Hu’gan watches us intently, then speaks to Grifton. “No one leaves tonight. Hiding is far too easy during the darkening hours. Tomorrow I will send two Beljeem Warriors with you and Belinda to head towards the Stone dragons. Be our ambassadors, coming to visit and let them know how their Stone dragons are happily settled and have found their fated riders. Do whatever you can to learn from them and listen. Perhaps the lone Xi was hunting for a way home after being separated from his group.”
“Ambassadors?” Both Belinda and myself repeat in unison, however our inflections of the word are different.
Hu’gan raises one white brow and looks from me to Belinda. “If it meets with the King and Queen’s permission.” He gives me a slight bow of his head. I’m sure my face is a shade of pink for questioning him. I only meant, I guess I was concerned because of Belinda. I don’t know why he thought she should go.
“And why do you think she shouldn’t?” Dreyth’s words swirl in my head a moment before he rounds the corner to join us.
Before I can shoot off a recounting of Belinda’s story, he stops me. “Jenkor told me I should find you and briefed me on what has transpired.” Turning to Belinda, he brightens. “Thank you for reporting back to us in a swift manner. We never know what could be brewing and I like this idea of a delegation of ambassadors visiting the Stone dragons. It could strengthen our relations. Please, eat then rest. I will speak to all of you at first light before you leave.”
If eyes could look like stars, hers certainly did as she smiled at Dreyth, then the rest of us before dodging away.
“Grifton, follow us to my lair. I want to check something with you.”
I’m dumb-struck. Am I the only one that believes Belinda is not trustworthy? Shaking my head, I turn to follow Dreyth. Grifton shuffles forward to tell Hu’gan something and runs to catch up with us. Dreyth remains quiet until we step into his lair.
“Grifton, I need to see if the crystal will let you touch it. For that reason, I wish for you to sit upon my bed, as far away from the floor as possible. Seyra, I’d like for you to pick up the crystal and hand it to Grifton”
Surely, I must look like a fish out of water. I feel my mouth moving but no words reach my tongue. It’s at that moment I hear a brush of a chuckle stirring my thoughts.
“Sparrow. Trust me. The crystal allowed you to understand the Stone dragons and it also gave us a powerful shield. If they run into trouble, the crystal should help them.”
I hadn’t thought of any problem with understanding the Stone dragons. The ones visiting are making great progress understanding us. But Dreyth is right, the crystal offers protection— but traveling away from the Spires with it? And with Belinda? What happens if someone tries to take it from them? All these thoughts run over themselves in my mind as I carefully pick up the crystal with the edge of my neck scarf and cautiously bring it to Grifton.
Even in the coolness of the lair, beads of sweat appear on Grifton’s forehead and upper lip. I nibble on my lip. Right as I lean forward to place it on Grifton’s hand, a blue light flares out, circling Grifton. My eyes grow wide. Grifton’s hair flairs away from his head and shoulders. The next instant his scream fills the chamber. Falling to the ground, I wrap my hands over my ears. My head explodes with so many sounds, I want to rip my ears from my head. I rock back and forth, sobbing. My palm is on fire, burning with heat! I look at it and the marking the crystal left is outlined in gold, silver and blue.
As I rise, I spot Grifton flat on his back, blood oozing from his hand. His dark hair is shocked full of white strands. His eyes are unblinking, staring vacantly at the ceiling. A slight trail of drool escapes his mouth. Seeing him like this is more than I can take and I crumble against the floor. The next thing I hear is Elky screaming her brother’s name, and the thunderous roars of dragons.
Author’s Note
I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey so far. If so, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a brief review telling me you did. Please keep inform of the upcoming releases by following my author page on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Rush-Cowperthwait/e/B078HTLP5X
Below, you will find most of my published books.
Elvictus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0842WZZ88
Ashera of the Kingswood https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0842XNHHY
The Legend of the Dragon Child complete series https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QQF8VK5
The Legend of the Dragon Child https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TYH53TR
The Legend: Revealed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L1YDVJT
Zelspar and the Magicians https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QHGBB16
The Time of Awakening https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VJDR24G
The Spires of Dasny https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BT6W6TK
The Renegade Shifters https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C6BG6SB
Cobwebs and Dreams https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K62XTNC
From my pen name, Leafy Forest:
Shining Wings McClaire and the Merry Makers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0821PC1MV
The Spires of Dasny: 2: Queen of Dragons Page 20