Fireclaws - Search for the Golden Read Free Page A

appeared that the number of travelers and wagon trains making the circuit between the dwarf capital, Sky Raven, and the port was picking up nicely. Tearing myself away from gawking, I considered the completion of my mission. In my pack were charcoal rubbings detailing all the carvings on a mysterious plinth that stuck up in the middle of the eastern Javano desert. I knew Rosa would be immediately pleased and then forget all about it when she spotted the equivalent of a mental bright shiny object or another project caught her fancy. That was the peril of working for a half-crazed old elf. Gratefully removing the enchanted scarf, I tucked it into my pouch, assured that I now looked like my real self, a modest dark elf woman. It felt good not to have to hide my true nature anymore. I tossed back my silver and yellow hair, and put on my best smile. A few good-natured catcalls and shouts of recognition rang out from the human guards manning the barbican above the main gates. The doors were open as usual during core daylight hours. A dozen steps into the main courtyard, I took a deep happy breath and nearly collided with an enormous white wall of horseflesh. Blocking my entry and view, Somnus eyed me and nickered, tossing his monstrous head up and down and then quieted.
    Shaking my head, I consented to scratch his forehead between his big ears and running my hands through the icy flames that constituted his mane. “Hey buddy, how’s Somnus today, huh?…fun loving as ever?” I cooed. For whatever reason, the past few trips, Somnus had taken to greeting me and sending me off personally. I wasn’t sure how he knew when I was arriving and when I was leaving, but he was always there, and no one in their right mind was going to try and stop him. After taking a few large inhalations of scent from around me and accepting a little more attention, the great horse finally snorted and stalked away stiff legged with an air of regal indifference. “Ok…well, I hope that was as good for you as it was for me, then…” I called after him with a grin.
    “You know he doesn’t greet anyone else here like that,” a voice spoke from behind me. I turned to see Guard Commander Ebony walking up with a big smile on her face. The Helios was, of course, her usual radiant gold color, decked out in full armor, sans helm, with a long sword slung across her back. “Welcome home!” she said, clapping an armored hand on my shoulder. “Adventuring agrees with you; you have become more confident and radiant with every trip. Soon you will be rivaling our Queen in beauty.”
    “Not likely,” I returned with a snort, finally looking around. The main courtyard had a number of travelers, merchants, and warrior types in it. At the moment, however, most of them were pressed up against the walls, unmoving. They watched in horrified fascination as Naurakka sat calmly down next to me and proceeded to lick one of her massive paws primly. I leaned into Ebony and whispered. “What? They should be used to seeing dark elves by now.”
    “Most of these people arrived just this morning with that caravan outside, they’ve seen dark elves going about their business here all day. No, I think it’s Naurakka they are surprised to see.” The guardswoman smirked and then raised her voice to the crowd. “Relax people, the giant cat is friendly…unless it’s hungry…go on with your business.”
    Their reaction was interrupted by a loud buzzing sound that heralded the arrival of a super pixie on a serious mission. Nia made a short velocity-shedding loop and ended up hovering just inches from my face.
    “By the stars, Ryliss! We expected you a week ago!”
    “You try and run with cholla spines in your paws, Nia! Besides, no one said anything about a time limit; I got the darn rubbings,” I said somewhat crossly. I mean, really…some decent food and drink, plus a hot bath would be nice before the serious debriefings began.
    Nia just looked at me blankly as she