Master's Mind (The Dagger of Dragon Rose Book 1)

I killed him twice. - Taren Elloy

Shaunna sat in the chair keeping a silent vigil over Taren as he slept. It was clear his dreams were troubled by the way the tossed and turned under the heavy down comforter.

It wasn’t hard for her to guess the source of his nightmares. “I killed him twice.” He’d confessed to her after returning from the failed attempt at destroying the Sun-Fire Orb. She sat at his bedside watching him toss and turn with troubled dreams. He tried to explain what he meant by the statement, but she was not able to understand what he was trying to say.

She was instantly at Taren’s side when he cried out. She wished she actually knew what he was dreaming.

“Oh Taren.” She sighed quietly as she returned to her chair.

The hours crawled by as she sat watching the young elf. She was amazed at how quickly she’d come to care for him. She sisn’t know if the feelings came from the relief that she knew he was alive, after all of these years, or if they were real. He seemed to care for her . He had even told her after Narissa sacrificed herself to save Shaunna’s life.

The thought of the little woman caused a sharp pain in her chest. “What a fool.” she whispered.

“Who’s a fool?” Taren asked.

She’d been so wrapped in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed that he was looking at her.

Shaunna smiled sadly. “It’s nothing. I’m just remembering the people we’ve lost.”

Taren gave a knowing nod and laid back down on the pillow.

She laughed at the irony of her statement. She had not given death a second thought in many years. Often she was the cause of certain peoples’ exit from their dreary existence.

As if reading her thoughts, Taren began to speak. “Aren’t we a pair? A master thief and a master assassin sitting here wondering what we should do next.”

The comment made Shaunna laugh. “From what I understand, those are roles that neither of us asked for, or really wanted.”

“What do you mean?” He asked

“I’ve watched you, Taren. You do not think like a thief.” She paused for a moment. “You try to think of logical ways out of a situation. Often you don’t succeed, but I’ve seen you try. You are too good of a person to fully embrace that part of yourself. Please don’t ever change that.”

Taren blushed at the compliment.

“You’re right.” Taren admitted. “I don’t really know why everybody thinks I am so good. I started doing it because I was angry with my parents. When the anger wore off, it was just something to pass the time.”

Shaunna smiled in understanding.

“What should we do now?” Shaunna asked.

Taren sat silent for several minutes, thinking. “I don’t know. We have accomplished half of the task that we were sent to do. I don’t know how we are supposed to accomplish the second half.”

Taren’s eyes were drawn to the wall behind Shaunna. Small waves began to ripple out from the center of the wall just before the crystalline form of Cera stepped into the room.

“I am sorry to intrude.” Cera’s voice rang softly. “I didn’t mean to eaves drop.” She bowed briefly.

“It’s all right.” Shaunna answered. “What can we do for you?”

Cera’s lips curved into a smile. “I may be able to do something for you. I have an idea.”

“Cera. we don’t have time for this.” Shaunna said with more anger than she had intended. “We need to figure out where to go from here.”

Cera began to bob up and down on the balls of her feet. “I know, that is where my idea comes in.” She looked directly at Taren as she spoke. “The bard sent you on this quest, didn’t he? If he sent you to destroy the orb, he must know that there must be a way to do it. Why not go ask him?”

Shaunna opened her mouth to say something, but Taren stopped her.

“I think that’s a great idea, but we are over a weeks travel from the bard, do you have a way to communicate with him?

Cera shook her head. “No, but I can teleport you back to the city.”

Taren blanched a little at the suggestion. “I don’t mean any disrespect, Cera, but I remember what happened last time you tried to teleport me somewhere.”

“That wasn’t my fault.” Cera countered. “Something else grabbed you from me.”

Shaunna laid her hand on his shoulder. “She really is getting better and she could use the practice.”

Taren shrugged. “Okay, do it”

“Commencing transfer.” Cera said

The crystal hanging around his neck grew warmer as the room around him dissolved into nothingness, to be replaced be the common room of the Dragon Storm’s Refuge.

The startled innkeeper smiled brilliantly. He quickly regained his composure “Welcome young master”

Taren bowed slightly. “I need to speak with the bard.”

The innkeeper frowned. “The bard is not here. He is gone on personal business, and is not expected back until tomorrow night. You are welcome to stay here until he returns.”

“How much for the night?” Taren asked, reaching for his pouch

The innkeeper looked slightly offended. “There will be no charge for my mother’s king.”

“Wha...” Taren started, but stopped himself.

The man presented himself for inspection. He wore a simple green tunic with brown leggings. Shoulder length blond hair framed a friendly face with high cheek bones. Almond shaped, blue, eyes shined with great intelligence. He swept his hair behind one ear, revealing slightly rounded tips, too sharp to be human, yet too rounded to be elven.

“You are half elf.” Taren observed.

The innkeeper nodded. “Not all elves suffer from the prejudice that plagues most of the race. Though, admittedly, it is rare. I have even heard tale of an elf how fell in love with a dwarf.”

The memory of Narissa leapt to the forefront of Taren’s thoughts. “I have met their child.”

Curiosity ignited in the older man’s eyes, but he kept himself in check.

“I refuse to stay here without some form of compensation to you. If you will not take my money, what can I do to help you?”

“I could use some help preparing for tonight’s patron’s. Are you handy with an axe?”

The rest of the afternoon was spent in various chores. After days of walking and fighting, good honest work felt really good.

The innkeeper provided a private booth for his dining, so he would not be bothered by the other patrons that would come in. It was a light night for business, due to the bards absence, but there were still quite a few people who came in to dance and socialize in the large common room.

He was thankful for the anonymity.

He awakened the next morning before the sun rose, with the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He tried to survey the dark room without alerting the other presence that he so strongly felt. His keen vision scanned the perimeter of the room. He saw the figure sitting in the window, staring into the darkness.

The figure was obviously female. She had a slight build and raven colored hair that fell to her mid back. A deep green cloak adorned her shoulders. He couldn’t see her face, but he was quite sure he knew who this was. He was barely able to contain the excitement that was welling up inside him.

“Parel?” He asked quietly.

The sound of his voice startled her. He noticed the sad smile on her lips as she turned to face him.

“I thought you were dead.” He continued.

“No, I’m alive and well.” She answered.

“What happened?”

The sad smile deepened. “I’ll tell you later. Go back to sleep.” Without another word she left the room.

He lay in bed for several more hours trying to puzzle out what had just happened. In that time, the sun rose and he could hear the sounds of patrons arriving downstairs to partake of the morning meal that could be bought at the inn. He was brought out of his reverie by a knock at the door.

He rose, quickly dressed and answered the door.

The tall figure of the Dragon Bard stood before him. The obsidian skin glinted in the light of the candles that flickered in the hall.

“Shantar...” He said surprised. “come in”

The bard passed silently into the room.

“You wanted to see me.” The statement was a little unnerving.

Taren nodded. “I’ve retrieved the orb, but all of my attempts to destroy it have met with failure.”

Shantar nodded. “As far as I know only two beings knew the secret to destroying the orb. One of those is dead. I am speaking of your father and his sword. Why have you not asked the ice blade?”

Taren’s eyes dropped to the floor. “Cyan is dead.”

“That’s impossible.” Shantar murmured. “The Crystal Blades are immortal.”

“Apparently they are not as immortal as everyone thought.“Taren replied.

Shantar shook his head. “This complicates things.” He paused and thought for a few moments. “There is one more possibility. Paron had an apprentice that he trained to create the heart stones for the Crystal Blades. He may have imparted the knowledge that we seek ti this apprentice. Last I heard, the apprentice was still alive, and living in the deep forests just east of the Sea of Skies. Find this apprentice and see what he knows”

Taren nodded.

Shantar continued. “I want you to take Parel back with you when you go. Please do not press her for details of her ordeal, she will tell you when she is ready.”

“This is going to complicate things” Taren said, almost to himself.

Shantar laughed warmly. “I don’t think you have to worry. She knows.”

Taren didn’t know what the bard meant. He didn’t get a chance to ask before the bard left the room.

A couple of moments later, Parel knocked on the door. “Nathan, I have some supplies that the innkeeper gave us for the trip. I am ready to go when you are.”

Taren just rolled his eyes at her use of his human name. “It will only take me a couple of minutes to be ready.”

He quickly gathered his items, stuffing them back into his satchel. When he was finished, he walked up to Parel and embraced her tightly.

“It’s really good to see you.” He said.

She smiled.

Taking her hand in his, he spoke. “Cera, we are ready.” As soon as he finished speaking, Parel Zaleck and Taren Elloy vanished into thin air.

To Be Continued...