“None taken, I suppose. And no, Taeben did not tell me that I would be coming to you, exactly.” She swallowed hard. Clearly, she had not been as successful at hiding her communication with the dragons as she had thought. “I am to find the All-Mother and retrieve the orb that holds the power of Ikara.”
“OH, well, that’s easy enough then, isn’t it?” Kaerinth laughed again, a hearty sound this time, but one that still put Ellie a bit on edge. “Your Taeben is a fool to think that you could track down a goddess and steal from her all on your own. No, you will need my help to get that orb, and I have just the way to do it.” The massive dragon circled around a time or two and then sat down on the soft rugs. “Well, have a seat, little one, or would you prefer a cushion?”
“No—ma’am, thank you.” Ellie dropped to the floor in a seated position. She was still troubled by one detail and decided to ask because she was sure the Mother Dragon could read it in her mind anyway. “May I just ask—why do you want to help Taeben? Didn’t he assist the Nature Walker in causing your mate’s death?”
Kaerinth lowered her massive neck until she was at eye level with Ellie. “Aye, he was there. Without his magic, that pathetic wood elf would have been no match for my Taanyth. But let me ask you a question, little one. Whoever said that I was going to do this to help your A’chrya? And don’t look so panic-stricken. He cannot hear us now. I have blocked him out of our conversation.” Ellie relaxed a bit. “He is truly gifted to have so many of you so afraid of him. Perhaps after my Taanyth is restored, we will have to retrieve this wizard. His mind would be a good addition to my brood, I think. But first things first. With the magic of Ikara in my possession, I can end that miserable Nature Walker and then convince Ikara to free my Taanyth from the Void. Once we are together again and my beloved’s mind is restored, we will raise up our kind and rule Orana as we were destined to do.”
“So, I will steal the orb for you, then—but when I return home, I will have to face my A’chrya and -” Ellies swallowed hard. “With respect, Mother Dragon, how do I know you will not just take the orb from me and then end me? What will my place be in your new world?”
“You will have a reward, Elspethe Turlach. Your House will be restored. But we will worry about that when the time comes. What I need to know now is whether or not you will help me get the orb?”
Ellie chuckled, more out of fear than amusement. “With all respect, Mother Dragon, I do not think I have a choice, do I?” Kaerinth smiled at her, and again, she felt faint.
“No, I suppose you do not. But remember, you are doing a great deal toward mending a great wrong committed against my kind by an ancestor of yours. I have kept my eye on your family since leaving the other side of Orana, my girl, and in you, I see the perfect ally. When I heard that you and I were of similar purpose, I commanded Taeben to bring you to me, as he did the Nature Walker and the Rajah of Qatu’anari. So, shall we get started?” Ellie nodded—and sent silent apologies to Taeben through the bond, though she was reasonably sure he could no longer hear her. Warmth surged through Ellie’s body, and she felt more energetic than she had in months.
A’chrya?
I am here. Kaerinth has blocked me, but I am always here, in the back of your mind.
I will not disappoint you, A’chrya. I swear.
I know, dark flower. I am here, and I will help you as much as I can. Now, do as Kaerinth commands. Find the orb and bring it to me so that I may take my rightful place with you at my side.
Yes, A’chrya.
And Elspethe? Please, call me Taeben.
Twenty-Six
Of all the Taverns in all of La’al Drygyr…
Sath’s eyes opened, and he came fully awake at the sound of movement in the next room. He and Gin had traveled along the path as far as they could manage before fatigue forced them to look for a place to stay for the night. While there were no formal establishments, there were a few alehouses and taverns run by dragonkind. One that welcomed them in for a pint of ale and a meal was run by a kindly dragonkind male—high elf hybrid by the look of him—who offered them a small cottage he owned for the night. In truth, there had not been much sleep, but finally, Sath and Gin had been able to doze a bit. He was wide awake now, though.
A quick glance at Gin told him she was still asleep, so he carefully unwound himself from her and slid from the bed, pulling on his trousers and tunic as quietly as he could. She had given him a pair of greaves from her own armor—after he got over the embarrassment of wearing something of hers, he found them much more comfortable than his own currently oversized gear. Another noise—this time, he thought from the kitchen—set the hair on the back of his neck on end. He barely took a moment to notice it before he crept to the door and opened it a tiny crack.
The moon hung full and bright in the sky. Sath could see with the light that was streaming in the round windows. A figure moved about frantically in the kitchen, plunging gloved hands in and out of their belongings. The orb! Sath saw it come out of the bag when its bluish glow filled
