Azure bonds - Kate Novak [57]
"Don't worry," Alias told him. "I can get another dagger when we reach Shadowdale."
Dragonbait did not look away from the cliffs for a long time.
Olive's dreams of a warm bed and a less-seasoned meal were shattered when they topped the last set of switchbacks. Instead of a charming house and a warm, welcoming cup of mulled wine, they found the remains of a great hall, its massive timbers blackened by flame, its stone floor littered with slate from the collapsed roof.
"Don't tell me, let me guess," Olive snapped angrily. "This place has gone downhill somewhat since you last visited it."
"Obviously, the clientele has changed," Akabar said dryly, gingerly poking his foot through the rubble. He, too, had been looking forward to a comfortable bed.
"Nine circles of Hell," Alias muttered. Above the shattered roof, the last rays of the evening sun were playing against the eastern cliff, turning it as red as blood.
"There are no bodies," Akabar pointed out, "and the fire damage looks several months old, so I don't think there can be much danger. As to comforts, there's still some roof left in that corner and the firepit is serviceable. Shall we stay or ride on?"
Alias sighed. "We may as well stay."
Inwardly, she was thankful for the mage's calm assessment. She had been looking forward to collapsing in the inn, and her disappointed muscles revolted at the thought of riding any farther.
Akabar nodded. "Stay it is."
"I say we should go," Olive objected vehemently. "There's still daylight left, and we can be a few miles beyond this place when whatever did this comes back."
"As I said-this damage occurred some time ago," the mage argued.
"Increasing the likelihood that whatever caused it will return," retorted the bard.
"There are no bodies," Akabar insisted.
"That's even worse," Olive cried, her voice growing shrill. "It just proves that whatever did this burns or swallows people whole, probably vomiting up their bones in its lair. Look!" Ruskettle lifted up a very large, heavy, two-handed sword. "Not even the owner of this sword could defend himself." She dropped the blade in disgust.
"Or-" Alias interrupted, "-or it proves that this was just an ordinary fire-an accident-and everyone got out in time or other humans buried the corpses. Try not to overreact, Olive."
"Me?" Olive squeaked. "You're the one who tried to skewer a robberwing for calling out your name. If it were just an ordinary fire, why didn't they rebuild the inn? Why isn't anyone using the pass?"
Alias shrugged. "They'd have to import the building materials, and that would take a few months. I'm sure we simply went through the pass on a slow day." She knew her last comment was improbable, but she also knew she'd feel foolish giving in to the halfling's anxieties.
"Ha! This is just the kind of place you tell children about to keep them from straying into the woods."
Alias reached under her stallion to unbuckle the saddle straps. "Well, Olive," she said, lifting the saddle from her horse, "just be sure you don't stray too far, then."
Olive growled in frustration and left to tend to her pony.
Dragonbait, who was snuffling over a pile of timbers, snarled once.
"See!" Olive turned excitedly. "Even Dragonbait votes we should go."
Alias laughed. "He's more likely snarling at a garden spider. Besides, Dragonbait doesn't get a vote. He can't talk. He barely understands what we're saying."
"He understands well enough when it really matters," Olive muttered.
"Pardon?"
"I said, we could be halfway down the gap, away from this place before night fell."
"Then we'd have to eat a cold supper," the mage teased.
That was food for thought to the halfling. In the end, she decided safety was more important than comfort. "It wouldn't matter, vou'd only add too much spice anyway."
"Perhaps you should show me how to do it properly."
"I wouldn't dream of depriving you of the joy of figuring it out for yourself," Olive replied. "Besides, I have a more important