"Why is that so funny?" Shaunna asked angrily?
Parel smiled in spite of herself. "Satchel is not in Brightbay. He has been with us the whole time,” Seeing that the others were still not comprehending, she continued. "Taren is Satchel.”
"That's impossible,” Shaunna was incredulous.
"Why," Taren asked. "You went to Brightbay looking for Garz Tish, the master of the Thieves Guild. After Parel and I broke him out of prison, I imagine he has buried himself so deep in a hole, that even he doesn't know where he is.”
Shaunna was staring at Taren, open-mouthed.
"Had you answered my question last night, I could have saved you the trip.”
"You are the greatest thief in Brightbay? The thief that some have said is the greatest in the world?" Shaunna still didn't believe it.
"I have heard the rumors that I’m considered a legendary thief in Brightbay, but world renowned? That is a bit hard to swallow. I was very careful after getting caught my first night out, but I didn't think that I was world famous.”
"You got caught your first night? How are you not in jail?" Shaunna asked.
It was Parel that answered. "I didn't report him,”
Taren stopped the inevitable questions. "We need to decide where we go from here,” He turned to Shaunna. "You said you knew where we should go.”
Shaunna smiled nervously. "We need to go to the ruins of Avaleht. There is something that needs to be retrieved from there, or you will not be able to get the Sun Fire Orb.”
Both Taren and Parel stared at her blankly.
"Avaleht was the name of the city that was the Elf kingdom’s capital,” Shaunna explained, correctly guessing the source of the blank looks. "I don't expect you to know the name. Only the Elves and those that survived the attack remember it existed at all.”
"There were other survivors?" Taren asked.
"A few,” Hope answered, "not very many.”
The conversation lulled as Shaunna passed the plates of food around, placing one on the ground in front of Narissa. The meal was consumed quickly. Shortly after, the tents were packed away, all of the gear was stowed in packs, and the fire was extinguished. The weapons that had been patrolling the perimeter of the camp all returned to their respective wielder. The little four-pointed star flew in circles in above Narissa.
"Cyan, is there anything against a wielder carrying a weapon for another wielder?" Taren asked. "That little star is bound to get tired with no place to rest.”
Cyan pondered for a moment. "It has not been done before, but it is not forbidden"
"Can you tell our little friend that..,” He realized that he did not know the weapons name.
"Her name is Amber, and yes I will tell her,” Cyan said, a touch of mirth almost detectable in the metallic voice.
The small star stopped flying in circles over Narissa and flew over to land in Taren's hand. He quickly placed her in the same pocket in which he held the strange crystal cylinder.
They followed Shaunna out of the clearing, maintaining the Easterly heading that they had been following previously. The morning had been warm and clear while they were breaking camp, but it grew foggy and damp as they moved deeper into the trees. The fog was so thick, that Taren would have barely been able to see Shaunna's back not far in front of him, had he not been an Elf. He knew that Parel would be having trouble seeing, and he did not know how well Narissa would be able to see.
Shaunna started talking as she walked. An endless stream idle chatter flowed from her lips for several hours. By the time that the fog lifted, tempers were wearing thin. As visibility improved, and the day warmed, Shaunna ceased her constant chatter. Taren smiled as he realized what happened. She had given them something to follow, even if they couldn't see. His heart swelled with gratitude as he turned and saw that Parel was still with them. The sour look on her face showed that she was not as understanding as he was towards Shaunna's vocal guide.
They walked for several hours in silence, pausing briefly to partake of a light lunch. The sun was low in the western sky as they stopped to make camp for the night. They were all too tired to pitch their tents, so they laid their bedrolls out in a copse of some sort of strange glowing trees. They quickly ate a small meal of dried meat and bread.
After dinner, Shaunna began to explain the plan for the next day. "We should reach the ruins be mid-morning tomorrow. We will want to find what we are looking for and be away from there as quickly as they can. Going there is one situation where I will be a liability.”
"What do you mean?" Taren asked.
"I am half dark elf. Places where murder has happened, are dangerous for us to linger in. The old hatreds run deep, and the spirits of the slain will rise up to slay us. I am only half, so I don't know if my Light Elf side will protect us, or if it will even delay the wrath of the dead, so we need to hurry.”
"What are we looking for?" Hope asked.
"I don't know,” Shaunna admitted. "Taren will know it when he sees it.”
"This is just great!" Parel exclaimed. "You are leading us to a place where your very presence puts us all in danger, and you can't even tell us what we are looking for?"
"I have not seen my grandmother since I was a child. She only told me what one of the two items required to obtain the orb is. It is the sword that no mortal is supposed to be capable of wielding. She did not tell me what the other one was, but she did say that the Elf king had it.”
Parel rose from her bedroll, fire burning in her eyes. "Shaunna, may I speak with you in private please.”
They walked a little way into the trees, far enough that the boys would not be able to hear them. As they stepped behind a large tree, Parel rounded on Shaunna.
"What are you doing?" She demanded. "It's like you have taken over leadership of this whole affair. Taren is the one that should be making the decisions.”
Shaunna's face was deadly serious when she answered. "I am trying to help. I don't know where the orb is, but I do know who does. My grandmother has been the guardian of the secret for the last hundred or so years. My mother was to become the next secret keeper, and we both know why that didn't happen. For three hundred years my people have hidden the orb from those that seek it. For three hundred years we have waited for the one foretold in the prophecy to come claim it. For three hundred years, we have waited for Taren,”
Parel rolled her eyes. "How can you possibly know it’s Taren?" She demanded.
"Simple, The first of the two tokens required to obtain the orb is the sword that no mortal is supposed to be able to wield. The sword that Taren used to Free Narissa from her enchantment,” She paused a moment to let that sink in. "Taren is able to wield the Star Fire Sword.”
Sudden comprehension dawned in Parel's eyes. "I was wondering what that was. I have never seen any weapon like that. I don't know why I didn't think of that.”
Shaunna listened patiently, no smile coming to her lips. "Why do I have the feeling that this was not the real reason that you asked me to come speak with you?"
The fire that had been smoldering in Parel’s eyes ignited. "You can't have him. He's mine,” She said in a low voice.
"He is not yours to have, 'Human',” There was deep dislike in the inflection with which she said the word Human. "There is more going on here than you know. There are oaths that must be kept and alliances that must be built. Something is coming that few know about. Taren is the key to everything.”
Parel made a scoffing sound in the back of her throat.
"It has been clear since you heard about my lineage that you don't like me. As wielders, it is impossible for us to lie to each other. That is the only reason I said anything. I have tried to be nice to you for Taren's sake. I even gave you something to follow in the fog this morning, because I knew that your weak human senses would have gotten you lost,” She took a step closer to Parel. "You better pray that you stay in the Kinglet's good graces. The moment you fall out of them, you are dead,” Without another word she turne
d and went back to her bedroll.
Parel watched Shaunna go in incredulous silence. Had Shaunna really just threatened her life. She slowly walked back into camp, her mind reeling with the information. What did she mean that there were oaths that must be kept and alliances that must be made? It didn't make any sense.
"Did you girls have a nice talk?" Taren asked as Parel approached.
She looked at Shaunna, and the smug look on her face caused a rage such as Parel had rarely felt to rise within her. With a loud "Harrumph", she turned and stormed from the camp.
"What was that about?" Taren asked?
"She didn't like what I had to say,” Shaunna answered. "It is no secret that she doesn’t like me.”
Narissa watched Parel as she disappeared into the trees.
"She will be all right,” Shaunna said as she wrapped herself tightly in her bedroll. She has Oran to look after her.”
It didn't take very long for her breathing to deepen and slow, as sleep overtook her. The rest of the party followed suit.
Taren had been in the midst of the same dream that he had been having every night when a voice broke through his consciousness. "Taren, wake up" He was sure he had heard the voice somewhere. It was a strange voice. It sounded a bit like one of the actors that he had seen in a play with his mother. The actor had worn a device that made it sound like he was speaking through a thin sheet of metal. The reverberation of the metal had a very peculiar effect on the voice. "Taren, you need to wake up,” The voice urged again.
Recognition began to seep through the drowsy stupor. "Cyan," He asked?
"Taren, I cannot locate, nor can I contact Oran.”
It took a moment for the severity of the comment to sink in. If Cyan could not contact Oran, that meant that Parel was missing.
"Maxx has tried to contact him as well. There is no sign of him or his wielder.”
Taren stepped out of the copse of trees so he could see the moon. It was just past midnight. Parel could be anywhere by now. He turned toward the large cat that was slumbering peacefully next to his bedroll.
"I don't think I should wake her. I wouldn't want to be on the business end of her claws again,” Taren said, stopping several feet from her.
"I will ask Amber to awaken her.”
A few moments later, Narissa rose to her paws and stretched. Taren winced at the sight of the toothy yawn and the claws that scratched at the ground. The memory of the attack was still fresh in his mind.
Narissa sauntered over and nuzzled Taren.
"Parel is missing, can you go look for her?"
Narissa bobbed her head once as an affirmation and she turned and bounded into the forest.
He decided that he should find out what was talked about between Shaunna and Parel. It wasn't like Parel to just fly off the handle, but she had been agitated since Shaunna showed up. Whatever was discussed may be an important clue as to why she had gone off alone.
Shaunna opened her eyes as Taren approached. He noticed that her right arm was tight against her body; as if she were gripping something. Her posture was not one of someone that had just awakened.
"Shaunna, what did you and Parel discuss when you had your private conversation?" He asked.
Shaunna visibly tensed. "Oh… this and that.”
“Can you be a bit more specific?”
“We discussed whether or not I was trying to wrest leadership of the quest from you, we discussed her dislike of me, and... there was one more thing... What was it?" She placed her index finger on her chin in mock concentration. "Oh yes. She told me I couldn't have you.”
Understanding began to dawn in Taren's mind. Parel had never had any competition where he was concerned. Suddenly there was an extremely attractive threat. She was jealous.
“What was your answer what was your answer to that?” He asked.
“I simply told her that you were not hers to have,” Shaunna explained in a sweet voice.
Taren had the feeling that she was not telling him everything. “What aren't you telling me?”
Shaunna shook her head. "Curse the mind link,” She sat up and faced him with a serious expression. "I told her that there are certain things that must be done that only you can accomplish. I also told her that I will kill her if she ever falls out of your good graces.”
Taren was taken aback. "YOU SAID WHAT!?" He could feel the blood running to his face. The news did not bother him as much as it should have, but he wasn't about to tell her that. "Why would you say something like that?"
Shaunna shrugged in indifference. "She has made no pretense about her feelings towards me. I just figured that I would return the favor.”
He climbed into his bedroll. "We should all try to get some rest, at least until Narissa gets back.”
He closed his eyes, his breathing slowed, but sleep did not overtake him. Why had the threat on Parel's life not upset him more than it did? He should have been furious. He should have told Shaunna to leave, and never return, but he hadn't done so. He actually found the situation rather comical. He didn't think that Shaunna would really kill Parel, but that didn't change the fact that Parel was now missing.
He was now creeping along a dark alleyway trying to get home. The shadow that had been following him was still there. He had to make the courtyard at the far end before the shadow caught him.
The temperature suddenly dropped. He raised his staff as a second shadow stepped in front of him.
"Taren,” Shaunna's voice broke through the dream. "We need to go. Narissa is on her way back, she has made a discovery.”
Taren opened his eyes and found himself to be staring into Shaunna's beautiful face. The sight was mesmerizing. He felt as if he could stare into that angelic face forever.
"Come on Taren, we need to be ready to go as soon as she gets back,” Shaunna looked around worriedly.
"What's going on?" Taren asked thickly as he climbed out of his bedroll and began to put it away. "What discovery has she made?”
"She found out why we can't contact the others. They have been taken by Silax,” She explained. "It looks like the Mother Dragon is hunting us.”
The news caused Taren to redouble his efforts at getting his bedroll put away. He had heard stories of the Mother Dragon. It was said that she was the one that had killed his father. It only took a few moments for them all to be ready to move. They waited in tense silence for any sign of their shape-shifting companion.
While they waited, Taren looked around. It was still dark and it looked like sunrise was still several hours off. His sleep had been troubled, so he was still tired.
They were all startled when Narissa burst soundlessly from the trees. In an instant, she shifted from her tiger form. She was still running as she scooped up Parel's pack and slung it over her back.
"We need to go now!" Narissa exclaimed. "She's right behind me.”
They followed her out of the east side of the trees at a brisk march. The canopy of leaves that covered the forested area hid the sky. An unnatural fear drove them forward hour after hour until they were all hardly able to place one foot in front of the other. A copse of strange glowing trees in the distance gave them a goal to keep them moving. If they could get to the safety of the trees, they might be able to rest.
The first light of dawn was just cresting the horizon when they arrived at the stand of trees. The glowing trees apparently marked the end of the forest. There were large blocks of stone that were overgrown with thick moss all over the place. The carcasses of low buildings could be made out in the distance. A sheer cliff that looked like it may have been part of a wall once reached towards the sky. The sound of a large waterfall could be heard in the distance.
Shaunna shook her head. "I had hoped to never see this place again.”
"I know what you mean,” Hope agreed. "This is where our lives were destroyed.”
"As Shaunna said, the clock is ticking. We need to find what we are looking for and get out of here; any ideas where we should start looki
ng?"
"I have an idea,” Hope said. We should start at the cliff. There is a secret door there that leads to a cavern beyond. When I was in there twelve years ago, I found something very interesting.”
"What did you find?" Shaunna asked.
"Come, I will show you. I'm sure it is still there,” Hope said as he stepped from the trees.
The group made its way towards the cliff as fast as their weary legs would move them. They were getting approaching the cliff when it happened.
"Look at the brave little worms,” A fluid voice said in their heads. "You will all make a fine snack.”
They all turned as a large black creature descended from the sky. The Mother Dragon landed between them and the forest. The dragon was enormous. Her black scales glittered in the early morning light. Her solid gold eyes glittered malevolently. She folded her wings close to her body as she took a step towards them.
Her advance was halted as a bright bolt of light shot from within the forest striking her on the side. Black scales rained from the spot that the light hit. As she turned a great stream of fire issued from her mouth, catching the forest trees on fire. The trees burned for a few moments until a bright blue flash extinguished the flames.
"The Ice Blade,” Silax growled and advanced on the forest.
"Let's go,” Shaunna suggested. "Now would be a good time to get into that cavern that Hope found.”
They all turned and continued on their way. Large, mossy, stone blocks lay scattered throughout the area, overgrown with various forms of vegetation. As they came around an especially large block, the area opened into a vast expanse that was overgrown with wildflowers, ferns, and other plants
"Behold, the Gardens of Night," Shaunna said, a distinct note of sadness in her voice. With no hesitation, she led them into the gardens.
They had not gone far when the ground opened up under Taren, and he fell several feet into a room below. As he entered the room the torches along the walls came to life. He rolled over on his back and laid there trying to recover the breath that had been knocked out of him.
Master's Mind: The Dagger of Dragon Rose: Book 1 Page 11