“Yes, Master,” Elgar answered. “Be careful with your skull.”
Balthazar reached up to touch his current one, but then, realizing what he had done, quickly lowered it. “I will take good care of my–my skull. But, Elgar, I am more worried about you! I–”
“I am strong, Master.”
Sana appeared. She was one of the most powerful Wyvern who had returned to serve Fiona. She had a long braid of red hair, while the sides of her head were shaved. There was a scar bisecting her left eyebrow that was lifted in a question. “Elgar, what can I do for you?”
“We must meet up with Ryder and go with him to Forsworn. We seek Legion and Roan,” Elgar explained.
“Do you know where Ryder is?” she asked.
“Yes.” He showed her by putting the image in her mind.
“Got it!” She flashed a brilliant smile. “Ready to go?”
“No,” Balthazar sighed. “But he’s going. Regardless of my intent to keep him safe.”
Elgar reached out and touched his Master’s arm for the briefest of moments. “You are a good Master. I will be safe. I will keep you safe.” Then he turned to Sana. “I am ready.”
He held himself very still when she touched him. Such a touch was necessary for her to teleport them. The last thing he saw of Balthazar and Caemorn was Balthazar looking mournfully at him while Caemorn put a comforting hand on his Master’s shoulder.
He and Sana reappeared by the walkway of trees into the Weryn Palace. Inside was the gate to Forsworn. It was to this gate that Weryn was heading. Elgar turned towards the big Vampire just as Weryn nearly bowled into him.
“Gah! What–what are you doing here, Elgar? It is–itisElgar, isn’t it?” Weryn asked.
He was clearly distressed. His hands were fisted. His expression kept flickering from one emotion to the next. Elgar took this all in with a quick glance.
“It doesn't matter who you are!” Weryn growled. “I need to go!”
“Yes, to Forsworn,” Elgar said as he stepped again into Weryn’s path.
Weryn bared his teeth. “Out of my way, Eyros.”
“I, too, have a score to settle with Roan Tithe and Legion,” Elgar said, ignoring the supposed insult of naming him by his Bloodline and beloved Master.
“I care not–”
“You will need my assistance,” Elgar stated. “As you will Sana’s and–ah, he comes. Demos, I am afraid that Ryder will not know you right now.”
The handsome Black man loped to them. His long dreads flowed down over his powerful naked shoulders. He stood there completely naked and unashamed.
“My name isnotRyder! Why do people–”
“Weryn! My Immortal.” Demos crossed his arms over his chest and bowed. “I am at your service.”
Weryn studied Demos for long moments. “You are strong, butyoung. I know you not. I need you not.”
Demos lifted an eyebrow. “You weren’t kidding, Elgar. He’s totally… Well, my Immortal, I am coming after you whether you like it or not.”
“You think I cannotmakeyou stay here?” A dangerous light was in Weryn’s eyes.
“He is your best friend,” Elgar stated simply, and shared one of the memories he had of Ryder and Demos together with Weryn.
Weryn stumbled back, swiping at the air as if the memory were something he could physically bat away.
“He is your best friend. Your Blood Brother. He stood by your side when no one else would,” Elgar said and sent the memories of what had happened in the Ring. He was pleased that there was an answeringpingin Weryn’s mind.
Ryder is not gone. Just subsumed. For now.
