Page 68 of Shadows of Winter

“Bradnoray has given his taybarri ale before,” one of the rangers volunteered. “It made him fall asleep.”

“I shall hope the results of this… mishap are as benign.” Finally, Vlerion looked at Kaylina again. The wild glint was gone, and his face was masked.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I didn’t invite him in. I—” One of the other taybarri padded between her and Vlerion and sniffed at the spilled mead.

“Get back, Zavron,” Jankarr barked, lunging for the taybarri.

But the great tongue came out, and the creature didn’t budge.

“Wipe that mess up!” one of the other rangers barked as his taybarri also trotted for the table.

“That’s what they’re doing,” Frayvar muttered, but he ran inside for a towel.

Not wanting all the taybarri unconscious in her courtyard, Kaylina ran to the table and yanked out the hem of her shirt. She leaned in and attempted to wipe up the remaining spill without having her belly washed by a taybarri tongue, but the creatures had already slurped up the liquid, and she got only saliva and a splinter in her shirt.

The ranger who’d given the order lifted a hand as he glowered at Kaylina. Vlerion appeared at his side and caught his wrist as another of the taybarri stepped between her and the rangers.

“I wasn’t going to hit her,” the man muttered. “I was worried about Rugger.”

A great moist snore came from Crenoch. Others followed, the taybarri’s breathing deep and regular as he snoozed loudly.

“One wonders,” Vlerion murmured, “if the Kar’ruk would have as much respect for us and our fearsome mounts if they saw scenes such as this.”

The taybarri that had stepped protectively in front of Kaylina swished its tail and leaned on her. The creature was so heavy that she staggered back, her leg twinging as she put unexpected weight on it. She caught herself on the table. The unapologetic creature licked her, forcing her to again use her shirt to wipe up saliva, this time from her face.

“How long is yours going to sleep?” Jankarr glanced at Kaylina’s bared midsection before looking at Vlerion. “The captain said to grab him and be back for weapons practice. That starts in ten minutes.”

“You’re welcome to carry Crenoch if you’re concerned about punctuality,” Vlerion said.

“I’m not Targon’s favorite. I have to be.”

“He likes you fine. You’re a scrappy commoner who’s overcome his modest upbringing to excel among the rangers and loyally serve the crown. He’d sleep with you if you had a bigger chest.”

“Thanks for putting that terrifying imagery in my mind,” Jankarr said.

Vlerion stepped around Kaylina's taybarri visitor as she was moving her foot to keep from being stepped on. He eyed her, Crenoch, and her again, his expression dyspeptic. At least it wasn’t scary, the way it had been before.

“They are drawn to you,” Vlerion stated.

“They’re drawn to my honey.”

“They are also drawn to you. This is problematic.” His lips flattened.

“I don’t disagree.” Kaylina moved her foot again. This taybarri hadn’t gotten any mead, but it had also started purr-clucking. “But it’s not like it’s my fault.”

Only when Vlerion’s gaze shifted along her arm did she realized she’d started petting the creature. She yanked her hand back, but that wasn’t her fault either. It was self-defense to keep from being knocked over. Had she been sitting, the huge taybarri would have been in her lap.

A moan came from the rooftop. There wasn’t any wind.

Kaylina shifted, reminded that the castle didn’t like rangers. And she had a courtyard full of them.

Vlerion opened his mouth, but a newcomer spoke from the gate.

“Would someone like to tell me how in all the altered orchards this is keeping the city from noticing a link between rangers and this new meadery?” That sounded like Captain Targon.

The rangers straightened to stand at attention as they faced their boss. Only Vlerion answered.

“The taybarri are drawn to Korbian.”

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