First | Previous | Chapter Index | Next

A/N: I’ve made some tweaks to my Patreon – check it out.  You can also check out a sample chapter of my Traditional Fantasy WIP “Shattered”. If pledges reach $50/month I’ll start posting on this site fortnightly. We currently have $33/month pledged so that’s just $17/month to go.

—

“My mirian says Ken is responding well,” Adrian said when he arrived about half an hour later. “But it’s going to be at least a week before he can safely bring him around.”

“I’d imagine not,” Sarah said. “The pain would be excruciating if he brought him around too soon.” She rose to her feet and inclined her head to Kadira. “Thank you for the tea, Kadira-alra, but as I said, I need to go to Waldhafen before we go home.” She looked over at Mantilan and smiled. “I’ll come back and tell you about your heart friend’s kin.”

“His heart friend?” Adrian looked at Mantilan curiously. “You are twice made.”

“Oh yes,” Sarah said. “I should introduce you.” She did just that and Adrian whistled softly.

“I’ve heard of you,” he said. “My mirian says Shalriya still has the scar you gave her in that fight.”

“Does she?” Mantilan smirked. “Good, she deserved it.”

“Can we stay a while longer?” Naria said. “I want to visit with mother a bit more.”

“Of course,” Sonia said. “We’ll stay until Sal gets back from Waldhafen at least. If it’s okay with your mother, anyway.”

“Of course it is,” Kadira said. “Didn’t you want to speak with Dalrydan-mirian anyway?”

“I did,” Sonia said. “Is he still here, do you know?”

“He is,” Kadira said. “He’s been splitting his time between Taloa, here and his own territory, but right now he’s here. Shall I take you to him?”

“Please,” Sonia said. “See you when you get back, Sal.”

Sarah nodded and teleported away.

***

They found Dalrydan at the pool. He was sitting on the rocks, trailing his feet in the water and watching Laxmi, who was swimming in the underground lake. He looked around when they entered and raised an eyebrow.

“Can I help you, Sonia-ida?” he asked.

“Quite possibly,” she said. “I was wondering if I could speak with Laxmi.”

“I don’t see why not,” he said. “As long as she’s doesn’t mind.” He looked over to where Laxmi had stopped swimming at the mention of her name and was treading water.

“Give me a moment to get out.” She swam to the edge of the pool, climbed out and caught the large towel Dalrydan threw to her. She wrapped it around herself and turned back to Sonia with a smile. “We’re trying to get me over my fear of water.”

Sonia gave her a thoughtful look. “From when you nearly drowned and ended up fused with Lanaria?”

“That’s right,” Laxmi said. “Should have told me that I wasn’t just Lanaria, I suppose, but I assumed it was just the memories causing it.” She grabbed another towel and started drying her hair. “You wanted to ask me something?”

“Sort of,” Sonia said. “We were hoping you might have some insight into how we could handle Huldre?”

Laxmi paused in her towelling and frowned. “Not really; his mental state is not good. Likadrian could probably have soothed it if he’d been paying attention but he didn’t realise just how far gone he was until too late. He should have realised after that incident at the Storm Palace.”

“You know about that?” Sonia said.

Laxmi nodded. “Likadrian went berserk over it. He could be callous but he was never wantonly sadistic, especially not to children.”

“You know, we did have ways of dealing with a capital crime committed by one heart friend and not their partner.” Dalrydan scowled to himself. “And I’m damned if I can remember the details, since it so rarely came up. I bet Takilyan remembers since he’s older than me. Would you like me to send him a message?”

First | Previous | Chapter Index | Next