Morning.
Talen looks under the covers and notices that Logan is still wearing his pants. She is still wearing her dress. “What happened?”
“Nothing to gossip about.” Logan turns to his side to face her.
“Nothing happened between us?”
“I couldn’t take advantage of you. The elf part of you came out though. I almost couldn’t restrain myself.”
“Thank you for not taking advantage of me.”
“I thought you were going to take advantage of me. I was so ready to let you.”
She pulls the covers up over her.
“I’ve already sent for your normal clothes. I did tell a little lie. I told them that we slept together. I have a reputation.”
He gets out of bed and notices her clothes on the dresser. He lays them on the bed.
“Will you tell me something?”
“I suppose you’ve earned it.”
She gets out of bed and hurries to get dressed.
“I was sent to find Bessy. Her father needs her back home. But I was also sent to find you.”
“What for?” She spots a tray of fruit on the dresser. She picks at a few pieces.
“To bring you to the Veiled Haven.”
“Not another druid who is supposed to bring me to the Veiled Haven.”
“I’m not Deegus. He was going to kill the dragon. He knows the consequences of killing you, so he won’t do that. But when he killed the dragon, he was going to use your misery to send you into the darkness. Talen, the Veiled Haven is not a nice place. Before you reach it, there is a path that is saturated in darkness. Whispers come from the dark. They will tempt you. And you will give in. It’s the only way into the Veiled Haven.”
“Deegus mentioned something about me being the one to accept the temptation or something like that.”
“It’s true. But your dragon doesn’t have to die. Deegus is serving another purpose. One that is in line with the elves.”
“I won’t give in.”
“Yes, you will. To some of it.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I have.”
She stops eating. “You’ve been there. Of course, I remember. What dark temptations did you give into?”
“It caused me to become the man that I am now. I had to give up everything.”
“What did you get in return?”
“Those temptations aren’t about getting something in return. It’s giving you what you want without actually giving anything. You want to be a Master. It’ll give you that. You want Remy dead? Desmond dead? It’ll give you that.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s what drove Remy’s uncle mad. He wanted to have his druid powers back. He got them. He never lost them. It activates what you already have. He’s the reason the Veiled Haven was closed off to everyone.”
“I have a necklace that has an interesting tale attached to it.”
“You want to hear the rest of the tale?” He pops a piece of melon into his mouth.
She sits down on the bed. “I knew that woman was keeping things from me. I’d rather you tell me why Remy’s uncle went mad?”
“Remy’s father didn’t possess strong druid abilities. It was easier for him to forget what he is. But after Hestin showed no sign of improvement, Tully lost his mind. He embraced the druid magic. He ended up damaging his heart and the elf queen came to the rescue. She offered a heartfruit to him. The harpy queen also allowed too much magic to taint her, causing her heart to break. She was given half of the heartfruit.”
“My aunt controls Remy’s father’s heart and the harpy queen’s heart?”
“She put a curse upon the heartfruit. They were going to suffer because she is a bitter woman. Heartfruit used to grow in Dragmoore when dragons ruled. But seeing how people would abuse the trees which the fruit grows on, the Masters burned them all. What they didn’t know was the elf queen was growing an orchard of her own. She made deals with people who wanted to live forever. As long as the heartfruit remains healthy, it can keep you alive forever.”
“Poor Remy.”
“Remy doesn’t remember everything that happened but he remembers some things. Desmond knows everything that happened. He remembers everything. They are both keeping things from you.”
“Is that supposed to make you a better candidate to be my lover?”
“No. I am a liar too. But I don’t mind telling the truth. Like telling you why you are drawn to Remy.”
How has her life come to this? Going on a journey to reach the Veiled Haven to prove her father’s innocence and her own, then getting swept up in a romance with Remy, only to find herself on the footsteps of a painful truth to her lineage.
“There’s a secret that his father kept from him. It’s about his lineage.”
“What is it?”
“If I tell you, it’ll change how you feel about him. It’ll make you see why you are meant to be with him. Maybe you don’t want to be with him.”
“Tell me.”
“I can’t. Remy needs to hear it first.”
Talen thinks back. There was a time that Kip responded to what Remy said, as if Remy did talk to him the same way she talks to Kip. Can that be what Logan is referring to?
“You know? You’re going to block me if I try to read your thoughts.”
“Who are the people in that tale about the necklaces?”
“They are yours and Remy’s ancestors. They are fated lovers. They are also descendants of the first humans created.”
“Remy talked to Kip. They understood each other. He is a Master.”
Talen meets up with Buckman.
Logan is walking along the beach close to the dock. Kip walks in step with him but keeps his distance.
“I know you can understand me. I don’t need you to speak to me.”
How did you stop me from talking to you?
“Do you remember speaking to Remy?”
I did not speak to him.
“But you can.”
Don’t confuse me more.
Deegus is dragged over. He has been beaten.
“What have you done to him?” Talen asks.
Two elves kick him in the face.
“Don’t feel sorry for him. He is a bastard,” Buckman says.
“Did he tell you something while you were rolling around in bed?” Deegus asks.
“Shut up,” Talen says.
“Whatever he told you is a lie.”
“No. It’s not.”
“Did he tell you why he was sent after you?”
“Yes.”
“I can tell you why I was sent after you.”
“To kill my dragon. You aren’t getting anywhere near him.”
“That’s not why I was sent after you. I was sent after you to make sure that Remy dies. And that you were the one to kill him.”
“Away with you,” Buckman says.
The ship for the South Port comes in to dock. Its name is Aster. Its captain comes down the gangplank and shakes hands with the two elves holding Deegus’s arms. He nods and then points to the ship. The elves take Deegus over.
“Let me introduce you to Captain Rover,” Buckman says gleefully.
Captain Allistar Rover is older than Buckman by at least twenty years. His grey beard is long and braided. He wears a solid black hat with a solid black feather in it that trails far behind the rim. His eyes are dark, almost black like his hat. His clothes stand out with bright colors of yellow and blue.
“Grecia is awaiting their prisoner,” Captain Rover says. His voice is like a warm breeze swaying back and forth against your body.
“Talen Dragniss is going as well.”
“Gilderoy, I can’t risk my ship’s safety.”
“There’ll be no trouble. It’s only me and my dragon.”
“Dragon?”
She points to the beach where Kip is trying to fly. Logan watches him anxiously.
“Well, I’ll be… that is something.�
�
“Dragons have returned to Dragmoore,” Talen says.
Logan runs over. “You leaving now?”
“That dragon will bring a smooth sail.” He puts his hand up to Logan. “One druid on board is enough.”
“My journey lies elsewhere.”
Talen brings Logan away from the captains. “You said you were taking me to the Veiled Haven.”
“I am. I have something to take care of. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
She returns to the captains. “How soon before we leave?”
“Within the hour,” Rover says.
“I’ll be ready.”
Talen whistles to Kip. He comes running. “We are going on that ship to Grecia. Are you okay with going there?”
No. But I am going wherever you go.
“Everything will be okay, Kip.”
Remy is ready to leave this vale. Unfortunately it isn’t up to him when he leaves. He’s not sure what the elf queen wants with him. She reveals some things about herself, her family, and Talen. Thinking it’ll change his mind. She’s clearly never had real love in her life.
“How long do you plan to keep me here?”
Elves come and go before their queen on her throne. Lots of bowing. He detects whispers but he can’t understand them.
“Until I reveal all my secrets.”
“Go on then. Tell me your secrets and then send me back.”
“You’re so determined, like your ancestor.” She snaps her fingers.
They are now walking past naked elves playing in the crystal ponds. Remy searches around himself. Did he just teleport?
“What if I allowed you to go back to Dragmoore, but only if you give up Talen?”
“I am not going back to Dragmoore without Talen.”
“Would you like to hear a story?”
“No.”
Remy has put her at a disadvantage. She can’t use magic on him in case he decides to use his druid powers against her. Overpowering him may not be an option when his emotions are unchecked. It makes him dangerous and unpredictable. Like Talen. Galaria signals to one of her female guards. The elf comes to Galaria.
“You’re taking Remy back to the South Port.”
“Yes, my queen.”
“Do I bore you, elf queen?”
“Yes. I was going to share with you the entire family history of Talen and how it relates to you, but you will not hear it.”
“Woah, how it relates to me? Are you saying that she and I are related?”
“No. But you do share a fascinating history.”
“I don’t want to hear anymore lies or exaggerated truths from any of you. I want to do my job and return home.”
She creates the portal. “Your father is dead by the way. That’s what happens when someone crosses me.”
The elf guard pushes Remy through the portal and follows him through.
Remy lands on the beach at the South Port. The elf guard pushes him further away from the portal and then she jumps back in.
Buckman hustles to get over to Remy. “There you are. You just missed them. Talen is sailing for Grecia with her dragon.”
“Why?”
“She wants to see what answers the Grecians get out of Deegus.”
“Where is Logan?”
“He’s around. But he’s leaving too. Says he’s going back home.”
“To the sea druid city?”
“He wouldn’t say where home is.”
“Captain, I have a huge favor to ask of you.”
“Say no more. I know what you’re going to say. I can get into a lot of trouble for this. I hope she’s worth it.”
“It isn’t just about getting Talen back. It’s about accepting a horrible truth.”
Logan steps out of the inn. He is about to go after Remy when he receives a tap on the shoulder.
“She is waiting for you,” a tall elf woman says.
“Right. Let’s get it over with.”
The elf woman creates a portal and sends Logan through.
Aboard the Aster, Talen stays inside the passengers’ quarters with her eyes never leaving Deegus.
“You hate me.”
“You betrayed your friend the Marksman.”
“Desmond. Ah, Desmond has had such a tragic past. You should be nicer to me. I can provide you with all of the answers you seek.”
“No one is that wise to provide all of the answers that one seeks.”
“Nevertheless, I can.”
She is tempted. She has been getting so-called truths from every direction. Only one person can tell her what is real truth and what is fake truth. The Masters. They are her salvation.
Kip is purring in his sleep. All things grow faster when they sleep. All that energy he had before has finally subsided. At this rate Kip will be a full grown dragon before they return to Dragmoore. Her thoughts drift back and forth from Kip to Remy. The prince of Dragmoore proposed to her. A proper proposal. She could have said yes. Should have said yes. Marrying royalty guarantees so much stability. To think, at the start of all this, she could have said yes when it was first brought up. She would have been married by now. Remy would have took over the throne. They might have conceived an heir in the first year of marriage. But would she still have met Kip? Most likely. The plans that were in motion outside Dragmoore would have happened regardless of the plans in motion inside the city.
She hasn’t taken care of Kip properly. She put him in danger. She is now sailing to a place that few travel to. That puts Kip in danger again. Getting to the Veiled Haven will extend that danger. She can’t give him up though. He has become part of her soul.
Her focus goes back to Deegus. Before her is a man that wanted to sabotage the entire journey. How could Desmond have been foolish enough to not see that his old friend was a traitor? Maybe Desmond did know. Maybe Desmond has been playing Talen from the start. And she’s right back to not trusting Desmond. Did she really trust him?
She decides to not talk to Deegus anymore. All that glob of nonsense coming out of his mouth has made her indignant. She can’t measure his facts against hers. She will have to wait and see what the Grecians find out through their interrogation process. She is taking a big risk going to Grecia. They control the four main sea ports and the one port near Evervale. They are very strict with their rules. Either follow them or get fed to the Gracken. The elves know better than to anger the Grecians. The only people that the Grecians have issues with are the Masters. She can’t mention that she talks to animals. She can’t mention that she thinks she’s a Master. Everyone knows that the Masters can destroy the world. They can affect the universe and vice-versa. They hold so much power for being only human. Since the Grecians aren’t magically endowed, they rely solely on their science and chemistry. It’s why some say that they manufactured the Gracken rather than it being born by two different species. She had a brief encounter with the Gracken. She’s still shocked that she could talk to it and it to her.
She finds herself dozing. Deegus can’t escape. So why is she afraid that he will?
Kip thrashing around wakes her right back up. “What is it, Kip?”
They know I’m here. They are saying that you broke a law.
“I did. I kept you a secret.”
Deegus starts laughing. “Now who is in trouble?”
Talen runs up the stairs with Kip following.
“There be Grecia,” Captain Rover says.
“Is it always misty here?”
“Aye. The humid temperatures surrounding the island always create a mist. It usually evaporates once the sun comes over the city.”
The ship hits something. A light bump from underneath. “Please don’t be the Gracken,” Talen says.
“The Gracken doesn’t patrol this close to Grecia. This is a pleasure route. Drop anchor!”
“You can’t drop anchor here.”
Rover gives the wheel to his first mate. He checks his pistol. It’s beautiful. Solid silver with a sapphire on both sid
es of the handle.
“Captain, there they be,” the crewman in the crow’s nest says.
“What does that weapon shoot?”
“Wooden bullets. When they hit the skin, they send out splinters which burrow deep into the body. If not carefully plucked free, they cause an infection which is almost always fatal. Miss Dragniss, if I may say so, you should go down below right now. I’m afraid that it has to be this way.”
Talen doesn’t argue. He’s the captain. She goes down below. Kip sits beside her. “This feels wrong.”
It’s better that we don’t interfere with the meeting.
The mist extends out to the Aster.
“Captain?” the first mate says.
“Hold your post. I will handle this.”
“Captain Rover, I hear that you have more than one passenger who wishes to see us,” a velvet-like voice says.
“One of them needs to be handled with care. The other is a foolish girl.”
“Nevertheless, you knowingly bring a criminal here who happens to still have the beast with her.” The mist parts and there is a sleek, silver boat pulling alongside the Aster. “How are we to tolerate this?” The face does not match the voice. The man has a rough exterior with white lines going across his face, down his neck, and wrapping around his arms like vines. His lips are big and floppy. His eyes are the darkest blue imaginable. Like the depths of the ocean has come to human form. His skin is pale, a shade of white never seen before. He is wearing a white hooded robe. His blue harem pants peek out from underneath. His bare feet are showered in a gold dust. Grecians are not known for their beauty, but they have attractive features all the same.
Rover jumps up onto the side of his ship and holds on by a rope. “You coming aboard, Felp?”
“No. We may build your ships but it doesn’t mean we want to be on them. Now, as for the druid, we will take him. As for the girl with the dragon, you are to turn around and take her back to the South Port.”
“She needs your help.”
“Those are your orders.”
Talen peeks out from down below. She sees Captain Rover hanging off the side of his ship, clearly talking to someone on the water.
Heir of Dragmoore- The Veiled Haven Page 23