See? That wasnt too hard to find, Tafel said and hopped off of Vurs head. She landed on a path made of golden bricks leading up to a palace that shone in the sun. It was easily ten tis the size of Tafels castle back on the central continent, and Vur had to tilt his head up to see the top of the building. Practical experience is much greater than theory.
Alice snorted and slid off of Vurs face, using his cheek like a slide. You found the biggest building to have ever existed, congratulations.
Tafel rolled her eyes in response. Yeah, well, you couldnt find it even though you read all those books, she said. Speaking of books, we looted a lot from that dungeon, didnt we?
Right, I look forward to reading them all, Alice said.
You sound really expectant. Tafel tilted her head. If I were you, I wouldnt get my expectations up over so books we found in what seed to be a living room, and those books in the kitchen were definitely cookbooks.
Alice placed her hands on her hips. I love reading all kinds of books, cookbooks included.
But you cant cook, Mr. Skelly said.
Alice whirled around to glare at the suit of armor that had slid off of Vur. And you cant eat. Theres no issue, Alice said and snorted. For the record, Vur and Tafel invited to their party because Vur loved the way my food tasted.
Right, right, Tafel said as she tugged on Alices sleeve. Lets move over a bit to the side, and Vur, please, turn back into a human. Behind the group, there was what used to be a line of wagons. After a dragon landed on the road, the horses had scattered in all directions. A few people were screaming while others were crawling out of overturned carriages.
Vurs scales lost their luster as his body shrank. Ah, he said, his voice garbled by his transformation. We forgot Alora.
Tafel stared at Vur, his wings shrinking into his back as his claws retracted and turned into nails. How could you forget your cousin?
Vur shrugged. I rembered now.
Tafel sighed. Ill record this locations coordinates and teleport back to bring her along. Youre coming with since Im not sure Ill have the mana to transport a dragon. And I dont think she trusts enough to let teleport her.
Wait, Alice said. What do you an you dont think you have the mana to transport a dragon? You could teleport Vur and us without issues.
Thats because Vur cooperates with , Tafel said. Whenever I need to teleport him, his mana works with instead of against . Theres sothing about his mana that makes it easy to use; it probably has sothing to do with the fact that hes a blue mage.
Alice frowned as Tafel grabbed Vurs arm. With a flash of light coming out of the demons horns, the duo disappeared. Mr. Skelly tapped on Alices shoulder and pointed past her head. She turned around and ca face to face with shining tal. A group of knights were flanking her in a semicircular formation, their swords drawn and raised. She couldnt have warned before she left? Alice muttered to herself as she raised her hands up. Hey, I guess.
The knights didnt react.
None of you are going to say anything? Alice asked and raised an eyebrow.
Without warning, the seven or so knights fell forwards, collapsing into a giant heap of shining tal. A lone figure dressed in black stood over them while dusting off his gloves. My apologies, the man in black said as he lowered his head, bending his torso to bow ninety degrees. Might you be Lady Tafels companion?
Lady Tafel? Alice asked. Her brow furrowed for a mont before relaxing. Im Tafels companion, yes. Did Mary send you?
Thats right, the man said. He straightened his torso and used his finger to pull down the mask covering his mouth before smiling. Please, forgive these knights for being aggressive. They saw a dragon and beca excited. Her Imperial Majesty has been looking forward to seeing Lady Tafel again. Do you know where she might have gone?
Yeah, Alice said. She went to pick up a dragon. She should be back at any mont.
A wry smile appeared on the mans face, and he readjusted his mask to cover his mouth and nose. Picking up a dragon. Of course. As expected of Her Imperial Majestys good friend.
***
A deep frown was etched into Marys face. She was polishing her sword, using a cloth to rub oil into the hilt. Just looking at the tal reminded her of Lindyss slender fingers wrapping around it. The frown on her face stretched even harder as Mary applied more force, wiping out the long-gone fingerprints that she was sure was still there.
My liege, your good friend Lady Tafel has arrived.
Marys hand froze mid-wipe. She raised her head, the frown on her face flipped upside down into a brilliant smile instead. Shes here? she asked the kneeling Shadows mber. Nothing stupid happened like knights charging at her for disrupting the peace, right?
Beads of sweat ford on the Shadows mber forehead before being instantly absorbed by the black cloth covering his face. N-no such thing happened, my liege, the man said. The Shadows are treating Lady Tafel with the utmost care. There were a few incidents with the traffic around the palace being disrupted by the sudden appearances of dragons, but everything has already settled down.
Marys expression darkened. I thought I told her not to bring Vur, she said and pouted. She sighed as she stood up and slid her sword, sheathe included, into the slot reserved for it on her belt. And I cant even make him feel unwelco because hes a dragon. I can just pretend he doesnt exist. Okay. Mary nodded to herself and walked past the kneeling man, exiting the room. The Shadows mber exhaled out a shaky breath before standing up and disappearing.
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