“I agree,” Bree said and went to stand next to her cousin.
Qip snorted. “He and I do quite well as we are.”
Behind them, Mekos and Tam looked at each other with raised eyebrows.The cousins agreeing on something was certainly a change!
They heard a noise then turned to see the big eagle-headed creature step out of the forest.
Mekos went to it, stroked its head, and listened. “Your father sent him. Your baby is coming.”
Tam immediately got onto the animal. “I must go.” He looked at them. “My friends,” he began. “I cannot describe...” His eyes fastened on Bree’s and everyone saw their pain. “I...” he began again, but he didn’t seem to know what else to say. He nudged the animal forward and up. Minutes later, he was out of sight.
They looked at Bree.
“I’m very tired.” Turning, she went into the house.
Aradella looked at Qip. “If whatever that red drink you gave to Qip when he was upset is for calming a person down, I want some of it for my cousin.” The way she said it was an order, not a request.
Qip nodded at Darr, and Aradella followed the metal man into the house.
Mekos began removing weapons from the back of the wagon. That Tam hadn’t taken time to gather his belongings told that his family meant more to him than anything else.
The absence of Tam left a hole in the group. At dinner, Bree stayed in her bedroom. Aradella prepared a plate for her along with Qip’s red drink, and took it to her room. When she returned, she put the empty little glass on the table. “She’s asleep.” Aradella looked at Qip and nodded thanks.
They told Ian what happened in the arena, but Tam’s absence took the life out of the story. They thanked Darr for doing some carving on Ian’s wooden leg so it fit better. His eyelights flashed a very pretty shade of blue.
“He’s pleased,” Qip said.
“Too bad he can’ttellus that,” Aradella muttered. After dinner, she left to take a long, hot bath.
Mekos knew Qip was tired but he wanted him to stay and talk. First, he got the box of magic items that Kaley had tucked under the dragon’s saddle.
“We need to find out more about Empyrea,” Mekos said.
Qip shook his head. “You can’t go there, just the three of you. You’ll accomplish nothing.”
“Aradella knows plants and Bree knows the recipes. We can use that.”
“With Tam gone, you have no one to ignite the spells. Without that, you just have a bowl of salad, probably poisonous.”
“Cappie?” Mekos asked.
“He’s too old. He’d never live through a trip like that.”
Mekos didn’t know how to plead his case. He put the box on the table, opened it, and inside the little man began dancing.
But Qip ignored it. He took the key out and looked at it. “This has the crest of Empyrea on it.”
“What does it open?”
“I have no idea,” Qip said. “But I would imagine that it’s important. Where did you get it?”
“Papá says Kaley stole it from the warlock, Garen. He was kidding. Maybe.”
Qip was holding it up, twisting it about like it was a jewel of great value. “Yes, that makes sense. Garen is the nephew of Reena, and she is best friends with Vian.”
Mekos was shocked. “My grandmamá has a friend?”
“Yes! A very powerful one. When it comes to witchery, Reena is second only to her hideous old sister, Urah.”
