29. Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
“ W e are too late.” Those defeated words crashed in Zev’s ears like rogue waves as he watched the Somnio sail away.
He sat on his haunches and howled at the sky. How could Dyna simply leave him that way? His paws scraped the planks he restlessly paced at the edge of the dock. How would he catch up to her now? Where was Tarn taking her? Was she safe?
Another howl ripped from his throat.
Rawn rubbed his face. He was rumpled and windblown from long ride here, the worry settling on his exhausted features. Would she have taken Fair with her on the ship?” he asked him.
Zev whined. He didn’t have an answer, but Fair and Dyna’s scents were all over the dock.
Rawn briefly closed his eyes and took a breath. I pray they are together. If not, then Fair will find me.”
Zev hated this. Having their group separated felt as if they had been split away from him somehow, as if he was walking on only three legs.
He huffed and the inhale of air uncovered another familiar scent. It was faded beneath all the others, mingled with the sharp smell of…
Zev rapidly shifted back on two legs, startling Rawn. He heaved heavily, staring after the ship vanishing over the horizon in horror. Gods…”
Zev, what is it?”
He yanked on a pair of trousers Rawn handed him and he stormed away. Von was here.”
“Here?”
“We have to go after them.”
“Yes, well—wait, Zev. What is wrong?” Rawn tugged him to a stop.
“I caught Von’s scent,” he exclaimed. Along with the scent of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.”
Rawn’s eyes widened. “Gunpowder.”
They turned to Elon where he waited on the shore with a couple horses. He accompanied them here, per Sylar’s insistence. But that may not have been the only reason.
“You knew, didn’t you?” Zev growled.
The red elf’s expression didn’t change from its permanent stoic state. His black cloak cast his face in shadow as it rippled in the breeze. “Von is the Guardian of vengeance. This is his purpose.”
“Vengeance?” Rawn repeated. “For what?”
“When they tried to escape, Von’s wife was killed.” Elon looked out to sea. “He lives now to rectify that.”
Zev’s chest heaved with rapid breaths, and he snatched the front of Elon’s cloak. “And when were you going on telling us Von planned to blow up Tarn’s ship?” he shouted. “Dyna is on it!”
Elon broke Zev’s hold with a swift sweep of his arm, and the next blow to his chest knocked him back a few steps. Zev wheezed, gasping to recover the air knocked out of him.
Retrieving the reins, Elon returned to the road. “We cannot stand in the way of fate.”
What did that mean? Did he say that because they didn’t reach the boat in time or because Von was meant to do this?
“Where are you going?” Zev demanded.
“Home,” Elon replied without looking back. “Once I put you on a train in Little Step.”
“We are not returning,” Rawn said.
That made Elon stop and fixed his amber gaze on him. “Your Maiden is now accompanied by a Guardian. Von will assure her safety. You , however, have put yourself at further risk which grows with every hour you are here.”
“Regardless, am bound by oath to protect Lady Dyna. I will not leave until we are reunited with her and my horse.”
Elon’s jaw worked. “You do not have the means to find them.”
“But you do.” Zev crossed his arms. He hadn’t forgotten that spell he cast at the Kazer Cliffs nor the battle between him and Rawn in Willows Grove. “You have magic. Cast a tracking spell for us and we can go our separate ways from here.”
The elf fell silent for a pause. Then he reached into his cloak and drew out a small glass orb that fit comfortably in his palm. On the polished surface appeared a glowing map of the region and a speck of white light that rhythmically pulsed.
“What is that?” Zev asked.
“A locator orb.” Rawn moved for a closer look. “They are used to hold locator spells on one individual at a time. The pin is moving south. I presume this one is linked to Von?”
“It is,” Elon said.
Zev narrowed his eyes on him. Did he want to know why?
“Thank you,” Rawn said.
“Do not offer your thanks, Lord Norrlen.” Elon tucked the orb away. “For you misunderstand me. I am not here merely because Sylar asked it of me. If you are captured, I will not allow you to reach Red Highland alive.”
They fell silent at the cold statement.
Now Zev saw the real reason he came. To guarantee Rawn would never speak of his family’s existence.
“Attempt it, and you will not return home alive either,” Zev growled, moving to shield Rawn. “You want your family safe? Well, so do we. The sooner we find Dyna, the sooner we leave Dwarf Shoe. So lead the way.”
Elon met his yellow eyes a moment, then mounted his horse. He cantered ahead.
“I don’t trust him,” Zev said. “But right now, he is our only damn option.”
“Possibly not our only one.” Rawn mounted the second horse. “Lady Lucenna taught me how to cast a location spell during our stay in Skelling Rise. I am unsure if I can locate Lady Dyna pass Cassiel’s barrier, but if I can, it will only work if she is on land.”
“Then let’s hope she steps off that boat soon.”
Zev stripped away his clothing and a familiar ache went through his body as he shifted back on four paws. He shook off to rid himself of unease. There was something off in the air. He wasn’t sure if it was the constant hum of magic in this province, the lurk of danger hanging over them, or simply because they were splitting up again.