“Because I knew you’d be logical about this.”

“I hadn’t given the order.”

“Oh. I understand. You seem to think of me as someone who actually reports to you. I don’t.”

“You two,” Caswyn gasped out as Uther somehow managed to help him mount one of the bigger horses. “Before you start again with all the arguing, think I can get a drink of water before I die a long and painful death?”

“No,” Brannie immediately replied.

“Of course,” Aidan said at the same time.

They glared at each other.

“Please,” Caswyn practically begged. “I’m thirsty and I’m almost positive I’m bleeding internally.”

Deciding that arguing with Aidan at this moment wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interest, Brannie easily mounted her unsaddled horse and wrapped the thick leather straps around her hands. She turned her horse and headed back from where the animal came from, assuming water would be that way if someone had been traveling from that direction. She didn’t know this area well and didn’t want to end up taking them to waterless territory.

After a solid fifteen minutes, Uther called a halt and pointed into the trees next to the road. “I hear running water. That way.”

“Uther, stay with Caswyn. Aidan and I will bring water back for you.”

Thinking the horses might need water too, she and Aidan brought them along. Brannie dismounted and led the horses in carefully. As they moved, she realized how much sound the animals made even on this mossy ground and thought about finding material that they could wrap around the horses’ hooves to silence them. The Daughters of the Steppes were known for doing that when they wanted to sneak up on an enemy, and Brannie was more than happy to try their tricks when necessary.

After a short walk, they reached what turned out to be a pond. What Uther had heard, though, was the small waterfall that fed it.

Brannie released the horses, assuming the animals would follow on their own, and went the last few steps to the pond. She dropped on her knees and scooped up the water with her hands. As she brought the clear liquid to her lips, she noticed that the horses not only didn’t follow her, but they were backing up.

She was watching them, baffled, when she heard a familiar female voice suggest, “I wouldn’t drink that if I were you.”

Brannie quickly looked across the pond and with a gasp, quickly slapped Aidan’s hands, knocking the water he’d just scooped up away from his mouth.

“Hey!” Aidan complained. “What was that for?”

Brannie pointed. “Her.”

* * *

Aidan stared in confusion at Keita the Viper in her human form. Actually, her full name was Keita the Red Viper Dragon of Despair and Death, Princess of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar, Second Born Daughter and Fourth Born Offspring of Queen Rhiannon and Bercelak the Great.

But most just called her Keita the Viper. It was easier.

She stood on the other side of the pond, looking beautiful and very royal in a purple silk gown covered in a darker purple cape, the hood pulled up so that it almost covered her long red hair, but not really. There was enough there to tantalize any dragon or man who might want to see more.