Amarune was at a loss for words.
She thought back over everything that had happened. Whether they had run into an ambush or discovered a hidden resource site, Ye Wei'an's predictions had never been wrong. It was as though he could see everything.
As a Wizard who had advanced from a Trickster, Amarune had gone from using magic to studying it.
The further she explored magic and the more deeply she understood the mysteries of the Weave, the clearer it became to her just how extraordinary his mastery of divination would have to be to sense things so precisely at such a distance—or else he possessed a gift she could not begin to understand.
The gap between them left her stunned and a little discouraged. I'm supposed to be the professional Scout here...
"Everyone, put away your weapons," Ye Wei'an suddenly ordered.
"My lord?" Amarune was not the only one surprised. Even Ailian looked startled.
"That's an order." Ye Wei'an's tone left no room for argument.
The knights hesitantly lowered their crossbows and sheathed their swords, though their hands remained on the hilts. Amarune and Ailian put away their short swords as well.
Ye Wei'an rode forward alone to the widest stretch of riverbank. Facing a reed bed that appeared empty, he cleared his throat and called out in a ringing voice, in Draconic, "Greetings, Swift Spear Lizardfolk!"
His voice carried across the river, startling several roosting waterbirds into flight.
No one answered.
Ye Wei'an continued, "We come from a human clan to the north. We're your new neighbors! Today, we've brought gifts and goodwill, and we hope to speak with those who lead your tribe. Please come out and meet us!"
Still no one answered.
One second passed.
Then two.
Then ten.
Only the wind rustled through the reeds,