Free The King of the Crags by Stephen Deas Page A

arrived.
     
    Semian was tugging him away. ‘Leave them, Jostan. I know you mean well but she doesn’t need your protection.’
     
    ‘She’s not even old enough to be called a rider, not really.’ But he didn’t resist. He let Semian push him gently outside.
     
    ‘That’s war for you.’
     
    ‘Are we at war?’
     
    ‘Yes.’ Semian put an arm around Jostan’s shoulder, something the old Semian would never have done. ‘We all loved Queen Shezira, but there’s nothing we can do for her. We have to look past that. Zafir will execute her and nothing we do will change that.’
     
    As if you cared. ‘Rider Hyrkallan doesn’t agree.’
     
    ‘Hyrkallan should go home. Jaslyn will need riders like him for the war. She needs riders like you too. And there will be a war, Jostan. The Great Flame has shown it to me.’
     
    Jostan felt something inside him break. ‘Are you sending me away, Semian? Are you telling me you don’t want me here with you?’
     
    Semian shrugged. ‘You only came because Jaslyn sent us both away. I know how you used to look at her. I felt the same way for a while. And yes, she’s a princess, soon to be a queen, but in war who knows what could happen? The Red Riders don’t mean anything to you, Jostan. You came because you had no dragon and nowhere else to go. Well now you have a dragon, and if you go with Hyrkallan then I’m sure Jaslyn will have you back. She will need every rider she can get. Please understand: I don’t want you to go if your heart is here, but it isn’t, and I don’t want you to stay while your heart is elsewhere.’
     
    Jostan looked back. Semian was walking them steadily away from the tent.
     
    ‘Don’t tell me you want to be with Nthandra.’ Semian shook his head. ‘She’s not right for you, Jostan. She’s one of us. She’s given herself to the Great Flame. She embraces the fire and the fire brings her joy. Have you given yourself to the Flame?’
     
    Jostan shook his head. ‘I don’t even begin to understand it.’ ‘You see. You belong with Hyrkallan and Princess Jaslyn and the riders of the north. What we’re doing here is . . .’ He frowned, reaching for something. ‘It’s something special. You were a good friend, Jostan, almost a brother to me, but do you see how our paths must move apart? And Nthandra has chosen too. I’m sorry for you that she didn’t choose you.’
     
    Jostan closed his eyes. ‘She’s a girl, Semian.’ Even more than Princess Jaslyn was. He wasn’t sure which one he feared for the most.
     
    ‘Yes. And I will look after her.’
     
    ‘That’s not what I mean. I mean that’s not why I’m going to stay, Semian. I’m not going back to the north, and I doubt you’ll rid yourself of Hyrkallan so easily either. But even if you do, I’m staying with you because I remember who you are and because of what we endured together. Because you are almost a brother. Because I don’t trust your new friend the blood-mage and I think someone should stay to look after you . Besides, who knows, maybe the Great Flame will touch even me given time, eh?’
     
    Semian stopped. He shook his head and looked Jostan up and down, and for a moment Jostan thought he was going to get a rebuke, but then Semian smiled. ‘Then you’re as good a friend as I’m likely to find and I shall be proud to fly with you. There may come a time when you wish to change your mind. You know you can leave whenever you want. We’ll give you everything you need to get back to one of our queen’s eyries. I’ll even give you a dragon.’
     
    Jostan laughed too. He couldn’t help himself. ‘You realise you’re talking as though the Red Riders are already yours.’
     
    ‘Oh, they are.’ Semian was still smiling. ‘Hyrkallan just doesn’t know it yet. He and the others who haven’t been touched by the fire, they’ll leave soon enough. But you can stay. I still have hope for you. Come.’ He tugged Jostan into motion again. ‘Whatever Kithyr