Chapter 17 #2
“An encounter with one of the elves who doesn’t want me to speak with the queen.
I was in Boxwood Park, contemplating the arch into the enclave briefly, when a wizard out on one of their patrols saw through the magical camouflage I’ve always been able to will around myself. I was lucky to escape with my life.”
“Damn.”
Sylin twitched a dismissive finger. “I should have known to stay away and observe—read—from afar.”
“I see now why you opted to visit the library instead of the enclave.”
“If I wanted to speak with them—with her—I would have to get a message to her through an intermediary to arrange a meeting.”
“My father’s boathouse is still available.”
“I’m going to have to start paying him rent if I keep visiting it.”
“He’s a businessman. He likes receiving payments.”
“I’ll bet.” Sylin looked toward the lantern again.
“Does a tiny part of you want that? To speak with the queen? You haven’t left the city, even though we’ve spoken often about how wise it would be for you to do so.” Rylana pointed at her injured shoulder. “Is curiosity what’s keeping you here?”
“Curiosity about special menu item number three.”
Rylana laughed. “As good a customer as you are, I’m surprised Brella and Tezilly haven’t been willing to tell you ahead of time what that is and give you a sample. I assume you asked.”
“I did, and they weren’t willing, no. I thought about threatening them with physical duress, but it’s unwise to assault the purveyor of one’s passion.”
“Or one’s addiction.”
“Quite.” Still gazing at the flame dancing on the wick in the lantern, Sylin let a quiet thoughtful moment pass before asking, “Do you think I should speak with her?”
“Yes.”
Sylin snorted. “Go ahead and take all the time you need to consider your answer.”
“Why wouldn’t you at least talk? I know the elves—the elves loyal to the Shaldonas—have been after you, but she doesn’t want to kill you.”
“Probably. You don’t have any way to know that the queen and Layothlee aren’t lying about everything.”
“Sure I do. I have gifts for intuition and perspicacity.”
“You didn’t even know which of your family members was trying to have you evicted.”
“I’m not sure why I was honored you wanted me to stay up here.”
“Because you were lonely without your dragon.”
Rylana squinted at her. For someone who’d been raised by wolves, Sylin had more than her fair share of intuition and perspicacity.
“You’re probably right not to trust the elves implicitly, even the queen,” Rylana admitted.
She started to say more, but Sylin broke in with, “Especially the queen.”
Rylana raised her eyebrows.
“I doubt curiosity brought her all this way,” Sylin said. “She wants something.”
“To be reunited with the daughter she believed dead for… however many years have passed. You’ve never told me your age.”
“I’m younger than this book.” Sylin tapped the tome.
“Judging by the fact that it’s typeset rather than handwritten, that thing could be anywhere from three to three hundred years old.”
“I’m sure it’s not three years old.”
“It’s in good shape. There’s hardly any weathering of the spine.”
“I doubt the subject matter prompts a lot of people to check it out from the library.”
“True.”
“I’ve avoided elves my whole life,” Sylin said, “unless I’ve been hired to kill them.
For my health and sanity, I think it would be wise to go on avoiding them.
Even if what the queen says is true… it doesn’t matter.
There wouldn’t be any place for someone like me in the elven court, and I wouldn’t have any interest in visiting even if there were. ”
“From what Captain Tassani says, the dinners hosted there are worth going to.” Rylana smiled.
“I’m not interested.” A glance at the book seemed to suggest that wasn’t entirely true, but if Sylin wanted to avoid the elves, Rylana couldn’t blame her.
And she probably shouldn’t try to go against Sylin’s wishes to force her into such an encounter.
Especially since Sylin might be right, and the queen could be lying.
Rylana took a deep breath. “If that’s the case, you’ll want to skip the special coffee unveiling at the diner tomorrow night.”
Sylin didn’t look surprised when she met Rylana’s gaze. “I wondered about the change of venue when I saw the menu. I assumed the elves who’ve been building out your rooftop would be there. If not others.” Sylin arched her eyebrows.
“If we’re able to find enchanted morels in the morning, Jildarin is going to invite the queen to come to dinner on the terrace tomorrow night.”
“So, there would be a lot of elves there. The queen won’t come without guards.”
“That’s right. Though, if Jildarin doesn’t find enchanted morels, I don’t know if he’ll still extend his invitation.
When we spoke to her, those were the ingredients that most tempted her to leave the protection of the enclave.
Of course, she implied she would be more than tempted if you would be there.
Jildarin was the one to change the chalkboard. ”
“I assumed by the burn mark he left. So, to be clear, he did that to try to lure me into coming to your diner so he could promise the queen that I would be there and she would be enticed by more than magic morels to come?”
“I believe that’s the full scheme, yes.”
“Not, I assume, because he cares if I speak with and form a relationship with the mother I can’t really remember.”
“I’m sure Jildarin wouldn’t mind if that happened, but he wants to put the queen’s name on the top of his new plaque of very important people who’ve visited his establishment.”
“Is it strange that I’m more amused than offended?”
“No. As far as schemes and plots go, Jildarin’s are fairly innocuous.
Honestly, if you want to meet the queen, the diner might be a good spot.
Jildarin breaks up any fights that take place, and he, of all beings, has the power to do so.
I’m positive he would do his best to protect the queen’s table if she visited.
You can’t put the name of a dead person on your plaque. ”
“That’s against the rules?”
“I’m certain.” Rylana yawned, the need for sleep creeping into her.
“All right. I don’t know what I’ll do, since the draw to learn about and try menu item number three is quite intense, but I thank you for warning me.” Sylin regarded her curiously. “I’m actually a little surprised you did. If I don’t show up, it could negatively impact your dragon’s scheme.”
“I’ve known you a lot longer than I’ve known him.”
“Yeah, but I don’t sleep next to you and smell your hair.”
“As I’ve told you many times, there are crates between us in the storeroom. And who told you about the hair?”
“Tezilly.”
“What a blabbermouth.”
“Much like barkeeps, coffee baristas gossip.”
“But not about their secret menu items.”
“Of course not. That’s bad for business.”
After another yawn, Rylana pushed herself to her feet. “Jildarin will probably roust me from my blanket early for foraging. I’d better get some sleep.”
“Will you do me a favor? If you find the enchanted morels, put a mushroom in the window as a signal.”
“So you’ll know whether the queen will come tomorrow night?”
“And if I need to avoid your diner or not, yes.”
The way Sylin rested a hand on the book made Rylana believe she was conflicted on whether the queen’s presence would keep her away or not, but she said, “All right,” before heading for the stairs.