This evening, he was planning a good night, knowing he had some new concubines to break in.

So the last thing he wanted to deal with was one of his men running into his tent and babbling about some royal they’d found in the Hidden Woods, near their tribal lands.

“What are you going on about?” Batu demanded.

“We have a royal and—”

“So? Put her in chains and I’ll go to see her tomorrow.”

“She’s demanding to see you now.”

Batu grabbed the soft hand rubbing his chest and pushed it away.

“She . . . what?” Slowly Batu stood, his entire body shaking in rage. “What?” he bellowed, his concubines scrambling to a far corner. The musician joined them.

“Great Leader,” the soldier groveled, dropping to his knees. “I only bring the message from the royal. She is—”

“Where is she?”

“With Bolormaa, Great Leader.”

Batu stormed across his tent, stepping on the soldier’s back as he did so. He went outside and walked toward Bolormaa’s tent, which was not far from his. She was the best shamaness in his tribe so he kept her close in case he needed her after a battle.

When he flipped the tent flap back, Bolormaa and her assistants were busy working on a large woman with black hair and the look of a Southlander from the west.

“Are you Batu?” a small, red-haired woman asked. She also looked like a Southlander . . . and acted like a royal.

“I—”

“Good,” she snapped, grabbing his arm and yanking him outside.

“Lady Keita,” she said by way of introduction. “That’s my cousin in there. She’s been poisoned and your shaman is helping me. Once I know she’s stable, I’ll be by to talk.”

“Uh—”

She was gone. Back into the tent.

Angry, Batu began to follow, but he stopped. Something about that female . . .

Deciding to be smart rather than angry, Batu motioned to one of the soldiers.

“Keep your eye on her and bring her to me when she’s done.”

He returned to his tent but sent the concubines and musician away. He then sent for Nergi the Knowing. If anyone would know who this royal was, it was Nergi.

* * *

Armed warriors were located behind them and in front of them. Some were human. Others were dragons in human form.

The general and his soldiers had been polite and friendly to Aidan and his brothers. But they did question the presence of the Riders. It wasn’t until Aidan convinced them that they were from the Outerplains and not associated with the Eastland Riders that the Empress’s soldiers backed off.

With great charm, the general offered the services of his army to escort them to the Empress as “favored guests.”

Aidan, of course, agreed for all of them, knowing that he didn’t want this army out searching for Brannie and Keita. They needed time to make it out. Wherever “out” might be.