by Linda Palmer
****
Ashley nudged me with her elbow sometime later. "Is that the hotel where we'll be staying?"
I realized the lighted temple did look a little like a ritzy hotel. "Close enough." Two long hours of walking had taken their toll. Ashley held Brady, no doubt to give her short legs a rest from walking. But even a kid as small as Brady could get heavy. I knew Ashley's arms had to be aching.
"Will we be able to change into some dry clothes?"Ashley grimaced at her own dampish ones.
"I'll see what I can do." I smiled at Brady. "Hungry?"
Brady nodded eagerly.
"Then an early breakfast is first on our list of to-dos."
Cadrow, who'd led the Sairon procession, bowed in greeting and spoke to me for the first time. "Guardian Alleana, Tirafalen will take Rocc to the healing temple and see to him. You and your friends can find comfort and rest here. Please tell us what you need."
I thanked him even as Kenny whispered to John, "He's treating her like a grown up."
"Saw that." John sounded pretty impressed.
We soon climbed the stairs of the stately structure, which bustled with activity even though sunrise was at least an hour away. Mandaus, the young architect from yesterday, greeted us warmly and led us to a huge room furnished with big beds, tons of pillows, and, best of all, a long dining table. Color abounded in the tapestries, curtains, and comforters.
Ashley heaved a sigh of satisfaction and set Brady on her feet. "Now this is what I'm talking about."
I smiled my approval of the bright décor. "The girls will need a room of their own, and a couple of bathrooms would sure be handy."
"No problem." Mandaus's eyes gleamed with the challenge. Motioning to three young women—teen triplets, actually, who circled him with their palms touching high-five style—Mandaus raised a wall, dividing the room neatly in two. I heard a "Wicked!" and a couple of gasps from the poPs, who watched in amazement.
Mandaus and his assistants rearranged the furniture next, created the requested bathrooms, and then asked, rather pompously, "Will you eat now, or do you prefer to bathe first?"
"Breakfast, please," I said. "Even if the sun isn't quite up yet."
Clearly enjoying the awe and amazement of the kids, the young architect indicated that they should sit at the dining table.
"Enjoy your meal, children." His words made Kenny snort and Ashley to roll her eyes.
I could guess why. As Matt had noted earlier, Mandaus didn't look a day over seventeen, himself. Almost immediately several people came into the room carrying trays heaped with food. I did wish I had duenoar to pay for the lavish array of Balmythran fruits, vegetables, and trussels, a flaky pastry drizzled with local honey. The kids wouldn’t have a bit of trouble digging in, I decided, finally feeling comfortable.
Matt took a seat next to me and leaned close. "What do you think that’s all about?"
I followed his gaze and found Jor deep in conversation with several older Sairons. When I tried to sense his emotions, I realized he’d blocked them from me, as had the men with whom he conversed.
"Are you picking up anything?" Matt knew I'd try.
"No."
"Isn’t that a little odd?"
"It’s a lot odd." But even odder, I realized, was the unease that shimmied up my spine. It came from within...my mental alarm system. Now watching the group closely, I tried not to look too obvious about my spying. I pretended to eat and once again tried to probe their thoughts. At once, one of them focused on me. I immediately stuffed my mouth with a piece of trussel.
"These taste like pop rocks." Kyle's comment, which had to refer to the rolled-up burstel leaves, distracted me, but a half second later, I peeked at Jor just in time to see one of the Sairons pat his shoulder in an approving sort of way. All of them then left the building.
Matt jumped up. "I’ll be right back."
To my surprise, he walked to that same door and followed the men outside. Several tense seconds passed before he reappeared, and in that time, my sense of trouble tripled. When he came back into the room and sat down again, I leaned close to hear his report.
"They seem to be leaving the city. Something about the way they’re slipping around really has me worried. I think we should follow them."
I almost spewed my talapanis juice. "What?"
"We should follow them now." Matt grabbed my hand and as good as dragged me across the vast room, out the door, and into the impending dawn.