The Holigeng Highlands lie at the center of the Ao’Mahgar Grandcrystal. Vast, sweeping slopes cover most of the land. If a man were to stand upon a sky-isle and look down, he would see the highlands rise and fall like great waves, wrinkled and uneven, rolling in from every direction. Across those waves are strewn countless tiny openings, hollows and caves beneath the surface. Scattered here and there are flat-topped mountains, and innumerable crystal pillars thrust high into the clouds.

  Upon the hills of the Highlands, the Kyladin warriors were in training. Agud’Aga Skichip had set them to face one another in turn. They rode six-legged beasts, swift across steep, broken ground. Their weapons were o’whips for binding, or o’staves with rounded heads for striking an opponent from his k’lax.

  “Let’s see how you plan to beat me this time.” With a smug grin, Hudyn seized the long horns of his k’lax and charged straight toward Ramii.

  Ramii did not urge his k’lax forward at once. He leveled his o’staff at his opponent, and called out, “Come on, then!” And he wheeled his k’lax and sent it racing in the same direction as Hudyn.

  “Ho! Look at the little rat—running already, are you?!”

  “We’ll see who the rat is!” Ramii shot back, glancing over his shoulder.

  “Turn around and prove it!” Hudyn roared.

  While in pursuit, Hudyn stayed vigilant, wary of his opponent suddenly swinging his staff in a counterattack. He shouted after Ramii, “I know all your tricks! You won’t fool me!”

  “Haha! Already wary of being outwitted?” Ramii laughed. “What you fear is what you’ll get!”

  They rode hard down the slope. Just as Hudyn drew close, Ramii made his k’lax swerve sharply to the side and come to an abrupt halt. Hudyn’s mount shot past, its rider yanking on the horns to force it around. At that moment, Ramii’s k’lax kicked off hard, its four hind legs driving in unison, and lunged forward, closing in from behind.

  Thud! Hudyn was flung from his mount and tumbled across the ground in a series of rolls.

  “Ow… that really hurt…” Hudyn lay sprawled on the grass, clutching his bruised shoulder, his face twisted like a monkey biting into a chili. “Can’t you fight me fair and square just once, you devil?!”

  “I’m not that reckless. If I charged you head-on, I’d be the one lying there instead.” Ramii chuckled, then hurried over to help his friend to his feet.

  The sparring match came to an end, and Skichip allowed the warriors a brief rest. In the next phase of training, he would have the Wardclans practice stealth and ambush tactics.

  ~~~

  Ramii and Hudyn, with O’Ky wings upon their backs, flew to the floating archipelago of Tuarua, not far from the highlands. This aerial battlefield was reserved for the Glooky Wardclans, directly commanded and trained by agud’Aga Voznugaid. Krutas, Londorin, and Katuo were training there as well.

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  The Glooky warriors formed the backbone of the Warhost. Their customary mounts were the red-antennaed g’loors, creatures clad in incredibly tough scales. They could also fly on their own, using O’Ky Floramina.

  Though O’Kys were slower than g’loors, they offered advantages the g’loors lacked. Their compact form allowed for greater maneuverability in tight spaces, such as dense forests or thick clusters of crystal rock. Moreover, the Glooky could conjure O’Ky swiftly and at will.

  The Ao’Mahgar Grandcrystal was filled with vast forests, rolling mountain ranges, and countless floating islands, making flight an essential and practical means of travel for both civilians and warriors.

  Nearly two-thirds of all warriors could shift fluidly between roles: Glooky—the fighters of the sky; Kyladin—those who rode beasts; and Ducan—guardians of the land. In addition, their Warhost was strengthened by the Ogoses, spirit sorcerers. Each Ogos possessed a distinct forte: defense, offense, healing, or telepathy.

  “Katuo is no longer the little boy I used to know.” Hudyn rubbed his head. “Look at that, Ramii. I can’t believe it.”

  The two stood stunned, gazing up at the heavens. A pair of massive, majestic s’goaroks swooped down onto the crystal isle they had just reached.

  The s’goaroks were fierce aerial beasts, nearly impossible to master. Their strength and speed were unmatched on the battlefield. Now, apart from the legendary figures long gone, only one ownan had ever tamed such a creature: Voznugaid. And one other—not an ownan, but Katuo.

  ‘Well met, brothers,’ said Voznugaid. ‘I had intended to seek you out. Skichip has spoken much of you both.’

  “Greetings, agud’Aga,” said Ramii.

  “Well now.” Hudyn gave a short laugh. “And what has our venerable Drill Master been whispering about us this time? Hardly anything kind, I wager.”

  ‘The agud’A says you have trained with great diligence and have made remarkable progress,’ said Voznugaid. ‘I can see it myself, in your eyes and in your bearing.’

  “That old man? Praising us?” Hudyn snorted. “I’ll believe it when I hear it from his own mouth. You Agud’Aga certainly know how to dress things up, though. Still… I won’t deny it—that old man is impressive. But don’t go thinking we’ll always play second to the ownan. Just wait. We’ll go farther yet.”

  ‘The ownan have never underestimated the henan,’ said Voznugaid. ‘Our people have always respected you. I have also heard that you showed great ingenuity in using orO’ to create a new kind of weapon called the bow and arrow. The warriors hold you in high regard and have even begun to learn from you.’

  “Aye, aye, Ramii’s good at pulling off odd little stunts no one sees coming,” Hudyn said with a lopsided grin. “But in most other things, it’ll be a long time before he ever gets ahead of me.”

  “I have been meaning to speak with you,” said Ramii. “Is there any new word about my mother?”

  ‘I am ashamed to say I have yet to uncover any further clues,’ Voznugaid replied gravely. ‘Wardbands still range the lands in constant patrol, seeking to capture any Goyk scouts they might find. Yet of late, the enemy has grown strangely silent.’

  “My mother must be suffering in the hands of the Goyk…” Ramii looked Voznugaid straight in the eye, his voice firm. “I will go to Ao’Hanoorat. Tell me how to reach it.”

  Voznugaid laid a steady hand upon Ramii’s shoulder. ‘OaaDoroa ~ Pray, take heart and grieve not overmuch for Tlyna. Let not haste drive you into deeds both futile and perilous. Our forces have but recently been gathered, and we must yet be tempered further. In due time, I shall lead them to Ao’Hanoorat myself and seek her out for you.’

  ‘When that time comes, let me know at once… I trust you.’ Ramii let his shoulders ease and unclenched his fists. ‘Now then, what was it you wished to see us about?’

  ‘I have spoken with Skichip. From this day forth, you shall join the Glooky air host. I will train you all personally.’

  After their talk with Voznugaid, Ramii and Hudyn edged closer to Katuo. They meant to wheedle from her the secret of how she had tamed the s’goarok.

  Despite their eager pleading, Katuo merely gave a sly smile. “Dream on. I’m not foolish enough to tell you. You two were too busy trading blows to heed the Master’s words. You didn’t even bother to check on me. When you see the Master again, you’ll find out.”

  ~~~