their aid.”

“I see,” Blane said, nodding slowly before whistling sharply in a quick pattern that killed all the ambient sound of the Airta camp. Blane waited a moment before raising his voice to carry through the abrupt quiet. “I need three volunteers to aid the Wizard.”

The Airta that had been lounging and relaxing were up and alert now, and the sleeping wolves were on their feet, shaking themselves as three Airta moved to answer the call.

Blane wasted no time in explaining what was needed, and only a few moments later, a trio of oversized wolves were loping off up the ridge.

“Thank you, Blane,” Verdan said as the three wolves disappeared from view. “Please pass on the news to Sylvie, I need to go speak with our allies.”

Blane nodded and made for the tent that Fenn was sat outside of, leaving Verdan to change direction and head for the Kranjir.

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-**-

Verdan’s status as a friend of the Thrain Clan meant that mere minutes after he arrived, he was sitting around a dying campfire with all four of the Chosen and Magnus.

Ciaran and Maeve were both from Clan Thrain and were firm allies of his, while Osran was from Clan Menteith and closer to a mercenary in this situation.

Verdan had purchased Osran’s help with magical items and training, but that help would only go so far.

The fourth Chosen was Dirk, who belonged to Clan Mhorgain but was also Verdan’s apprentice. Dirk had used old traditions to become a Chosen, taking the first step on the long road to reviving his Clan.

Magnus was the odd one out of the group, being Verdan’s second apprentice but not a Chosen. Then again, with the progress he’d made, Magnus could certainly become one now.

Verdan frowned slightly as that thought occurred to him, and he wondered briefly if that would be of interest to Magnus. If it was, Verdan wouldn’t stand in his way, but it would complicate matters.

Dirk could do as he wished as his Clan followed him, but his was a unique situation and Magnus would be one of many. One of the most powerful, if Verdan had anything to do with it, but still less likely to be able to stay south.

Shaking his head, Verdan pushed that thought aside and turned to the Chosen around the smouldering fire. “Thank you for gathering so quickly. I wanted to let you know that we will be moving out soon to head to the second alliance army. They too faced a much larger Host than expected, and are in dire need of assistance. I hoped you would join us, but I understand if you must withdraw.”

“Of course we won’t withdraw,” Ciaran said, scoffing at the very idea. “We’ve been with you this far. For as long as this threat remains, you can count on us.”

Maeve nodded, giving her support, so Verdan turned to Osran questioningly. “Osran?”

“Clan Menteith is not one to see things left unfinished,” Osran said after a short pause. “We will fight by your side to end the threat.”

Verdan was a little surprised that Osran had agreed so easily, but he was hardly going to argue with him. Turning instead to Dirk, he gave his apprentice a wry smile. “I hope I can count on Clan Mhorgain as well?”

Dirk chuckled and nodded. “Somehow, I believe I can talk my people into it.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Verdan said, nodding to each of the other Chosen before getting to his feet. “Now, however, I believe it is time to catch up with my apprentices. Let us find somewhere a bit quieter. Thank you all again for seeing this through. I won’t forget it.”

Dirk and Magnus had got to their feet as he spoke, so Verdan led the way away from the fires, taking his apprentices a short distance out from the camp.

“Tawel gward,” Verdan uttered the Words of Power for a silencing ward, filling them with Aether and binding the spell to his staff. He had become quite familiar with the spell over the last few weeks, though he wished it wasn’t so necessary. “So, both of you, tell me how you’re getting on.”

Dirk and Magnus took it in turns to describe their gathering spirals, the progress they’d made and their current Aether reserves.

Both were almost out of Aether, which wasn’t surprising, and Dirk had made more progress with his spiral, which was also not surprising.

Dirk was talented at Aether manipulation, gifted in a way that Magnus simply wasn’t. He had the strength of will to take that gift and put it to use, but Magnus went one step further.

The sheer obstinate tenacity that Magnus had showed since Verdan had first started teaching him was impressive, and though he advanced slowly, he advanced steadily.

Verdan doubted that Magnus would ever overtake Dirk, but he would reach far further than many of those with more talent had managed.

Verdan was proud of them both, and if they weren’t in a rush, he’d take the time to teach them more Words and better prepare them. Now, though, there simply wasn’t time.

Restraining himself to a quick series of technical exercises, Verdan drew up a flat mound of stone to sit on as he watched them. They’d performed well in their first large-scale battle, but he had no intention of letting them develop bad habits.

Keeping a third of his attention on them, Verdan split the rest over to monitoring his breathing. He always had a portion of his mind maintaining his gathering spiral but now he was deliberately using the breathing technique Kai had shown him alongside it.

There was a long way to go before it would become second nature, but Verdan could feel that he was getting better.

Once he’d mastered it, he’d pass it on to his apprentices, but that was for the future. They needed their fundamentals first, before trying anything experimental.

Time passed as they worked, only ending some time later when Vaijon entered the silencing ward. “Verdan, do you have a few moments?”

“Of course,” Verdan said, creating another seat for the Elder while dismissing his apprentices to go about their business. “Good work both of you. Keep at it, and make sure to practice your low imperial as well.”

“Yes, Master,” they sounded back in unison before hurrying away.

“So authoritarian,” Vaijon said, shaking his head with mock surprise. “I never would have expected it from you.”

“Oh yes, I’m a stern taskmaster,” Verdan said, rolling his eyes. Vaijon chuckled but didn’t reply immediately, so Verdan took a moment to assess his Aether reserves to see how successful he’d been.

He hadn’t quite managed what he could when copying Kai, but the increase was there. Small, but noticeable, and that was only over a short period of time.

Suppressing the desire to immediately dive back into it, Verdan focused on Vaijon. “So, what can I do for you?”