“Because there are enough rumors being spread about you as it is. If you stay here with your present company, the rumors will only grow worse. It’s best if you leave.”
“What’s wrong with my present company?”
She sighed, glancing at me. “Must you ask?”
Heidel spoke up. “The rumors are unfounded, Mother. Those men speak of treason.”
“They speak of treason because word has gotten out that he has lost the sword of his ancestors, and that the Earthlander woman destroyed it. For the time being, it would be best for him to leave the keep while we come up with some way to restore his good name. If not handled properly, this could very well lead to the unseating of the king.”
The queen turned to her son. “I only ask that you be safe. The Godiaz is not a place to be taken lightly. You know I could not bear to lose you, too.” She left the room without another word, her footsteps echoing until they disappeared down the hall.
Kull turned to Maveryck. “How long will it take us to journey to this contact?”
“His compound is in the heart of the desert on the eastern peninsula, so it won’t take long if we use the rails. But,” he glanced at me, “we’ll have to proceed with caution once we arrive. Olive, you’ll have to keep the truth of your identity a secret. We’ll tell him you’re a merchant or the like, and you’re not to admit you’re with Kull—and we certainly can’t let him know of your connection to the sky king.”
“Why?”
Maveryck threaded his fingers together. “Let’s just say they’ve had dealings in the past. It would be best not to draw attention to your identity. Jahr’ad is suspicious of outsiders, and his compound is hidden. I’m confident I can get us inside, but he’ll most likely demand you be blindfolded in order to enter.”
Kull crossed his arms. “Blindfolded? I’m liking this less and less.”
“Yes, but it will be worth it. Jahr’ad has more knowledge about dragon eggs and their black-market value than anyone on Faythander. He’s the man we need if we’re going to learn more about the symbol on the box—and ultimately return the sky king to us safely.”
“But you said he hates the sky king,” Heidel said. “Why would he want to help us?”
“Simple,” Maveryck answered. “Because we’ll pay him.”
“Pay him how much?” Kull asked.
“As much as it takes, I assume.”
“I don’t like this,” Heidel said. “We’re just to follow you all the way to the Godiaz, be taken prisoner and blindfolded, and then trade all of our coin to some scoundrel because there’s an off chance he’ll know something about the stone? What makes you think we’ll follow you on such a mission?”
Maveryck stood. “Because you have no other viable options. That’s why.”
“Yes, we do. We’ll storm the witch’s castle as I suggested earlier.”
“That option doesn’t count.”
Heidel’s cheeks reddened. “It counts more than your idea.”
“Heidel, please,” Kull interjected, “he’s trying to help us.”
“Yes, he’s helping us lose all our money to some thief. I’m not so sure he won’t be pocketing the money himself.”
Maveryck laughed. “I assure you, I’ve no need of your money. Besides, I never made mention that Jahr’ad traded in money.”
“Then what does he trade in? Looks? Because that’s the only thing you’ve got to bargain with.”
Maveryck gave Heidel a roguish grin. “You like my looks, do you?”
Heidel blushed. It was very possibly the only time I had ever seen her face turn such a heated shade of red. “I… I didn’t say that,” she answered, stumbling over her words.
Maveryck only smiled.
“I’m leaving,” Heidel said. She turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the doors behind her.
“Well,” Kull said, “two members of my family have been offended before noon, and I wasn’t the one to do it. I’m moving up in the world.”
Chapter 16
I walked with Kull down the hall in the Wult keep, trying to ignore my growing headache, trying to stay positive about my stepfather’s abduction, and failing miserably at both. We both carried our traveling packs, deciding to leave this evening to head for the desert. Maveryck and Heidel had agreed to meet us at the rails.
“At least one good thing came from our meeting with Maveryck,” Kull said.
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“I don’t think I have to worry about my sister being interested in him.”
“Really? Did you not see how red her face turned before she stormed out? She’s got a crush on him for sure.”
“Perhaps. But she’s too proud to ever admit such a thing. She’d never allow him to get close to her now. She’s got a reputation to keep up.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” I rubbed my temples, hoping a little food would clear up my headache. We turned down another hall, where we found a small door at the end leading to the kitchen. A long wooden counter took up the center of the space, and Kull helped me sit on a stool by the butcher block. Smells of warm buttered bread and herbs with a hint of lemon made my stomach growl. Kull handed me a slice of bread, then ladled two bowls full of a dark, thick stew that smelled heavenly.
We sat at the makeshift table and ate. Between bites, Kull focused on me.
“Are you ever going to tell me what has you bothered?”
My spoon stopped halfway to my mouth. I wasn’t ready to tell him, but then, I probably never would be. Maybe it would help if I told him the truth.
“I don’t really know how to say this,” I said, “but when I was trapped in the cave with the bloodthorn, Theht came to me, and she… put a piece of her consciousness inside my mind.”
“A piece of her consciousness?”
“Yeah, I know it sounds odd. But I think she was trying to keep tabs on me so she could understand me better, so that when the time came…” I sighed, unable to finish the sentence. “Either way, I don’t like it. My magic
