Fated Fortunes

by Angela Colsin

  “Like this book,” Dalris supplied.

  “Right. But the more Papa tried to locate the items, the more confusing things became. There was no archive of any information detailing a theft at Gowlan's Shrine, and Gowlan is such a notable figure of Onorian history that my grandfather knew something was amiss. So he went back to the Shrine and broke in.”

  Normally, a draconian would scowl at anyone who entered a shrine without permission. But in this case, he believed Morwin's actions were warranted, and merely asked, “What did he find?”

  “It was all burned,” Jada answered pointedly. “The walls were charred, pieces of the altar melted away, but there were no jewels or any gold.”

  Hearing this, Dalris summarized, “Then it's possible that whoever burned these items had the jewels and gold shipped out to make it look as if the shrine was looted.”

  “Precisely,” Jada confirmed, lifting the charred book. “This was all Papa found that was remotely legible, and several of the passages reference Rinora's House.”

  Then someone had engaged in a cover up. But what were they trying to hide, and perhaps more importantly, who was trying to hide it?

  Sadly, there were too many possibilities to name a positive suspect. Even a draconian could've entered the shrine and destroyed whatever was there just in an attempt to make elves look bad.

  Yet, whoever was to blame, Dalris had an entirely different question to ask. “Still, that shrine was built by House Nefilias. So how did a codex from Rinora's get placed inside? Is there evidence that Gowlan helped them in some way as well?”

  Returning the charred codex to the chest, Jada then checked a nearby table possessing a stack of books, and lifted one with a green binding.

  Opening the pages, she explained, “Not precisely. The legible passages in that codex only mention a horrible battle her House fought. But Papa did speculate, and this is his book of translations and comparisons with the ancient draconian to the current handwriting if you'd like to go over the information for yourself.”

  Dalris took the book, unable to help a smile as he flipped through the pages. Not only was Jada's enthusiasm contagious, it was also endearing.

  “Did he teach you draconian?”

  She frowned and shook her head. “No, he never got the chance. But he left more than enough information for me to teach myself to read it. Still, I'm better with the ancient stuff than the way it's written today.”

  Nodding, Dalris qualified, “I'll have to teach you sometime.”

  In response to the suggestion, she gave a strange look that said she wasn't certain that would ever happen, perhaps because she didn't plan on spending that much time with him. But neither of them had the chance to comment before Karina asked her sister a question.

  “By the way, Jada, what does the map in Papa's tome say about the location of Rinora's temple?”

  For some reason, Jada grinned sheepishly. “It's in Northern Sadonia.”

  “Damn!” she cussed, immediately digging through her pockets as Jada laughed.

  Apparently, they had a bet about the location because Karina flipped a few noris toward her sister, and Dalris smirked, asking, “Where did you think it would be?”

  “I was sure it was located in The Wastelands after we learned the Battle for Divinity might tie in with this.”

  That made sense. The Wastelands of Ahm'Ra was an island continent just south of Onoria that consisted of nothing but desert for as far as the eye could see. As the story went, it used to be a lush region until The Guardian wiped it out during The Battle for Divinity, and no one had lived there since.

  So if they were going to find a long lost temple, The Wastelands seemed like a good place to start looking. Yet Morwin had evidently discovered a different possibility—and Northern Sadonia wasn't actually far off, being just west of The Wastelands.

  “At least I got the region right,” Karina mentioned during his thoughts. “So now what? We have the tome, the map, and the disc, meaning all we need to do is find the spot on Papa's map, and access the temple ruin, right?”

  Jada nodded in confirmation. “Yes. By the way, have you heard from Novak?”

  “Not yet. He probably wants to surprise us.”

  Jada grinned in amusement as Dalris curiously inquired, “Who's Novak?”

  Karina answered, “A barbarian who owns a trading company. He's an old friend of Morwin's, and he'll be here any day now with a ship to take us to Sadonia.”

  “A ship?” Dalris looked between them. “You're not teleporting?”

  He already knew they couldn't make a transit stone that would take them to Northern Sadonia without first going there to set the stone's anchor point. It was also apparent from escaping Menlor that Karina didn't possess the ability to teleport magically—or perhaps she did, but was terrible at doing so over long distances.

  Still, Dalris had a number of friends that could do the job, and teleporting would save a lot of time.

  Yet Jada pointed out, “Actually, Papa had a mage accompany him to the ruin, and found out the entire area is warded against teleportation magic, just like current draconian temples. Still, even if it wasn't, I wouldn't teleport because I can't leave Adravi here alone.”

  “Adravi?”

  At his question, she looked at Karina and asked, “Is he here?”

  “I think he's snoozing.”

  “That figures.” Jada smirked, then waved Dalris along, saying, “Come on, I'll introduce you.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Jada wasn't sure how it'd happened, but she found herself leading Dalris through one of the tunnels on her island with a surprising amount of enthusiasm.

  After being so reluctant to let him come to the grotto at all, she wasn't sure what to think of her newfound exuberance. But the more she showed the draconian of her grandfather's work, the more she wanted him to see, honestly flattered when he seemed so impressed.

  Now, she was eager to introduce him to Adravi, and wasted no time leading him through the tunnels until they emerged in a sizable cavern on the southern side of the island she called the den. With a large opening in the ceiling above, most of the area was decorated by vines, moss, and numerous animal skeletons—including the fresh carcass of a large cockatrice.

  Yet the main attraction was currently curled up in a ball at the center of the room; an adult red wyvern who measured seventeen feet in length from head to tail.

  Jada looked up at Dalris as he emerged in the cavern behind her with his vision fixating on the sleeping beast and remarked, “That's Adravi.”

  Walking over to gently wake him, she added, “He's just lazy.”

  Dalris was now grinning as if he'd already guessed as much, asking, “Is this the same wyvern I met thirty years ago?”

  Jada smirked, confirming his suspicions while stroking her hand along Adravi's neck until he stirred.

  Slowly lifting his head, the wyvern opened its large mouth of razor sharp fangs and let a yawn. In the process, steam rose, causing the air to waver like hot concrete under the sun.

  The animal then turned a set of golden eyes down at Jada, letting a purr when she stroked his snout affectionately.

  At the same time, Dalris walked over without worrying Adravi would have a negative reaction to his presence, and mentioned, “Red wyverns are the rarest of all.”

  “I know. I actually saved him from poachers, and he's stuck with me ever since. So there are a few reasons I'm not teleporting to Sadonia.”

  Turning a fond gaze back at the wyvern, she added, “I don't know how long I'll be gone, and Adravi gets lonely. But Novak's galleon, The Cutlass, used to belong to poachers, and has a refitted compartment large enough to allow him to ride along. That way, he can follow us whenever he wants, and still have a safe place to sleep during the day.”

  “So I see,” Dalris remarked with a warm smile, giving the wyvern a few friendly slaps on the back, which Adravi seemed to appreciate. “Considering how rare these wyverns are, I'm not surprised he hasn't fou
nd a flight to roam with, and he'd become depressed if left alone for too long.”

  “Exactly,” Jada returned, gazing up at the beast with a frown. “When I found him, the poachers had already damaged the webbing in his left wing to prevent him from escaping by flying away. I used fire to heal him, but even now, he has trouble flying for as long or far as other wyverns. So I'd like to locate a flight for him once all is said and done, but I'm worried he wouldn't fit in.”

  When a few tears threatened to spill at the thought of Adravi's struggles, Jada took a deep breath to control her emotions. Even Dalris seemed angered by the mention of the wyvern's mistreatment, though he offered some reassuring news.

  “You'd be surprised. We've been bringing baby wyverns to Terra for a number of years now so they can grow up without the worry of being killed for their scales, and they've always integrated with ease once they're returned to this realm.”

  Jada blinked in surprise. She had no idea draconians did such a thing, asking hopefully, “Really?”

  He nodded, turning to face her. “So once you're ready to find him a flight, the House of Nefilias would eagerly assist.”

  Nefilias was the Great Dragon of fire, and his House was the same that Adravi belonged to. Jada had always known they'd be happy to help him find a proper home as well, but she hadn't felt able to approach them about it, both due to time constraints, and her personal situation.

  Yet Dalris was proving that some of her preconceived notions on how a draconian would treat her for being an elf weren't necessarily accurate, and perhaps she'd have luck seeking their assistance after all.

  In either case, she appreciated his reassurance that Adravi would adapt to a flight with ease. Jada knew the wyvern wouldn't be a pushover by any means—he could easily destroy parts of their island if he wanted—but it was nice to imagine him having companionship with his own kind.

  In fact, she was so grateful she nearly asked if Dalris would travel with her to make the request when the time came. Yet she wasn't certain she wanted to give him a reason to stick around, and decided to reword the question to something a little less binding.

  “Do you know any draconians from House Nefilias?”

  “I do,” he answered, “and we could easily start with them.”

  Jada smiled with a silent nod, stroking her hand along Adravi's nose once again. “I think he'd like that.” And I definitely do.

  As she had the thought, she could almost feel herself softening toward Dalris. It wasn't a sensation she was certain she welcomed, but it was hard not to focus on it when she got the sense that he was watching her, perhaps thinking the very same thing.

  It was simply hard to tell because he changed the subject.

  “I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but saving Adravi's life isn't the only reason he's so friendly with you.”

  “I know,” she responded plainly. “Dragonkind never attack a draconian's mate, and I think that was one of the reasons Papa wanted me to travel with him once I was older. He thought it might be helpful in the long run to have me around.”

  “Morwin knew you were mated to a draconian, too?”

  Dalris sounded confused, and Jada pursed her lips, uncertain she liked where the conversation was going.

  Still, she answered, “My whole family does.”

  “How?” he asked, voice thick with curiosity. “You told me you had it on good authority, but you never explained what authority. Did you visit some kind of seer?”

  She hesitated with her answer. Most outsiders didn't know about the elven tradition of taking children to shamans to have their mates foretold, and she had no idea how Dalris would react if he learned of it—or more specifically, if he learned what happened to children who had a forbidden mate.

  So she gave a vague response. “Yes, my parents took me when I was a baby.”

  “And how did they react?”

  Jada groaned, turning to walk away from Adravi while grumbling, “You just had to ask that, didn't you?”

  “Why? Did they disown you?”

  They may as well have. She sighed at the thought, shaking her head. “No, but since it's forbidden to mate with a draconian, I was sent to a Udanian Convent to serve our goddess.”

  She'd hoped her simple answer would sate his curiosity, yet he looked even more intrigued now than before—not to mention incredulous.

  Taking a few steps in her direction, he inquired disbelievingly, “They got rid of you?”

  “No!” she snapped, even though that's exactly what it felt like. But it was irritating to hear Dalris make such an assumption with so little information, and know how close to the truth it actually was.

  Particularly considering how much it hurt. They certainly didn't put much effort into visiting.

  It wasn't the first time such thoughts made Jada feel as if she'd been brushed off. But this time, there was a level of embarrassment attached, suggesting she cared what Dalris thought and didn't want his pity.

  Why, she had no idea, but stubbornly refused to discuss the subject any further by immediately interrupting when he tried to ask another question.

  “Did they come—”

  “I don't want to talk about it, Dalris. Besides, I need to start reading Papa's tome, so feel free to look around, and we'll discuss our travel plans later.”

  With that said, she didn't waste a moment, and hurried out of the den.

  CHAPTER 15

  Well, I fucked that up.

  Dalris watched Jada go, remaining with Adravi despite his longing to follow his mate and right whatever wrongs he'd committed. But he'd obviously struck a nerve with his questions, and she'd probably need time to cool off before he could get any answers.

  Still, he'd been unable to help his incredulity. The idea that Jada's parents had sent her off to be raised in a convent just because of who her mate would be seemed utterly foreign. It also served as a reminder of how many differences stood between them, and how far he'd have to go to win her over.

  Yet, as he looked up at Adravi, and recalled the emotion in Jada's voice when she related the wyvern's trouble flying, he knew for certain it was possible to bridge the gap. Adravi was healthy and obviously happy with his current company, a clear sign that they shared a strong bond.

  So Dalris would be able to forge a connection with Jada just the same—as long as he showed patience.

  Thankfully, he had centuries of practice to draw on.

  “Uh, Dalris?”

  Hearing his name, he turned around to see Karina near the entrance of the cavern, and she looked a little sheepish.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Oh, no! I just uh … .” Pursing her lips as she trailed, the elf moved further inside the cavern and spoke more softly, “I saw Jada on the way to her hut, and she kind of slammed the door. So I figured you two argued, and took the chance to come talk to you.”

  Dalris sighed, returning, “I'm not sure I'd call it an argument, but yes, and there's plenty of time to talk if you'd like.”

  “Good,” Karina returned with a smile, rummaging through her pocket as she added, “because I have somewhere I'd like to go, and I kind of need an escort.”

  “An escort?”

  “Yes. Do you know the port town of Eversgate?” At his nod, she pulled a transit stone from her pocket, and a black pouch that she handed to him, mentioning, “They have a magic shop I need to deliver some supplies to, and uh, there's a tavern called Shore's End that I'd like to visit.”

  “Shore's End?” Dalris gave her a skeptical look. He'd never visited Shore's End personally—it hadn't opened until centuries after he'd departed Ithelyon to live in Terra. But he'd heard numerous stories, and most proved it was the type of place someone like Isaac would get a kick out of.

  In other words, seedy—and if the amount of money in the coin purse she'd just handed over was any indication, Karina was looking for protection.

  “You do know what kind of place that is, don't you?” he asked.

 
“Yes, that's why I'm asking you to escort me. Jada wouldn't approve unless someone comes with me.”

  “To be honest,” he returned, “I'm not certain I approve.”

  “Why? Do I need a bigger payment?”

  “No, two hundred platinum is more than enough for this type of job.”

  Karina blinked in surprise. “How did you know the amount?”

  She sounded awestruck, causing him to smile when he related, “I can tell by the bag's weight. As for your proposal, I'm not certain I want to leave Jada here alone.”

  “Oh, she stays here alone all the time,” Karina started, adding, “and besides, she already knows I need to make this delivery. So I just need some company for the tavern.”

  Dalris released a skeptical breath, and considered the situation. The port town of Eversgate was peaceful, serving as a home mostly to humans and barbarians, so he had no trouble accompanying her there.

  In fact, it would be a good idea if he went just to use the money she'd given him to gather a few supplies—namely clothing.

  But Shore's End?

  Parting his lips to attempt talking her out of it, Karina suddenly gave him the most innocuous pair of wide, violet eyes and imploring pout he'd ever seen.

  “Please, Dalris?” she all but begged—and he couldn't stop staring at that face.

  Dalris had taken so many dangerous jobs he'd lost count, but none of it prepared him for the affect her innocent plea had. Karina simply reminded him of her sister too much to think Jada would look any differently, and he tried to resist, but heard himself sighing in defeat anyway.

  “Very well,” he muttered.

  Immediately, Karina gifted him with a bright grin and an excited hop, and he couldn't help a smile of his own.

  Maybe visiting Shore's End wasn't a horrible idea, but regardless, their trip would give him a chance to know Karina better—and if he was lucky, she'd reveal information that would help him earn Jada's trust, too.