Page 44 of Morel Dilemma

“I’m going to look for some more morels,” she said.

Very well.

Too bad Rylana couldn’t be sure that finding the enchanted mushrooms would lure the queen for a visit to the diner. Her father might think the business more successful and be less inclined to have them evicted if it became known that royals enjoyed meals at their establishment. Unfortunately, the only thing that might lure the queen to come had walked off into the forest.

13

Instead of descending to the road leading into Tranquility to change into his human form, Jildarin flew over the city, flapping his wings languidly, as if he were still enjoying himself. Maybe he didn’t want to shift back. Or maybe he liked the freedom of doing what he wished and not having to abide by the rules of the city. And yet… to share his culture and prove that dragons were educated and sophisticated, he continued to live among the residents and cook for them.

I must return soon to prepare for the dinner service, Jildarin said.

“Can you fly over the elven enclave first? And deliver a message telepathically?” Rylana had been wondering how she could inform Layothlee that Sylin might meet her at the Avandar Castle boathouse at dusk.

I have the ability to do so. Since, however, I cannot inform the queen that I’ve acquired the promised enchanted morels, I am hesitant to initiate a conversation. She might be disappointed.

“I’m sure she’ll be crestfallen, yes, but it’s Layothlee that I have a message for. If she’s down there, can you let her know Sylin is willing to meet her—probably—at Avandar Castle?”

Probably.

“Yeah, let Layothlee know that she’ll hightail it out of there if a bunch of other elves come along, especially the kind with inimical intent.”

A tail would be an atypical appendage for one of elven blood to possess.

“It’s an expression. Did you find Layothlee yet? Is she down there?”

She is practicing with the other acrobats in the enclave, yes.

“Good. Message, please.”

Jildarin’s head turned enough for him to point one of his emerald eyes at her. Unlike goblins on bicycles, dragons are not message delivery services. Were you not so useful to me in my business, I would sometimes consider you presumptuous.

“If you want, you can fly me down there, and I’ll give her the message. Dragons are transportation services, aren’t they?”

Only for their dearest and most trusted two-legged allies will they deign to fly with a rider.

“I’m honored.” Since she truly was, Rylana dropped low to wrap her arms over his back in as close to a hug as she could manage while he was in this form.

He didn’t react immediately, but then said, I have delivered your message.

“Thank you.”

You will research further on where enchanted morels might be found.

“Yes, I will.”

Jildarin continued over the city and toward the lake, not commenting on whether Layothlee had replied and agreed to come, but Rylana suspected she would. Since their first encounter, she’d been curious about Sylin.

They passed over the Dragon Diner, a surprising amount of green foliage now growing on the rooftop, but Jildarin didn’t land. If he did so in the middle of Tranquility, the alarm pillars would gong. Rylana didn’t know how high he needed to fly over the city to keep them from doing so, but he probably knew the exact altitude.

Do you wish me to drop you at your father’s estate before I return to the diner?

“Actually, yes. That would be great.” It was still an hour or two until dusk, but that would give Rylana time to talk to him before Layothlee arrived.

Very well.

On Lumi Lake, the public ferry was departing for the western shoreline. In nearby waters, numerous freight vessels were angling toward the docks or had already arrived. Industrious gnomes drove magic- or steam-powered lifting contraptions while ogre, troll, human, and orc laborers in brown uniforms unloaded freight and carried it toward waiting wagons. Rylana was surprised to spot Tezilly and Brella on one of the docks, waving and pointing at a vessel from one of the southern kingdoms.

“I’ll bet their special shipment came in,” she mused, curious about what they’d ordered.