Dropping the Keystone by Christina Dickinson

Author:Christina Dickinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Elf, War, Archer, Mage, Demons, Gods, Assassin, Flayer, Dwarf, Knight
Publisher: Christina Dickinson
Published: 2021-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

“WHY IS HE COMING WITH us?” Kal hissed a sigh out through clenched teeth.

“Because we could use someone that actually knows Eerilor,” Khiri said. It was the third or fourth time the mage had asked the question since they’d left Rigger’s tiny, one room apartment.

Ahead of them, Rigger toyed with his dagger. The knuckle guard unfolded and separated so the point of the blade could be used as a drawing compass when a catch was released. It had the potential to be a great asset when Rigger was struck by inspiration, but Khiri wondered if it wouldn't also be a liability in the hands of someone that didn't use a weapon very often.

Khiri wondered why the dwarf had been living alone. His one room had housed a bed, a stove and a privy closet. Very efficient. Very quiet. Very stark. There hadn’t been the usual paraphernalia of a functioning home. No pots, no trinkets, no artwork or notes hung on the wall. Nothing. Even the smell seemed off. The room hadn’t smelled much like Rigger. While gathering his meager possessions, Rigger had talked about how the sewer system worked in Taman. She hadn't objected to the subject, since it was another of the oddities of rune-tech she hadn't seen anywhere else, but she couldn't help feeling that Rigger was trying hard not to talk about his circumstances.

“He needs something to focus on,” she sent, not wanting Rigger to overhear. “Can't you tell he's lonely?”

“Alright, I'll stop complaining. I can tell you've already adopted him... You trust far too easily,” Kal said, sighing again for effect. His sardonic grin was creeping up at the corners of his mouth, though, so Khiri knew she’d convinced him.

“That's why you're still here,” the elf shot back.

“You wound me deeply, laska.” The mage cupped an overly dramatic hand over his heart. Despite his teasing, when his enigmatic eyes caught hers, a flush of warmth washed through her system. “What's our next destination?”

“Jev told us that two of the other names are close to Tenising—out on the western border—while Kivian Threshler was somewhere near Elmesh, which I think was...north?” Khiri squinted as she tried to remember if she'd ever seen an actual map of Eerilor. Her shoulders relaxed almost immediately as they exited the soldiers' district.

“Isn't that why you wanted to bring an Eerilorian?” Kal scratched his chin as they walked, trying to look as though it were a casual question.

“Good point,” Khiri said. “You can talk to him about it while I talk to Master Vort about new gear.”

Shielded Thoughts’ shutters were still closed, but light showed through the awkwardly hanging door Rigger had popped off its hinges earlier in the day. Loud hammering sounds echoed into the street from inside the shop. Khiri pounded her fist against one of the shutters, not trusting the wounded door to survive the impact. In the middle of her third swing, Master Ian Vort admitted them into a partially-revived store.

“I had doubted whether you'd take me up on my offer,” Vort said, his perpetual frown pulling into his beard.

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