“You’re right,” Sath replied. “But Gin, don’t you wonder how they knew we had it? How did they know where we were? And she looked familiar to me, but I couldn’t place where I had seen her before.”
Gin’s head appeared in the doorway. “What are you saying, Sath? Do you think that—”
“Nothing,” he said quickly. “Just wondering, is all.” Just wondering if your goddess set us up, he thought, making sure she couldn’t hear him through the bond. “Let’s hit the trail.”
As she left without the orb, Ellie called out to the Mother Dragon in her mind, just as she’d been told to do. She felt ancient magic wrap around her like an inky blanket, and the next thing she knew, she was in the presence of the primeval dragon. “I have failed you, Mother,” Ellie said as she crumpled to her knees, face pressed into the ground in front of her. This would be the end of her, for sure—Taebenwas terrifying but nothing compared to being in the presence of this being of myth and legend. “Sephine is using the Nature Walker to transport the orb somewhere. I was unable to secure the weapon, but I do know where they are.”
“Interesting that Sephine has tried to tip the scales, so to speak. They are on their way to see my son, I am certain of it. Sephine means to enlist my son to keep my Taanyth in the Void. Omerith will turn them away or become my enemy. I will remember his choice.” She looked down at Ellie, now trembling at her feet. “Oh, get up, stop the groveling. You will continue to follow the wood elf couple that Sephine thinks she can use to foil my plans, and I will watch through our bond. I will have them both back here to answer for what they did to my Taanyth as well as have the orb.” Ellie looked up into that terrifying smile once again and shuddered. “Off you go, then!” The darkness surrounded her again—when it cleared, Ellie was back in the dirt to the side of the path. Had she even gone anywhere? Had she seen the Mother Dragon in her mind? Even Taeben did not have that ability -
GO, ELSPETHE!
The Mother Dragon’s voice reverberated through her mind, and she thought she felt Taeben stirring as well. After casting invisibility and increased speed magic, she wasted no time in following their trail.
Several hours into their travels, Gin came to an abrupt halt and quickly found Sath in the bond.
Sath, listen to me, we’re being followed. Don’t let on that you know, just keep acting natural. I don’t know who or what yet, but there is someone close by us.
Sath scanned the area. They had come to a crossroads, and from what little he gleaned from the signposts along the way, they were not far at all from La’al Drygyr—home of the red dragon Guardian, Omerith. A cool breeze lifted the fringe of hair off Gin’s forehead, and Sath pulled his tunic up around his neck.
How do you manage without fur?
Gin giggled a bit but stopped abruptly and started off toward the north.
Gin?
Na’hina, Sath! Just keep your mouth shut and follow me. I’m the one with the tracking ability, remember?
Sath grinned, both at her bravado and her mastery of his language. It seemed like only yesterday that they were out hunting with the other Fabled Ones, sitting around the fire listening to Gin trying to perfect the sounds of the Qatunari language. Now she was swearing.
They followed the path as quietly they could, Sath following a step or two behind Gin as she led the way. She moved gracefully, and Sath was ashamed that he had never noticed it before. Maybe he understood better how nimble their bodies were because he was one now? He chuckled to himself, thinking of other ways in which Gin was quite agile.
What?
Gin turned her upper body to glare at him as she froze in her tracks. She stopped so suddenly that Sath almost crashed into her, cursing his lack of feline grace as he stumbled to resume his balance.
Nothing.Sorry. I’m just a little distracted. Sorry.
She continued on, annoyance apparent on her face, past what appeared to be several large brew barrels that contained enough ale to keep the citizens of La’al Drygyr drunk for days…if dragonkind were as fond of libation as the dwarves. Sath’s heart twinged a bit at the thought of Teeand and Nerhys and all their young ones. He quickened his pace to make sure he kept up with Gin. He knew that she was taking them in a circular path to the citadel ahead when he noticed the brew barrel go by a second time. Why were they circling around?
Gin is someone still—
Wait. Let me concentrate.
Gin raised a finger that she held up behind her back at him. Sath followed in silence, a scowl deepening his elven features. After the third trip around, Gin stopped suddenly. She spoke ancient Elvish words, and Sath felt the familiar cloak of invisibility wrap around him. Instead of the fear he usually felt at being unable to see her, somehow, he was calm, knowing that he could just reach out in front of himself, and she would be there. Being the same size as Gin really made more of a difference than Sath ever would have imagined. They both stood still where they were, and soon a hooded figure came creeping out from behind a nearby tree. She pushed her hood back, and Gin nearly gasped when she recognized the dark elf that had tried to rob them earlier.
She’s following us.I told you there would be another attempt. Come on, Sath. We’re putting an end to this.
Sath reached out and found Gin’s hand, squeezing it to show her he understood. He was glad
