On our way back to camp we weren't sneaking through the woods anymore. Well, at least not Quu'za or me anyway. We accompanied the supply train and its guards out in the open. Tortho's rangers on the other hand kept to the woods as that was where they felt most at home with their skills. Just as well. I didn't actually expect any ambushes but if there were signs of any foul play to be found, these men and women would find them. Without me holding them back they even be able to do their jobs better than before.

Quu'za on the other hand was quite glad to be out of the woods. Although she had adapted well to scouting work, including her ribbons in greens and browns, she was more at home in the open where she could run free. And to be honest, I enjoyed the chance to talk with Tora'pheer and Leumina as well. The news they brought were at least a few days old already but in a way these supply caravans were our life line concerning more than just consumables and the likes. They were our connection back home and to the world at large as well.

I couldn't shake the feeling though, that they were holding something back, as I took this chance to talk with them, as we followed the road back to the rest of the army. I just couldn't figure out what it was that had them half grinning whenever I wasn't looking right at them. Did I have something on my face? None of them would make silly gestures when I had my back turned, right? I looked over at my harpy companion but she seemed just as confused as I felt. That didn't stop her from animatedly talking with the other harpies accompanying the caravan though.

Leumina approaching me, as she shifted from the back of the column to the front together with her small complement of horseback archers, took my mind of whatever I was missing though. She seemed a little flustered. “So … uh … you really killed the pale king, lady Keza?” I couldn't help but notice that some of the other humans new to my service were listening in as well. Of course. She and her family, as well as the others and theirs, had only recently migrated to my land. She probably was still familiar with all the superstitions surrounding that damned head hunter ghoul king and his wild hunt.

I nodded. “I did, or rather, we did.” The skin at the back of my neck itched a little as I thought back on it. It wasn't the bit I had suffered. It had healed well enough after all. No, it was the sunburn I had inflicted on myself. It had healed as well but although it was gone it was as if I could still feel it at times. I rubbed the back of my neck. Was it because it was an embarrassing memory? “It was a close call and without everyone else rushing to my aid it might have ended differently.”

The young human woman nodded. She had a faraway look in he eyes. “Still, the pale king and his wild hunt.” she sounded like she couldn't quite believe it yet. “I have grown up with that particular bit of folk lore. What am I going to tell my younger siblings when they want to carve pumpkins again next year?” She blushed a little and shifted her gaze to look down to the ground. “I'm sorry, my lady. Please excuse my ramblings.”

I grinned, a little embarrassed as well. “It's quite alright. Really, it came as quite the surprise to me as well. I imagine that we might up ending bringing a few more myths and legends low before this is all over.” Then, as a shadow passed over my face it hit me. That had been a real shadow! It had been moving much too fast for a cloud and it had only occluded the sun for the briefest of moments! My head shot up so I could survey the sky and find whatever had caused this disturbance.

Now that I knew what to look for it didn't take me long to find the source of the fleeting shadow. A winged figure soaring high in the sky. After a moment I could make out another and even a third. One always stayed nearby, above the moving caravan while the other two circled it at a little further away, quite possibly using thermals to gain altitude, although I couldn't be quite certain about the latter. I simply didn't know enough about fliers of this size or flying in general. Given the altitude all three were soaring at, it was hard to make out details as well.

The sudden shift of my attention hadn't gone unnoticed. Tora's laughter pulled it away from the fliers again. As I looked around I noticed that Leumina was blushing and trying to hide a smile as well. She must have known. I looked over at the commander of my cavalry and her grin just widened even further, as she rode along next to me.

She obviously had known as well and was not in the slightest sorry about neglecting to tell me. “Was wondering how long it would take you to notice. Anyway, those three, or rather those six, counting both riders and mounts, are your new air cavalry. Your friend Eld'tide knew that you were looking for some and hired them to escort us here. You'll have to negotiate a contract for the rest of the campaign yourself though.”

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I could only nod dumbly. I looked back up again. Three trained gryphons and their riders! Gryphons were majestic creatures and trained and with riders, who were usually mages of some sort, they were a force to be reckoned with. A single one might not be a match for a wyvern but a trio could usually take on on without fear of suffering any losses. Their teamwork made all the difference.

I sighed longingly as I marveled at the trio some more. How nice it had to be to soar across the land like that! It was something I probably would never experience. The riders were usually darkelves or gorgons. Demons, especially ones of my stature, were simply too large and heavy for them. I shook my head and looked from Tora to Leumina. And the two of you were not planning on telling me? Did you have a bet running or something like that?

Leumina blushed some more but Tora simply shrugged me off. “You would have noticed them when they'd come in for the landing at the very least. Belief me, that is a sight! Not even the harpies can kick up dust like that.”

Quu'za and a few of the others blustered up at hearing that but none of them protested. Well, it probably was no exaggeration.

I tried to imagine it but gave up after a while. I would just have to wait and see. It wouldn't be long after all. We'd probably reach the camp in slightly less than an hour after all.

My mind was already wandering though. We might have to expand our camp to accommodate the gryphons. The draft animals might not take well to these predators in close proximity. I let my gaze wander across the supply caravan. Yes, the draft animals, and even the ibex mounts of Tora's and Leumina's riders seemed a little nervous. We might have to make room to allow them to land and take off as well. I bit my lip. “We will need a more meat to keep those three in the air. Probably a lot more. I'm not sure if we can hunt that much. Especially with an army around most game tends to flee and move further away.”

Leumina nodded in agreement. “It is true. They eat quite a bit. We stocked up on preserved meat and fish to accommodate them. Preparing it for them takes some effort though as the creatures don't like it if their meals are too salty or too dry. In general it might be easier to hunt anyway, and feed them whatever fresh game you can get while you used the preserved meat as a reserve or to feed the rest of the army.”

We rode on, only exchanging a little banter, for a while until the camp finally came into view. It seemed as if Kaele and Gash'zur had kept the army quite busy. The pyre we built to incinerate the remains of our enemies had burned out much earlier today but by now the ground had apparently cooled enough to properly clean up the place. A big pit had been dug and people were busy filling it again by the cartload with the blackened and at times partially melted remains of arms and armor as well as the few charred bones that remained.

The fire had burned long and hot enough to make sure there would not be much of the latter which was just as well as the intention was to return later to unearth the treasure which the blackened iron remains still represented. Right now though we couldn't burden us with most of it. We probably would send a small detachment back home with news, those wounded worst and some of the loot but most of the latter would have to remain here, so we could recover it another day.

And then it happened. One by one the gryphons came in for the landing and although they landed a little ways away from the burnt down pyre and the crews working there, they still kicked up quite a cloud of dust and ash, which provoked a bout of good natured cursing from the work crew and the guards. Overall everyone was still happy to see the reinforcements.

I already could make out the figure of my sister approaching, thus I decided to dawdle no longer. We had no time to waste after all. I moved ot the front of the supply train to guide them past the landed fliers, what little remained of the army of Gothol'uin and into the camp so I could freshen up a little and meet the gryphon riders and their marvelous mounts who were preening, apparently very much aware of all the attention they were getting.