Page 47 of Morel Dilemma

“You were the one who accepted Vormalt’s proposal, not me.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Father lifted a hand. It was more dismissive than apologetic, but at least he didn’t argue the point. “Speaking of Vormalt… Is it true that he was the one to tear up the floor in the library?”

“And unleash a curse on the city, yes.”

“I’m glad I was out of town that week, though I received a briefing from my secretary. And Zames had opinions about it and Vormalt, as well. Your departure all those years ago may have saved the family some embarrassment.”

“Yes, making sure the family saved face was my main reason for leaving.”

Father had turned to look through the windows into the library and didn’t comment on her sarcasm. “I’ve summoned a contractor to repair the floor, but I’m uncertain about what should be done with that strange chamber.”

“I understand it’s one of the original troll-god temples.”

“So, filling it in might be considered sacrilegious.”

“I would think so. Maybe just leave the trapdoor accessible and take some rye bread down there from time to time.”

Father blinked a few times and looked at her.

“I can get you the recipe. Does Frodin still work at those offices by Pier Fourteen?”

“Our headquarters? Yes, he’s there most days. I trust that, even if your brother was responsible for strong-arming your landlord, you won’t grow violent with him.”

“Violent?” Rylana touched her chest.

“You were a hired thug, were you not?”

“Mercenary is the proper term.”

“You’ll forgive me if I don’t find that much above pirate.”

Rylana bared her teeth and decided she would not forgive him for the comment. “Mercenaries do legal work for governments. They’re not criminals.”

“What those governments were doing to the elves in the mountains didn’t strike a lot of people as legal.” Father waved away the argument. “Regardless, as many careless mistakes as Frodin has made over the years, he doesn’t deserve to be shot with arrows by his sister.” After a pause, he added, “Or attacked by a fire-breathing dragon.”

“If he’s behind our eviction notice, he might.”

“I’ll be put out with you if he’s too wounded or otherwise traumatized to come to work next week.”

“But you’ll get over it if I ask Jildarin to let people believe he keeps an eye on your cargo ships?”

“That would improve my mood vastly.”

The man in the doorway stirred. Father noticed, and he flicked his hand in dismissal at Rylana. “See yourself out. I’ve work to finish.”

“Always good chatting with you, Father,” Rylana muttered as he headed back into the castle.

Maybe Sylin was wise to not want anything to do with her elven family.

14

Rylana did not see herself off the property, as Father had suggested, instead taking the path that led down to the shoreline and the boathouse. Before she reached the dock, a pair of cloaked and hooded figures stepped away from the rocky slope to her right. She twitched, instinctively reaching for her knife until she recognized a lock of dark-green hair dangling to one of the visitor’s shoulders.

“Hello, Layothlee,” Rylana said. “And guest.”

“Captain Tassani is here to ensure the area is safe,” Layothlee said in an amused tone.

Both elves pulled back their hoods, the silver-haired captain of arms bowing to Rylana.