Dragonvein Book Three by Brian D. Anderson

Author:Brian D. Anderson [Anderson, Brian D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Longfire Press
Published: 2015-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Renald sat quietly on the porch, staring at the steam rising from his mug. The sun was still more than an hour away from breaking the horizon, but the cries of Maytra regularly plagued his dreams, making a full night’s sleep impossible. The enormous guilt he felt was beyond his capacity to simply push aside. At times he had even considered moving ahead with the blood debt he'd agreed to pay the sirean. But that would be a selfish act - and a cowardly one. He refused to end things that way. There was still much to do.

Jake and Val were learning at a rapid rate. More so than he would have expected. Jake was even becoming less volatile. Of course, that had only begun to change after he'd met the elf woman. Being thought of as a child had not sat well with him. Particularly when his behavior had so clearly supported the accusation.

The cabin door creaked gently open to reveal Poul. “Am I bothering you?” he asked.

Renald pointed to the chair on his left. “No. You can join me if you wish.”

“I've no time,” he replied. “I’m on my way to fetch Markus. He and Jake said we’re going fishing today.”

“Jake has his studies,” Renald responded. “But I suppose we can have fish for dinner. Assuming you catch some.”

“Oh, we will,” Poul assured him. “Markus is an excellent fisherman.”

He started off toward the shore where Markus and Lylinora spent much of their time.

“Boy, wait,” Renald called.

Poul turned, an enquiring look on his face.

“Have you seen Maytra?”

He nodded. “What an amazing creature. I can’t believe I’ve seen it. But…”

“But what?”

“It seems…hurt. And it’s getting bigger. Or at least, I think it is.”

“How big is she?”

Poul held up a hand about waist high. “But I would swear that the first time I saw it, it was no higher than my knee. I could be wrong. It never comes very close. Half scared me to death the first time I saw it.”

“It is a she,” Renald told him sternly. “And yes. She is growing.” After waving Poul away, he returned his focus to the tea mug.

Conflict had been raging inside him ever since Maytra's curse was lifted. He longed so much to see her and tell her how sorry he was. He could feel their connection still, even though it was much changed. Whereas before he would know her every specific thought, all he received now were waves of powerful emotions and strange images. Lylinora, sensing his distress and rightly guessing the cause of it, had made several offers to accompany him to the lake where Maytra was spending most of her time. But on each occasion, out of shame more than anything, he had refused.

Suddenly, he seized hold of the mug and tossed its contents over the porch railing. He could not go on like this. Yes, he was as guilty as could be. But he loved Maytra, and it was time he faced up to what he had done.

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