Taeben, disguised as a dragonkind soldier, faded into view after Sath and Gin passed by. He scowled and then smiled, enjoying the different features of his new half-dragon face.
Sath, you are no challenge at all. I must remember that Raedea character, that went much faster than I’d expected. If only Ginny hadn’t interrupted. . .
Twenty-Nine
Lady, Your Wizard is Showing
“Pardon me, Nature Walker?” Gin and Sath paused on the way to Omerith’s grand hall and turned to see who had called out. A female dragonkind—a sentry, by the look of her livery and light armor—was scurrying up behind them.
“Yes? How can I help you?” Gin looked up into the female’s face as she drew closer to them. “You must forgive me for staring, but your kind is fascinating to me.” The female blushed, and Gin nearly laughed with delight as her aubergine colored scales intensified in color all the way to the roots of her hair.
“To be honest, my lady, the two of you fascinate me as well. I have never met travelers such as you before. So tiny!” Gin felt Sath bristle through the bond and grinned at him.
You get used to that, Sath.
I will never, ever call you tiny again.
“You called out for my attention—I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Apologies, Nature Walker, how rude of me.” She bowed low. “My name is Raikynth, and I am the First Caeth of -”
“That’s an Alynantaloian term.”
“Yes, Nature Walker. My ancestors were high elves, and Lord Omerith created this position for me as a way to honor them.” Gin looked up into Raikynth’s face again, and now she could see the high elf influence on her sharp nose and high forehead. “I have been sent by Lord Omerith to fetch you. Are you on your way to his grand hall now?”
“Aye, Raikynth.” Gin struggled a bit with the pronunciation of the name, and the dragonkind beamed a very toothy grin at her. “I’m sorry, I know what it is like to hear people mispronounce your name.”
“Yes, Ginolwenye of the Trees, I suppose you would,” Sath chimed in, chuckling.
“You may call me Raiky if you like, Nature Walker—it is what my siblings and my friends call me, and I should very much like it if you would as well. But not if it is too familiar.”
“Raiky it is.” Gin indicated that the dragonkind should go first, so she strode out in front of them, causing Gin and Sath to scramble to keep up with her long strides.
Yes, another thing I will never do again—bothersome short elf legs.
Gin laughed out loud and then clapped a hand over her mouth. Raikynth took no notice and continued her breakneck pace through the corridors. They arrived at the great hall in no time—Gin and Sath almost plowed right into the back of Raikynth as she stopped at the door to announce them. “My Lord Omerith, I have found -”
“Yes, yes, thank you Raiky, let them pass.” Gin could feel the concern from Omerith—not just through the bond but like thick air hanging in the room. To his right, sat his daughter, Daelyth. She was a bit hard to look at—the sunbeam coming in the window was reflecting off her scales and creating a light show to rival the fairies on the floor and walls.
Gin took a step backward. “How may we be of service?” she asked.
Omerith lowered his head. “Nature Walker, there is a strongroom within the fortress that will be a safe place to keep the orb if it is no longer safe within the Void. If you give it to my guard, Raikynth, she will take the orb there now. That way, you will not know where it is—and after what I saw in your mind from this morning, I think that is the best choice until the plan to use the orb is solidified. Are you both agreed?” Sath and Gin nodded, and Gin took the orb carefully out of the bag and walked over to where the First Caeth was standing. She spoke some words in Eldyr, and then Raikynth and the orb disappeared.
“Thank you, Omerith. The day will come that the orb must be used, but I wish to be far away from it until that happens.” Gin bowed her head respectfully as she spoke.
“Aye, Nature Walker, I agree, and I am not sure that any of us should be close by until that day. For now, though, it is safe.” He nodded his massive head just as his image shimmered, and he and Daelyth disappeared.
Sath chuckled, “I have got to learn to do that, Gin!” She elbowed Sath in response. Something was not right here—it was too easy. Nothing was ever that easy for them.
“Nature Walker, Rajah, would you follow me, please?” Gin nearly came out of her skin at the sound of Raikynth’s voice. How had she made it back so fast from—wherever it was that she stowed the orb?
“Of course. Come on, Sath.” He nodded, and they followed Raikynth back to the apartment where they had stayed the night before.
What are we missing, Sath?
What do you mean?
That was too easy. What are we missing?
Are you suggesting that Omerith or his daughter has been compromised? Maybe that dark elf is a sorceress, Gin. Perhaps she has an illusion that would make her appear as his daughter, or as Omerith himself?
Along those lines, but that is powerful magic, Sath—not even Ben could manage something like that. Stop growling, it may not be audible in your wood elf suit, but I can feel it in the back of my mind—and up the back of my neck.
I’m not growling, Gin.
Yes, you are, and I know why—it’s because I mentioned Ben. I know that bothers you, but seriously, you need to -
Gin, I’m not growling!
Gin’s hand flew to the back of her neck—what
