Alex burst into the entryway with a smile so wide that his jaws should have been aching, but even if they were, he wouldn't have noticed anyway. As the doors burst open and the cold night wind billowed his cloak around him, every eye in the room turned to him.
Blood mages looked up from tending the wounded. Warriors stirred from half-doze, hands falling on weapons as they geared up for threats. Wizards and dwarven engineers turned from maps and schematics, still jumpy from the assault on the tunnels.
But there were no enemies and or falling rocks at the door, only Alex Roth striding forward like hed just won every grand prize in the Gas of Roal while Claygon shut the doors behind them.
By now, Alex was well known throughout the expedition, and his heroic deeds during the recent battle only strengthened his reputation. Watchers nodded to him with respect, and Thaish soldiers elbowed one another, tilting their heads and whispering as he passed by.
But most eyeswhich had brightened when the door first openedquickly turned away, expressions becoming indifferent: for as much as hed gained a reputation for hard work, bravery and clevernesshed also beco known as an eccentric.
Golem-dancing, muttering to himself and gloating over seemingly nothing were well-known Alex Rothisms and in his current statewidely grinning and nearly skipping in front of his golemit just seed as though he were going through one of his regular fits.
In a way, the young wizard preferred it that way: in this wonderful mont, he had a secret that only heand Claygon knewand that put such a spring in his step, that he felt like hed drunk an entire pitcher of flight potion.
The only thing that would bring him higher would be telling his friendswhich was why he was more than a little perturbed at finding them missing.
Where iseveryone? Claygons voice bood through Alexs mind. They werehere. Isolde wasred.
Alex stifled a laugh. Yes, she was red, wasnt sh He paused. Waitdo you rember that?
Khalik and Thundar weremaking that loud noise. The one you almost made now.
Oh, yeahthats right, Alex said. That is the sound I just madehuh. You know what laughter is, lets chat about that after we find out where everyone went.
He glanced about, catching sight of the blood mage ikara. The young womana forr mber of Alexs survey teamwas examining Tyris Goldtooth, checking over a patch of bright pink skin on the lava mages arm: the remains of a freshly healed wound.
Co on, maybe they saw them, Alex said, approaching the two won with quiet footsteps, giving a little wave when Tyris looked up.
You two alright? he asked. I know, I know, it's a foolish question to ask after a near apocalyptic battle since not too many folk are truly bloody well alright after sothing like that, but I thought Id ask anyway.
h, appreciate the thought, Tyris said. And Im actually alright. If you asked that a few hours ago, I probably wouldve punched you in the face if I had the strength. But right now? All those wonderful feelings of being alive are kicking in. Right now, I want an ale, a steak and a kiss or ten from a pretty boy.
No steak. Broth, ikara said, painting Tyris skin with a healing salve.
Broth? Do you think the jarls of the north celebrate being alive with broth?
I dont care about celebration or jarls, ikara said firmly. I care if my patient dumps a bunch of poisons in her body while it's trying to healWhy are you laughing, Alex?
Oh, nothing really. Alex waved the question away, a hand pressed to his face, doing his best to force down laughter. Its just that you reminded of soone.
He rembered Ffion, Drestras friend from the Crymlyn, peevishly spitting like a cat when broth was brought to her sickbed.
I wonder how shes doing, he thought. I gotta rember to ask Drestra when I see her: we havent had ti to chat yet and Itll be nice doing so catching up with her. Wonder if she has anything exciting to tell ?
So did you co here just to harass my patient, Alex? ikara asked, her eyebrow raised.
No, actually, he said. Did you see where everyone went? Everyone that was on our survey team, I an.
She jerked a thumb toward the stairs. Do you rember that little fae fellow we rescued?
Alexs smile faded a little. I just talked to him, actually.
Well, he went and spoke to so of your friends then he went outside. After that, they went upstairs. She paused, thinking. I think I heard Grimloch saying sothing about foodyou know how loud he isso I think youll probably find them in the dining hall.
Huh Alex said. Okay, Ill go look for them. Oh, right, while I was outside did anyone say when Baelin or Professor Jules would be back down?
No, Tyris said. Havent heard a word from them since they left with the Heroes.
Right Alex said. Well, thanks, Ill catch up with you after things calm down a bit.
Go with strength. Tyris reached up and clasped his hand.
Say hello to Vesuviusfor when you get back ho. Alex turned, walking toward the stairs.
She gave him a casual wave as he left.
Alex fell into deep thought as he and Claygon climbed the stairs; for the first ti since the golem spoke, he began turning over the asrais warning in his mind.
Thisfae, Alex thought of the blue-skinned man strolling along beside the Heroesstrolling with a friendly voice, and a predators stride. There was a wrongness to the creature that made the young wizards teeth grind. I bet thats what Gwyllain talked about with Theresa and the others.
He thought of the last thing the fae had said:
Dont say the na. So faeve got a bad habit ofputting lures in their nas. Makin em all sticky-like and letting them know when their nas been spoken. Not sure if hes one, but I wouldnt put it past him.
Nas he thought. Professor Mangal talked about the power that lies in nas: that if we acknowledge a na soone uses for us, then that gives that na power. What if it could go the other way? What if there were ways to make a na have power over soone saying it? What if
Vesuviusthat na Claygons voice bood in his mind, startling him so badly that a couple of passing blood mages recoiled, then scurried away, whispering to each other. Is that the na of the big turtle I fought.
All thoughts of blue frightening fae left Alexs mind, and he turned to Claygon. Waityou rember that?
Yes, the golem said. Hestrong. Hit hard. You told how to beat him.
Alex peered into his golems marble face Hmmmm, whats the first thing you rember? he asked ntally.
Claygon stood silently for a mont, and his thoughts flickered at the other end of his bond. Not surethinkingremberrain.
Rain?
Outsiderain on body. Feltcool. Feltgood.
Rain, eh? Alex thought. That could have been any tido you rember all the dancing we did? The books Selina read you?
Always, Claygon said firmly in his mind. Will always rember.
Another wave of giddiness went through Alexs chest. His golem enrichnt exercises hadnt been a waste at all.
Eat your heart out, Toraka, Alex grinned. Cant wait to show you how much my baby boy has grown!
He paused briefly at the thought; he was most attracted to his girlfriend when she was in the middle of monster-murder, and his baby boy was a doom fortress on two legs.
You know, maybe the question Ive gotta ask myself is not, do I have issues, maybe its; how many issues do I have? Alex thought grimly, resuming his trek to the main hall. He glanced back at Claygon, wondering if the golem might be able to eavesdrop on his thoughts. Hey, you didnt hear that just now, did you?
Hear what, father?
Nothing. Nothing worth repeating.
##
There you all are! Alex cried as he stepped into the dining hall.
On the other end of the massive hall, Grimloch,Theresa and the others were huddled at the end of one of the dining halls tables, each nearly the length of the Lu familys taproom. It was built to support feeding the entire expedition team at once, along with any guests from the Thaish army and reinforcents from Generasi who might be about at alti.
So had thought it a waste of space, but there were potential sieges to consider. And today had left no doubt that such things were a very real possibility.
Were you looking for us? Prince Khalik asked, running a hand through his beard then waving Alex over. We were hoping you would be back soon. There is sothing we must discuss.
Yeah, Ive got a feeling I know what it is too, Alex said as he and Claygon weaved between tables. But Ive got sothing to tell you first. He grinned. And I think youre all going to love it.
Is that why you look like the cat that has gotten the cream? Or the Khalik and Thundar that have tornted their cabal-mate? Isolde scooted over from beside Theresa, making room for him to sit down. Hogarth and Svenia shuffled down to make room for her.
From across the table, the minotaur and prince shared knowing smiles.
Yeah, but my reasons are a lot more wholeso, Alex smiled up at Claygon.
Alright, buddy, he thought. I dont want to steal your thunder soyou seem to know how words workdo you rember how to write any words from the books Selina read to you?
Another flicker of mories from the other end of the bond. Yes. Butnot so well. Neverdid it before.
Great! Alex said out loud.
His friends stared at him.
Well, he has at last lost his mind, Prince Khalik said sadly.
Truly, a sad state of things. Thundar shook his head, looking at Theresa mournfully. Its official, your lovers a madman. Hows that feel?
The huntress sniffed theatrically. I always knew this day would co. When his madness finally overca him. But, madness or not, well still give him a warriors death.
It is the only way, Isolde nodded sagely.
Ill eat the body, Grimloch grunted.
You are all the worst people Ive ever t, and the only mad thing about is that Im continuing to associate with you bastards, Alex grunted, digging into his satchel and taking out a roll of scrap paper and the largest, thickest pen he had.
Father? Whyall of you attack each other with words? Claygon asked.
Alex winced. Um he thought. Its humour, we dont really an it.
What ishumour?
Um Alex put the sheet on the table. I can explain that more another tibut basically, its the thing that makes us laugh. But, more important things first He handed the pen to Claygon. Im the only one who can hear you through our bond. Soif you want to introduce yourself to everyone, youll need to use this.
The golem gently took the pen from his father, and bent over the table. As the pen point touched the sheet, Alexs friends all began looking at each other; a realisation dawning and spreading among them.
Theresa looked at the golems face sharply. Nono way.
Her eyesalong with everyone elses at the tablefell on the pen moving along the paper. Their eyes grew wider as Claygon began to slowly form letters hed been shown before.
Hello. Cant. Speak.
I am He paused, his head turning toward Alex. Fatherwhat letters are in my na?
Alex felt a lump well up in his throat. CLAYGON, he said. Thats how you spell it.
Their friends watchedjaws hanging openas he printed each letter.
Brutus suddenly sprang from beneath the table, bounding over to Claygon and barking excitedly.
Najyahwhod been perched on a chandelier suspended from the rafterslet out a sharp cry, swooping down, flying circles about the golems head as he finished his first ssage:
I am C L A Y G O N. Warm. I feel warm to et you.
Theresa scread, hopping from the bench and hugging Claygon as Alex had. Khalik and Thundar whooped, cheering and leaping up from the table to rush to the golems side. Tears were running from the minotaurs eyes. Grimloch actually smiled, while both Hogarth and Svenia wiped tears from their eyes.
Marvellous. Isoldes blue eyes shone. Trendous. What glorious day: I must teach you proper decorum before the others corrupt you.
It was a perfect mont.
A mont that Alex would recall for the rest of his life.
Which is why he didnt notice Drestra rushing across the room toward him.
By the ti he realised she was even in the hall, her hand had fallen on his shoulder.
Alex. Her eyes were as hard as gold. I must talk with you. Now.
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