Page 66 of Morel Dilemma

“Oh, it would indeed be my honor to carry Sergeant Rylana’s nesting pad.” Eyes twinkling now, Tassani asked Rylana, “Are you certain you two are engaged in a platonic partnership?”

“Reasonably certain,” she said.

“Huh.” Tassani headed to the back of the wagon.

“Hm,” Jildarin rumbled, doubtless picking up that Tassani had said it was his honor to serve her and not a dragon. Or maybe his question met with Jildarin’s disapproval. But when Jildarin came to stand again beside Rylana, all he said was, “Because the dwarf is a master craftsman and more aged, I loaded all the items myself. It is good that these elves were conveniently located to serve us by unloading the wagon.”

“If stalking me in order to swing swords at me is considered convenient, I suppose,” Rylana said.

“Their behavior was unacceptable. After we forage tomorrow, I will speak to the elders in the enclave.”

“Make sure it’s not the elders who are aligned with the Shaldona family,” Rylana said.

“Yes, I believe that is correct.”

Though Captain Tassani was strong, he wobbled a bit as he carried the awkwardly sized mattress. Jildarin left Rylana’s side to help him maneuver it through the front door and down the hall.

Wondering how much Jildarin had paid for the bedroom set, Rylana gave the dwarf a tip before following them. Hopefully, he’d received enough to make up for the fact that he’d been forced to make his delivery in the middle of the night.

By the time Rylana reached the storeroom, numerous lanterns lit to brighten the cavernous space, the elves had set up all the furniture, arranging it around the corner where she kept her pack, weapons, and blanket. If they thought anything of carrying and arranging furniture for the person they’d been attacking scant minutes earlier, they said nothing of it.

After Tassani and Jildarin thumped the large mattress down on the bed frame, the elves departed. A couple of them sent dark looks toward Rylana, but Jildarin growled, sounding almost as ominous as when he did so as a dragon. Looking away, the elves jogged for the door.

“I hope you sleep well in your new nest,” Tassani said, bowing again toward Rylana as he also headed for the exit.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “And thank you,” she added when she and Jildarin were alone.

“You are welcome. Now, you will sleep.” As he headed for his own section of the storeroom, he added, “Do not forget we will leave early to follow the log-inspecting hound through the woods to acquire the enchanted morels.”

“Yes, of course.”

“And tomorrow night, the elven queen will feast on the magnificently prepared mushroom dish that I have planned.”

“I’m sure she’ll look forward to it,” Rylana called, then lowered her voice to add, “As soon as she learns she’s coming.”

19

The mattress was so comfortable and wonderful that it was with great reluctance that Rylana let Jildarin rouse her at dawn for their foraging adventure. Only the scents of sausage, sautéed vegetables, scrambled eggs, and freshly baked elderflower fritters wafting back to the storeroom prompted her to stir. They ate in companionable silence before Zalani and Gniknik arrived for the breakfast shift, and Jildarin left instructions on what to serve with what while he was gone.

“With luck, we’ll return with the enchanted morels by the time of the lunch service,” he told them, “and I will have all afternoon to prepare tonight’s dishes.”

“And let the queen know that she’s to come for them,” Rylana said with amusement.

“I’ve already informed her of the possibility that we will be able to host her tonight. I flew over the enclave last night and shared a message.” Jildarin touched his temple before waving for Rylana to follow him out of the diner.

She hoped for his sake that they were able to find the rare mushrooms, especially if an invitation had already been given. Given and accepted? And had he mentioned to the queen that he’d hatched a plan to entice Sylin to be at the diner as well?

Sylin had witnessed the elven attack the night before, so Rylana doubted she would show up. Since the elves who wanted Sylin dead, the queen, and those loyal to her were all staying in the same city… it would be challenging even if Sylin did decide she wanted to come.

Once Rylana and Jildarin stepped past Tranquility’s border and the last of the pillars, he shifted into his dragon form.

Climb onto my back. We will meet the gnome and his hound near what your people call Toadstool Rock.

“Oh, that’s my favorite spot,” Rylana said dryly, the memory of the dragon sisters trying to roast her coming to mind. Nonetheless, she climbed onto Jildarin’s back, always enjoying a flight with him.

It occurred to me, he said, his telepathic voice sounding smug, that the forested area around that point burned recently.

“Due to dragons trying to light me on fire there, yes,” Rylana said before remembering the entry in the foraging book that she’d shared, that morels liked to sprout in areas that had been disturbed by a forest fire. “Ah,” she added. “You’re a smart dragon, aren’t you?”