Page 91 of Oaths & Vengeance
This place was such a serene location that I wondered who put the ring here long ago. Most others were placed more strategically, depending on the area’s needs. I was certain this one was built in this location for the beauty that unfolded around it.
Turning away from the sea, I found Orran and several of his warriors flying toward us, though they were still a few minutes away. We’d arrived a little early. One thing I could say about Tadeus was that he hated to be late, so he’d pushed us to hurry.
Sariyah gasped. “Those are the Pegasi!”
“Yes,” I said, enjoying her wonder. “Just take care once they land. Orran told me they aren’t fond of most strangers and will bite.”
“Like your plants?” she asked, lifting a brow.
“Something like that.”
The Andalagar tribespeople landed and dismounted. Their horses folded their wings and began to graze as their riders left them. Orran moved tome first, kissing each of my cheeks. Except for a first meeting, this was their standard greeting.
When his gaze ran over my companions, I cleared my throat. “This is my cousin Tadeus, the second son of Lord Morgunn. I’m afraid my uncle couldn’t make it on short notice.”
Orran studied him for a moment. “You’re not like your father.”
“No.” Tadeus’ lips twitched. “In fact, we rarely get along.”
“Excellent. Then you’ve already grown in my esteem.”
My cousin let out a chuckle. “I could say the same of you. Those who like my father tend to be rather unpleasant.”
“You’re unafraid to speak the truth, even at risk to yourself.” Orran squeezed my cousin’s shoulder. “Perhaps I will insist on you representing your father from this point forward.”
“Lord Morgunn won’t like it, but you’ll hear no argument from me,” he replied with amusement.
I gestured at my best friend. “This is Sariyah. We grew up together and have always been close. Her grandmother was from your southern tribe.”
The Andalagar chief’s eyes warmed. “Have you visited there often?”
“Only once when I was a child, I’m afraid.” Sariyah met his gaze. “My father decided the journey was too treacherous and didn’t allow it again.”
Since half the tribal lands were in the Oarwar desert and the other half in Veronna, it was risky for her to travel by land. Neither was safe for a three-quarter elf from Therress as far as routes went, and they had heavily warded their only portal ring.
“Couldn’t Aella have taken you there?” Orran asked, frowning at me.
“Oh, she could now, but my grandmother and mother passed before Aella’s abilities were strong enough to get us there, and my father had no interest in letting me go without them,” she said, a note of defensiveness for my sake in her voice.
“Ah. Then, I will not hold it against either of you.” He studied her for a moment. “But perhaps you should visit us more often so you might know more about your heritage.”
She smiled. “I would like that.”
Something about how they looked at each other made me think an attraction was developing. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Sariyah tended to keep her relationships with men as minimal as possible, aside from casual sex. She was behaving very differently with Orran than with others. I’d have to watch their interaction and see how it went during the visit to be sure if I was imagining things.
“I was told you invited us for dinner?” Tadeus asked.
Orran nodded. “Yes, though that won’t be for a little over an hour. Since you have not visited us before, my men will give you a tour of the village so you might learn a little about us. If you find that amenable?”
After hearing my uncle’s description of his tour from last time, it probably wouldn’t take long since they kept it rather limited, but I didn’t point that out. It would still be more than what they let me see of the village previously. I only saw one building—where we ate a simple meal with Orran—before it was time to return to Ivory Castle.
“Of course,” Tadeus agreed.
“I thought I might take Aella on a walk so we can speak further about the future,” Orran said, then frowned at Sariyah. Obviously, my friend hadn’t factored into his plans.
“She should come with us.” I turned to give him a look, urging him to trust me with my eyes. “Sariyah practically knows me better than I know myself. You could ask her questions.”
Comprehension dawned in his gaze. I was implying that I didn’t keep secrets from my best friend, and he could speak plainly about whatever he needed to tell me. Thank the nameless ones, he understood.
