Page 130 of Lake of Sorrow

“Oh, joy.”

Vlerion looked at his boss. “She’s ecstatic.”

“And still irreverent. Oh, joy, my lord, and thank you for helping me.”

“Yes,” Kaylina said as reverently as she could. “Thank you, my lord.”

Targon grunted. He was a hard man to please.

“The city will need time to recover, and people may not be dining out for a while,” Petalira said, “but you may return to your mead-making business endeavor, Kaylina Korbian.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Kaylina dipped her head low, then wondered if she was supposed to bow or curtsey or something else.

The gesture must have sufficed because Petalira didn’t appear offended. She thanked the taybarri for coming, the king told them accommodations would be made for them, and they both departed from the balcony.

“At least she’s not sarcastic with the royalty,” Targon said.

“Not until they accuse her of crimes, no,” Vlerion said. “She has common sense.”

“Commoner sense. Unlike those idiots who plotted with the Kar’ruk. You don’t get into bed with an enemy like that. The Kar’ruk would have killed the Virts as happily as anyone else. I’m surprised they talked one into perpetrating their so-called beast murders, but I suppose the Kar’ruk are always delighted to kill humans.” Targon spat in disgust, called his rangers to him, and ordered them to help the guards check the rest of the castle and grounds for invisible enemies that might yet be lurking.

Vlerion lifted a hand to Kaylina, perhaps to offer a hug or pat of congratulations, but Targon called back, “That means you too, Vlerion. I want you to gather some rangers, get the watchtowers manned again, and make sure nobody is skulking around out there. Oh, and smash that damn press. That newspaper is officially going out of business.”

“A ranger is always on duty,” Vlerion murmured, then nodded at Kaylina. “I’ll come see you later. When you’re done making all the honey drops you promised the taybarri.”

Kaylina looked toward the center of the courtyard and found Levitke, Crenoch, Seerathi, and the rest of the silver- and blue-furred faces turned toward her.

“Ah. Yes. A priority.”

“I should think so.” Vlerion squeezed her arm before striding away to assist his captain.

“I’d better find Frayvar to help stir the pot,” Kaylina said.

Judging by all the taybarri that padded toward her, she would have an escort to do so.

EPILOGUE

The gods give no gifts without expectations.

~ “Foundations III” Scribe Menalow

The taybarri waited in the courtyard of ranger headquarters while Kaylina looked for her brother. She glanced back a few times at the antics of the blue-furred youths showing the serene, almost sedate, elders around. More than a few watched her, however, and she knew she would have to make honey drops before getting any rest. Too bad. She felt like she could sleep for a week, if only the world would give her a chance.

She found Frayvar in Doctor Penderbrock’s infirmary. It seemed to be his new home. It was even more organized than the last time she’d seen it. Someone had added shelves and cabinets above the cots, presumably to provide more room for medical supplies.

Since Frayvar had the carpentry skills of a hippopotamus, she assumed he’d drawn sketches and convinced someone else to do the building. Maybe a ranger apprentice? Given the chaos of the last few days, it was hard to believe someone would have had the time.

“Kay!” he blurted when she walked into the office in the back. “You’re alive!”

“I am.”

He rushed forward, and for a moment, she thought he might hug her. Instead, he thumped her on the shoulder. Acceptable touching, perhaps.

She resisted her own desire to envelop him in a crushing bear hug. Fortunately, other than greasy hair sticking out in all directions, chin stubble, and bags under his eyes, he appeared fine. Maybe the fighting hadn’t made it past the walls of ranger headquarters.

“Based on the garbled reports that made it back, I… wasn’t sure you’d make it.” Frayvar looked her up and down. “The last we heard, the Kar’ruk kidnapped you.”

“And drank my blood, yes. It was an unpleasant experience.”

---