Night came as they were starting, the red of sunset matched by a surly scarlet glow in the northern sky. There was a distant rumbling, more felt than heard, and the ground stirred underfoot. The doryms hurried into a shambling run without being prodded.

They splashed through a swamp and on the other side Hananas changed their course abruptly. A little later, when the southern sky exploded, Jason knew why. Flames lit the scene brightly, ashes sifted down and hot lumps of rock crashed into the trees. They steamed when they hit, and if it hadn’t been for the earlier rain they would have been faced with a forest fire as well.

Something large loomed up next to the line of march, and when they crossed an open space Jason looked at it in the reflected light from the sky.

“Rhes-” he choked, pointing. Rhes, riding next to him, looked at the great beast, shaggy body and twisted horns as high as their shoulders, then looked away. He wasn’t frightened or apparently even interested. Jason looked around then and began to understand.

All of the fleeing animals made no sound, that’s why he hadn’t noticed them before. But on both sides dark forms ran between the trees. Some he recognized, most of them he didn’t. For a few minutes a pack of wild dogs ran near them, even mingling with the domesticated dogs. No notice was taken. Flying things flapped by overhead. Under the greater threat of the volcanoes all other battles were forgotten. Life respected life. A herd of fat, pig-like beasts with curling tusks blundered through the line. The doryms slowed, picking their steps carefully so they wouldn’t step on them. Smaller animals sometimes clung to the backs of the bigger ones, riding untouched awhile, before they leaped off.

Pounded mercilessly by the jarring litter, Jason fell wearily into a light sleep. It was shot through with dreams of the rushing animals, hurrying on forever in silence. With his eyes open or shut, he saw the same endless stream of beasts.

It all meant something and he frowned as he tried to think what. Animals running, Pyrran animals.

He sat bolt upright suddenly, twisting in his litter, wide awake and staring down in comprehension.

“What is it?” Rhes asked, swinging his dorym in close.

“Go on,” Jason said. “Get us out of this, and get us out safely. I know how your people can get what they want, end the war now. There is a way, and I know how it can be done.”

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