The next morning dawned bright and clear. Clouds of brilliantly clad warriors rolled from the capitol city of Noia. Thousand upon thousands of warriors in fine armament moved northwest toward Segat. Each unit was lead by a tall, white robed figure with a flowing white beard and a glittering staff of power in his hand. The citizens of Noia yelled themselves hoarse at the majestic sight that went on and on for hours as the mighty army moved out.
Above the legions of soldiers fluttered the small Tekian warriors and the warriors who were mounted on flying mounts. There were flying snakes from the heights, flying horses from the plains, dragons from the coast, and winged fish from the sea. It was a sight that many would later describe to their grandchildren over a warm winter fire.
At the head of each group was a flag bearer with his white flag with the blue six-sided star of power painted upon it. Each group had different species or people to carry the flag. It was the honor given the most experienced fighter in any of the groups. Usually, though, the honor fell to a Teliat whose bad temperament gave them ample opportunity to fight.
The last group to leave was unseen by the citizens of Noia. Mostly they had gone on their way, home to have dinner by the time the last group departed.
It was a straggly little troupe. The white flag carried by a tiny Tekian warrior followed by two flying hunters on great winged snakes. On the ground marched a much disgruntled Teliat with his bad temper very much in evidence. Then there was another tiny, winged Tekian and finally a large bull frog that brought up the rear. Ott's mighty battalion was off to war.
Nafon set up their first campsite while Quago went off with the snakes to hunt. The miniature winged warriors collected firewood while the large, lumbering Teliat was sent off after water. Ott rode in Nafon's pocket. He had been worn out by the time they had reached the city gates.
Wasos had sent word that they were to detour directly north and check out the Naus river valley. They would miss the first skirmish of the war. The Teliat had been bitterly disappointed and had refused to speak to anyone all day. Ott would have been in fine voice if he had been able to talk. Quago had been relieved to hear that they were to proceed north instead of heading into the mountains. They carried very little supplies with them and hunting would be poor for the last units of troupes. By heading north, their supplies of fresh meat and firewood would be easier to obtain without ranging too far from the group.
The Tekians had been quiet about the new orders. Nafon couldn't tell if they were disappointed or not. He knew that Norfy would have an easier time of protecting his prince if they were to miss the worst of the fighting.
There was a puff of blue smoke and suddenly Ott stood beside Nafon in all his great whiteness. Nafon nodded at him and continued to finish setting up the camp. Ott turned away to look out over the rolling grass plains before them. Nafon had picked a campsite that was slightly higher than the rest of the plains so the view was magnificent and went on for miles, although the Naus river was still out of sight.
The sun was setting in the sky and painted the light clouds with pink and orange. Ott breathed in the cool night air and sighed. The boy had always had a knack of finding a good place to camp. It almost made up for the indignities that he had had to suffer that day. Leaving the capitol as a frog! The fact that Nafon had tried to warn him only made it worse as far as the old man was concerned.
"We are going to miss the entire war." the old wizard sighed. "I will never be able to leave Zia. I will be cold and damp until my dying day." He stood still and his great robes fluttered like moth wings around him.
"Where would you go?" Nafon asked him quietly.
"I used to think Telia, but that walking piece of carpet is a pain. Maybe Dabi. It's supposed to be warm there." the old man sighed. He pointed at a large rock and it rolled to him to provide him with a perch to sit on.
"Dabi would be too warm, wise one. You are miserable with even Zia's fine summers." Nafon pointed out softly.
"You are right. You are right. Dabi is too hot for these old bones."
"How about Noia, you seemed to like the capitol." Ott's eyes glowed in the gathering darkness. His face crinkled in a moth-eaten smile.
"Yes, the capitol! I would be head wizard!" he sat quietly and thought to himself.
"Your pet couldn't live in the city." he realized suddenly.
"No, Desiage and I would have to remain in the forests near Zia." Nafon agreed easily. Ott looked tortured. He had always thought that this boy was the bane of his existence, but life without him would be dull indeed.
"Well, I suppose Wasos is a tolerable head wizard. Goodness knows what those fool Ziats would do without me." Nafon gave the old man a swift hug.
"It would be the capitol's great loss." he said to the frail old man who had been mother and father, friend and teacher to him his entire life.
"Cut that out! You are never to touch a wizard!" Ott barked. He swung his staff but Nafon danced out of the way easily.
"I love you, too, you old fake." he laughed lightly. Ott grumbled and when went back to watching the plain below. Let the disrespectful brat cook dinner, it would do him good to do some honest work for a change.
Quago returned with Meib and Desiage and they brought a good kill. The Tekians returned with the firewood, and Nafon cooked dinner. Telon should be up later with very little water, but a big appetite. Later, Nafon sent Desiage after more water, quietly, without saying a word to the Teliat. He had learned over the years to trust his instincts, and he had a bad feeling that something was waiting out there for them. Before it was all over, they would need each and every member of their small party to survive.
On to Chapter 6
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