The water remaining in Sal’s two canteens sloshed enticingly. He ignored it, despite his parched throat. No rain had fallen since the newest round of bickering began two weeks earlier. Everywhere streams dried up, river levels fell, and dark clouds evaporated without releasing so much as a fine mist. If he couldn’t get the quarreling mages to settle, or at least put aside, their differences long enough to join the humans, to put up a united front against the Ill-begotten, his water might have to last a long time.

A grim smile spread across his face. At least he had an ace up his sleeve. The human-magician Baylor. Though not as strong as full-blooded mages, the man’s magician bloodline gave him some power and standing with the favored ones. His human origins made him sympathetic to the plight of men and trustworthy in their eyes. And Sue had Baylor hidden away in the cabin…

At least Sal hoped she did. Her cryptic telepathic call sent cold prickles down his spine.

Moving. Plan A Come quick.