“She said it was because of Taanyth. You killed her mate, Gin.”
Gin sucked in her breath, but Sath sensed annoyance from her rather than fear—a notable change. “So you’re telling me that she brought me here, she broke the treaty with the Guardians, because her mate went insane and deserved EXACTLY what he got?”
“Sssh, Gin, remember that this is the Mother Dragon we are talking about. She’s not exactly sane, either!” Gin glowered at him but nodded. Footsteps outside of the door startled them both. “What now?”
“I don’t know, but if I had to guess, I’d say that is one of her dragonkind minions. They brought me from her to this room, but that’s all I know.” She looked back at the door as Sath held out his hand, expecting his staff, but nothing happened. “Did she take your things too?”
“How did I not notice that until now?” Sath roared in frustration, and immediately the footsteps returned to the door. He shot an apologetic look at Gin, who shrugged and then waved him toward the door.
“It opens inward, and I can’t make you invisible.” Sath nodded and stood just to her side so that when the door opened, it would conceal him behind it. “No heroics, Rajah,” she said in Qatunari just as they heard the click of a key in the lock. She felt his agreement in the bond as the door swung open, and a female dragonkind stood in the doorway. She cocked her head to one side, and Gin couldn’t help but marvel as the deep aubergine scales that made up the skin framing her face moved and settled as she moved her neck. She was about the same height as the elves from Alyntalos, and her cream-colored skin seemed to darken as it spread across her face and became scales. Her eyes were a midnight purple in color and shaped like an egg set up on one end, and she stared down at Gin with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.
“I heard voices,” the female said, her Elvish highly accented. “Mother commands that I make sure you are kept safe. Do you require assistance?” Gin was reasonably sure that Sath could understand her, but she translated what the female was saying in the bond. His answering rumble bolstered her confidence.
“No, I am fine. I am alone here, you must have misheard. What is your name—if I may ask?”
“I am Ysil, daughter of Zelyth. You are Ginolwenye of the Trees, descendant of Draoch of the Trees, the Nature Walker.” She continued looking down at Gin, as though awaiting another question. Gin mouthed the name, intrigued by the buzz behind the Z sound. Zil.
“That is correct. Ysil is a lovely name. How do you speak my language so well?”
“My grandparents were of the elven citadel of Alynatalos. My mother spoke your language and taught it to my sister and me as we grew up.”
“Ysil, why does the Mother Dragon keep me here? Am I a prisoner?”
“I do not understand this word, prisoner.”
“Do you speak any other languages other than Elvish?” The dragonkind considered Gin’s question for a moment and then looked deeply into Gin’s eyes. Gin could feel the tingle as the female tried to initiate the bond with her, and she allowed it after tamping down on the screaming coming from Sath in the very back of her mind.
Ah, now I see what that word means, Ginolwenye of the Trees. Yes, that is what you are, a prisoner. You have done an evil thing. You killed our Great Father, Taanyth.
Your Great Father held me prisoner just as I am held now, let his pet wizard hurt me, and then tried to hurt me himself, all because I am a Guardian. I was defending myself.
Who is in the room with you, Ginolwenye of the Trees? I see your lie about being alone now that we are in the bond.
Do you know what a Qatu is, Ysil?
I do. The Qatu are the pets of the Mother Dragon, and she allows them to live on their tiny island.
Gin felt Sath’s roar before she heard it, and she pushed the door open wider, pinning him against the wall. She would hear about that one later, for sure. She turned her attention back to Ysil.
I have such a pet. That is what you heard.
It talks to you? I was not aware that their language was intelligible to anyone but others of their kind and the Mother Dragon.
I hope it will be all right for me to keep him with me?
A moment, please. Gin felt Ysil withdraw in her mind, and after a moment, the dragonkind pulled the door shut and locked it. Her footsteps could be heard walking down the hall. Gin turned to face Sath slowly, anticipating the anger that was indeed written all over his face. She held up her hands.
“Sath, before you say anything, I had to tell her something. She heard you.”
“Your pet? I’m your pet?” She met his stare and fought the tug of the corners of her mouth. “Fine. Just this once.” The footsteps returned, and Gin was ready at the door, this time with Sath at her side. “Just don’t make me sit or stay, all right?” Soon Ysil opened the door and gestured for Sath to come forward. She was holding an iron collar in her hands.
Mother Dragon insists that your pet wear this while here. Please do not fight her on this, it will only make things harder for you. She feels that your pet is very dangerous, and this collar will stop him from harming anyone.
I thank you for your advice, Ysil, and I will do as the Mother Dragon asks.
Sath roared, and Ysil jumped backward despite herself.
Do not let him scare you, Ysil. He is more
