Eldred continued onward. “This way.”
“Where are you taking us?” Lucenna asked.
“To the waterways.”
She halted. “Excuse me?”
“The rivers of Naiads Mere have formed waterways beneath the mountain in the caves. We have learned how to navigate them through the kingdom. Some lead to the Saxe Sea, one to the White Woods, and others as far as Ledoga. The waterway we are to take will lead us to Sellav.”
She really didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“It should be safe,” Dyna told her.
Swallowing, Lucenna nodded, though she couldn’t make herself follow the elf.
Dyna and Zev continued behind him. Keena fluttered after them with her glowing wings. Lucenna glanced back at Klyde to find him and Von eyeing each other silently. She thought they were going to take out their knives and have a go at each other, but Klyde marched on.
Von removed the harness and saddle off his grey horse. Patting it’s back with a soft word, it trotted away for trees. He was releasing his horse since it couldn’t come with them.
“Keep close, lass,” Klyde said under his breath. He offered his arm, but she muttered she was fine.
Lucenna limped after him, briefly glancing at the Commander. He let them move several yards ahead before continuing behind them. She had overheard Von tell Dyna he heard of Rawn’s capture in Dwarf Shoe, so he came to help.
Why? It’s not as if he owed them anything.
Funny, she had almost killed him once, if not for Dyna. And she was the reason he was here now. But Lucenna didn’t trust the man, Zev ignored him, and Klyde seemed to hate him.
She would have to ask him about it later.
Keena flew over to her, fluttering around her head before settling on her shoulder. “Lucenna, can I ask about the Celestial in the woods yesterday?” she whispered. “I am mighty curious.”
Lucenna eyed her and said under her breath. “How much did you hear?”
She smiled sheepishly. “Everything.”
Naughty fairy.
“She called her a queen. Does that mean Dyna and Cassiel were married?”
“They were.”
Keena’s eyes widened. “And now?”
“They aren’t anymore. It’s not my place to speak of it.”
“Hmm. Well, could you spare some gossip about our new companion?” Keena glanced behind them. “The others fell quiet the moment he arrived.”
“His name is Von,” Lucenna whispered. “He used to serve Tarn, Klyde’s brother.”
“Oh…”
Up ahead, the others conversed with Eldred. Their voices bounced through the cavernous channel, amplifying them. Zev tilted his head to catch other sounds with his keen hearing.
“He also stabbed Zev in the stomach with a silver knife while abducting Dyna for his master,” she mentioned next. “They said it nearly took his life.”
“Well, that certainly puts a damper on things.” Keena peeked back at Von, past Lucenna’s hair. “Why don’tyoulike him?”
“Other than the fact that he tried to steal my medallion from me, I don’t care for those who try to hurt my friends.” She grazed her fingers over the diamonds in her medallion, checking it was still hanging from her neck.
