Thivoll lets out a harsh hack. "You aren't going."
"I'll shoot from a tree, Thivoll."
"You will not. These are drakonids, not genali."
Ree starts to speak again, but I break in. "Have you not realized yet, Thivoll, that you are not in charge?"
He lets out a chuff at me turning the tables on him and stops arguing. At least for now. I have a feeling they aren't done with the conversation.
Ree darts me a look, then keeps speaking. "Like I said. I know the place. You two just need to get them there. And of course, you know, fight."
We spend another hour or so debating the finer details and then agree it's time to get cleaned up and get some rest. From the looks I get from the rest of the group, I'm the one they are talking about.
It's not as if I enjoy lounging around covered in purple blood. Sheesh.
Before we leave the cave, Ree pulls Drasuk aside. They speak too quietly for me to hear, but when they come back out, Drasuk looks more settled and Ree looks pleased with herself.
I raise an eyebrow at her, but she just shrugs.
It doesn't take long to run to a stream and get cleaned off. While we’re there, Ree points out edible plants and I stuff them in my mouth gratefully. Nothing like ration bars and meat to make you appreciate your leafy greens.
Soon after, we are back at the base of the cliff.
"We'll let you get settled in while we patrol," Ree tells me from astride Thivoll.
"You don't want to talk more?" Thivoll asks.
She kicks out at his fluffy mane with one of her feet. "No. We are going to patrol. For a very long time."
She emphasizes the last three words and then gives me an exaggerated wink.
"Oh, I get it," I tell her.
"Of course you do, Kira. She, unlike you, is using very clear phrasing."
Ree lets out a guffaw. "Let's go, Thivoll. Kira needs to explain some things to Drasuk."
They turn and run away, and I assume Ree clues Thivoll into her plan because I hear loud chuffing as he bounds out of sight.
When I turn to Drasuk his spines let me know we've confused the hell out of him.
Poor little lizard brain.
49
Drasuk
Just when I thought being confusing wasn't a human trait, just a Kira issue, my hopes are trampled.
I carry her up to the cave, still puzzling over what extra layer of communication I must have missed.
Kira hops off and heads into one of the rooms. "Come on, Drasuk. We're getting it on."
"What on? You can't possibly fit any more weapons on your body, Kira."
She lets out a laugh. "I'm talking about your weapon,lizardman."
"None of these weapons suited me. As you well know."
