The Shattered Land_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [70]
Lakashtai ignored the comment. “Gerrion has other duties to attend to. It is Lei’s skills that will be required for this task.”
The conversation was brought to a halt by the arrival of Harysh with Daine’s lunch. The ale was served hot, mixed with honey and cloves. A large plate held boiled roots, dark brown bread, and a large empty space. With some surprise, Daine noticed a few strips of red meat floating off the right side of the platter.
“Displacer beast,” the shifter explained. “The marinade preserves the effect for a few days. Just feel around the center of the plate, you’ll find it. Trust me, it’s worth the trouble.” She inclined her head and returned to the bar.
“Apparently, nothing here is what it seems,” Daine remarked, stabbing at empty air until he found the invisible meat. “So tell us, Lakashtai. What’s the plan?”
Lakashtai studied the group spread around the table. Then, to Daine’s surprise, she sighed; for an instant her cold mask dropped away, and she looked weary and afraid. She looked away, and the moment passed.
“I do not wish to speak in this place. Finish your meal, and let us begone. I shall explain everything as we travel, and if my plan does not meet with your approval, we can return to the harbor and seek passage back to Khorvaire.”
Daine glanced at Lei and Pierce. The warforged soldier nodded gravely. Anger glittered in Lei’s eyes, but she eventually nodded. “Fine, but after this … no more surprises.”
“Of course.”
The second bell was ringing as they left the Ship’s Cat. Lakashati led the way, and when they arrived at the main road she turned south, heading away from the harbor. Gerrion had left earlier, and he was nowhere to be seen.
“Lakashtai—”
“Wait until we reach the gates of the city. There are far too many ears in this place. We shall not enter Hassalac’s domain without your approval; we could not, regardless of my desires.”
“Very well.”
Daine let Lakashtai lead the way, falling back to walk next to Lei. He offered her his hand, and she took it with a slight smile. Pierce was at the rear, studying the crowds. It seemed to Daine that Pierce was looking for something in particular—presumably, the Riedran soldiers they had fought before.
“Are you all right?” Daine murmured to Lei.
She smiled faintly and squeezed his hand. “I’m not the one with the beast in her head.”
“I know, which makes this my problem, not yours.”
Lei shrugged.
“I don’t know. You just seem tense. Angry. And you don’t have the excuse of bad dreams.” She stiffened slightly at the comment. Or does she? She spoke before he could raise the question.
“I’m not allowed to feel angry about this? About what’s happening to you?” Lei shot a glance at Lakashtai. “I don’t like this. Any of this. I don’t like her. It’s just … How do we know she isn’t using you?”
“Let’s see what she has to say. She did save my life.”
“So you say. Why didn’t you talk to us first?”
Why hadn’t he? Looking back, it was hard to remember. He’d been afraid, even embarrassed, and what could Lei have done? The kalashtar—all the stories said that they were creatures of mind and dream, and it has just seemed like the right decision at the time.
“You tried to fight this. It didn’t work, remember? She’s held it at bay, and that counts for something.”
“Still. She just happened to be going to Xen’drik? I just feel like we’re doing her dirty work.”
“A fortunate coincidence, I assure you.” They’d been speaking quietly, but not quietly enough; Lakashtai had keen ears. “It was fate that brought us together, and sometimes we must trust in the whims of fate.”
Lei scowled but said no more. She was holding her staff in her right hand, and the face carved on the shaft suddenly caught Daine’s eye; its expression was an exact mirror of Lei’s, as if the staff itself was angry. He gave Lei’s hand a gentle squeeze, and the frown faded from her face—but the staff was still scowling. Had it always been like that? For a time, they walked in silence, taking comfort in the physical connection.
They arrived at a wide plaza, the very edge of