Adrian Westergren #3
Shey nodded and accepted tea from Nori while servants moved about, filling teacups for the rest of the guests. “It’s understandable. I warned all on board that they wouldn’t be permitted any farther than the beach. Tyche and I are happy to return to the ship after our meeting.”
“No, no.” Nori waved his hand at him. “You three will stay here while on the island. You are closer to Haru here.”
“Speaking of Haru, when can I see him?” Adrian cut in.
“Tomorrow morning. After you’ve rested. You need your strength. Haru doesn’t have firm control over those powers, and a tired mind is very susceptible to him.”
Adrian opened his mouth to argue, but Caelan cut in quickly. “He’s right. You need to rest first.” Drayce reached across and smacked Adrian on the back of the head, silencing him.
“I’m sure you have questions,” Tyche stated in a soft voice. He extended a finger and poked at a tiny tart that looked delicious, but Shey could imagine that Tyche’s loss of appetite had little to do with their rough ocean voyage.
“We do. Haru couldn’t explain much, other than the fact that somehow he now possesses the power of the dead Goddess of Nightmares,” Megumi stated as she took a seat between Shey and Nori.
“I will try to give you a short version of events and fill in details later.” Shey took a deep breath and sat up straighter.
“I was in the country of Damardor, investigating some new hostile behavior exhibited by the government. We were concerned that Damardor might try to start a new war now that New Rosanthe was preoccupied with its internal problems.” Nori’s expression clouded, and Shey suspected that the old dragon wasn’t as familiar with these countries, so he hurried along.
“During my investigation, I uncovered a secret group kidnapping people suspected of possessing magic. Tyche and I were among those taken.”
Nori blinked, sitting up taller. Even Megumi and Uki flinched.
“Remember, just a minor god,” Tyche interjected.
He was completely underselling his worth, but this wasn’t the time for Shey to argue with him about that. He’d give him grief later.
“While we plotted our escape, they also captured the Goddess of Nightmares.”
“Yesuntei,” Tyche whispered. He leaned forward so he could peer around Shey, looking at Nori.
“I know you don’t have a good impression of her powers now, but she was the sweetest, most gentle creature in all the world.
She never hurt anyone. Nightmares are scary, but they can be helpful too.
” He paused and licked his lips before lifting his eyes to stare hard at Caelan.
Nothing was said, but even Shey could feel the weight of Tyche’s gaze.
As if he were trying to communicate something difficult to Caelan without the rest of them knowing what it was.
In the end, Tyche lowered his eyes to his cup of tea. “After she died, I—”
“Tyche captured the Goddess of Nightmares’ powers and temporarily held on to them,” Caelan blurted out.
Relief swept across Tyche’s face, and he nodded.
“Yes, but I wasn’t strong enough to protect them.
Yesuntei’s sister is the Goddess of Dreams, and she’s a real nut job most of the time.
If she’d gotten ahold of Yesuntei’s powers while grieving her sister’s murder, it would have been bad.
I gave the powers to Haru to protect because he was the strongest of all of us.
I also thought, being a dragon, his own powers might shield him somewhat.
” Tyche swallowed hard and bowed his head to Nori.
“I am truly sorry for any pain that I have caused Haru and any worry that you have suffered.”
Shey lifted his eyes to stare at Caelan, and the king met his gaze, his expression unyielding, but Shey knew Caelan had jumped in to protect Tyche’s secret and the secret of all the gods. Their powers could be stolen after death.
“You will be able to remove the power from him, correct?” Megumi asked.
Tyche nodded quickly. “Yes. That is the plan. We need to get him in his human form and calm. From there, I’ll remove the powers and work on getting them somewhere safe, away from Cirina and anyone else who might want to steal them.”
They spoke some more about the growing problems with Damardor and New Rosanthe.
They hadn’t been able to learn much about the aftermath of the magical destruction of Bellcairn, but Shey hadn’t had the time or brainpower to spare for it as they’d raced to the Isle of Stone.
And in truth, the Omari clan leader didn’t seem to have much interest in what was happening in Damardor.
Their primary concern was helping Haru. Shey was hoping to catch up with Caelan later.
The king would likely have more information on what was happening on the other side of the world.
A couple of hours later, they were shown to private rooms where they could wash up and sleep. Adrian was still demanding to see Haru, but Nori had a point. They needed to sleep and regain their strength.
However, Shey was sure Nori was underestimating Adrian’s stubbornness.