Like a door slamming shut, the Ikedrian’s presence was gone. “Well, we can’t believe that now, can we?” Sath said, rubbing his temples. Most of the pain left by Omerith’s intrusion into his mind was gone, but his head still felt sore.
“I feel like we can, Sath.” Gin held up her hand before he could voice a protest. “Can’t you feel when someone is lying through the bond?” He nodded. “She wasn’t lying—at least she believes what she told us.” Rubbing her own temples, Gin rose from the floor in front of the fireplace. “I know how she feels, Sath. I remember being that lovesick child as far as Taeben was concerned. It makes no difference that her feelings are her own, whereas mine were placed there by him.”
“Putting a pin in that for a moment,” Sath snarled, “how can we help her? What can she do? You saw what I saw, Gin—he is in full control of her.”
“I can lend her my strength and help her create a barrier against him. I have done it before, with Tairn, and I can help her. Then she will be an ally and out from under his control.”
“You are too trusting.”
“You are so stubborn!”
“You are both requested to remove yourself from La’al Drygyr immediately, by order of Lord Omerith, only surviving member of the First Brood of the Mother Dragon!” proclaimed a booming female voice in the doorway. They both turned, expecting to see Raikynth, but instead found Daelyth, the golden dragon, staring at them maliciously. “He feels that you are a threat to me, and are therefore banished from his house.”
“My lady Daelyth, if we might speak to your father -” Gin’s voice stopped, and she grabbed at her throat, gasping for air. Daelyth smiled as Sath made a move to charge but found himself hanging in mid-air and unable to speak or call out.
“It has truly, TRULY been a pleasure to see the two of you again. I mean, I never thought that you would live through the trip to the Void, and here you are! Ginny, you are a vision, as always and Sath—well, I preferred you as a wood elf, but there you are.” Taeben’s voice floated underneath Daelyth’s as the dragon beamed a toothy grin at them. “I’m afraid, though, you’re going to have to go now. I have things to do, you see, and you are in my way.” Daelyth’s abdomen flared blue as the dragon stepped back out of the doorway. Puffs of smoke billowed out of her nostrils. “This really is the best part. I will miss this.” Frost poured from the dragon’s mouth, freezing Gin and Sath in place. As they watched, unable to move, Daelyth mumbled words that Gin recognized. She tried to cast something else—anything else—but couldn’t. “M’aanyr.”
“Ben, please! Don’t!” The circle of fire formed around them, and the last Gin saw was Daelyth staring at her—with Taeben’s silver eyes.
Thirty-Five
Turlach Rising
Ellie was imprisoned in her mind, probably for good this time. She didn’t know how much time had passed since she was able to make contact with the Nature Walker and the Rajah, nor was she sure that Taeben had not overheard that message. All she could do was hope—but the place where she found herself now was not terrifically conducive to hope. At least this time, she had only had to contribute her magical energy to Taeben for him to make the leap out of the Void and into the world of the living. There was nothing that she could do now—nothing but wait and hope.
Now then, my child, my legacy, that is simply not the truth.
Who is there?
Ellie reached out as far as she could with her consciousness. Someone had come into her mind unbidden—but it was a familiar presence, wasn’t it?
Familiar, possibly not, but familial, absolutely.
Laughter filled her mind, warm and happy—she remembered her mother laughing like that when she and Mae were little and were trying to be the first to answer her questions during their tutoring. Was it her mother?
No, but you are on the right track.
Who are you? I have no time for games.
Oh, little one, if only that was true. The truth of the matter is that if you do not allow me to help you, all you will have is time. You will be trapped inside your mind forever.
Tell me who you are, or I will block you out -
Fair enough. You are Elspethe Turlach, of the House of Turlach of Ikedria. I am D’Ayna Turlach, First Lieutenant of the Great Army of Ikara and Daughter of the House of Turlach.
Ellie felt faint. It was possible to contact those in the Void through the bond that Taeben taught her. If this intruder was telling the truth, then
