Dryad's Touch by A. W. Graybill

Author:A. W. Graybill [Graybill, A. W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-09T23:00:00+00:00

XEVIAT

Ignoring curious glances, Xeviat flowed in line perfectly with the entourage of the king as soon as they heard Alinar’s daughter was approaching. He did not know the full circumstances of the child only that her mother had stolen away, aided by the resistance, while pregnant. He was only about four or five when the incident had happened, and most of the rumors had died down by the time he was old enough to care.

He glanced at the others who sat on the council who had thus far said nothing of his disappearance. And they probably wouldn’t in the king’s presence. They had to think Xeviat’s reemergence was odd. After all, he had not been in Ghela for so long, and he knew he had missed several important meetings. He only wondered if any felt the dark energy about him.

As Nara exited the ship, he scratched a long nail against the parchment in his pocket, a blank stare directed at the long lost princess. Having done so over and over on the near three week course of his journey, he had nearly worn a hole under the name of who he was to meet here in Ionus. He knew Castien Dreigsier well. Being about the same age and both from older noble families, they had grown up around one another. The other elf, though their parents constantly forced them together, was not to Xeviat’s liking. Castien was often brash to those who served no purpose. He also had a constant hunger for flesh and knew how to get what he wanted. He was a cruel character that severely punished those who undermined him or got in his way. All of this Castien hid well with a charming exterior. Everything within him was a dangerous mixture.

Was it any wonder why Thaos wanted him?

Thaos had faith in this elf he had never met. Faith that Castien would make a pact and faith that he would be able to find certain articles that Thaos desired.

First he desired Gaia’s map. The mother goddess created Arlania by drawing a map across her skin before ripping the flesh. Until Thaos came along, Xeviat thought it to be myth.

For retrieving that, Thaos would give Castien power.

After they found their way back to the castle, the council separated from the others in the procession. The mirrors on the walls they passed made the white stone floors of the halls look wider than they actually were. They also reflected Xeviat too perfectly. In his stride he occasionally caught a glimpse of his face. He had the sudden realization that he had not seen himself in months. He forced himself to look as he passed each mirror. His face appeared gaunt and there were dark circles under his eyes; his once vibrant gray-blue skin had faded. A thin, milky film now covered leaf green eyes, causing him to furrow his brow in dismay. Had he not the same long features as before, he would have sworn Thaos had switched his body for another.

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