Sergeant. I’m a sergeant, and I’m a well-known hero, fresh from saving the village!

He grabbed the first fighter he saw in the common area, a corporal who watched him stride in with lazy eyes.

“Do you know who I am?”

“You’re in the wrong place, pup,” the man said, sneering.

Johnis considered several options at this unexpected response, and chose the last one that popped into his mind.

“I have an urgent message for Silvie of Southern, the girl who was returned from the desert a hero. Do you know her?”

The warrior sat up, suddenly serious. “Of course I know her. What red-blooded soul wouldn’t know her?”

The man’s reaction gave Johnis pause. If he wasn’t mistaken, this corporal was attracted to Silvie. The whole blasted barracks was likely attracted to her.

“Fine, red-blooded soul. Where is she?”

“Not here. If she was here, she’d be with me, now wouldn’t she?”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

“You insult me?” The man stood to his feet, a full foot taller that Johnis. Perhaps a different approach would have been wiser. He didn’t have time for this!

“She’s at the archery range, Johnis of Ramos,” a voice said.

Johnis glanced back to the new fighter who’d entered the barracks. “Thank you.”

He ran out the front, only mildly amused by the sounds of argument behind the shut door. Red-blood was getting his ears cuffed, maybe. It didn’t matter. He had to find Silvie.

He found her at the grass-covered archery range, shooting arrows into a stuffed gunnysack thirty paces off. Dressed in brown battle leathers, firm muscles flexing the bow string, short blonde hair loose and twisting around her face. The desire of any red-blood indeed. He watched her for a beat, thinking that he might be able to execute this plan of his without Silvie. She didn’t deserve what was coming her way.

Johnis discarded the thought and called out. “Silvie of Southern, will you come with me?”

She let her last arrow fly with perfect precision, watched it thud into the mark, and then answered without turning. “And why should I come with you, Johnis of Ramos?” She turned, eyes twinkling.

“Because I need you to help me save the world.”

“Really?” Her smile faded and concern crossed her face. “Are you okay?”

No, I’m not okay, Silvie. Can’t you see that?

He walked over to her and stared into her eyes. “Silvie . . .” Words suddenly failed him.

“No, Johnis, I will not ride with you out into the desert to find your mother,” Silvie said. “That’s what you’re planning; I can see it in your eyes. And it’s suicide.”