The Doom of Kings_ Legacy of Dhakaan - Don Bassingthwaite [72]
Midian snorted. “It was pretty eloquent for not knowing when to shut up.”
“I saw you take down at least two hobgoblins when the Gan’duur attacked us. I’d call that good fighting.”
“I’ve had to learn some tricks. You might have noticed that Darguuls can be a bit protective of their ruins. Generally, I find it’s much easier to run. Not”—he added quickly—”that I’d run if friends were in trouble.”
“You better not!” Geth gave a mocking growl.
The gnome laughed, then asked, “Speaking of the Gan’duur, have you heard yet how they knew to come west and ambush us?”
In fact, he had. Haruuc had just heard that morning and had passed the news to Vounn, who had announced it in Ashi’s presence. “There was a traitor among the officers at Matshuc Zaal, someone with sympathies to the Gan’duur. The Darguuls use falcons to carry messages—he sent one to the Gan’duur telling them we’d be riding to the Gathering Stone. All the ambushers had to do was ride west until they found us.”
Midian cursed. “Let’s hope your sword doesn’t lead us into Gan’duur territory, then.” He slid from the chair. “Thank you again, Geth. A gnome remembers kindness.”
He shook the shifter’s hand. Geth saw him out. Once the door was closed, he turned around and surveyed the chamber. The hair on the back of his neck and on his forearms had lifted while he’d been talking to Midian. They hadn’t been alone in the room, but at least the unseen presence seemed familiar. “Chetiin?” he said.
The sharaatkhesh elder slipped out from behind a cabinet that Geth could have sworn had been flush against the wall. “I spent too much time riding with you,” he said in his scarred voice.
“How did you get in here?”
“With Midian.”
“No, you didn’t,” Geth said. Chetiin’s ears just twitched slightly. Geth shook his head and sighed. “Was there something you wanted?”
“To wish you luck in the ritual. If it succeeds, preparations are ready and we’ll ride out in three days.”
“Why wait so long?”
“It was Senen’s suggestion. She thinks you may need time to recover after the ritual.”
Geth grimaced. “That doesn’t sound promising,” he said. “You’ll be able to use the time, though—you’ll need to arrange supplies for an extra person. Ashi’s probably going to come.”
Chetiin’s face creased in a smile. “So I heard—but that’s no problem. I assumed that she’d eventually get her way and planned accordingly. We’ll still be ready to go. Tariic is lending us some of his magebred horses for the journey.”
“Will you need to ride with me again?”
“I have arranged for my own mount this time.” the goblin said. His smile disappeared, though. “The news of a traitor in Matshuc Zaal is disturbing. I heard it from Haruuc this morning.”
“A traitor could let enemies pass through Matshuc Zaal,” said Geth.
Chetiin shook his head. “The Gan’duur oppose Haruuc, but they have no more desire to see the forces of Breland enter Darguun than anyone else. It’s disturbing to know that the Gan’duur found a sympathizer in such a sensitive position. Their strength is increasing. For Haruuc’s sake, I hope our mission is a swift one.” He went to the door, then turned back to look at Geth. “I’m pleased that you’ve chosen to work with Haruuc, Geth.”
“I thought the Silent Clans were officially neutral.”
“We are. I’m pleased because I like you.” Chetiin’s expression was sober. “You should know that the bearer of Aram isn’t as important to Haruuc’s cause as the sword itself. If you hadn’t agreed to help us—here, in Sigilstar, or in Lathleer—I would have had to kill you and take Aram. I’m glad I didn’t have to do that.”
A chill brought Geth’s hair up again, but before he could say anything, there was another knock on the door. Chetiin stepped to one side of the door and motioned for Geth to open it. The shifter did. It was Senen and Ekhaas, both dressed in black robes. Senen held out a fold of white fabric to him.
“It is time,” she said.
Geth glanced down and was somehow not surprised to find that Chetiin was gone. He took the white