Page 49 of Queen's Griffon

Captain Koonis had spoken the truth of his magical journal.

It is my understanding you wish me to go to Verlora to retrieve some stones. However, I feel like you should be awarethat I do not know what I’m actually seeking. Do you have any details?

The missive faded and the blank page took a moment before displaying a reply.

There are five of them. Their size and shape almost identical. They should fit in the palm of your hand. Perfectly smooth. Rounded. One might call them egg-shaped. While appearing almost black in hue, they will exhibit a colored sheen when held to a bright light.

That sounded a little more distinctive than five rocks.

What are they?

She didn’t expect a reply. To her surprise, the emperor gave an answer, but it differed from Opal’s.

They are known as the Dracova set. Lost ages ago during the world’s last great sundering. It is said that in times of great turmoil they will surface to provide the world protection against calamity.

She hesitated before writing,Are you speaking of Zhos?

Yes.

You wish me to find them that I might place them back on his prison to prevent his escape.

There is no stopping Zhos’ return.

Then why have me fetch the stones?

I’ve told you enough. You will find them. Think of them as your wedding gift to me.

I’m not marrying you.

You will. The fates have decreed it.

Avera scowled. As she went to write a reply, a new message stated,Until we meet.

Koonis had been watching the entire exchange and immediately reached in to snatch the notebook.

Avera glared at him. “I wasn’t done.”

“The emperor was.” With that, the captain left, and Avera could only mull over the little she’d learned. The stones had a name, the Dracova set. Odd Opal hadn’t used their title. Interesting the emperor knew of Zhos, but disturbing was his claim they couldn’t stop its return. Also disturbing was his assertion they would marry. She wouldn’t allow that to happen, assuming she survived Verlora.

The only good thing? The emperor seemed to think she’d succeed. She sure hoped so.

The voyage took only a few days, Saarpira being the closest inhabited isle to the lost continent. But those days dragged. Other than a single lantern left lit during the day, she had nothing to entertain herself. Nothing but her own mind which went over and over everything she’d experienced and learned over the last week, or so. She found it hard to keep track of time.

She only knew they arrived at their destination because the swaying of the ship ceased, and she heard a mighty clanking as the crew released the anchor.

Days of captivity had left her rank, the jug of daily water meant only for drinking, but she’d spared a bit for washing. At least they took her bucket of waste out twice daily. Apparently, Captain Koonis didn’t want to encourage disease.

As Avera heard the clomping of footsteps, she readied herself, standing and smoothing out her grimy garments, holding herself stiff and expressionless.

The door to the storage room opened and the captain strode in with a pair of burly sailors. “We’ve arrived. Ready to find those rocks?”

“As if I have a choice,” she muttered.

“You’re right. There is no choice, so no tricks.” Koonis wagged his finger.

What did he think she, a petite and unarmed woman, could do against him and his crew?

Stepping out of the cage felt strange. Exiting into bright daylight blinded. Avera blinked and shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun. It took a moment to adjust and then she looked around. The ship reminded her in many respects of Griffon’s: big deck, coils of rope, sailors. But the faces were unfamiliar, the sails the wrong color, and the captain a jerk.

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