Where had they gone? She knew her way back out of this part of the forest, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to leave just yet. After all, she had to prove that she would be a good solo adventurer because it was a vital part of the druid life. She couldn’t see when she was in tree form but instead could feel the wind flowing through her leaves. She tried to use her sense of smell but found it lacking as well as her sight, so she stretched as far as she could, both up and down, trying to imagine the sunshine bathing her leaves and the ground strengthening her and holding her upright. She let go at that moment and basked in the feeling of being loved and supported by the All-Mother, Sephine.
She wasn’t sure how long she stayed in that feeling—that moment—but as though awaking from a dream, she became aware that something or someone was near her and was sheltering behind her trunk. Gin was pleased to discover that her sense of hearing was intact in her tree form, and she listened as carefully as she could. She could hear what sounded like horse’s hooves moving very slowly around her trunk, and she wished vehemently that she could see who was guiding that horse. Had Nelenie and Ben come back for her? Where would they have gotten a horse?
Finally, Gin could stand her own curiosity no longer and shook off the tree form spell. She fell to the ground, stunned as she always was when she came out of that illusion. As she opened her eyes, she saw black hooves pounding the mossy ground in front of her. Hot breath hit the top of her head, and when she lifted her head to look at the rider of the horse, she found that it did not have one. Instead, her eyes met the fiery gaze of a creature of legend that roamed the darker parts of the forest—the dark mare. Gin couldn’t breathe. The horse was looking her over, snorting periodically and moving her muzzle closer to catch Gin’s scent.
“Tiny,” the horse said, the voice frightening Gin to her core. “Wood elf. Afraid. Lovely.” She nudged Gin with her nose. “Well, get to your feet little one, I will at least give you a head start.”
“A head start for what?” Gin asked, her voice quivering, betraying her fear. She had heard tales of the dark mare her entire life but had assumed they were just fairy tales told to Elven children to keep them in their beds at night rather than roaming about the Forest.
“A head start to run for the lighter parts of the Great Forest, where I will not be able to catch you,” the mare replied, licking her lips. “Hurry now, or I will forget that I am merciful.”
Gin stood and pulled her pack up onto her shoulders. “You and I both know that I can’t outrun you,” she said. She tried to control the shaking in her upper body. “So this is all for sport, isn’t it?”
“You are clever for one so young,” the mare said, shaking her mane and snorting. Sparks billowed up from her neck and dissipated into the air. “Clever, but foolish at the same time. You should be making your escape, and yet you stand here and talk to me? Are you not afraid of me?”
“Of course I am,” Gin said, knowing that her fear was billowing off her in waves. “But I am also sad for you, and if killing me makes you less miserable, then I think it is a small price to pay. Why would I run and prolong the inevitable?”
“Humor me,” the horse said, her head very close to Gin’s and her breath stifling in its heat.
“It is not a fair game if you see me run,” Gin said. She suddenly remembered that the dark mare was afraid of wolves. It was one of the few things that she feared and would not attack.
“Life is not fair. Now, on your mark, little druid, I don’t have all day!”
“Yes, of course,” Gin replied, working out the words for an illusion spell in her head as she took a step or two back. “You will stay there?”
“I will count to ten,” the mare replied. Gin dashed away from her, trying to find a tree she could hide behind while she cast her spell. “One. Two…oh, bother, what comes next?” Gin flattened herself against the tree and began her casting. “Eight? No, that isn’t right. Oh, well, I guess… TEN!”
The sound of rapid hoof beats grew louder and louder. Gin felt her arms elongate, and she could not help but bend over as her body shifted into that of a black wolf. She sprang from behind the tree, causing the mare to rear up on her hind legs, whinnying with fear. Gin snarled and took a step toward the creature, which turned tail and ran back the way she had come. Before she dismissed the illusion, Gin sprinted toward the lighter part of the forest. She did not stop running until the sun hit the fur on her black muzzle, and she wagged her wolfy tail as she slowed to a halt. She shook off the illusion and stood and stretched, proud of herself for having overcome her fear and taken on the fabled dark mare—and lived to tell the tale.
“Now, Nel and Ben had better hope they don’t find me before I find them!” she snarled as she ran toward Alynatalos.
Sath smiled at her. “I must admit I didn’t care much for the first part of the story, but then again, any time you say that wizard’s name, it turns my stomach,” Sath said. “But this story only affirms my belief in you, Gin. You can do so much more than you think you can. You are so much stronger and cleverer than most. You are the Nature Walker.”
“Say that in Elvish, and I might believe you,” Gin said, scowling. “I found them all right, back in the hedges in Alynatalos, making out like a couple of teenagers.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh! Gin, we forgot you were there! Story of my life, that. Unless I appear as the Nature Walker, everyone forgets that I’m here.”
“Some of us can’t forget you, darlin', no matter how hard we try,” Sath replied, smiling softly at her. He cleared his throat. “If you want me to speak Elvish, we can,” he said quietly in her native language. “But not here, not until we are free of the dragonkind.”
“Aye, I know,” Gin replied. “Too many of them speak Elvish anyway.” She smiled up at him. “Is your food suitable…oh, ew Sath!” she exclaimed as he licked his hands clean of the gristle from his food. “Some Rajah you are.”
“Sorry,” he said. “The hungrier I get, the fewer manners I have, it seems. So what’s the plan, Mistress Nature Walker?” he asked, grinning at her.
“I don’t think we should stay here—but at the same time, I don’t really know where we should go.”
“Right,” Sath said. “More exploring, then?” He rubbed his chin absently as he did when he was thinking.
Gin’s face lit up suddenly. “I know what to do. The Guardians aren’t answering me, so we need to appeal to the Gods, specifically to the All-Mother, Sephine. Surely she can help us find our way back home.”
“Bah, I don’t believe in any of that,” Sath said, snorting derisively.
“Well, you’d better start,” Gin said. “I’d feel better going to face Guardian Omerith with the All-Mother at our back. I’m going to go down and ask the innkeeper for a map so that we know what is where. Just stay here, okay?”
“Gin, come’re,” he said. She came closer to him, and he put his hands on her hips while they were at eye level with each other. “You don’t believe it, but I trust you. I would never have let Ysil collar me otherwise—but I know you will look after me, just as I look after you. Now go get the map so we can get out of here.” She grinned at him and then headed out of the room, leaving him smiling and floating in a sea of sunflowers. He barely even felt the collar anymore.
Eighteen
Dragonkind Hospitality
Josiah was waiting for Gin outside their room. “And so we meet again,” he said, slipping out of the shadows and taking her arm. She jumped, squealing and scrambling for her dagger that was usually hidden in her boot. It was probably with the rest of her things—wherever the Mother Dragon had put them. “Hey, hey, it’s just me, I’m a friend, Nature Walker,” he said as she took a few steps back from him. “Stand down.” He chuckled as she frowned at him.
“You shouldn’t pop out at people like that. You startled me!”
“Clearly,” he said, beaming a smile at her. Gin wondered if he had trouble eating with all the extra teeth he seemed to have in his mouth. Maybe that was just a
dragonkind trait? “Let me start again. Hello, my Lady Ginolwenye of the Trees, the fabled Nature Walker,” he said, extending his hand as though he expected her to place her tiny hand in his. When she did not, he frowned. “Have I done something to offend you?”
No, I just can’t go back to Sath smelling like you again.
Like who? Is it that human dragonkind thing? Do I need to come out-
Don’t you dare, Sath.
“No, of course not, it is just that you startled me and that I am in a hurry. Perhaps I will see you again sometime,” Gin said, turning on her tiny heel and walking briskly down the corridor away from him as she inwardly forbade Sath to leave their room. Josiah was matching her steps before she got very far at all.
Curse his long dragonkind legs. Dor used to do the same thing.
That’s it, I’m coming out there.
I’m fine. Stay put, please? You can listen through the bond, but don’t leave that room. I don’t need -
“Where are you headed, milady?” Josiah asked, bringing her out of her mental parlay with the now very hissy Rajah. “Perhaps I can help?”
“We are new to this continent and have no map, and I wondered if anyone downstairs has one that I might have. I am anxious to continue my journey but not foolhardy enough to start out without a map.”
“You are wise, my lady,” Josiah said. “I will come with you. Perhaps I have knowledge of the areas you plan to travel to? I am an adept guide, having spent many seasons hunting alone in many different parts of—this side of the world.”
“Oh, that isn’t necessary. Besides, I travel with the Rajah, and as you know, the Qatu are not always friendly to strangers, so I’m sure that I will be fine.” She took a step back from Josiah, who had moved closer. “Really, good sir, I must be on my way,” she said.
“But I insist,” Josiah said. “At least while you are here in the inn. It is not safe for a lady to be in such an establishment alone.”
“Then I shall fetch my companion,” Gin replied. Sath was listening, and she knew he was about to come bursting out of their room after her anyway. Cursing herself inwardly for that mistake, she moved back another step, and her back made contact with the cold wall. “Really, I do not wish to trouble you.”
“You are no trouble, my lady. None whatsoever.” Josiah licked his lips as he leered at her. A single word cried out in Qatunari would have Sath crashing through the door. She was sure that he was already aware of the dragonkind’s presence, and might even be able to hear their conversation. At least she had remembered to shield her communications from him in the bond. She was never sure how well Sath could hear, but he always seemed to overhear when she least wanted him to know something that was happening.
“I do not think that it is proper, sir, that I should be alone with you,” she said, drawing in any energy from Guardians past that she could feel in the air and trying to sound as she did when in her formal Nature Walker capacity. “It is well known how the dragons and dragonkind took elves from the Great Forest.”
The color drained from Josiah’s face, replaced with crimson fury. “You cannot possibly think that is why I was offering to escort you,” he said, spitting his words. “We never took wood elves—what a thing to suggest! You presumptuous…” He looked away from her a moment to gather his thoughts, and Gin saw her chance. The sound of her boots on the stone floor couldn’t be helped. She heard him swear loudly and hit the wall in frustration.
A rumbling sound on the other side of the door nearby caught his attention, and he fell silent. Josiah inched toward the door, listening carefully. He heard the Qatu moving about inside, so he stood outside the door for a long time, just listening, until his curiosity got the better of him. He pushed the door open a bit and peeked inside.
Sath was waiting on the other side of the door, and as soon as Josiah’s fingers closed around it, he was grabbed and pulled him into the room. Josiah shouted in surprise and struck out at Sath, who clamped a hand around his mouth. “Sshhh,” he said in Eldyr. “There’s no need to bring everyone in the inn up here. You are Josiah Dawnshadow, are you not?” Josiah’s eyes widened, and he nodded his head. “Why are you following my…the Nature Walker?” Josiah looked up into Sath’s furious teal eyes, and he made a strangled sounding noise. Sath chuckled and removed his hand.
“How is it that you can speak to me in Eldyr?” Josiah asked through coughs.
“My people have long been allies of the dragons,” Sath said, scowling. Josiah was still staring at him. The dragonkind was only a bit shorter than Sath. “What? I can speak the Common Tongue, too, if that suits you better.”
“Is the Nature Walker. . .alone?”
“I do not understand your meaning,” Sath said, though his expression told Josiah he knew exactly what he meant.
“Does she have a mate?” Josiah asked, the corners of his mouth turning up in a slight smile.
Sath took several deep breaths .“No, she does not,” he replied. “She had a mate, a high elf, but he is dead.” Josiah’s eyes widened, and the Qatu took a moment to enjoy the fear that suddenly rolled off of him. “She did not kill him.” Josiah relaxed a moment, then made eye contact with Sath once more and broke out in a sweat as the meaning behind Sath’s words struck home. “You are correct. I did.”
“You can just let me go,” Josiah said. “I will not say anything to anyone, I promise. You and the Nature Walker can leave tonight, and no one will know.”
“That is up to Gin,” Sath hissed.
“Yes,” Gin said from the doorway, “it is up to me. Josiah, may I ask what you are doing in our room?” She strode through the door and pushed Sath off of Josiah. The startled Qatu lost his balance for a few steps and then recovered but did not advance. “Did you and the Rajah here have a pleasant chat?” She felt Sath roaring in the back of her mind and shot him an angry look.
Listen, Gin, I didn’t tell him anything, but I can’t get past how much he smells like the filthy human that had held you prisoner and handed you over to Taanyth and the wizard. But I didn’t hurt him, don’t-
Don’t tell me what not to do, Sath. Don’t.
“Indeed we did,” Josiah said. Her anger faded into wariness as she watched the dragonkind make eye contact with Sath, who moved back to the bed and sat down. There was a decidedly smug look on the Qatu’s face that she didn’t like. “He was just telling me about your high elf mate, the one that he killed.”
“Ah, he exaggerates,” Gin said, shooting daggers at Sath with her eyes for a moment and raging at him in their bond.
Taeben was not my mate, Ikara’s teeth, Sath you have got to get over that!
Sath shrugged and held up his hands, so she turned her attention back to Josiah. “Ben was not my mate, he was a—mistake, that was all. Now, Josiah, I think it’s time you headed to your own quarters for the night, isn’t it?” The dragonkind male nodded at her, his eyes avoiding hers, and then backed toward the door.
“Yes, my lady. I apologize for…” His eyes darted over to Sath, who beamed a toothy grin back at Josiah. “Good night, my lady.”
“Oh, Josiah?” she said, walking over to him and laying a hand on the door. He looked back at her, and she could almost see him trembling. “You aren’t going to mention anything about the Rajah to anyone, are you?” Josiah shook his head and then fled the room.
I thought he’d never leave, Gin! What? Sath grinned at Gin, but his grin faded as she turned back to him, her eyes blazing.
What? Sath, you know what! You spoke to him! And since when do I have a high elf mate, Sath? Did you mean Ben? Have you lost your mind?”
Calm down, I was trying to scare him, that’s all.
Not until you answer my questions. Wait…do you actually think that? Do you think Ben was my mate? Don’t get grumbly over me calling him Ben, either. We have discussed that and -
“You have said nothing to me about what happened to you while you were with him. Nothing. You chose to leave with him, and don’t get me wrong, Gin,
I understand that part, he was playing both of us like puppets. But you didn’t give me a chance.” His voice was low and almost menacing as he glared at her, but she could feel that he was hurt more than he was angry. Sath rose from the bed and Gin deftly stepped out of his way as he paced. “When Lairky died, and I found you, you just left with him. You left with him. And then you show up in the guild hall—Teeand brings you to me, and you look like you’ve been through a war all by yourself, no explanation of your injuries or—your vacant eyes. You were like a ghost, Gin—what happened?” He took a step closer and Gin stood her ground, locking gazes with him and taking a deep breath before she replied.
“You want to know? You want to hear that story, Sath? Fine.” She returned to her bed and after a moment, he did the same, sitting across from her but thankfully not looking at her. “But remember that you asked for this. I tried to spare you, but you asked. I don’t know everything about my time with Ben because he kept me unaware, mesmerized, if you will, for a lot of the time. I was angry, but now I think of it as a kindness because I do not remember a lot of what he did to me. But there were times when I was lucid, so if that’s what you want to know, that’s what I’ll tell you.”
Sath sat in silence, and Gin wondered if he wished he hadn’t asked. But at the same time, a small yet insistent part of her soul needed for him to know. She had promised to share anything he asked. He had asked for this. He must be ready to hear whatever she had to say, didn’t he? Gin fell silent with him until she felt him stir in their bond.
Darkness: A Guardians of Orana Novel Page 16
