“Thanks for the letter,” Seth said, accepting it. “Give Dante my regards.”
Brunt replied with a snort, then turned and trudged off.
“We go Humburgh?” Hermo asked.
“Are you sticking with me?” Seth asked.
“You survive Dante,” Hermo said. “You survive presence. You survivor.”
“Time will tell,” Seth said.
“And you have little helper,” Hermo said.
“I do my best,” Calvin said. “But don’t blow my cover. Sometimes it’s smarter for me to hide and listen.”
“Are you sure you’re done with Troll Tavern?” Seth asked. “You were pretty excited to go there.”
Hermo waved a disgusted hand toward the tavern. “Stew good. Trolls rude. Humburgh famous. Humburgh better.”
“Come on, Reggie,” Seth called. “We’re going to Humburgh.”
The figure of dirt came walking toward him.
Where is that?
“We’ll find it together,” Seth assured him.
Last, but certainly not least, Miss Kendra, we will find the door to your suite up here on the left,” Raza said, leading her down a hall constructed to human scale. A few inches taller than Kendra, Raza moved with grace and formality, keeping his body unusually erect. A female servant stayed with him, about his same height, with fair skin, fiery red hair, and turquoise eyes. She wore a flattering cheongsam dress and, just like Raza, had a snug silver choker around her neck.
Although the others had already been escorted to their rooms, Vanessa had skipped settling in to remain with Kendra. Raza used a key to open the door.
“Forgive us, Miss Vanessa, if your habitation is not equal to Miss Kendra’s,” Raza said, ushering them into a spacious salon. “As a former caretaker, she merits elite accommodations.”
“No offense taken,” Vanessa said.
“Giselle will be your personal attendant,” Raza told Kendra. “Inquire about anything you need, including food, laundry, security, navigating Terastios, sightseeing, and privacy.”
Giselle gave a small curtsy, red tresses swaying. “I am at your service, day and night, throughout your stay.”
“Thank you,” Kendra said.
“I will leave you in Giselle’s care,” Raza said with a small bow. “You can find me or a fellow servant inside the first door of the hall that I showed you, or else through Giselle.”
“Thanks,” Kendra said.
Raza handed Kendra the key to her room, glanced at Vanessa, and departed.
“Allow me to show you the suite,” Giselle said. Kendra and Vanessa followed Giselle into a bedchamber where a veil screened a lavish circular bed piled with cushions. The attendant led them to a bathroom, a kitchen, a sunroom, and finally to a large, tiled space dominated by a waist-deep pool accented by tiled pillars.
“My own pool?” Kendra asked.
“You may swim or bathe here, as you choose,” Giselle said.
Kendra noticed the piles of thick towels and the cabinet full of fluffy robes. Cakes of soap waited alongside fragrant lotions and ointments.
“You’re living the good life,” Vanessa said, fingering a robe.
“You have to come here and swim with me,” Kendra said. With her glamorous appearance, Kendra thought Vanessa would look more at home in this glossy paradise than anyone.
“It’s not just for pool parties,” Vanessa said. “You can wash up.”
“I wouldn’t want to get the water soapy,” Kendra said. “It’s too nice.”
“We will clean the water after each use, of course,” Giselle said.
“Or I guess I could save you the trouble,” Kendra said softly, patting her unicorn horn.
“Tell us about the collar you are wearing,” Vanessa invited.
“All palace servants wear one, milady,” Giselle said.
“Is its purpose more than adornment?” Vanessa asked.
“If I knowingly lie, the choker will constrict and strangle me,” Giselle said.
“I thought I recognized the nature of it,” Vanessa said. “The giant Thronis at Wyrmroost gave out similar collars.”
“They are an application of magic devised by giants,” Giselle said. “Thronis wore one when he was exiled to Wyrmroost and placed in the care of Agad.”
“How did you become a servant here?” Vanessa asked.
“It is a long story,” Giselle said.
“Are you mortal?” Vanessa asked.
“I need not answer personal questions,” Giselle said, lowering her eyes.
“You’re a dragon,” Vanessa guessed.
Giselle raised her eyes and gazed at Vanessa steadily. “I have not taken dragon shape for centuries. The choker would kill me if I tried. I took an oath to serve Imani, and if I break that vow, the choker will ensure I perish.”
“Raza too?” Kendra asked.
“All servants in silver collars are dragons,” Giselle said.
“It doesn’t seem like dragons are treated fairly here,” Kendra said.
“I appreciate your opinion,” Giselle said.
“At Wyrmroost the dragons were free to live as they chose,” Kendra said. “To hunt, or sleep, or hoard treasure. They had their own society.”
“I have heard rumors,” Giselle said. “Forgive me if it is difficult to believe.”
“The dragons rebelled and overthrew the sanctuary,” Kendra said.
A small smile flickered on Giselle’s lips. “I have heard rumors,” she repeated.
Kendra could see that the idea of a dragon rebellion appealed to her. Considering how dragons were treated at Titan Valley, Kendra couldn’t blame her.
“Do you think the dragons here are treated fairly?” Kendra asked quietly.
“I cannot give an accurate answer to that question,” Giselle said.
“A yes would be a lie, and a no would break her loyalty oath,” Vanessa said.
“You have the right idea,” Giselle said.
“Would you harm me if you could?” Kendra asked.
“I cannot harm you,” Giselle said. “I am assigned to serve you.”
“Will you be spying on me for the Giant Queen?” Kendra asked.
“I serve you under her instructions,” Giselle said. “Her royal majesty Imani is my true master.”
“Would you prefer not to serve me?” Kendra asked. “Would it be better if I send you away?”
Giselle looked distressed. “There could be punishments if I am dismissed. Another will be chosen to serve you. I would much rather serve you than be dismissed from this task.”
“Can you promise not to spy for Imani?” Kendra asked. “Can you promise to do me no harm?”
“I cannot make that promise,” Giselle said. “My first loyalty
