Chapter 37
Chayse stood in the doorway, gazing up through the spreading canopy of the Tree of Life. The morning sun colored wisps of cloud soft shades of gold through this leafy wonder. The only one he could think of that might appreciate it more was Mek.
He chuckled under his breath, imagining Mek climbing through the branches of the great Wista tree. Certain that Mek still lived, he knew they would find each other as soon as he and his friends made it off this island. Until then, he would continue to sword dance with the shadows.
He turned back to the room, still contemplating his strange journey as he sat at the table. Nothing had gone as expected. Since their meeting, Marley had filled their time with close calls, near misses, and crazy escapes. The people he expected to take him in turned out to be no better than Captain Toric and his ilk.
Although Marley spoke of taking him on as an apprentice, Chayse was unsure of just what he could teach him. He picked up his enchanted bag and whispered the ward release, making it visible. The contents tumbled onto the small table between the cot and the chair as Chayse upended the bag. He hadn’t shown Marley the items, although they were the very reason he sought the runesmith.
The scarf unfolded and slid off the table before Chayse could catch it. He bent forward to snag its end when someone knocked on the cabin door. His head came up, bumping the edge of the table as he shouted, “Be Welcome.”
No sooner did the words fly from his mouth than he realized what he left exposed upon the table as Beryl stood in the open doorway. He glanced sideways at his possessions laying there and back at the vort maiden and stood. He felt his face flush as he considered scooping up his treasures and putting them back into the enchanted bag, but knew the look of curiosity that would flame in her eyes would be hard to ignore.
“I’m sorry, did I startle you Chayse.”
“No, not at all.”
The smile she gave him said she knew better than that, but she wouldn’t call him on it. At that moment, he decided to tell her about his quest. He hoped he might find some answers he chased in a place such as this with people such as these.
“Well, maybe a little. Are you here on business, or can you sit and talk for a bit?
Again, a smile lit her face. “Although my busy-ness will pull me away soon, I would be glad to sit and talk with you. How can I help you?”
Chayse motioned her to take the chair and he sat on the edge of the cot. With his small pile of possessions on the table between them, he watched Beryl silently study the items. She looked up into his eyes as her fingers danced across the crystal pipe to land on the journal.
“May I?”
Chayse shrugged. “If you can read it and tell me what it says or teach me the language, I would be much obliged.”
As Beryl thumbed through the journal, he told her of his life on the far side of the Bitterun Mountains and what Fayln and Mek told him of his mother. She knew of his budding relationship with Marley and the dragonkin from their many conversations over the past handful of days, so he didn’t bother to retell what was known. Except to say he had not shown the items Beryl studied to the runesmith yet, for whatever reason.
She set the book down and Chayse asked, “Do you know the language?”
Beryl sighed. “I am sorry, Chayse, I do not. Perhaps Marley would know, or at least know, where to find out, which brings me to why I am here. Marley is fit and ready to travel.”
Chayse didn’t hold back his grin. “Though you are a pleasant maiden to spend time with, I will not say I am sad to see our time come to an end.”
“Those bright eyes and sharp wit will surely be missed here.” Beryl winked at him as she picked up the palm-sized chest. She studied it from all angles. “You have been an enjoyable distraction from our normal life,” she said, glancing back up at Chayse and then at the chest. “This was hers also?”
“Aye, is there something about it you recognize?”
“Not recognized. The Wista-Nem’s guardian said something deeply warded was among the things of your group. I believe I have found it.”
“Could you get me an audience with the guardian? Perhaps he could tell me something about them if he examined them.”
“I am sorry Chayse, the guardian is not on the island. He left on business a half a handful of days ago. Would that you could have talked to me before today, for Marley will meet you and the dragonkin at the Eventides Tavern at dusk. Still, my intuition says, it is not here that you will find the answers you seek.”
Chayse nodded. “I thought as much. I will speak to Marley when the time presents itself. Thank you for speaking with me Beryl.” He gathered up the items and gingerly put them in the bag as Beryl rose and headed for the door.
The small lakeside village of Eventides lounged in dappled shade. Glyf and Thysl sat at an outdoor table, enjoying pale honeyed mead, along with fresh bread and creamy whipped butter. There were also assorted fruits and a rasher of smoked meats, but Glyf barely noticed the taste of it.
She had never dreamt before coming to this island, but she woke each morning worn for the past five-day, her nights filled with elusive fears and dark whisperings. She could feel the time slip past, though by her reckoning it could not have been over one full moon cycle and half again of the next since the theft of the egg. Surely they still had at least another moon cycle… Thysl startled her out of her reverie when he spoke. “Look Glyf, there’s Chayse. I wonder how he fared since the vort people rescued us.
“I am sure Chayse managed just fine. He has a bit of charm about him and a good head. The Vort are a sensible people without animosity for any.”
“The Vort are a race from before the Time of Desolation. They have lived here in isolation since that time and have little or no history with either the Espaire or the dragonkin,” Marley said, coming up behind the two. “Sorry for interrupting, but the Vort are unlike any humans, living or dead, away from this island.”
Glyf sprung up from where she sat, whirled around, and hugged the runesmith before he finished the last sentence. She pushed away from him, looking up into his face. “You are well!” Her voice, a joyful statement. Marley’s face reddened and he tried to chuff off Glyf’s joyous reaction, but she could see right down to his essence how pleased he was to see them. But as Chayse joined them, she could see him taking stock of their small group.
“Where’s Jayf and Mek?” His voice so quiet Glyf was momentarily unsure if he spoke or mind-spoke.
“The tide took them in a different direction. Mek still lives, though I can not hear him, I still… I don’t know… I still feel his essence. We just haven’t found them yet,” Chayse’s voice trailed off after the fading evening.
“And find them we shall, soon enough,” Marley turned with a wide sweep of his hand. “This is Beryl, Jora, and Gemma. They will come with us to seal and ward the tunnel after we depart.”
The companions greeted the three with enthusiasm. Glyf quietly watched the interaction of her friends with their guides. It surprised her to see they were all friendly acquaintances, with Beryl.
She decided Beryl’s friendship with Marley and the young al’far intrigued her the most as Chayse pulled a sad face when he greeted her. “Now I know why so many of your questions were about Marley.”
Marley’s brow shot up. “These were the high tales you spoke of?”
“I kept them filled in on your progress. They indulged me by answering some of my questions.” Beryl shrugged. “Call it information for the chroniclers. But I do come bearing a gift. Arubicon offers this staff from the wood of the Wista-Nem and his thanks for the briefing Glyf gave him when you arrived.”
Glyf’s face colored at her father’s recognition. And as the runesmith took the staff from Beryl, she could not help but notice Beryl’s interest was indeed returned. But speculation in matters of the heart seemed hollow as she once more felt the shadows of the future chase her along the Dragon Paths. Glyf checked her pack again and with an overwhelming dread that they must hurry, she shouldered it and turned to Marley. “Lead on runesmith.”