“Idon’t understand why I cannot go with you!” Tavin’s angry voice filtered into the hallway as Lucenna reached Klyde’s chambers. The boy’s face was flushed, his fists clenched as he yelled at his uncle. “You are always leaving me behind!”
Closing his eyes, Klyde pressed on the knot between his brows. To her surprise, he wore a Ranger uniform. The black leather armor fitted his tall form like a second skin, making Lucenna’s eyes linger on his broad back and strong arms. Instead of the twin short swords that he usually carried, a new sword was strapped to his hip. It bore an elegant black hilt, with gold plated vines. Forged by Elven smiths, no doubt. A hint of magic hazed the air around it like heat rising off stone.
A tired frown settled on Klyde’s features. Von and a black wolf stood in the room with him, waiting to leave. “I’ve told you, lad. This mission is far too dangerous. I cannot take you to Red Highland.”
The Blood Keep, rather. A prison fortress guarded by Bloodhounds, red elves, and rife with other untold dangers Lucenna could only imagine. It was the last place Tavin should be. She didn’t know what to expect, but they were certainly risking their lives in going. This would most certainly end in bloodshed, and possibly not all of them were coming back.
Lucenna’s hands shook, but she clenched them into fists and buried all dread in the back of her mind. Lord Norrlen needed them.
She exchanged a look with Keena, who fluttered at her shoulder as the arguing continued. They really didn’t have time for this.
Lucenna rapped her knuckles on the door. “The delegation is about to depart.”
Klyde sighed, and he nodded. “Aye, we’re coming, lass.”
Tavin scowled. “Why can the witch and dainty fairy go, but I must stay behind? That’s a load of bollocks!”
“Dainty?” Keena huffed and crossed her arms. She wore tiny iridescent armor, gilded plates protecting her neck and wings. Her black curls had been braided away from her pointed ears, a quarterstaff in her hands. Lucenna wouldn’t have pegged her for a warrior, but pixies were prominently strong.
Klyde sighed. “Tavin?—”
“Aye, he’s right,” Von interjected with a shrug. “The lad may be ready.”
Tavin’s face lit up. “There, see. The Commander thinks I can go.”
Klyde glowered at Von. “I don’t care what he thinks.”
“If he is old enough to hold his drink, he’s old enough to fight with us.” Reaching into his maroon coat, Von handed Tavin a small wineskin. “Go on, lad. Show him.”
Tavin snatched the wineskin and chugged it all. His mouth pursed with disgust, but he forced himself to swallow and flashed them a grin.
Well, now what?
Klyde grabbed Von’s coat and snarled, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Putting him out of harm’s way.”
Before either of them could question what that meant, Tavin stumbled back.
“Why do I … feel strange?” he garbled, pressing on his head. His eyes rolled. Klyde caught him as he fell unconscious.
“What did you give him?” Lucenna asked.
“Dreamshade oil.” Von tucked the wineskin back into his coat pocket. “Don’t worry. He will sleep it off by tomorrow.”
With that, he strode out of the room. Klyde stared after him, then down at the boy. He may not have liked it, but this assured Tavin would be safe—and that he wouldn’t follow them.
Klyde tucked his nephew into bed, and Zev’s paws lightly scraped on the floors as they went into the dark hall. The Castle Guards sent to makesure they didn’t follow the delegation were now slumped against the wall, sleeping soundly where Lucenna had left them.
“Nice work,” Von said.
She nodded at the room. “Likewise.”
Once Klyde joined them, Lucenna had them gather. With a wave of her hands, she cast an invisibility spell over all of them. It fell like a tickling electrical mist on her skin, and they vanished from view. She had spent the evening practicing to expand the spell to cover more than herself, and it had blessedly worked.
They followed the sound of Zev’s paws as he led them out the side of the castle. The empty gardens were lit with torches, the clear night cold and free of rain. Raiden had left saddled horses for them behind a wall of tall hedges.
Lucenna’s pulse thrummed nervously as they climbed their mounts and snuck around the castle to the courtyard. They kept to the soft grass, careful not to make too much noise. The rushing winds were in their favor tonight.
