“She has the same dark-green hair as you without any gold or silver mixed in. I’ve only seen it occasionally among your people.”
“Ah, yes. It’s more common among elves in the south—the dark blue is rare everywhere, and I’ve always found that morestriking. My mother told me it was unseemly to long for that which the gods did not bestow, but…” Layothlee gazed wistfully toward a male elf twisting and somersaulting through the air after pushing himself from the ground using a staff. He had short dark-blue hair that was quite vibrant.
“It’s hard to do all that parents advise.” As Rylana wondered why the acrobat had come over, she realized where she’d heard the name. “Oh. You’re Zilek’s, uhm, interest.”
The smile quirking her lips again, Layothlee turned back to her. “You refer to the dragon, Zilek-grozanarav of Clan Killcrusher?”
“Yeah, but that’s a mouthful. I call him Zilek.”
“And he allows that? Dragons can be a touch pretentious.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
Layothlee laughed.
Rylana was inclined to like her, if only because she wasn’t glowering suspiciously at her. Maybe if her traveling troupe had recently arrived, she didn’t yet know who Rylana was and hadn’t heard about Sylin and her reputation. But what else would have brought Layothlee over to speak?
“If he tries to give you any soup, you might want to avoid it,” Rylana said.
“The taste will be inferior?”
“Oh, it’ll taste magnificent, but there’ll be all kinds of dragon spices swimming in it.”
“Ah.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’ve heard of their legendary spices and their effects.”
“Zilek thinks you’re…” Rylana noticed that her escort, though they’d moved back a few steps at Layothlee’s approach, was listening raptly. “He’s apparently a fan of elven ballerinas. Or do you consider yourself an acrobat?” Since seeing the somersaults, that was what Rylana had been identifying the troupe as, but she didn’t know if that was correct.
“Either could apply. Our performances mingle dancing and aerial maneuvers. I enjoy the athletic requirements and the challenges, even if my mother says it’s demeaning for one of an educated and refined upbringing to fling herself about on a stage. Never mind that our troupe is one of the most prestigious in the world and draws educated and refined audiences to watch and be entertained.”
“It’s hard to live up to the expectations of parents.”
“Tremendously so, yes.” Since Layothlee had mentioned her mother twice, she probably felt that as keenly as Rylana did. Rylana was on the verge of feeling a kinship with her when Layothlee asked, “Might I speak with you in private? About your comrade?” She raised her eyebrows and extended her hand away from the escort.
Rylana’s defenses went up. Right away, she knew Layothlee meant Sylin, not Jildarin.
Was it possible the elves had sent someone friendly to interrogate Rylana not with physical—or mental and magical—force but by saying the right things to prompt her to lower her guard? Despite being a visitor, Layothlee might knowexactlywho Rylana was—and who she traveled with.
“All right, but I don’t know where my comrade is right now.”
“That’s fine. I’m just curious about her.”
“Curiousisn’t the word others of your kind have used.”
“Probably not, but they’re stuffier than I am.” Layothlee winked and again gestured, walking off the path and inviting Rylana to follow.
Rylana decided Layothlee was probably on the younger side, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be dangerous. Regardless, Rylana walked with her. Jildarin was still speaking with Lady Hythia, and it wasn’t as if the escort would let Rylana wander off to explore on her own, so there wasn’t much else she could do.
“How long have you known… She goes by Sylin, right?” Layothlee asked without hesitation once they were out of earshot.
“Youweresent to interrogate me,” Rylana said.
Layothlee blinked in surprise.Apparentsurprise. It had to be an act.
“Nobody sent me. Well, my mother did suggest that as long as I’m up here, twirling about, I should keep my eyes and ears open, but I know she wasn’t referring to you. She wouldn’t even know you.”
“I trust I’m only of interest to the elves because of my association with Sylin.”
“That is true, although… You said your surname is Avandar? Was that your family’s castle that was glowing the other night?”
