"Wait!" Vera shouted.
August turned and saw her run out the front of her tower. He and Fei stood outside. Their horses sat in front of them, waiting to be mounted.
Vera carried a staff tipped with a chunk of obsidian. It looked expensive.
"Wait," she repeated, then doubled over to catch her breath.
"We're waiting," August drawled.
Vera shot him a glare, then winced and tried to look less angry. After a few moments, she calmed herself enough to speak.
"I'll come with you," she said.
"I gathered," he replied, nodding at her staff. "Do you have a mount?"
Vera opened her mouth, but then saw the automaton horses. She gulped and looked away, a grimace crossing her face.
"Not one that will keep up with yours," she muttered. "My summons are more like golems. Slow, sturdy bulwarks that can punch a hole through steel plate. Not tireless steel draft horses."
