Page 118 of Lake of Sorrow

The hives and those bees, imbued with and protected by Daygarii magic, do not let us take samples, the female continued, as if she’d heard the silent question.

She washed her tongue over the paper, the offering pitifully small in comparison to her size. That didn’t keep her from cleaning the paper thoroughly, leaving it—and Kaylina’s hand—moist with saliva. She even made the same purr-clucks Crenoch had when he’d enjoyed her mead.

“They didn’t seem to mind me taking some. Maybe I can get you more.” Since Kaylina had been accused of bribery attempts, she didn’t finish with after you help us save the city.

Hmm. The female backed up to rejoin the other elders.

Their tails swished slowly back and forth in the grass as they huddled to confer. They made few vocalizations, so Kaylina assumed they communicated with each other telepathically.

When they finished, the female again spoke for the group. We believe the Daygarii would not have cared if the Kar’ruk and humans killed each other in a great battle. The same would be true of a plant they left behind to watch over their interests.

“It marked me and gave me that vision for some reason.” Kaylina spread her arms.

Indeed. Most curious. Perhaps it has a use for you.

“I believe she carries some druid blood in her veins, wise elders,” Vlerion said.

Yes, we can see that is true.

Kaylina rocked back at the taybarri’s certainty. Even though Vlerion and the plant itself had suggested that, she remained skeptical, not understanding how that could be. She knew her family and her parents, and nobody else was an anrokk or had any strange affinity for flora or fauna.

“I don’t know about the plant’s motivations, but I care about stopping a war,” Kaylina said. “Especially when it’s starting in the middle of where I’m trying to open a business.”

Maybe she shouldn’t have added that. It sounded self-centered, but all the problems in Port Jirador were derailing her quest to prove herself, damn it.

“As do I,” Vlerion said. “I also care about Crenoch and the other young taybarri. As Kaylina said, they would be as much in danger as my rangers. If you have a way to stop the Kar’ruk…”

We are aged and beyond the years when we easily sprang into battle, the female said, glancing at her silver-furred comrades, and the Kar’ruk have ever been willing to kill our kind. That is one of the reasons we allied with humans, to more effectively keep the Kar’ruk out of these lands that we share. We do, however, know a few things about those catacombs and the supposed Kar’ruk rights to the lands humans now inhabit. Perhaps we might speak with their diplomatic party and help with the negotiations.

“The negotiations are a ruse,” Vlerion said. “We believe?—”

Kaylina held up a hand. “We’ll take any help you can give. Thanks.”

Vlerion raised his eyebrows at her interruption, but he didn’t say anything further.

We must first have an assurance, the female said. Before traveling with a cursed one, we must be convinced that he can control himself and refrain from changing into a beast in our presence. She looked toward Levitke, who lowered her head to study the ground.

Had Levitke relayed that she’d seen Vlerion change earlier that very day?

“I can control myself.” Vlerion’s words were firm, but he glanced at Kaylina, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

The female watched their exchange, her silver eyes more knowing than Kaylina would have liked.

“I’ll help you.” She smiled at Vlerion. “I know how much my rendition of ‘Lake of Sorrow and Triumph’ calms you.”

“The rendition where you can’t remember the lyrics?” he murmured.

“It’s not my fault I dozed off while you sang them. I’ve hardly gotten any sleep lately.”

There will be a test, the female said, interrupting them.

She looked toward the group of young taybarri and must have given a command because a perky male loped into a tunnel.

“How will you test my control?” Vlerion asked warily.

In a way that will allow us to escape if need be. If you become a beast, we will not help you, and we will not be here when you return to your human form.

Kaylina watched with concern as the young taybarri reemerged carrying something wrapped in hide. The thought that this long journey might end up being for nothing distressed her. Worse, they could have been back in the city, helping out. The war might already have erupted, with Kar’ruk killing people left and right. Frayvar and the rangers would be in danger.

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