Kaira and Lance moved the horses forward.

Giska remained at Birjanji’s side as they went down the last bit of mountain slope to the desert below. The shapes moving on the desert floor slowly grew in size and Kaira realized there were more manticores than she thought.

They must number in the hundreds! How am I going to reason with hundreds of manticores? A sliver of fear crept into her that was hard to remove. Why on earth did I think I could do this? I can’t do this! Maybe we should just turn the horses around and head back to the Zunites before we’re spotted?

A great roar split the air and Kaira knew it was too late to turn back. At least I’m not alone. She looked at Lance to see the knight looking at her. Then, she gazed down at the...

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