In the afternoon, they reached a precarious stretch where the horses could not pass. Everyone collected their essential gear and weapons as Barlow and Monte hobbled the mounts. They proceeded on foot, edging sideways along a narrow lip of rock, backs to the wall. A huge drop yawned just beyond their toes. Rollan envied Essix, gliding on the breeze while everyone else risked a tremendous fall. But nobody lost their balance, and Briggan practically ran across.
On the far side of the ledge, they caught sight of Arax for the first time.
Four peaks were in view, connected by lofty saddles and laced with snow in high, shadowy pockets. The ram stood in the distance, atop a knob of stone, backlit by the sun. Even from afar, they could see he was enormous, the massive head crowned by the curling bulk of his horns. For a moment, everyone stood frozen, and then Arax leaped down out of sight.
“That was a bit closer than last time,” Barlow said, stroking his lips with a nervous hand.
“I wish we had more daylight left,” Tarik said grimly.
“He saw us,” Barlow said. “If we wait to pursue, he could be long gone by morning.”
“Then I vote we wait,” Monte said dryly.
Tarik, Briggan, and Conor led the way forward. They stepped carefully down and across an incline composed of jumbled stone, like a huge rockslide that had ground to a halt.
Down where the rock-strewn slope ended with a drop-off, they came around an immense stone slab and got a clear view of the widest, longest ledge yet. One side of the ledge bordered the slab — the other fell away to the valley floor. Awaiting them on the ledge was Arax.
The ram stood nearly twice as tall as their largest horse. His coat was dark silver, his thick horns golden. His form was sturdy and strong, with heavy bunches of muscle at the top of the legs and throughout the neck.
Rollan gaped up in amazement. The ram’s sheer size made him feel as though he had shrunk. This animal was older than nations, and somehow that long history seemed woven into its majestic presence. This was not a creature you stole things from — it was a creature you revered. Rollan glanced at his companions, who stood awestruck.
Arax’s ears twitched. He gave a snort, and his forelegs stamped restively. Rollan wasn’t sure what the ram expected. Were they supposed to speak? Should they run? Bow down? Arax’s eyes were unsettling, yellow as raw egg yolks, with horizontally slit pupils.
“You seek me openly,” Arax declared in a resonant voice. Rollan wasn’t sure whether he heard it with his ears, or just his mind. It seemed impossible that this gigantic beast could speak. “I have encountered two of you humans before. I let you depart in peace. Why have you returned?”
“We were guided here by a vision from Briggan,” Barlow said.
Arax cocked his head. “Briggan?” The ram’s nostrils flared. “Yes, I see. I sensed uncanny presences. I recognize them now. They are different than when we last met. Briggan and Essix. Their time has come again.”
Rollan checked the sky. Essix wheeled nearby, drifting on a breeze.
With a flash, Meilin produced Jhi. The panda sat and stared at Arax.
“Jhi as well,” Arax said, tossing his head. “Uraza?”
“Uraza is not with us,” Tarik announced. “But she has also come again.”
“I welcome their return,” Arax said. “They are far from all they once were, barely saplings, but grandeur oft proceeds from lowly origins.”
“The Four Fallen have not returned alone,” Tarik said. “The Devourer is back.”
“Ah,” Arax said. “You seek counsel. Old forces have grown active. You can cage a Great Beast, but not forever. Gerathon and Kovo are stirring.”
Tarik started. “Is the ape loose? Has the serpent escaped?”
“If not, it will not be long. I am not as sensitive to such matters as some. Tellun is greatest.”
Briggan barked.
Arax dipped his horns. “And Briggan, in his time. Some of the others.”
“The Devourer will come after your talisman,” Tarik said. “With respect, we have come to ask if you would lend it to us. We will need help in the upcoming war.”
Arax snorted and stamped, the impact of his great hoof against the rock ringing out like a blow from a sledgehammer. “My talisman? Utter no such folly in my presence.”
Landing on Rollan’s shoulder, Essix screeched. Her talons bit into him, digging through his cloak.
Rollan swallowed and gathered his voice. “I don’t think she agrees,” he ventured.
The yolk-colored gaze turned to him. “I understand her much better than you do,” Arax rumbled. “The Fallen held that united resistance was the solution. And they fell.”
Briggan growled. Essix gave a long cry and stretched her wings. Even Jhi rose up, staring at Arax with uncharacteristic intensity.
“It’s also how the Devourer was stopped,” Tarik said. “It’s how Kovo and Gerathon were caged.”
“Should they have been caged?” Arax challenged. “Their hate has fermented. They can’t be destroyed, not permanently, not while our order remains. Bad things happen when our kind come together in anger. Better for us to remain apart in our own realms. None claimed my talisman in the previous war, and none will claim it now.” The ram once again raised his hoof and struck the rock. “I have spoken.”
“Is that it?” Rollan asked in disbelief.
“Please reconsider,” Tarik said. “We must have the talisman. Our foes won’t relent, so neither can we.”
Arax jerked his head high. His nostrils flared twice and his ears shifted. “Traitors!” he bellowed, eyes suddenly crazed. “Many strangers approach! You have lied, for Uraza is with them! You will pay dearly!”
The ram reared up high on his hind legs and heaved forward, charging Tarik.
16 ARRIVALS
AS ARAX LUNGED, TARIK DOVE ASIDE, NARROWLY AVOIDING the charge. The ram’s huge horns struck the stone slab with the force of an earthquake. Chunks of rock exploded out, and a web of cracks spread across the hard surface. The ledge vibrated beneath Meilin’s feet.
Tarik pulled his sword out, and his otter appeared with a flash. Arax sprang again, but this time Tarik flipped gracefully out of the way.
Meilin surveyed the battleground. The ledge was very wide where they currently stood, and ran more or less level before it tapered to nothing in front of them. Beyond the lip of the ledge, a sheer drop awaited.
With a burst of light, Barlow released Jools. The grizzly bear slammed into Arax’s rear leg, sliding the ram sideways and forcing him to quickstep to avoid stumbling. Arax kicked out sharply and caught the bear with a glancing blow from his huge hooves that sent Jools tumbling along the ledge.