“No, Jahr’ad,” Maveryck said, “that was not the deal. He beat your dragon. Now you must uphold your end of the bargain.”
Jahr’ad worked his jaw back and forth. “Fine, we’ll deal in the morning.”
“No,” Maveryck said, blocking his path. “We’ll deal now or not at all.”
“You’re pushing your luck with me, thief.”
Maveryck set his jaw. Grim determination shone in his eyes. “Let’s hope you don’t push mine.”
I had to admit, Maveryck could stand his ground when he wanted.
The two men faced one another without speaking until Jahr’ad turned around and headed for the tunnels. “Fine, but this had better end quickly.” He marched out of the domed area and back into the catacombs. I stayed back to keep pace with Kull.
“You’re hurt,” I said.
He glanced at the blood trickling down his chest. “I’ve had worse.”
“But it’s poisoned, and I don’t have my magic to heal you.”
“I’ve been poisoned before and lived through it. I’ll be fine.”
“You always say that,” I said.
“And I’m always right.”
“Brother,” Heidel said as she marched toward us, “listen to Olive for once. There is a healer here in the caves. We should take you to him.”
“No,” Kull said. “I don’t trust anyone here. If you’re really worried about me, then we’ll have to restore Olive’s magic.”
“How?” I asked.
He gave me a crazed smile. “We take it back.”
“Zariah won’t like it.”
“She doesn’t have to.” Kull tromped toward the open doorway.
Heidel sighed in annoyance as she watched her brother exit the room. “You must marry him soon and take him away to Earth Kingdom. I’m done with dealing with him.”
I wasn’t sure how my marriage to her brother, if it ever happened, would keep her from dealing with him, but I didn’t argue as I followed her down the hallway. Only a few fires still smoldered. The scent of smoke lingered in my hair. I couldn’t wait to be free of this place, assuming Kull didn’t die first and Jahr’ad actually cooperated and gave us the stone’s message.
We entered a tunnel that ended in a single room. A wooden table took up the space at the room’s center. Jahr’ad, Zariah, and two of Jahr’ad’s men sat across from Kull and Maveryck. The lotus cube sat on the table’s center, swirling bands of golden magic churning through the glassy surface. The object was deceptively beautiful.
Heidel and I sat on either side of Kull. Maveryck sat pensively across from Jahr’ad, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
“No person has ever beaten my venom-drake,” Jahr’ad said. “The Wult must have cheated. It’s the only explanation. More than a dozen men have been killed by that beast, and I’ve lost count of how many dragons it’s bested. He’s used magic—that’s the only way he could have beaten it.”
“However,” Maveryck said calmly, “he did indeed beat the dragon. No matter how improbable it may seem, the dragon has been killed. We do not wish to keep you any longer than necessary. Tell us, what is the meaning of this stone?”
Jahr’ad huffed, looking from Maveryck to the stone. “No. I will not. I refuse.”
Maveryck fisted his hands, though his voice remained calm. “Then you will no longer have the privilege of trading with me. Is that what you wish?”
Jahr’ad’s cheek’s burned red. “Fine,” he spat, “but this had better be the last time you bring Wults to my home. It that understood?”
Maveryck nodded. “It is.”
Jahr’ad took the stone in his hands and read the words. “It’s a sort of riddle,” he said, “which is common for one of these stones, as dragons loved dealing in riddles in ages past. This one says, ‘Gold to find fortune and black to find power, but not all who seek it shall live. It is the last remaining, the end of prophecy. The talisman long sought after shall be the price paid for one who was taken.’” Jahr’ad looked up. “It basically means that the witch will trade only one thing for whoever it is she’s taken—the vachonette egg.”
“What is a vachonette egg?” Heidel asked.
“A legend,” he answered, “at least to some. It is a dragon egg that is rumored to have unusual properties—the ability to heal and to cure curses are a few of its supposed abilities, but more importantly, it is said that this egg is the only offspring of the witch, and the only egg to contain dark magic. Some claim its worth at more than three million gold pieces. It would fund my operations for several decades at least. In fact, my own men tried to obtain it years ago.”
“How did you do that?” I asked. “Did you try to take it from the witch?”
“No, from the elves, my dear.” He gave me his sly smirk. “The elves stole her egg years ago. We thought we’d be smart and take it from the elves as they weren’t doing anything with it, but when we went to take it, they’d moved it. Put it in a place no mortal would ever get to it again, and that’s the honest truth.”
“Where’d they put it?” Heidel asked.
Jahr’ad shrugged. “Not my place to say.”
“Then how are we to find it?” Kull asked.
“No idea.”
“But we’ve come all this way,” I said, “and Kull is dying because he risked his life to learn the stone’s message. If you know where the elves have put the stone, then you have to tell us.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“Jahr’ad,” Heidel spat, “I swear as Odin is my witness, I will kill you myself if you do not tell us.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Of course it’s a threat! How daft are you?”
Zariah’s magic glistened, giving her eyes a red sheen. “You should know,” she said, “that we do not respond kindly to threats.”
“Then what do you respond to?” Kull asked. “We’ve come here for your help. We’ve bested your dragon, obeyed your rules, and done everything you’ve demanded. What more do you want from us?”
Jahr’ad’s gaze flicked to mine. “I want her.”
“That will never happen,” Kull said.
Jahr’ad pulled a small
