Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 702
"What soldiers?"
"The army of Thalience."
Marya looked at Axel, her eyebrows raised. He
shrugged. "We'll be right there, as soon as we collect
Calandria."
"Axel, there's no time!" The hawk unfolded its wings
and leapt into the air. "Follow me!" It flapped north.
Axel put his hand on Marya's shoulder. "You two go
with the bird. I'll collect Cal and follow along."
"How will you find us?"
"I've got a fix on the Voice's transponder. Don't worry, I
won't be long." The hawk was perched on a branch, watching
impatiently. Axel watched Marya and the Voice stalk through
the underbrush in its direction; then he inhaled a cold breath of
mountain air and turned the other direction. The hawk cawed at
him. He ignored it.
She was nearby. He had to know she was okay. Once he
had her he would collect Mason and head back to the ship.
With luck they could be offplanet within the hour, and with
further luck Calandria and Jordan Mason would be able to tell
the fleet enough to halt the planned bombardment.
He thudded over the tangle of roots and fallen pine
needles, attention focussed on the signal he could sense ahead
of him. It was closing on his position. She must have sensed
him as well. He grinned, starting to relax.
Abruptly the trees opened out to define a well-tended
trail that slotted east to west through the forest. He looked to
his left, saw nothing, and turned to his right--
--Two horses came at full gallop over a ridge not twenty
meters away. The lead rider shouted something and lowered a
weapon across his arm.
Axel jumped back. There was a loud bang and splinters