Lucenna narrowed her eyes as they flashed. “It matters not. You could have merely a drop, and the mages wouldn’t hesitate to steal it from you.” She nodded at the others. “You all have a little magic in you.”
“I have magic?” Zev asked.
“You have the supernatural ability to shift into a wolf,” she told him, then glanced at Cassiel. “I figured out immediately that you were a Celestial from the power of your divine blood. Lord Norrlen, you have Essence as well.”
“Yes, my lady. However, I only know a few elementary spells. Not much use they would have tomorrow.”
Zev met his stern stare. Dyna may have asked Rawn to be their Guidelander, but Zev had already mapped the trail they would take to the Port of Azure. He had guided them along fine until now, without Rawn’s interference.
“You remain against the Saxe Fjord,” Zev stated.
“Why?” Dyna asked.
Rawn sighed. “I would not advise it, my lady. Grindylows seem like simple-minded creatures, but in a large group, they are far more dangerous than the nymphs of Naiads Mere.”
“What are grindylows exactly?” she asked them.
“They are Dark Fae,” Cassiel answered. “Amphibious creatures, similar to sirens, but hairless and hideous, with a single fin. There are stories of them living in the Saxe Fjord where they devour whoever should cross it. But you should not believe half of what you hear,” he added with her frightened expression.
“There is far worse fae out there.” Lucenna shrugged. “Fae that eat your soul or drink your blood. Have you heard of nightwalkers? Should you ever meet with one of those, you may as well invite death.”
Dyna paled further, and Zev frowned at the sorceress. This wasn’t helping.
“Crossing the fjord will shorten our journey. We have lost a lot of time moving off-road,” he said. “If we follow this stream, it should lead us to the fjord.”
Dyna glanced between him and Rawn. “How are we to cross? Are we going to swim?”
“No, my lady. You mustn’t swim there.”
“I have a boat,” Lucenna said.
Cassiel smirked. “Of course, you do.”
Rawn pressed on his forehead. “I am against this matter, regardless. This decision is foolhardy. Herein lays risk.”
“But we need the scales to trade with the Druid,” Dyna said. “Are we willing to risk the danger to get our questions answered?”
Everyone nodded except Rawn.
“That settles it,” Zev said, and he motioned to Lucenna. “Let’s hear your plan.”
“You have me training with levitation and now Essence Blast,” Dyna said. “I’m assuming there is a purpose behind that.”
The sorceress nodded. “I have pondered over it since our reunion and considered each of your abilities. Lord Norrlen and Cassiel are best served as air support.” She glanced at Rawn. “Should you care to be involved, we could use your bow as protection from above, same with Cassiel, should he be so inclined.”
Cassiel leaned forward as he rested his elbows on his knees, but didn’t disagree.
“As for Zev.” Her lilac eyes met his across the fire. “Are you a good diver?”
He curled one end of his mouth in a small smirk. “I’m an excellent diver.”
His lungs could withhold more air than a human’s, and the enhanced strength of his body gave him the ability to swim fast.
“Good. We will need you to dive deep to retrieve the scales.”
Dyna gasped. “What?”
“I can do it,” Zev said. “And where does that leave you and Dyna?”
