The soldiers stepped aside as the giant beast entered the camp. Zaira slowed beside the command tent and lowered her head. Sagiri climbed down, his black cloak moving in the morning wind.
Zafaru approached and saluted him.
"Keeper. I'm glad to see you standing on your own feet again. I heard you were sick in Galka."
"I'm well enough to fight," Sagiri replied. "How are your men?"
"Tired from the march, but ready. We have lost no major part of our force, and our supplies are holding. If we keep moving at the same pace, we can reach the northern army soon."
"Good. We won't waste that advantage."
Zafaru studied him for a moment, noticing the silver lines running across the dark blade on Sagiri's back.
"You look different."
"Nokai has changed too."
"Then I hope Lanka gets to see what that means."
Sagiri turned toward the command tent.
"Bring the commanders inside. We need to decide how we enter Lanka before Vanka has time to prepare for us."
