Rylana snorted. “I’ll come if, during our walk, you tell me about your plans to keep your relatives from harassing me further.”
“That is an acceptable topic of discussion.”
“Romantic,” Sylin murmured.
“Practical. Dragons like practicality.” Rylana headed for the ladder.
“See if he’ll let you hold his hand,” Sylin advised.
“Handsaren’t what his brother suggested he hold of mine.”
“It’s your walk,” Sylin said.
Rylana joined Jildarin in the alley, glad she didn’t spot Captain Tassani or any other elves skulking. Maybe their kind would relax and enjoy the curse-free city for a few days before resuming their hunt for Sylin. Or maybe they would realize she wasn’t a threat to their queen’s upcoming visit and leave her alone. Sadly, that was wishful thinking. But maybe, after their queen came and went, hopefully without incident, they would be less motivated to seek out Sylin.
“The return of the bioluminescent aquatic life is a good omen,” Jildarin said as they walked side-by-side toward the water.
“I think so, yes.”
Clinks, bangs, clanks, and whirs came from one of the damaged sections of the waterfront street. Gnomes, goblins, dwarves, and humans were laboring with the aid of gnomish repair automatons to reinforce and strengthen the damaged areas of the city.
Instead of venturing toward them, Jildarin led the way out on one of the docks that hadn’t sunk. They weren’t the only people out admiring the return of the glowing green, blue, purple, and red pools in the water. Flashing eels darted between the pilings as Jildarin and Rylana walked to the end and found a private spot along the railing.
Across the lake, a couple of lanterns burned in Avandar Castle, suggesting her father might have returned—at the least, Zames was probably there. Rylana hadn’t gone back to check on the place—or the library—but was relieved that the blue beam had once again disappeared.
“A group of troll elders came to the diner, and I let them copy the recipe for the sacred bread,” Jildarin said. “They’ve decided that they will visit the temple and oven on Lucky Island monthly to bake a proper sacrifice for their gods.”
“I approve of that. I assume, after what the city has endured, the gnomes will allow that temple to remain intact and unburied.”
“I believe they will. Gniknik overheard peacekeepers speaking about rebuilding the new-god temple in an adjacent location that will not interfere with the monthly offerings. The gnomes also sent a repair and cleaning crew to spruce up the troll-god temple.”
Rylana didn’t know how onespruced upan ancient bread oven and statues but was glad the gnomes were being reasonable. She supposed she wasn’t surprised that their high priest, or whoever was in charge of building new temples, wanted to raise anotherone to the new god. The mayor hadn’t seemed surprised by Vormalt’s revelations, but the priest had. She had a feeling that even if Vormalt escaped their attempts to round him up and blathered to everyone about the ancient scheme, the religion of the new god would remain intact with its followers never flagging.
“Did you enjoy having a challenge this week?” Rylana asked. Had it only been a week? If that? It seemed like they’d been battling the curse for much longer. “And baking glowing troll bread?” she added.
“The week had fraught moments,” Jildarin said—that was an understatement, “but, now that we have achieved resolution, I believe I would say that Ididfind the challenge satisfactory.”
“You’re oozing delight and pride.”
“Dragons do not ooze.”
“I suppose not. You’d want to see a healer if you did.”
“Yes.” He gazed at her.
Rylana couldn’t tell if he appreciated her humor or thought her odd. Maybe some of both. Hehadinvited her out here, so he couldn’t mind her company toomuch. Maybe he even liked it.
“What will your next challenge be?” she asked, feeling the need to say something else as his long gaze continued.
“I am uncertain. For a time, perhaps I will be content to cook for our customers and experiment with new dishes. Chicken of the woods and shaggy manes are coming into season soon.” Rylana had no idea what those were until Jildarin added, “Perhaps I will turn them into coffee-mushroom dishes to entice elven palates.”
“Are you still thinking of trying to make an especially enticing version that will bring the queen to the diner?”
Maybethatwas the next challenge he sought.
“Perhaps.” Jildarin smiled slightly. “It has been enjoyable having adventures with you.”
“I like your company too.” Rylana rested her hand next to hison the railing—she was tempted to rest itonhis, but, since he’d said he wasn’t interested in romance, she did not. If he wanted to hold something of hers, he could instigate that.
