Hearing snorted grunts and heavy steps from behind me, I turned in the saddle and was astonished to see that the herd of Tricans had come about and was coming up into a position behind me in a long, staggered out line.
I waited as they came close, only to drift to a stop and then stare steadily into the West, not moving a muscle. I got off Phalon and approached the massive female not far from me.
She turned her great head to regard my approach with a keen interest. Laying a hand on one of her horns I patted her great snout with the other, "The years have been kind to both of us. Thank you for this last service on behalf of the Kingdom."
Her eyes blinked and I walked away. Warriors had already started to outfit Phalon with his heavy chain link regalia of war. Glancing back to the West I acknowledged that war would soon be upon us.
A second flurry of dust off to the East had me looking in that direction with concern. As the dust got closer I recognized the banners of the Knights that had forsaken their kingdoms to come with us to the forest.
Before long Falarin pulled up before me in a cloud of dust as what looked like the entire army of gathered nations of Ayenathurim fanned out to either side of my position.
In grave concern I addressed Falarin, "You left the people undefended?"
He shook his head and with a smile said, "They are in no need of our protection. The great high order beasts of the forest have surrounded the encampment as a living wall of defense against any opposing enemies. No enemy would dare to even attempt to get through their line. We have come to aid you in the fight."
Walking to his horse I put my hand on his leg and said, "Falarin, there are many battles, but this one today will be different than all the others."
He leaned forward to me with a look of earnest passion that said he was every inch the King that I knew him to be and said, "There are two ways to enter into the glory of the kingdom. One can wait in earnest expectation of it," he gestured off to the East with one hand, "Or one can ride straight into it." He gestured off to the West with his other hand. "I choose to enter it by your side Benaiah, unworthy that I am of the honor of doing so."
I nodded and said, "Then it will be so. Thank you for coming Falarin."