“More gifts?” Aradella asked.
“Yes, but not from me.” He flipped back an edge of the cloth. “This was under the saddle of your dragon.” It was a small, plain box.
Mekos took it. “This is from Kaley. It belonged to her witch friend.” He opened the box to see three items inside. One was a little man made of wood and he was dancing about.
“He’s adorable,” Aradella said.
“I believe he’s meant to be a distraction to anyone who views him,” Zeon said. “I think the little bag is rather interesting.”
“It contains a bottomless supply of gold coins,” Mekos said. “I’m sure we’ll be able to use them.”
“And the key?” Aradella asked. “What does it open?”
“I have no idea,” Zeon said seriously. “I focused on it but I got a blank. It does have the crest of Empyrea so there is a connection.” He grimaced. “Perhaps Vian knows.”
Mekos gave him a very serious, caring look. “Do you think someone is blocking you from your full powers?”
Zeon laughed. “It appears that I’ve made my point. Please introduce me to your grandmother.”
“I will,” Mekos said, then mumbled, “if she ever speaks to me again.” He shut the box and nodded toward the cloth. “Anything else?”
Zeon took out an oval case the size of his forearm. It was made of embossed leather and it had several holes in it. He opened it. Inside, it was lavishly lined with silks in colors of blue and purple. “I could not figure out what this is.”
Mekos and Aradella looked at each other and smiled, then Mekos looked up at the nearest tree. “Where are you?” he asked, and held out his hand, palm up.
Ian flew down from the tree and landed on his hand.
“Oh, but it’s good to see you,” Aradella said. “How is your leg? Did Arit like the books? What’s going on with everyone?”
Zeon was looking at the little man in astonishment. “They are real,” he whispered.
“Very real,” Mekos said. “Are you going with us?”
“Of course,” Ian said. “I have a lot to atone for.” He looked at Aradella. “Arit is outraged by the silly books and the men refuse to leave Pithan. They mixed bacon with jams the women made and put it on the beef. Everyone is in ecstasy.” He lowered his voice. “But Olina is trying to incite them to begin to search for you. So far, no one cares.”
When Mekos stepped aside with Ian, Zeon went to Aradella and held out a small leather bag. “I believe this is yours.”
She reached for it, but he held it back.
“I put an enchantment of protection over this as its contents are toxic. Does Mekos know of this?”
“No. He wouldn’t like that I had it.” She took it when he handed it to her. “Will I need it?”
“Maybe,” he said. “I could not see clearly, but Bree and you—”
Aradella was not interested in hearing about her cousin. She turned away.
Zeon nodded in understanding, then went to Mekos. He withdrew a thin, narrow box from inside his robe. “I had this case made for you,” he said softly. “It is made of magnar wood and it will offer some protection.”
Mekos spoke in the same low tone. “I take it that’s the knife that—”
Zeon held up his hand. “I don’t want to hear the details. What I saw when I touched it was more than enough. This knife has seen centuries of violence. Do not clean it as you may need all of its power.” Zeon stepped back, then turned to the side and smiled. “My son is here. Come and meet him.”
Ian flew to land on Perus’s saddle, out of sight. At his size, he knew to be wary of strangers.
Coming out a side door was a handsome young man. He was the same height as Mekos, but while Mekos was lithe, this man was thickly muscled.
Aradella was smiling at the man, but then Bree stepped out from behind him. Like her cousin, she had on wide-legged trousers, a shirt and a jacket. Her hair was in a big braid that hung down her back.
