I found a pile of barrels and refilled my wine cup for the fourth time. Faryn appeared out of the crowd and beamed at me as I knocked back a deep pull of the Qihin’s imported wine.
“Shouldn’t you be out there with the others?” she asked. “If this is anyone’s victory, it’s yours.”
“And I’m happy to celebrate,” I said. “But they haven’t developed a technique to refill your cup with wine just yet. Is there a combination of wood and water that makes wine? Are there wine Augmenters?”
Faryn laughed. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. But if you discover it, be sure to share it with me. I’d love for you to educate me in the art of wine Augmentation. ”
“Who’s the teacher now?” I grinned. “Have you seen the others?”
“They’re on their way, I’m sure. But before they get here—”
She pulled me close and kissed me. Her lips were tender and lingered on mine as her tongue slipped into my mouth. She reached for my crotch and gently brushed her hand against me. The sensation was gone almost as soon as it began, and I looked up to see Faryn smiling deviously.
“I don’t want you getting too distracted by all these youngsters,” she said. “We haven’t had a moment alone since this mission started. I think we’ll need to rectify that as soon as the opportunity arises.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said as she led me back into the bustle of the party.
I followed her and headed for a table piled high with cakes. I was just about to pick one up when a hand grabbed mine, and I was dragged into the shadows of an alcove beneath the walls.
“Where have you been?” Vesma asked.
“Drinking. You, too, by the smell of it,” I said as I poked her. “I was going to eat, too, but I think you’ve got different ideas.”
“You’re damn right I do,” Vesma told me. “
She pushed me up against the wall and kissed me hard. Our bodies pressed tight against each other in a warm exchange of skin and racing pulses. There was something fierce and territorial about it, but I was happy to be swept along in the moment as I wrapped my arms around her wiry body.
“That’ll do for now,” she said. Then, she pushed my arms away, flashed me a grin, and made a beeline for the wine barrels.
I shook my head. The women in my life were a little intense at times. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I set out in search of Kegohr and found him slumped on a pile of cushions in the corner of the courtyard. A plate piled high with seafood lay next to him, and he was holding a tankard the size of a small keg.
The crowd parted as I strolled toward him, and I saw the full picture. Kegohr’s other arm was around Veltai. The powerful warrior woman sat snuggled in close to him as one of her hands stroked the fur of his thigh. The two of them chomped through a small mountain of food and interspersed it with big gulps of beer and brief pauses to grin at each other. It was heartwarming to see my friend so happy, but I didn’t want to get too close. The big guy had fought as hard as anyone. He deserved some space.
“Ethan, over here!” a sharp, nervous voice called out from over to my right.
I looked around and saw Yo Hin sitting at a table with a goblet of wine in front of him. A pair of women sat on either side, shapely Qihin beauties with long dark hair and just a hint of silver scales running down their necks. They leaned in close and gave all of their attention to Yo Hin. His cheeks flushed as his eyes darted from side to side.
I walked over and raised my cup. “Good to see you’re making friends, Yo Hin.”
His eyes begged me to help him, but it was all I could do to keep a straight face.
“Oh, yes,” said one of the women.
“We’re going to be such good friends,” the other said as she draped an arm around his neck. “After all, you were quite the hero at the guild island.”
“I don’t know about hero,” Yo Hin said.
“And such a mighty Augmenter,” the first woman said as her hand slid under the table. “So… powerful.”
“Hahaha.” Yo Hin laughed awkwardly, grabbed his cup, and downed its contents. “I’m really not all that—”
A look of surprise crossed his face, and his mouth fell open.
“Well, maybe just a little powerful,” he murmured.
“I’ll leave you to it,” I said and left before he could hear me laugh.
A familiar figure in simple black robes embroidered with the Radiant Dragon symbol appeared as I turned away from Yo Hin. Long black hair was touched with white at the temples and tied back for the occasion, but it was impossible to mistake him.
“Guildmaster Xilarion.” I bowed my head respectfully. “I hadn’t expected to see you here.”
“King Beqai sent me a letter as soon as he woke from his decade-long slumber. I thought I might arrive before the clan attacked the guild, but even guildmasters cannot travel like immortals.”
“We defeated Horix and those who followed him.”
“I know.” Xilarion smiled. “We wouldn’t be celebrating had you not.”
I couldn’t help but stare at the ground, the intense gaze of a man I respected more than anyone too intense for me to withstand.
“I wanted to congratulate you on your efforts,” he continued. “From all I’ve been told, your skill in Augmenting continues to grow. The slaying of the tidal wyrms, some of the most challenging beasts in the Seven Realms, would have earned you high praise by itself. To then defeat Horix and his guild was beyond what anyone could expect.”
“Thank you, Guildmaster,” I said with another
