“Anything, you need only ask,” one of the guards said as he smiled at her. Gin noticed that the smile not only did not go to his eyes, but his eyes seemed to stop just short of her chin. She wished that she had thought to put on her traveling cloak—her tunic was thin and by this point in their journey, a bit threadbare in parts.
“I need a set of maps if any of you have them to spare? The territory is unfamiliar to us,” Gin said, as she pointedly folded her arms across her chest.
“I did offer the lady my services as a guide if you do not have maps to spare.” Josiah appeared from behind one of the columns in the room. Gin cursed herself for not checking her surroundings more carefully.
“Hello again, Josiah,” she said, mentally willing him to go away.
Before you start, Sath, YES, Josiah is here, and I’ve got this, so -
I didn’t say anything!
You felt it really loudly. And stop growling.
“I have been concerned about you, my Lady,” he replied, extending his hand. She placed hers in his cold grip, and he lifted it to his lips, kissing the backs of her knuckles. Something in the gesture was so familiar to her, so like interaction with Dorlagar, that she shivered. “You are clearly not familiar with the drafty hovels in which my kind choose to live, my Lady. Here, let me help,” he said, removing his cloak and wrapping it around her shoulders before she had a chance to object.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said, forcing a smile. “Now, my map, if you please, gentlemen?” The others scurried off with several less than clandestine winks in Josiah’s direction. Gin took a seat at the table to wait, sitting at the end so that he could not easily slide into a chair next to her, and he noticed. Grumbling, he took a seat to her left.
“I have something weighing on my mind, a concern for a friend who may be in grave danger. This concern keeps me awake at night, working to find a way that I may rescue my friend from what I am certain to be a most perilous situation,” Josiah said, lacing his fingers and leaning on them with his chin as he locked eyes with Gin. “My Lady, the beast you travel with means you harm, I am almost positive.”
“Sath?” Gin chuckled. “Quite the contrary. Do not forget that he is a ruler who is a skilled diplomat and military leader—and he has been the most efficient bodyguard I have ever had, as you well found out when you tried to enter our room without my permission.” She smoothed her tunic and removed his cloak, leaving it across the back of her chair. “Sathlir is no beast. You have nothing to fear as far as my safety is concerned,” she said.
“I am afraid that is not true, my Lady,” he replied. “He was quite clear about its intentions as far as you are concerned.” He scooted his chair a bit closer to hers, and she glared at him. Sath perked up in the bond, listening to as much as Gin would let him hear.
“I am not sure where you are going with this, Josiah, but I trust Sathlir with my life. If he shared any ‘intentions’ with you, I am assured that they were naught but in my own best interest.” Gin swore inwardly as she realized she’d left the knife lifted from Josiah in the room she shared with Sath.
Why do you need that knife? Do you need me?
No. Stay put, I’m fine—and stop spying on me.
Sorry, but you know that isn’t going to happen. I want to know if you need me.
“You have a pure and loving heart, my lady, and of course you want to see only the best in the Rajah, but I cannot allow you to continue to travel with such a monster all alone. If he suddenly turned on you…”
“I have heard enough,” Gin said curtly. “If you will excuse me, Josiah, I will be off to find your friends that seem to be taking far too long to secure the maps I requested. I wish you a pleasant rest.” She stood, but Josiah was on his feet far faster than she would have thought possible. After pulling his cloak off her chair and replacing it roughly around her shoulders, he clamped an arm around her and held her fast.
“NOW!” he called out, and several of the others appeared from stations around the room, making their way rapidly back the way Gin had come.
“What are you doing?” she yelled at Josiah as she struggled to free herself from his grip on her collarbone.
Gin—what is wrong? I am on my - His voice stopped abruptly and Gin had to stop herself from looking around for him until Josiah’s voice broke the silence.
“I am thinking of your safety, my Lady,” he said, beaming a smile down at her that made her scowl. Sath was blocking her from seeing what he was doing, but she could feel what he felt—anger, rage, fear for her…? A ruckus was soon heard from floors above them, followed by screams from the group that had gone after Sath and loud roaring. She lunged forward toward the stairs, but Josiah was strong.
“Sath…oh, no, don’t,” she whispered as she continued to struggle against Josiah. “You have no quarter here, don’t fight them -”
“What did you just say?” Josiah stared down at her. Gin had not realized that she had spoken in Qatunari until the words came out of her mouth.
“Nothing. What will you do with Sath?” Gin asked hastily, hoping that she could distract Josiah from her slip.
“That depends on how willingly he comes with them. The first stop will be the dungeon, but after that, I’m not sure,” he replied. “It does sound like they are having an awful time of it -” He stopped speaking and merely stared at the doorway where the others had disappeared only moments before. Gin followed his gaze, and her knees grew weak at what she saw. Sath completely filled the arch that led to the stairs. Streaked from head to clawed toes with blood, he was dragging a chain that the men must have used as a weapon. Bits of the bedpost from their room were lodged in its substantial links along with bits of gore that Gin had no interest to linger over. His teal eyes burned with bloodlust as he leveled his gaze on Josiah. The Qatu threw his head back and let out a blood-curdling roar before taking a carefully placed step toward the human male.
“Take…your…hands…off…of…her,” he said, barely able to pronounce the words clearly above the warning growl that rose from his chest and curled around each syllable. “NOW.” He took two more steps toward Josiah, each punctuated with another roar.
“Sath, stop!” Gin yelled in Qatunari. “I’m fine, he’s not hurting me.”
Sath continued his agonizingly slow walk, and the closer he got, the more Gin was able to see of him. Broken wood stuck out of his shoulder, and a blade was up to the hilt in his thigh. It was the knife she left in her bed. She swallowed back revulsion as she was able to make out human fingers still locked onto the hilt of the blade. “Last…chance,” he said menacingly as he got within staff’s length of Josiah. He held out his hand and waited, but his magical staff did not appear in his fingers.
“No staff,” Gin hissed.
“Oh, look, it’s hurt,” Josiah taunted as he tightened his grip on Gin’s shoulders and guided her back from Sath. “My friends will make quick work of you.”
“Your friends. . .are upstairs…in puddles on the floor,” Sath said, beaming a bloody and toothy smile at Josiah. “Release her. NOW.”
Gin stood very still and—after pleading with the All-Mother for Her strength—began reciting ancient words of healing as quietly as she could to send magic toward Sath’s wounds. Sath seemed to know what she was doing and reached down for the dagger in his leg, grimacing slightly as his hand closed around the dead man’s fingers to pull it free before tossing it toward Gin’s boot. The spell landed at just the same time and the wound left by the dagger disappeared. Josiah stared at the wound, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Oh, Josiah?” she said, hoping that he would turn his back to Sath when she spoke. He did. “He said to take your hands off me. Now.” He released her, still staring at her in disbelief. She shouted Elvish words that called up deadly magic and hurled all that power straight at his head, Nothing happened. The healing magic worked—was this the same magical dampening that the Mother Dragon cast over Bellesea? With a strangled cry of frustration, she picked up the knife
from the blood-streaked floor and ran at Josiah, plunging it into his arm just above the elbow.
That was the only distraction Sath needed. With his improved mobility, thanks to Gin’s healing spell, he pounced on Josiah and grabbed him by his head, not caring that his deadly claws raked the dragonkind’s scales on both sides of his face. Josiah howled in pain and fear, and Gin looked away, knowing what would come next. The crack of bones breaking silenced Josiah’s wails, and it was followed by the wet thump sound of his body hitting the stone floor. She looked back to see Sath standing there looking at her, panting as he tried to calm the bloodlust still raging through his system. She took a step toward him, but he held up one of his still bloody hands to stop her.
“You…still smell like…him,” he said, each of his words punctuated by a sharp intake of breath. “Stay…over there.”
“You need help, Sath, part of the bedpost is stuck in your back.” Gin ran around behind him, careful to stay out of the swiping distance of his powerful arms. She focused her magic on the wound in his back through their bond.
Speak to me in the bond, Sath—the less noise we make, the better. We need to get out of here, they will send more guards at any minute.
Just leave lots…of space between us because I…I’m sorry…I might hurt you.
You won’t hurt me. But I have an idea.
Gin was utterly unconvinced of her own statement. She swallowed hard and dashed through the doorway, Sath lumbering along behind her as fast as he could. Clearly he could still detect the human’s scent on her, and it stoked his bloodlust like poker to a bonfire that forced him to chase her -- exactly what she wanted him to do. The steps seemed endless, but finally, her feet hit the grass, and he followed.
I will…stay over here…until it passes. Get that human’s scent off your body, Gin, please?
It was only his hands on my shoulders, Sath, I can’t believe that much of his scent rubbed off on me. It’s not like I’m wearing his…Oh…
She froze for a second and raised her hand to her throat. She forgot that when Sath stumbled into the great room, Josiah had pulled his cloak back up around her shoulders and fastened it there. She undid the clasp at the neck and tossed the fabric to Sath, who was sitting on the ground. He immediately took a deep breath and then ripped the cloak to shreds, snarling and hissing. Gin took a step back but did not run away—she kept her gaze on him until he was finished destroying the cloak. The snarling and hissing had stopped, but he was still breathing heavily. Gin fought the urge to back away from him—when the feral side of Sath emerged, it chilled her to her bone. But just like her scars left from the wizard, this was a part of Sath that she had to be able to accept.
Feel better now? Sath?
Sath inhaled deeply. Mmm, sunflowers. Yes, yes, I do.
Gin exhaled. Good, because you’ve probably attracted half of the guard. You have to trust me.
Of course I do, don’t be daft.
No, really trust me. Completely.
Sath struggled to get to his feet. Gin watched him, her hands on her hips. Sath got to his feet and moved slowly toward her, and she was glad to see his burning teal gaze softening as he looked down at her.
Gin…I trust you. Get this board out of my shoulder blade, would you?
She tugged on the stubborn shard of wood. It released from his hide with a sickening wet sound, and he roared in pain. Soon her healing magic was again washing over him, and the hole in his back began to close over with new skin.
Stand still. Oh, and Sath?
Yes?
Thank you for saving me.
I told you, I will always come for you. Always.
Gin held up a small bag of coins that she found in Josiah’s cloak before she tossed it to Sath. “Now we need to get moving,” she said. “And no more interference with the locals, understood?”
“As you wish, Nature Walker,” he said, mischief dancing in his teal gaze. Gin glared at him, and he nodded, still grinning. “As you wish.” Gin rolled her eyes and then returned his grin. She looked down at her feet and noticed mist swirling around her boot. The Mother Dragon’s roar filled their minds—another trap defeated!
Twenty-One
In the Ikedrian Embassy
Ellie. Ellie? Elspethe, WAKE UP! It had been like this every morning for weeks now. Once Ellie discovered Taeben squatting in the back of her mind, he took advantage of her awareness to wake her up at sunrise as often as he could. This particular morning she tried to ignore him and stay in bed. She had been up very late the night before working on the research he dictated to her. At first, she was so happy that he was there at all—even if he was only a quiet voice in the very back recesses of her mind. He had not taken over her body anymore since that last time in her workroom, but he kept her busy night and day, finishing the mass control spell that he had worked on with the dragon in Bellesea Keep.
“Don’t you have anyone else to bother?” she said aloud as she dragged herself out of bed and toward the kitchen in her apartment. A single tendril of flame from her finger set the kitchen fire alight, and she rubbed her eyes as she pulled a box of tea from the cupboard along with a mug. Once the fire was hot enough, Ellie picked up the kettle from the hearthside, filled it at the pump in the sink, and then stumbled over to hang it over the fire. The hand holding the bottom of the kettle got a bit too close, and she jumped as the flames licked around her hand—causing her to drop it.
What are you doing? Who has hurt you?
I am fine, A’chrya, just a bit clumsy this morning.
You must be more careful, my dark flower. I need you intact—body, soul, and mind.
Ellie couldn’t decide if his concern was for her as an equal or as a piece of property. She hung the kettle—carefully this time—and then filled the mug with tea leaves as she waited for the water to boil.
I don’t know why you don’t just conjure your tea as I showed you how to do, Elspethe.
There is no need to do so when I can still make it with my own two hands, A’chrya.
If you are not careful, you will not have two hands, my dear.
Ellie scowled. After a few moments, the kettle whistled, and she removed it carefully from the hearth and poured the boiling water into the mug. She took a deep breath as the aroma of the tea swirled up in the steam and surrounded her like a warm hug from her family. Tea was an essential part of Ikedrian life, and the specific blend that Ellie had with her was handed down in her family for centuries. She sipped the warm liquid and closed her eyes for a moment.
You’re stalling.
Oh, A’chrya, if you could taste this tea you would understand, it must be savored.
Ginny used to make me tea. She was never very good at it.
Surely she had other...talents. Ellie bristled angrily.
Oh, dark flower, you must move past this anger and—jealousy you feel for Ginny. She no longer stands in the way. Because would I kill her with my bare hands if I were able, but you took care of that for me. You were very thorough. I am pleased.
A’chrya, what if they are still alive?
If they are alive, then they will be stuck in the Void. And if they are here where I am, I will find them. Ginny and her beast will wish they had never been born.
It could also be the Mother Dragon has them, but either way, the outcome is -
What did you say?
Ellie realized she had said too much, but she just assumed that he had crawled around in her mind enough to know the extent of her plan.
Answer me, Elspethe, or I will find the answer on my own.
She focused her energy on shutting him out, one barrier at a time. He was buzzing angrily about but wasn’t saying anything—and she hoped that he was distracted enough that he couldn’t gain traction and take her over entirely as he had done before. She had things to do today and needed to be completely present to do them. She was going after the Rajah and the Nature Walker.
Once the tea was gone and Ellie had gotten herself dressed, she was ag
ain in her workroom, this time engrossed in reading passages from Taeben’s journals. She was studying the sections that dealt with his time in Bellesea Keep, his notes on learning Eldyr, and how he managed to ingratiate himself to the drakes there. There were more notes about the drakes at the Temple to the Mother, which is where she needed to go next. Names of specific dragons and drakes that were friendly to him and those that were not were scribbled on the side. Ellie marveled at the organization and careful precision with which Taeben had lived his life and done his work.
You left me a perfect trail to follow, A’chrya.
Ah, so you’re talking to me again? Should I feel flattered?
I’m going to visit the Temple to the Mother.
Over my dead—oh, wait. Ellie felt him chuckle sadly. May I ask why, since you have shut me out of most of your mind?
Research. I have a list of dragons and drakes that should be able to answer my questions.
What are you up to?
A’chrya, if I tell you, you will not let me continue.
Elspethe, if you don’t tell me, I will find out.
Ellie sighed loudly. “This would be so much easier if I could see you when I talk to you! If we were once again on equal footing—ow!” She bent over double, grabbing her temples as pain vibrated around her head.
We have never been on equal footing, Elspethe Turlach. Do not assume otherwise.
Of course. I am sorry, A’chrya—please, stop, please?
The pain ceased with such swiftness that the lack thereof almost made her dizzy. She would not make that mistake again. Through the lingering pain, she managed to block the part of her mind that held on to the plan—the plan to get to the Mother Dragon and kill the Nature Walker herself. Then her A’chrya would be avenged, and he could finally move on and leave her be. Ellie smiled sadly. She had never thought she would feel that way about Taeben’s death, not when he was alive anyway. But now that he had the power to enter her mind, control her body—that could not be allowed to continue. She had to get rid of him somehow, and since the dragons were the first to use the bond it was there, she would learn how to free herself—or how to find the Nature Walker and the Rajah and see them die for their parts in Taeben’s death.
Darkness: A Guardians of Orana Novel Page 18