Song of the Saurials - Kate Novak [122]
Alias translated the wizard's words for Akabar. Akabar bowed and accepted the wand. "What about your stone?" the Turmishrnan asked Finder. "You could release the shard of para-elemental ice. That would blanket a large area in deep cold."
"If I released it," Finder said. "But I won't release it. That would destroy the stone.
"But you would be freeing the saurials and preventing Moander's return," Akabar argued.
"I spent a decade searching for that stone, and another decade improving it at the risk of my own life," Finder replied coolly. "The stone holds more powerful magic than most mages learn in a lifetime, and it can recall any one of my songs on command."
"So can Alias," Akabar snapped, "but you are ready to risk her life!"
"No, I am not," Finder growled. "I asked her to stay behind, but she wouldn't.
She chose to risk her own life. If she dies, the stone will be the only record left of my music."
"She is acting in a selfless manner to save her friend's tribe," Akabar said, his voice rising in pitch and volume. "How can you be so greedy as to save a stupid piece of magic instead of her life?"
"Akabar!" Alias said sharply. "Calm down, and leave me out of your arguments.
Finder's right. I chose to do this myself. As for the stone, it's Finder's stone. He may use it or not as he pleases."
Grypht tugged on Akabar's sleeve.
"Grypht says you should cast a spell so you can understand him. He wants to show you how to use the wand," Alias translated for the wizard.
Akabar shot Finder an angry look, but he allowed Grypht to lead him away from the bard. The two magic-users settled down near the cave entrance. Akabar pulled out his magic book to study the comprehend languages spell.
Alias sighed. "There's nothing for us to do now but wait, is there?" she asked Finder.
"We could sing," the bard suggested, "to pass the time."
*****
"I smell roses," Olive said as she inspected a small golden apple and tossed it into her knapsack. Dragonbait was digging in the dirt nearby while she collected windfalls beneath a gnarled old apple tree. Dragonbait had discovered the tree by following his nose to the vinegary scent of the fruit rotting on the ground.
"It's a little late in the year for roses. Guess it's that magical warmth of the vale."
Olive hefted her knapsack with a groan. It was loaded. Dragonbait helped her slip it on over her shoulders. Then he shoved in a bunch of wild carrots and onions he'd dug up.
"Aren't you going to carry anything?" Olive asked with a huff.
I'm going to hunt, the paladin signed. Go back to the cave.
"Alias wouldn't want me to leave you alone," the halfling protested.
I'll be fine, Dragonbait signed.
Olive stood with her feet apart and her hands on her hips, scowling with stubborn disapproval.
Wouldn't you like duck? Or wild pig? the paladin asked.
"You're doing just what Finder does" Olive said. "He gets around my better judgment with bribes. The last time I let him have his way, we got captured by orcs. I can't believe I'm getting the same thing from you, too, of all people."
Dragonbait hung his head sheepishly. Sorry, he signed.
"Apology accepted," Olive said. "Now let's go. We can do without meat for once."
Dragonbait shook his head. I'm going to scout out the vale, he signed.
"What? Are you crazy?" Olive gasped. "It's too dangerous!"
I have to do it, the paladin signed.
Olive sighed. "Fine. Go right ahead." She waved a finger up at the saurial's chest. "If you don't come back, though, I'm never going to speak to you again."
I'll be back, the saurial's hands promised. Tell Alias not to worry.
"I'll tell her, but it won't do any good," Olive said. She turned around and stormed back up the mountain road to the Singing Cave.
Dragonbait watched her disappear around a bend, all the while sniffing the rose scent that came from the brush deeper into the vale. Olive had forgotten how similar the smell of saurial grief was to the flower's perfume. Of course, not even the halfling's