In contrast, Rahven was still working to free himself. The binding began to loosen more. Rahven was hardly listening to what they were saying. His whole concentration was on getting out of there. If he had been thinking about it, he would have had so many questions.
“Rahven’s Awakening. It didn’t just wound the Venomthorn. It was felt at the palace,” Ashryn said.
“No,” another burst of breath from Vulre.
“So we must fly or be killed,” she said. “What will you do, Vulre? Will you come with me–with my son and I–or should I leave you here to face your fate?”
My son? That got through Rahven’s mental defenses and he stopped moving just as the binding started to unwind. He could not be hearing this correctly. He was jadir. He was… My son?
“I serve you, my lady,” Vulre said. “I serve you.”
“That means you die for me… and him.” She tipped her head back towards Rahven.
My son?
“I…”
“Your life is already forfeit for what you’ve done,” Ashryn told him. “I will know if you lie. So what is it to be?”
“I…” Vulre looked down. His teeth ground against each other almost audibly.
My son? My son? My son? My son?
“I will give my life for him,” Vulre finally swore.
“On your soul. Swear it. Swear it, Vulre!” She shouted.
“I swear I will protect your son with my life, my lady!” Vulre shouted as the binding around him gave way and he landed on the ground.
Rahven was already free. Standing there. Staring.
“Then move, Vulre,” she commanded. “We are likely already too late.”
My son, the voice whispered.
Eryas Palace, Tyrael, Earth, Present Day…
“... Glom will not be pooping in the Sun King’s bathroom, Snaglak, no matter how much more efficient that would be for you to fish out the fangs,” Michael’s voice was firm. It was the tone he used with his bombastic enemies and, evidently, recalcitrant orcs.
“Awww, but then where poop?” Snaglak sounded aggrieved.
“In the garden,” Shonda answered. “Preferably, in the fertilizer section, Snaglak, and not on a garden path.”
“Long walk,” Snaglak grumped. “Glom poop loads.”
“Yes, well, that is what happens when you feed him Leviathan fangs by the dozens,” Finley said goodnaturedly.
“Glad I require him to exchange the fangs for gold before I sell him beer and food,” Helgrom grunted.
“The fangs are rather fragrant after they are expelled,” Rhalyf remarked dryly.
“Let’s just hope that he washes his hands after he finishes that transaction,” Gemma added, which had Rhalyf chuckling and Shonda making a tsking sound in the back of her throat.
“Yes,” Snaglak lied merrily then added, “Sometimes. If water nearby.”
“Oh, my, I didn’t need that information, Snaglak,” Shonda said with a weak laugh.
“Now I’m thinking of all those times you’ve snatched some of my lunch from my plate,” Finley made a gagging sound.
