Page 116 of Silverbow
“You know the songs Mosphaera and Sakaala gifted to men: the songs of shadows, shapes, storms, trees, and the Silverbow. And Nimala gifted the songs of dreams. They bestowed their gifts on only a chosen few. They have always been rare, rarer now as the old blood thins,” he started.
“The dragons are creatures of Solignis, and each bond between dragon and rider results in a unique Talent. Many scholars believe Solignis only amplifies or illuminates what was always there, and sometimes the Talent is an offshoot, a movement if you will, of the original godsung gift. Like the Warder, for example. To build wards was not one of the godsung gifts, but it is thought to be an offshoot of the dream song. Like foretelling.”
She gazed into the flame, her face unreadable. She finally looked up at Oryn. “You owe me a debt.”
He halted his pacing. “A debt, Silverbow?”
Enya turned the horse head carving over in her hand, brows rising. “A dragon-sized debt.”
“How do you want to be repaid?”
Colm blinked in surprise.
The barest twitch of her mouth suggested she was hiding a smile. “You could grovel, for a start. But what I actually need is an escort.”
“I already offered you an escort to Drozia, but you seem determined to ride the wrong direction.”
“I need to go to Misthol to fulfill my bargain. And then I will need an escort.”
“Why?” Oryn ground.
She frowned. “Do merchant’s guards ask so many questions?”
Lines of confusion appeared in Oryn’s brow.
“Nope!” Aiden answered heartily. “They just go where the merchant tells them.”
“You’ve been merchant’s guards before, haven’t you?”
Colm darted Aiden a warning look as he said, “From time to time.”
“I want to hire you.” She jabbed a thumb to her chest. “Merchant.” She pointed slowly at Oryn. “Merchant’s guard.”
“You aren’t a bloody merchant,” Oryn growled.
“You asked how I wanted to be repaid. That’s it.”
Colm watched the flame, still pondering the threads of Hylee’s web.
“Fine.”
Aiden let out a whoop that prompted Bade to swat the back of his head. A look of bewilderment passed between Ruven and the Ashstrom twins.
“I have your word on it? You won’t interfere in my business in Misthol, and when we leave the city, you’ll provide my escort.”
“Fine.”
“I want to hear you say it, Prince.”
Colm looked up sharply at the rasp of a sword leaving its scabbard. Oryn drew his blade and drove it into the earth. He dropped to one knee beside the girl, head bowed. The demi-elves went deathly still.
“By the gods and my hope of salvation, I pledge to you, Enya Silverbow, my sword with all my strength, my gifts with all their glory, and my service with all my heart until you release me from your debt. I am yours to command. Nimala strike me down if I disobey.”
Colm’s skin prickled as the God of Spirit stirred around them to seal the vow.
“Madness,” Aiden breathed. “Utter madness.”
“Will that work for you, Silverbow?” He asked.
