As he stood hoping for a chance to explore these items, a red-robed fellow a few years younger than him stopped beside him, looking every bit the young wizard, a wooden staff in one thin hand and several pouches hanging from a golden cord at his waist. Matt had noticed him before. Gold rings and bracelets peeked out from the sleeves of his well-worn robe, which depicted a magic wand and staff over his heart. Tall and skinny, he seemed awkward and nervous, one hand brushing the long brown hair from his thin face. His brown eyes were deep and intelligent, alert, but discreet.
“Greetings, Soliander,” he said timidly, bowing his head.
Matt nodded at him and tried to use his best alpha male tone, which was pretty weak, to intimidate the guy into going away. “Greetings, wizard.”
“My name is Raith,” said the young wizard. “You begin your quest tomorrow?”
“That is correct.”
“It would be most interesting to see you in action.”
“Perhaps,” replied Matt evasively.
“Um, well, I’ve, I’ve been thinking it might be a great help to Honyn, and yourselves, if you were not the, um, only one able to work the Dragon Gate. This way, the four of you would no longer be summoned simply to close it.”
For a moment, Matt thought that was a great idea, but then he thought better of it and gave Raith a hard look, knowing where this was going. “It’s not that much trouble,” he said dismissively, “and we might have no other reason to visit your fair world.”
“That is true. Hopefully nothing else would require your assistance, as much as we are honored by your presence.” He paused. “Still, what if you are unable to come and no one can close the gate? You could be away on another quest, or… or…” He stopped.
Matt arched an eyebrow at him. Was he suggesting Soliander might be dead and unavailable? That was bold. “You needn’t worry about that,” he replied, feigning disapproval.
Raith hesitated and Matt had the impression he was choosing words carefully. “I’d very much like to learn how the Dragon Gate works,” Raith began sincerely, “and accompany you on your journey. I could lend assistance, freeing you for more important tasks.”
He wore such a hopeful look that Matt took pity and lightened the attitude. “I think it’s best that no one but me knows how to turn the gate on and off.”
Raith nodded. “Yes, and pardon me for remarking, but it seems that someone else has already figured that out, Great Magus.”
Now there was a good point, but there was no way Matt could give this guy what he didn’t have – knowledge of how the gate worked. It wasn’t really his decision to make anyway, but that of the real Soliander, despite his apparent disappearance and abandonment of the gate and any other concerns. Fortunately Matt had a better point. “And you see how much trouble this person has caused?”
Raith bowed his head. “You are wise beyond me. Perhaps you could merely show me how to activate it, not deactivate it.”
Matt conceded that was another good point, except it was possible the same thing turned it off and on. “That is possible, but I’ll make that determination after the quest, not before.”
“You are too kind. Perhaps if you saw me in action yourself, you’d entrust me with this task more readily?”
Matt shook his head inwardly. This guy didn’t give up easily, but Matt was resourceful, too. Changing the subject without seeming to, he asked, “Maybe. Why don’t you tell me about your schooling? How did you become a wizard?”
Raith looked flattered by Soliander’s genuine interest and soon became engrossed in relating his experience, which Matt helped with a barrage of questions to keep him distracted. A life as a wizard’s apprentice or formal schooling sounded fascinating. Raith had been on his own a few years now, and it became clear he wanted to learn from Soliander, but Matt was having none of that. He skillfully avoided questions to the point of rudeness, but with such a deferential admirer, it was easy. He forgot to keep an eye on his friends, but he wasn’t the only one getting distracted.
Awash in perfume, caresses, and flirtatious looks on the stone dance floor, Ryan felt the effects of so much feminine attention on him. Normally it didn’t work, but the sheer volume of young women vying for him was unusual. The subjects they raised didn’t help, like how much land their fathers owned as dowry, or what title he’d assume upon marriage, or their family’s proximity to the throne. While they clearly wanted a husband and perhaps a trophy one at that, their looks promised no shortage of bedroom frolicking. These weren’t just girls, either, but full-bodied women, all dressed to kill.
The only sobering aspect was that it wasn’t really him they wanted, but Korrin, the Pride of Andor, and that his courage in battle was the reason for his desirability. It was the single greatest difference between them, and why these women found a violent man so attractive mystified him. They must surely be romanticizing the whole hero idea and ignoring the bloody truth they never saw. He was sure that the reality of a dead body would’ve taken the romance out of their looks in an instant. It had surely done so for him. Every dance step became a bitter reminder that the man he’d killed would never take another step again.
The women took turns with him, casting looks of thinly veiled hostility toward each other, though one seemed rather unconcerned with any dagger-like glances thrown her way. She caused a hasty retreat in the one she replaced, and from the muscles bulging under her golden gown, she could apparently take care of herself. Her gaze was direct like that of a man, and she seemed powerful, dangerous, and sleek like her jet black hair. Rough calloused hands added to the sense of vigor, suggesting she
