He narrowed his eyes. “Do you often question people you’ve just met in such a way?”
“Only those who I am trusting to aid me during battle.”
“And you do not trust me?”
“I cannot say for sure. However, you are too thin and far too pretty to be a fighter. And I doubt that beast at your side would measure up against a horde of elves—or a dragon, for that matter.” She turned to Kull. “Tell me again why we’re taking him with us?”
I tried to keep from laughing, but I felt overjoyed that Heidel had found someone other than me to pick on about their combat skills.
“Sister,” Kull said, “I would prefer if you did not insult our guest.” He turned to Maveryck. “My apologies. Heidel tends to be critical, especially when she’s injured or in a foul mood. Or when she is hungry, tired, upset, or has a headache. Or if it is morning.”
“I can hear you,” Heidel said.
Kull winked at me.
“I am only trying to point out the fact that this thief could very well die in this quest, and he does not have the proper conditioning or training in order to survive. Picking locks and wearing fashionable clothing will not help him to slay a dragon.”
“He has more skills than just picking locks,” Kull said.
“What sort of skills?” Heidel asked. “The training of mixed-breed animals?”
“That’s enough,” Kull said.
Heidel clenched her hands. “Fine. My apologies for trying to keep us all alive.”
“May I have a word with you, Sister? In private?” Kull didn’t wait for her response as he marched to the other side of the room.
She eyed him as he walked away but soon stood. “If you two will excuse me,” she said and then followed her brother.
They moved to stand under an alcove leading to a hallway at the far side of the room. Although they spoke quietly, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to eavesdrop. Having the benefit of elven hearing came in handy sometimes.
“You must stop insulting our guest,” Kull said.
“Why?”
“Because he defended me earlier when you were away. He can handle a sword.”
“You saw him?” Heidel asked.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” Heidel asked. “You could have told me at any point.”
“Because you were too busy berating him,” Kull answered. “I don’t understand what has put you into such a foul mood.”
“You don’t? Several of my companions are dead, and you’ve no idea why I am upset?”
“I’m sorry you had to witness such brutality, but that is no reason to insult our guest. He had nothing to do with your attack.”
I heard her sniff as their conversation went silent. Maveryck cleared his throat, and I’d nearly forgotten he was sitting at the same table with me.
“Elven hearing?” he asked me.
“Umm, yeah.” I self-consciously pushed a clump of hair behind my ears.
“I’ve heard of you,” Maveryck said. “Daughter of an elf and human, Sky King’s ward. Faythander is an immense continent, yet word travels.”
“I suppose it does.”
He took a bite of his stew. “They were talking about me, I assume.”
I nodded.
“Anything I should know?”
“Not really.”
He shrugged. “Let me guess—they don’t trust me. It’s nothing new. Trust is something I fail to earn owing to the business I’m in.” He broke off a piece of bread and tossed it to his dog. “I can’t blame them. I wouldn’t trust me, either.”
“Should they trust you?”
“That depends,” he answered.
“Depends on what?”
“On whether or not they want the staff of Zaladin.” He eyed me, trying to act casual, though I saw the shrewd look in his granite eyes. “How much do you know of the staff?”
“Not much. It belonged to one of the Madralorde brothers. If we want to stop the elves from defeating my stepfather and ruling the world, then we need to find it before they do.”
“Do you know of the staff’s dangers?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Other than its ability to work with the other weapons to control Theht? Isn’t that dangerous enough?”
Kull and Heidel returned to our table, cutting our conversation short. Kull sat on the bench beside me, and Heidel sat across from Maveryck. She forced a smile.
“My apologies,” she said. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I was only trying to protect you, as I know our mission is one of grave danger. But now that I know you have skills in swordplay, I shall question you no more.”
Maveryck gave her a courteous bow of his head. “Apology accepted, although not needed. I was not offended.”
Great. Did this mean she would go back to picking on me?
“We should gather our things and leave as soon as possible,” Maveryck said as he stood. “I shall meet you all at the foot of the old church’s bell tower on the outskirts of this village.”
“Why not just meet us here?” I asked.
“I’ve business to attend to. If you will excuse me.” He turned and headed for the staircase, his expensive buckles jangling and silver hound trailing behind him.
“Business,” Heidel said after he’d disappeared upstairs. “He failed to mention what sort of business, didn’t he?”
“He’s a successful thief,” Kull said. “I’m sure he’s got more than one job at a time, or else he wouldn’t be successful.”
Heidel crossed her arms, making her metallic armbands gleam in the firelight cast off from the hearth. “I don’t like him.”
“You’ve no need to like him,” Kull said, “you only have to tolerate him until the mission is over.”
“Then for his sake, it had better end quickly.”
Chapter 5
Kull, Heidel, and I hiked through the flower field to the old church that sat on the outskirts of the village. Although the sun had set, leaving the world in darkness, the glow of our torches illuminated our path. We walked without
