Page 17

“Oh, Etor took off, into the forest beyond the Red Meadow. He didn’t like the scent of dragons. You mentioned his name when I found you.”

Arcturus turned. “Thank you for being kind to Etor. He gives you great praise. Once I untangle the wrong that has been done to me, I’ll do my best to return and give you the information you require, Earth Queen.”

“Please call me Vahly. We’ll save the impressive title for the day I can do more than win at dice.”

“Winning a hoard of gold out of me isn’t nothing,” Dramour said, a bite to his tone.

“You practically told me what tallies you were going for. If you’d cease your bragging for a minute while you gamble, you’d be doing a lot more taking than giving.”

Nix clicked her claws against the table. “So. We’re just going to let Arc leave, are we? Without gaining any info?”

“Did you give him a nickname?” Dramour looked offended that someone else might have the honor that Nix had previously only bestowed on him.

“What do you think we should do?” Vahly asked.

“Ask our new friend here to stay the night. Once he’s rested, perhaps his mind will return to normal and he’ll be able to shed light on the scroll.”

That was a sensible idea.

But here was a guide that could help them get to King Mattin, king of the elves.

Arcturus might prove to be the only opportunity to enter the Forest of Illumahrah without force.

If he left, that opportunity would be gone.

Dragons were indeed formidable, but Vahly had no doubt the elf had the ability to sneak out while they slept.

“With respect,” Vahly said, “I say we leave for the elven lands tonight. Now. Arcturus might not know his arse from a hole in the ground, but he is far more likely to be accepted into the elven lands than we are. We can use him to gain entry.”

Arcturus leveled his gaze on Vahly. “I’m not quite that addled.”

“Sure, the elf would be a help. Unless someone is trying to off him,” Ibai said, holding two satchels and a bow. “Then we’d all be salted.”

Arcturus glanced around the room. “The Healer makes a fine point.”

Vahly took a steadying breath. She was ready to stop being the slug and move toward becoming who she was meant to be.

“These dragons have agreed to shift into full dragon form and carry me across the marshes. They will carry you too. Wouldn’t it be much easier for you to return home if you didn’t have to cross the marshes on foot? ”

Arc’s mouth twisted, his fingers curling into fists before relaxing again. He looked to the dragons. “Are you truly willing to take me as well? And Etor if he returns before our departure?”

Dramour walked past Arc and began to undress outside. “I’m not carrying the elf.” He shoved his clothing, boots, and eyepatch into his satchel, then handed the bag to Vahly, who’d followed him out. “I say we burn our way to King Mattin.”

“There might be an army of elves there,” Vahly said.

“And we’ll make toast of the lot, leaving one to tell the story you need to hear.”

Everyone gathered in front of the dark windows of the cider house. The smell of the ocean lurked in the occasional breeze.

Nix put a hand on Dramour, visibly calming him. “If there is an army of this kynd, we would be wise to use great caution. They can fire large arrows into the sky with great accuracy. We are only four dragons.”

“So we’re doing this?” Dramour’s eye studied Nix’s face, then he looked to Vahly.

“We are.” Vahly tried to put more confidence into her voice than she actually felt.

With a flash of blue-orange fire, Dramour shifted.

Vahly jumped back as his wings unfurled, emerald under the moon. The scent of fire magic, sage-like, wafted through the air, accompanying the power’s crackle and snap.

Nix pulled her dress off. “Yes, elf. We will carry you, but the horse is on his own. Vahly is taking the lead here. What she says goes.” She tucked the dress, along with her rings and ruby necklace, into the bag Vahly held.

Ibai and Kemen didn’t even try not to stare at her lovely curves.

“Dramour,” she said, “if you continue being rude to our elven guide, I’ll never invite you to my quarters for conversation ever again. ”

Dramour growled quietly, but he bowed his head. Vahly was fairly certain he would mate for life if she asked. Of course, so would half the Breakers.

Arc whispered into the wind, presumably calling Etor again.

Moonlight danced around his fingers as they twitched by his sides.

He stood so straight, so sure of himself and who he was, and he didn’t even remember why he’d left his homeland to go traipsing about in enemy territory.

His fingers moved again, stirring light and shadow until Vahly was almost certain the shape of a horse had formed in front of him.

The illusion disappeared before she could be sure, and then his fingers were still.

Nix raised her arms, ready to shift. “Wondering what he can do with those hands of his, Vahly?” Her laugh disappeared inside the fire she called up.

Vahly blinked in the sudden brightness, and when she opened her eyes, Nix was a battle dragon, complete with talons the size of Vahly’s forearm, crystalline spikes from her brow to her tail, and starlit wings of a deep blue that was nearly the color of amethyst.

Ibai and Kemen shifted then too. Arc and Vahly took the three satchels of footwear, weapons, jewelry, and clothing.

“I never thought I’d ask a fully shifted dragon to please take me into their claws, but here goes,” Vahly said to Arc.

Despite being so obviously ill at ease with everything about this night, Arc smiled wryly. “It’s not something I would’ve planned as a part of my evening either.”

Nix’s wings flapped, and she lifted from the ground. Her claws curled gently around Arc’s middle, allowing his hands to be free to hold two of the satchels. She beat her wings with more force and flew into the sky.

Dramour rose next and took up Vahly. His claws were firm on the flesh around her ribs, but not overly painful, more of a cage to set feet and hands on than a tight grip.

His wings whipped air around her face, tugging her hair from her braid and making it difficult to hold on to the one satchel she was in charge of.

As they soared into the sky, she found she could put her feet on the lowest claw and easily look out over the highest talon.

They grouped close, the moon shining above, and headed toward the spiraling gases and golden rivers of the Fire Marshes.