“Destroy worlds?” Janai laughed. “I think you exaggerate.”
“Really?” Wren responded. “Think back to that battlefield when Bannor took out the High Jury.” She shook her head. “If you knew the true potential of each of us.” She pointed at her brother, at Ziedra, her father and Daena. “You would be frightened out of your mind. And there’s scarier things,” She looked toward Sarai. “Sometimes people just don’t know when they are playing with fire.” She took a sip from her cup.
“Aren’t we getting a little far from the point here?” Corim said.
Daena leaned forward and pushed a hand through her hair. “Do you believe that, Lady Dulcere? That I’m as powerful as an eternal? They are incredible.”
The Kriar woman frowned.
The auburn haired girl shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
Dulcere nodded.
Daena blinked. “Control? I wish I felt like I was in control.”
The young savant looked toward Wren and her brow furrowed. “Wren? What does she have to do with anything?”
“Coerced?” Wren repeated. “Your mother tells a different version then. She started bullying me first. I just took her to Gaea to get it straightened out.”
Bannor held up his hands. “Stop. Just stop. My head is starting to hurt. Gaea made you boss savant?”
Wren sighed. “No. She made me responsible for looking out after all you problem children.” She rolled her eyes. “So, I guess that makes me your mother.”
Wren’s brother took a big hit on whatever he was drinking. He grinned and shook his head.
Wren’s father leaned toward her. “Pumpkin, I always remember my mother as taller—and darker—and more polite.”
Ziedra laughed.
“Go ahead poke fun,” Wren growled. “Gaea was serious. Damn it, I didn’t want the job. I begged not to be the one. Trust me on that.”
“It sounds funny, but it is true. Gaea picked her.” Ziedra said.
“Yes,” Euriel agreed.
“Gaea, I don’t know any Gaea,” Bannor said.
“You will,” Wren said. “If this is some attempt to capture Daena, you both will. She’s my mother, and yours too, and it’s best you know her.”
“This really comes down to whether the people came to attack Daena the ward prodigal, Daena the savant, or Daena the first one,” Sarai said.
Ryelle shook her head. “I just don’t see them after a first one. Any creatures expecting that kind of resistance would not have been run off so easily.”
“Just because a creature is powerful does not mean they will enter into conflict needlessly.” Senalloy said. “Especially if they know Daena’s capabilities. She would be almost impossible to capture if she were alert. She would be a handful for me or anyone.”
“Okay,” Ziedra said. “Say it is someone after Daena the first one. How would they find out? You haven’t been advertising it, have you? Aunt Aarlen didn’t know about her, and she’s pretty up on things like that.”
“We’ve been careful not to advertise it,” Janai said.
“Girls with glowing eyes are not exactly common,” Corim said.
“Actually, in Malan they are,” Sarai said, blinking glowing violet eyes. “I think her shape changing is what is more likely to have attracted notice. Unless there’s been some other incident that might have given something away.”
“I don’t think so,” Daena said. “I’ve been able to control my mass for two score-days. So, even that doesn’t give me away.”
“Even if they have kept it fairly concealed, there are plenty of folks in Gladshiem that know something is up with her,” Wren said. “She changed into Hella in front of the entire High Jury and told Odin where he could stick his judgment. We were all seen during the trial. Who knows what kind of attention that could have drawn?”
“Daena, if you are the target,” Senalloy said. “I think it would be wise to wear a different shape, one not so easily recognized. At least until we know whether we’re all just guessing or there really is a threat to you.”
“I think we’ve done enough speculating, it’s time to investigate and get some facts,” Sarai said. “Daena, I hope you’ll take Senalloy’s advice.”
“I will. It’s probably best, especially if I go out looking for the guys who might be looking for me. I just—” She shook her head. “I just have a hard time believing people would kill to get to me. They don’t even know me.”
“Did all the bloodguard who tried to kill us, know us—or care?” Bannor shook his head. “Assassins are worse. It doesn’t matter, all that matters is payment.” He looked toward the light shining in the window. “You know, it isn’t going to be easy conduct an investigation with a contingent of Griffin Elite watching Green Run.”
“A contingent?” Ryelle frowned and pushed back her chair. She strode to the shuttered doorway.
Fast as a flash Senalloy was standing in the way, arms folded. “Pardon Arminwen.”
The first princess frowned. “Don’t be—” She stopped and marshaled herself. Her chin dropped. “Of course.”
Senalloy opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony. After a moment, she gestured the princess out.
Ryelle edged past Senalloy. “There’s noth—” She broke off the word and looked back. Mumbling something in Elvish she shook her head. She came back into the dining area with the giant Baronian trailing behind. “They weren’t there when I came in, and you were with us the whole time. How did you know?”
Bannor glanced at Sarai. “Let’s say I’ve learned to know how your mother thinks. That and I know some of her trusted officers, they have auras strong enough that I can sense their attention.”
“Brother-to-be, you scare me sometimes,” Ryelle said with another shake of her head. She ran a hand through her pale translucent hair, amber eyes hooded. “I take comfort that we have you as an ally and not an enemy.”
“I can get past them,” Daena said. “I can stealth Wren and Ziedra.”
“What about Kalindinai’s magic?” Bannor asked. “That’s a little harder to fool.”
“Did mother lock us in here too?” Janai stood up.
“I’m not so good at identifying what a magic is,” Bannor said. “Just that it is there and who put it there.”
Ziedra rose slowly. “How did he—” She drifted into the
air, causing Ryelle’s eyes to widen. She floated over to the wall nearest the balcony and placed a hand against it. She sighed. “Wow, that subtle, and you still sensed it.”
“He’s such a snoop,” Wren said with a shake of a head. “Nobody close to him can get away with anything.”
“I’m not a snoop,” he said with a frown. “I can’t help it. When people have feelings for one another, it leaves threads…” He shrugged.
“Well, this ward was more made for show than actual security,” the dark-haired savant said, eyes giving off a bluish glow. “Probably just to satisfy observers.”
“Mother is going through every motion and step,” Ryelle said. “As she should—as we should.”
“I can bend it and leave it intact,” Ziedra said. “You know, in a way, the Queen is inviting us to leave.”
“How is that exactly?” Corim said.
“The number of people who could bend a ward like that, and slip past several squads of highly trained and magically equipped elves is extremely small.” Ziedra answered. “What little I know of the elf nobility is that they wouldn’t give a bunch of humans that much credit.”
Janai shook her head with a smile. “She has a point. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. Mother knows Euriel and Vanidaar can slip those wards. It is like a smoke screen. The nobility can’t accuse her of relying on our allies without first admitting that members of this group can act with such impunity.”
“Well, then we should get to—” Bannor said.
There was a pounding on main entry doors.
He stopped and looked over, as did everyone else. Two maids rushed to the doors, opened them a crack, then with apologies pulled them wide.
Framed in the massive valve were two huge humanoid creatures with jade-green scaly flesh, surrounded by at least two squads of Griffin elite. Both looked vaguely female, with contours and lines that at first glance made them appear as a large human woman might. They wore only blue hooded cloaks and short skirts belted at the waist. Their gold eyes were narrow and their fangs were bared, it was easy to tell neither was happy.
Urged by the guards, the two creatures stepped across the threshold, Sarai’s servants scrambling to be out of the way.
“Tymoril, Kegari,” Bannor said, crossing the quarters to stand in front of them. Though he’d grown accustomed to them they remained imposing figures that towered over him. He touched Tymoril’s arm. “Are you two all right?”
Tymoril glanced down at him and then glared back through the doorway as one of the guards pulled it shut with a boom. “We are—sss—” She scowled, heavy plated brow ridges furrowing with an audible creak. “Unharmed.”
“Hous-s-se arres-s-st,” Kegari added.
“We have done nothing,” Tymoril growled.
“Don’t worry,” Bannor said. “We’re all being kept safe for our own good.”
Kegari pulled the hood back off her head and raked a clawed hand through the black hair-like quills on her head. “Good? I s-s-see no good.”
Bannor took both of their arms. “Just be calm and don’t worry, were going fix it.”
Tymoril made rumbling sound and nodded. “Fix s-s-soon.” She looked around and raised her nose. Her nostrils dilated as she sniffed. “Smell food. Is some left?”
“Plenty,” he assured.
“Did mother question you, Tymoril?” Sarai asked as Bannor led them toward the banquet area.
“S-s-she did.” Tymoril confirmed, pulling off her cloak and throwing it on a rack. Revealing her glistening scales to the shimmering light of the chamber.
“Many ques-s-stions,” Kegari added, also removing her voluminous wrap. She stopped, eyeing Ziedra, Radian, Senalloy, Dulcere, and Corim. “These are new.” She bowed her dark head. “Pray what are their names-s-s?”
“These are Lady Ziedra,” Bannor introduced, “and her husband Radian. Lady Senalloy, who will now be guarding Sarai and her sisters. Arminwen Dulcere, and Corim Vale.”
“Friends, this is Kegari and Tymoril, they’re…”
“Dragons,” Corim murmured with wide eyes.
“Actually, Draconians I think is better.” Bannor said.
Tymoril wasn’t standing on formalities. She found an empty spot at the table and began shoveling up mouthfuls of food. “Greetings,” she said waving a clawed hand between bites. “Hunngry.”
Corim leaned back from the display. “At least they eat normal food.”
“I told them it was impolite to eat people,” Bannor laughed. He looked to Kegari who was casting an envious eye at her sister. “Kegari says humans and elves don’t taste good anyway.” He patted the massive female on the shoulder. “Go ahead, you’re obviously hungry.”
The Draconian nodded with a hiss and thumped down next to her sister and began devouring the leftovers.
“Well, at least we know where they are now,” Sarai said.
“At least,” he said, shaking his head.
Euriel stood up and came to stand next to Tymoril. The Draconian glanced at the Aesir woman, but pretended not to notice her.
“What have my mother’s eyes been up to anyways, I haven’t seen either of you for days.”
“Touring in the s-s-south,” Kegari piped up between bites. “Eas-s-t of kingdom called Ivaneth.”
“Why there?” Euriel asked.
“Jus-s-st exploring,” Tymoril responded.
“There’s plenty in Malan to explore,” Euriel offered in a suspicious tone.
“Cold,” Tymoril answered. She chopped off several large hunks of a bread loaf and gnashed them down in a few fanged bites. “Warmer in south, wanted to see the ocean.”
“There is no ocean to the east,” Bannor said.
“Go east then south, near mountains,” Kegari said.
“That would be Coormeer,” Laramis let out, standing up. “Pray, you have not been tormenting my countrymen?!”
Tymoril shook her head. “S-s-s-s, no—just looking—visiting.”
Sarai frowned and glanced at Janai. “Interesting coincidence.”
“Oh give it a rest, Sister,” Janai fumed. “Don’t you have an investigation you want to conduct?”
“Yes,” Sarai answered with a sigh. She looked to Laramis. “I guess the best way to get out would be to leave when Laramis does.” Her eyes went to their daughter. “Marta will be safe here with us.”
“I will stay here with her,” Irodee told him.
Laramis nodded to Irodee.
Daena rose. Her glowing green eyes went to Ziedra who was still floating a short distance off the floor. “I can handle the stealth if you can do some invisibility.”
Ziedra responded with a thumbs up. “Done and done.”
The young savant was studying Ziedra with narrowed eyes. “How are you doing that?”
Ziedra looked down at her feet which weren’t touching the floor. Her cheeks flushed a little. “A little first one inspired magic transfer. I’ve had it for five summers and it’s become so second nature I sometimes forget I’m doing it.”
“Maybe you can teach me some time,” Daena said. “Tymoril was starting to but we never finished our lessons.”
“You’ll be getting a lesson, since neither of us is quiet like Wren.” Ziedra gestured, eyes glowing a pale blue. A flickering diamond of light appeared on Daena’s brow and grew bright. The atmosphere swirled around her making her clothes rustle. In a puff of warm air, she drifted off the floor a short distance.
Daena looked down eyes going wide. “Oh totally wizard!” She rose up a little higher and did a slow turn. She shook her fists. “Yes!”
Tymoril looked back at Daena. The Draconian’s lip curled. “That not flying. I teach you real flying.”
“It’ll do for now,” Daena breathed. “It’s great!” She did a slow arcing turn out toward the sitting circle and came humming back.
Wren watched the display with an approving nod. “That’s really good control.”
“That’s excellent co
ntrol,” Ziedra complimented. “I remember how much you floundered around the first time.”
“Oh hush,” Wren frowned. “I can only imagine how bad you would have been if you hadn’t absorbed all the knowledge from the amulet.”
Ziedra shrugged.
“Don’t I get to fly?” Wren asked.
The dark-haired woman frowned at her. “I don’t hear you asking nicely.”
Wren folded her arms. “Zee, how long are you going to do this to me?”
The woman pursed her lips. “How long have you been hiding from me?”
Wren rolled her eyes. “I apologized.”
Ziedra tilted her head. “I accepted.” She put hands on hips and stared at Wren.
The blonde woman gritted her teeth then forced a smile. “Please.”
The dark-haired savant sighed. She gestured and flare of magic appeared on Wren’s forehead, the glow spreading around her limbs. A misty puff of warm air spun around her feet and lifted her up.
She looked down. “Thank you.”
“I should probably go with them,” Bannor said. “No point in sitting here waiting for them to find something.”
Sarai nodded.
Corim rose from his chair. “Mind if I tag along? I have my own stealth.” He touched the bracer on his arm. The metal band flowed around his hand with humming sound and stretched out into a long double-edged war-blade with an over-sized hilt with a long sweeping crosspiece with a single large red jewel in its center.
Bannor felt threads of reality twist out of nowhere and begin a cork-screwing dance around the powerful item. “Whoa. A shaladen.”
“An honorary one,” Corim said. “But plenty enough for what we need to do. If these people are hunting a baby eternal, I better be there to help out. Koass wants Daena watched. If it’s not me, it will be someone else.”
“I don’t mind having a couple of handsome fellows along to protect us ‘vulnerable’ maidens,” Ziedra said. “Are you two okay with flying?”
Corim grinned. “I’m a fast learner.”
Reality's Plaything 3: Eternal's Agenda Page 23
