I stepped forward and offered my hand. Cadrin didn’t take it. His flint-gray eyes examined us dismissively and lingered on Vesma in a way I took issue with.
“My name is Ethan Murphy lo Pashat,” I said. “These are my companions, Vesma and Kegohr. We are outer disciples of the Radiant Dragon Guild. We’re here to deliver a message to Guildmaster Horix.”
“No Wilds,” Cadrin drawled with a nod at Kegohr. “Kumi could have told you that.”
I’d met this guy for all of 30 seconds and the urge to bloody his nose was growing steadily stronger. I inhaled and filled my chest with air before I exhaled through my nose.
“We’re here at the request of Guildmaster Xilarion,” I said.
I flashed the letter with its intricate wax seal. Cadrin took it, examined it carefully, and handed it back. He nodded at Vesma and I.
“You’re clear to go through. The Wild stays with his kind.”
“I request an audience with Guildmaster Horix,” Kumi stated with the practiced tongue of a diplomat. “I’m sure Labu has already told you, but our crops are mysteriously disappearing whenever the members of the guild venture out to hunt. There is also the matter of the Isles. Someone is causing dissension among the people there.”
“Unsubstantiated rumors, Kumi,” Cadrin said. “And ones you ought not lay blame on the guild for. You are not in Qihin territory here. And, if I must repeat myself, we do not allow Wilds within these walls. Two Wilds are twice the trouble. And a third could very well cause the guild house to crumble around us.” He chuckled under his breath and gave her an oily smile. “The very sight of you will offend honest guildsmen.”
I gritted my teeth and resisted the urge to crack Cadrin’s little skull off the brass gates.“We’ll be sure to return to Xilarion and tell him that the Resplendent Tears Guild is being unreasonable and that you have no intention of communicating with the outside world. Your name was Cadrin, wasn’t it, for when I make my report?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Cadrin said with a sneer. “Threatening to impugn my honor to get your way. Such is the way of those without good breeding, and those who befriend such.”
“I don’t threaten; I act. So, tell me; do I need to act?”
Cadrin narrowed his eyes, and his hand closed around the hilt of his sword.
I gave him a look that dared him to make a move. I just needed an excuse. My friends shifted uncomfortably behind me as Cadrin and I locked eyes. For a moment, I thought that things were about to turn violent, but Cadrin stepped away from the entrance and waved Vesma and Kegohr through.
“If you must,” he spat as he glared at Kegohr. “But you go straight to the visitors’ quarters on the far side of the yard. No wandering elsewhere unsupervised.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Kegohr said. “We got it. You coming, Effin?”
“I’ll catch up. Go get comfortable, big guy. You deserve it.” I pulled Vesma aside. “You make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble. This place doesn’t seem all that friendly to his kind.”
“Do you really think I need to take care of him? He’s more than capable of taking care of himself.”
“I know. But I’d rather not start a fight when we’re meant to be delivering a message.”
Vesma nodded, and I handed the scroll to her. “What should I do with it?”
“See if you can get an audience with Guildmaster Horix. I want it delivered to him personally.”
“And what will you do?”
“I want to know more about the Qihin Clan. And we have two members right here. If you deliver the message, and I speak with these two, then we might be able to leave the Diamond Coast pretty soon.”
I didn’t exactly want to leave when I’d just gained a new element and could acquire more water techniques, but the conflict between the guild and the clan was something I’d rather stay out of. I’d learned not to get involved with warring factions wherever possible. If we stayed too long, I’d probably end up getting thrown into the mix.
Vesma raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Kumi. “And you giving me this letter and staying outside the gates has nothing to do with how beautiful the princess is?”
I shrugged. “It’ll just make the discussion more enjoyable.”
Vesma gave me a playful punch before she stashed the letter and made for the gates where Kegohr was waiting. Cadrin moved further than necessary to get away from Kegohr as he bent and made his way sideways through the gate. Vesma followed and gave Cadrin a wintry smile as she passed him.
“I see why you keep her around, at least,” Cadrin said as his gaze swept over Vesma’s rear. “I haven’t seen an ass that pert in weeks.”
“You said we were going hunting,” Labu said to Cadrin. “Are you still interested?”
I hadn’t expected the apparent friendliness between a Wild and someone who apparently despised them, but Cadrin smiled at the prince. It wasn’t quite the smile of a friend, more like the bully who’d managed to gather a lackey who worshipped him. It was clear already that their relationship was not one of equals.
“I already told you to meet me outside,” Cadrin replied. “And we’ll leave as soon as this fool in front of me decides to follow his half-freak friend and that wonderful little snack. Go on; finish your mission.”
“Why don’t I come along for the hunt?” I said as my hand closed over the Sundered Heart. “It’ll give me a chance to get to know you better.”
It would also give me the opportunity to show him that I not only possessed fire techniques but wood and water, too.
“Oh, I’m awash with honor,” Cadrin mocked. “Labu, are you going to insist on bringing your sister? We can bring the messenger boy, if we must. I’ll gladly teach him a thing or two.”
“I’m sure to learn something amongst such skilled Augmenters,” Kumi said, but her eyes were on
