Page 63 of Chaos and Destiny
He helped the healer pack everything he carried and quickly got back on his mount. “You’re sure you want to leave?”
“I don’t see that I have a choice, Inok.” I planted my heels into my horse’s flank.
We rode as fast as the horses could take us. We had to travel through the winding cobbled roads of the bustling city, and I ignored the looks and calls from the people as we moved. I wasn’t sure if there was an antidote for them either, but I’d deal with that when I got back.
As always, the sun beat down on us, but still, we ran those horses. I kept an eye on the healer, guessing he had never traveled like this before, but he managed to keep up better than I gave him credit for. Eventually, we had to stop to water the horses down. I leaped from my horse and noticed the healer did not.
“Do you need a hand down?” I held my own to him.
“No, Your Grace.” He smiled at me, though it didn’t look sincere.
“Are you sure?”
“Oh yes, quite.” He looked forward with white knuckles on the reins. “I’m afraid if I get down now, I’ll never talk myself into getting back on,” he chuckled.
Inok and I shared a laugh but understood him entirely. Riding a fae horse at full speed was like riding lightning. The wind didn’t just blow on your face, it pelted you. At times, you had to turn your head just to take in a full breath.
I poured a canteen over my beast’s face and brushed the water back along his long neck. We traveled with bitless bridles to easily and quickly allow the horses to drink. Once again ready to go, we tore off into the endless desert, and it was nearly evening before we approached the dunes. At that point, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it back before the celebrations in the city died down. There was only one way I could think of, and the thought alone unsettled me.
We were greeted cautiously and taken to the same meeting room as last time. This time, however, the room was full of draconian fae. I expected cold stares, but instead I received wide eyes and a sense of awe as the room collectively took a knee.
I looked to Umari at the head of the room and saw exactly the opposite. “King Tolero,” she said, rising from her seat. She dipped her head, but I knew that was as far as she would take it.
“Leave us,” she ordered, and the draconians filed out of the room, some reaching out to touch me as they followed. Some had tears in their eyes as they passed.
“I can see your people do not hold as much contempt for me as you do, Umari,” I said once the room has emptied.
“They believe you to be the prophesied one,” she answered.
“Of what divination?”
“Why are you here, Tolero?”
Inok shifted beside me, and the healer stepped behind him, shrinking a bit.
“I’ve brought a healer for the cetani, Umari. I believe they have been poisoned.”
“Well, I could have told you as much,” she said. “What I cannot tell you is why my sword was in that hatchling’s egg or why I have guards missing pieces of their memories, if not for a king with the ability to control minds.”
“Interesting,” I answered. “Umari, would you allow me to enchant the guards? To see if I can find the truth. I believe the cetani have been poisoned with the same fatal liquid that Efi was.”
Her body jerked at the mention of her daughter. “First tell me why you believe that to be true.”
“You do realize he could do it without your permission, do you not?” Inok intervened.
“He could try,” she answered.
Inok pulled his sword and stormed toward her. The healer yelped.
“Stop, Inok,” I ordered.
He visibly shook but remained in place, only an arm’s reach from Umari, who was not at all concerned.
“Umari, when Efi was ill—”
“Poisoned,” she corrected me.
“Yes, when she was poisoned, she was unable to eat or drink. We only learned after she left us that the poison was from the waters beyond The Mists. I believe it’s the same poison because I think someone is trying to send me a message. I believe only one person in this world has the ability to acquire that poison. Can you not think of whom? Can you not see the full picture?”
