Skarm transformed into his goblin form as he rose to his feet. 'Go where?'
Nathifa didn't answer right away. Instead, she tucked Espial under her arm, returned to the table, and snatched up the dragonwand with her free hand.
'Trebaz Sinara,' the lich said. 'Where else?'
Skarm tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice as he replied. 'Where else, indeed? But we lack one very important component for sea travel, my mistress: a ship.'
'I know where we can get one,' the vampire said.
'Is it swift? We shall have need of a fast vessel,' Nathifa cautioned.
'Don't worry. This ship is fast.' Makala grinned. 'Fast as the wind.'
In an icy throne room far to the north, a bleached-white claw with long black nails stroked the smooth dome of an obsidian skull-one that was an exact match for Espial-and laughter brittle as ancient bones defiled the air.
