The Dragonstone

CHAPTER 20

Alos shivered and gulped down his glass of wine. He turned his face toward Arin. "This talk of Wizards and of Foul Folk, I don't like it."

"Hast thou aught against Magekind? Against the Rupt?”

Again Alos trembled. He opened his mouth as if to say something, his one good eye, watery and pale, staring at the Dylvana.

Arin leaned forward. "Alos?"

He looked at her, pain on his face, as if struggling to release even a single word… and in that moment there came a tap at the door.

The old man glanced at the entryway and slumped back in his chair and let out a long breath, then smiled his gap-toothed brown-stained grin and said, "Let's have some more wine, eh?"

As Aiko stood and stepped to the door, the Dylvana sighed and replenished Alos's glass, then looked to Egil, but he seemed lost in his own thoughts-or in his memories-a bleak look on his face. "Egil?"

He glanced up at her.

"More wine?"

Frowning, he shook his head, No, and then his gaze dropped as his thoughts turned once again inward.

Again came the tapping on the door just as Aiko opened it. "Oh my!" exclaimed the serving girl, catching her breath at the sight of the yellow warrior, crockery rattling on the tray. "I've come wi' th' noon meal, m'Lady." The girl edged past Aiko and then moved hastily to the sideboard and began laying out the food.

As Aiko resumed her seat on the floor, Egil shook his head as if to cast away ill memories, and he took a deep breath and seemed to come to himself. Then he turned to Arin and smiled. "I would hear more of this tale of yours for I am curious as to what brought you to Morkfjord. But first I would see"-he canted his head toward the bathing room and privy-"if I can make it in there and back on my own. And then let's eat; I'm famished."

The noon meal done, Egil leaned back against propped pillows and said, "Now tell us more of your story, Lady Engel, for-"

Aiko growled and started to stand, but Arin held out a staying hand toward the warrior woman, and the Ryodoan settled back, a dour look on her face.

Egil laughed, then sobered. "I'm sorry. I gave my word. And I have broken it twice in this day alone. It's just that… just that"-he took a deep breath and then plunged on-"you are my engel, Lady Arin."

Of a sudden Arin felt her heart racing, and she turned her face from him and stared into the hearth as if seeking a portent, though no fire burned this warm day.

Egil, seeing that he had disturbed her, started to hold out a hand in supplication, but instead dropped it to the coverlet. He cleared his throat and said, "Well now, the meal is finished. Pour me an ale, Alos, and pour one for yourself. And then, Lady Arin, if it pleases you, I would hear more of your tale. Why did you come to Morkfjord? Too, where are your Elven companions? -Nothing ill has befallen them, has it?"

Arin turned away from the hearth and glanced at Aiko.

Egil's gaze followed her glance, but Aiko's face revealed nought. He looked back to Arin and added, "Tell us, too, of your visit with Wizards and of their sorcerous ways."

With a clang! Alos dropped the pewter pitcher a few inches to the table, but it landed upright on its bottom, and although ale sloshed, none spilled out. Shakily the old man handed Egil a full mug and took up his own and gulped full half of it down.