“I do not think that it is proper, sir, that I should be alone with you,” she said, drawing in any energy from Guardians past that she could feel in the air and trying to sound as she did when in her formal Nature Walker capacity. “It is well known how the dragons and dragonkind took elves from the Great Forest.”
The color drained from Josiah’s face, replaced with crimson fury. “You cannot possibly think that is why I was offering to escort you,” he said, spitting his words. “We never took wood elves—what a thing to suggest! You presumptuous…” He looked away from her a moment to gather his thoughts, and Gin saw her chance. The sound of her boots on the stone floor couldn’t be helped. She heard him swear loudly and hit the wall in frustration.
A rumbling sound on the other side of the door nearby caught his attention, and he fell silent. Josiah inched toward the door, listening carefully. He heard the Qatu moving about inside, so he stood outside the door for a long time, just listening, until his curiosity got the better of him. He pushed the door open a bit and peeked inside.
Sath was waiting on the other side of the door, and as soon as Josiah’s fingers closed around it, he was grabbed and pulled him into the room. Josiah shouted in surprise and struck out at Sath, who clamped a hand around his mouth. “Sshhh,” he said in Eldyr. “There’s no need to bring everyone in the inn up here. You are Josiah Dawnshadow, are you not?” Josiah’s eyes widened, and he nodded his head. “Why are you following my…the Nature Walker?” Josiah looked up into Sath’s furious teal eyes, and he made a strangled sounding noise. Sath chuckled and removed his hand.
“How is it that you can speak to me in Eldyr?” Josiah asked through coughs.
“My people have long been allies of the dragons,” Sath said, scowling. Josiah was still staring at him. The dragonkind was only a bit shorter than Sath. “What? I can speak the Common Tongue, too, if that suits you better.”
“Is the Nature Walker. . .alone?”
“I do not understand your meaning,” Sath said, though his expression told Josiah he knew exactly what he meant.
“Does she have a mate?” Josiah asked, the corners of his mouth turning up in a slight smile.
Sath took several deep breaths .“No, she does not,” he replied. “She had a mate, a high elf, but he is dead.” Josiah’s eyes widened, and the Qatu took a moment to enjoy the fear that suddenly rolled off of him. “She did not kill him.” Josiah relaxed a moment, then made eye contact with Sath once more and broke out in a sweat as the meaning behind Sath’s words struck home. “You are correct. I did.”
“You can just let me go,” Josiah said. “I will not say anything to anyone, I promise. You and the Nature Walker can leave tonight, and no one will know.”
“That is up to Gin,” Sath hissed.
“Yes,” Gin said from the doorway, “it is up to me. Josiah, may I ask what you are doing in our room?” She strode through the door and pushed Sath off of Josiah. The startled Qatu lost his balance for a few steps and then recovered but did not advance. “Did you and the Rajah here have a pleasant chat?” She felt Sath roaring in the back of her mind and shot him an angry look.
Listen, Gin, I didn’t tell him anything, but I can’t get past how much he smells like the filthy human that had held you prisoner and handed you over to Taanyth and the wizard. But I didn’t hurt him, don’t-
Don’t tell me what not to do, Sath. Don’t.
“Indeed we did,” Josiah said. Her anger faded into wariness as she watched the dragonkind make eye contact with Sath, who moved back to the bed and sat down. There was a decidedly smug look on the Qatu’s face that she didn’t like. “He was just telling me about your high elf mate, the one that he killed.”
“Ah, he exaggerates,” Gin said, shooting daggers at Sath with her eyes for a moment and raging at him in their bond.
Taeben was not my mate, Ikara’s teeth, Sath you have got to get over that!
Sath shrugged and held up his hands, so she turned her attention back to Josiah. “Ben was not my mate, he was a—mistake, that was all. Now, Josiah, I think it’s time you headed to your own quarters for the night, isn’t it?” The dragonkind male nodded at her, his eyes avoiding hers, and then backed toward the door.
“Yes, my lady. I apologize for…” His eyes darted over to Sath, who beamed a toothy grin back at Josiah. “Good night, my lady.”
“Oh, Josiah?” she said, walking over to him and laying a hand on the door. He looked back at her, and she could almost see him trembling. “You aren’t going to mention anything about the Rajah to anyone, are you?” Josiah shook his head and then fled the room.
I thought he’d never leave, Gin!What? Sath grinned at Gin, but his grin faded as she turned back to him, her eyes blazing.
What? Sath, you know what! You spoke to him! And since when do I have a high elf mate, Sath? Did you mean Ben? Have you lost your mind?”
Calm down, I was trying to scare him, that’s all.
Not until you answer my questions. Wait…do you actually think that? Do you think Ben was my mate?Don’t get grumbly over me calling him Ben, either. We have discussed that and -
“You have said nothing to me about what happened to you
