Page 118 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Before she could ask, Dagar picked her up again. She could get used to being carried by him.

Inside her tent, he placed her on the bed and the dragons entered, Ghalin slinking in looking distinctly uncomfortable at the walls surrounding them.

Lelin approached Shuree.May I touch you to see how you are healing?

“Yes.”

Lelin placed her paw on Shuree’s arm and a soft, probing sensation filled her body.Still some ways to go. Dagar, could you get her more food?

“Can he be trusted?” Dagar glanced at Ghalin.

I was under orders. I am sorry.Ghalin sounded genuinely bereaved.

But he’d admonished her for trusting him over her own people… She sighed. Trust had to start somewhere. “I’ll be fine. I am hungry and thirsty.”

Dagar studied her and then turned to Ghalin. “If you harm her, you won’t leave this camp alive.” He walked out.

Ghalin moved a little closer but stopped about a yard from the bed.I did not want to lie to you, but my elders asked it of me. Interactions with humans are rare and it was us who didn’t trust.

She frowned. “Why try to sabotage our attempts at peace?”

If you are busy fighting each other, you have no time to come into our mountains. We have seen how quickly humans can spread.

“You were trying to protect your home.” It was something she could understand.

The elders send their apologies. They thank you for saving me.

“And I thank Lelin for healing me.” She pursed her lips. “If I could ask one thing of you?”

Go ahead,Ghalin said.

“I ask that your kind do not lie to us in future. You have the advantage of hearing our thoughts, and knowing if we lie, but we do not have the same advantage. I would like to be able to trust you going forward.”

Ghalin was silent and Lelin said,He is asking the elders.

Finally Ghalin spoke.The elders agree. We will not lie to humans again.

“Thank you.”

Lelin shifted.As payment for our actions, we have given you a gift.

Shuree frowned. “That is not necessary. Your promise not to lie is enough.”

It is necessary. Your goal here was pure and we corrupted it,Ghalin said.

She could feel his insistence. “Very well. What is the gift?”

It is nothing you can see,Lelin said.It is inside you.

She pressed a hand against her stomach, unease making it swirl. “I don’t understand.” What had they put inside her when she was unconscious?

It will be passed on to your children, and if they are worthy, it will be passed onto theirs through the female line.

What were they talking about?

Your strength has always been compassion,Ghalin said.This will be enhanced so when you leave this place you will spread it through the tribes, and achieve the peace you hope to attain.

Lelin nodded.Your children may have need of a different gift—that of healing, or helping plants grow,she explained.When they reach the age of eleven, you will need to decide what their gifts should be.

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