Page 18 of Of Blood & Stone

“If you spare me, Estean, I’ll owe you a great debt,” Elnok offered, “Money, jewels, fish that won’t cause your stomach to revolt—name your price, and I’ll retrieve it for you.”

The Dynami huffed a laugh, “I have no need for such things.”

“Then name your price.”

“Listen to your brother and accept his offer.”

The glowing blade was like flames licking at his neck.

“I suppose you’ll have to kill me after all,” Elnok replied.

The warrior frowned. “Is death truly a better option than simply listening to what he has to say?”

Elnok flared his nostrils. “Quite.”

The Dynami’s frown deepened.

“Kharis,” Tosh said again, “Release him.”

Eyes still narrowed, the Dynami released his hold. His magic vanished, the yellow stone on his chest losing its color, looking like clear quartz—hardly worth anything around these parts. Elnok dusted off his cloak, using this brief moment of respite to swerve around the warrior and get off this damned ship.

“Elnok,” Tosh called after him, “If it’s medicine you want, then there might be a way to get it.”

Biting the inside of his cheek, Elnok stopped. It had been a mistake to call upon his brother for assistance—a desperate, impulsive attempt. And yet, he heard the pain in Tosh’s voice; he hated how it made his skin crawl, almost as if a part of him still cared for the monster.

He couldn’t stop himself as he turned.

Tosh’s large reddened eyes stared at him. He gripped the desk as if he were in pain, the wine glass he’d been nursing having tipped over, spilling its contents onto the floor.

“And what would that be?” Elnok questioned, his grip on his sword so tight the skin of his knuckles cracked; a warm drop of blood ran down his hand.

Tosh looked towards the Dynami.

“There’s a legend in our land,” Kharis began. “In our goddess’ last breaths, she saved our kingdom from her brother, Distrathrus, whose poison infected the continent and was about to infect Estea. To destroy him, our goddess had no choice but to sacrifice her life in the process. In her place, a great willow tree formed. The tree was imbued with her—the goddess of life’s—power and has the ability to grant many things, one such thing is that of healing. One can surmise it could heal the sickness that sweeps this land.”

Elnok took a deep breath, sheathing his sword. “And where is this tree?”

The Dynami crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s what makes it a legend, Prince of Vutror. No one has seen it with their own eyes.”

Tapping the hilt of his sword, Elnok leaned against the door frame.

“A mythical healing tree that no one knows the location of?”

The question hung in the room like the stench of Tosh’s wine.

Elnok pushed off the wall. “If that’s all there is, then I’ll be taking my leave.”

“The tree is real, and I plan to find it,” the Dynami said, “but I need assistance.”

Elnok laughed bitterly. “And where would you have us start? A journey through the entire continent? I’ve not enough time nor coin for such a venture.”

“I believe it to be somewhere in Lhaal Forest,” Kharis replied.

“The terrain filled with monsters? You do see how this is a terrible way to recruit someone to assist you, yes?” Elnok shook his head. “But what I’m wondering is whyyouare searching for it, Dynami? If the rumors are true, your people don’t suffer from the sickness.”

The warrior’s smile faded. “I care for more than my people, Prince. Your side of the continent deserves to be in good health?—”

“Spare me the heroics. At least explain to me why you would needmyassistance in this endeavor?”

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