“Yes. I owe you my life, sir,” Dyna said to the dense trees.
Cassiel glowered at her. “Do not acknowledge that.”
She winced. “I’m required by law to do so.”
“I relieve you of your debt, my lady,” the stranger said. “By my honor, I mean you no harm.”
“Then make yourself known,” Cassiel called out.
The foliage rustled, and he pulled Dyna backward as a figure emerged from the trees. Zev coiled, ready to spring at the slightest provocation.
The stranger wore a tattered cloak of deep evergreen, its color having camouflaged him well within the leaves. With the hood over his face, his mouth was the only visible feature. He stepped into the light, followed by a stunning white stallion. Its velvety coat took on the sheen of the evening sky.
Cassiel pointed the sword at them. “Stay where you are.”
The horse neighed and pulled against its reins. The stranger stroked the horse’s silky mane and calmed it in a soft language Dyna didn’t understand.“Atse neib esemlac, Osom’reh,”he soothed, running a hand down the muzzle.“Neidan et aramitsal.”
The soft words were soothing, even putting her at ease. The beautiful steed settled, snorting softly.
The stranger reached in his cloak and handed his horse something to eat. Beneath it, she glimpsed old leather armor. Dirt layered his torn, white trousers and his leather boots were worn thin. He carried a fine quiver on his back and in his hand, an elegant longbow etched with a filigree of gold. Strapped to his waist was a luxurious sword with an obsidian hilt, and a scabbard gilded with golden leaves. The weapons and thoroughbred stallion seemed out of place on the poor man.
“Who do we address, sir?” Dyna asked.
The stranger removed his hood. She gaped at the striking elf before them. His irises were an unusual shade of turquoise and pointed ears peeked out from his long blond hair flowing down his shoulders. His curious gaze moved pastEsh Zayinand observed Cassiel’s black wings, then Zev’s yellow eyes. He didn’t appear intimidated by who they were.
When he looked at her, she received a warm smile. He laid one arm across his chest and bowed. “I am Rawn of House Norrlen, General of the Armies of the Greenwood Kingdom. My lady, I have come to seek an audience with you.”
Chapter 26
Dynalya
The elvish horse ate oats from Dyna’s palms without a fuss, nuzzling her shoulder and face every so often. Upon seeing Lord Norrlen’s kind smile, she had decided she immediately liked him and welcomed them to their camp. He was grateful for the bowl of broth she had offered and sipped it quietly in content. He must have been famished.
Zev and Cassiel carefully watched him where he sat on the opposite end of their campfire. They said, if the elf was to speak with her, then he must give up his weapons. Which he did so willingly.
“Fair is fond of you,” Lord Norrlen told her, breaking the silence.
“Nice to meet you, sir Fair,” she said to the horse, petting his velvety flank. Fair nickered, snorting into her hair and making her giggle. “Earlier, you called him by another name.”
“Osom’reh,” Rawn said, easily switching to the soothing elf language. “His name in my tongue. Fair is a near equal translation in Urnian.”
“Dyna,” Cassiel called. Rarely did he speak her name, and she detected the aggravation in his tone. Arms crossed, his steel cut eyes held hers, and he tilted his head slightly, indicating she should move away from Rawn.
Zev also watched her with gleaming yellow eyes. He rested on his knees, muscles taut, and ready to attack at the sign of any threat. His wolf hovered just under the surface of the sharp angles of his scruffy face. He didn’t like that she stood so close to the stranger. Dyna didn’t want to aggravate them further, so she returned to sit between them.
By Cassiel’s feet lay Rawn’s sword. On the pommel was the crest of a bloomingDynalya, her name’s origin, and the insignia of the Greenwood Kingdom.
When Rawn finished his meal, he glanced up and nodded. “Thank you for the meal, my lady. May the God of Urn bless you for it.”
She blushed. “Oh, I am no gentry, Lord Norrlen. No need to refer to me as a Lady. My name is Dynalya, but you may call me Dyna.”
“If you don’t mind me saying so, I would prefer to regard you in such respect.”
She smiled shyly and consented to the title.
“I heard your companions call you Dyna, but I was not aware it was a sobriquet. TheDynalyais an invaluable flower that only grows in the Vale. Their petals are as red as your hair; the name suits you.” Rawn said her full name in an accent foreign to her ears, but it sounded all the more beautiful.
Zev’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve heard us? When?”
