I drew the longsword and handed it over. An elven blacksmith had crafted Silentium more than a century ago, yet the blade held its edge, never rusting or tarnishing.
Leander turned it over in his hand with open admiration, as he did all expertly crafted weapons, asking, “When do you intend to set out?”
“The day after tomorrow.” The delay would give me two more nights to pry information from Ziara. I dared not wait any longer.
He considered my answer a moment before rumbling, “I will accompany you.”
Careful to keep my expression neutral, I pretended to consider the offer. The bloodstone was somewhere to the northwest. The distance was significant, and I would need to fly. Leander’s pride would never permit him to ride on my back or in my claws, and even if he could somehow keep pace with me on the ground, he was riddled with arthritis and stooped with age.
He would never survive the trip, but perhaps death was his intention.
My hoard held a memory of Leander sharing his life story with my grandsire. His suffering eclipsed any tragedy I had witnessed or inherited. When the minotaur was young and foolhardy, he had taken on a contract to wipe out a settlement, not realizing it was full of innocents. An Arae—a demon spirit—had cursed him to live out two lifetimes of misery as a result.
“You answered the call of the manor to live out the remainder of your days in peace,” I said.
He harrumphed. “I am a warrior, m’lord. A peaceful death holds no honor for me.”
The surrender in his eyes tightened my chest.
“I need you here. Guarding our people,” I said in a tone that brooked no argument. Leander had sworn fealty to me, and Iwould not relinquish it. Not now. When he started to reply, I forced the growl out of my voice and added, “With the ward destroyed, our people will be vulnerable in my absence. I am trusting you to keep them safe. They need you, Leander.”
Ineeded him.
“Furthermore, it is logistically impossible for you to attend me on this trip. I am sorry, but you must stay behind.”
His head drooped. “As you command, your lordship.”
Unable to face his disappointment, I excused myself and strode into the clearing before the smithy. Magic condensed around me as I surrendered to the shift. Bones cracked and reformed, scales rippled across my skin, and my wings unfurled, catching the breeze as my true form swallowed the man whole.
The wind whipped beneath my wings as I circled the estate before heading over to survey the damage to the hedge. The gnomes were already working in tandem on the breach, weaving new growth to seal the gap. Their magic pulsed in gentle waves, coaxing the branches to knit together.
I banked left, riding a thermal current over the pastures where Clymene’s sisters tended the livestock.
A war cry drew my attention.
I followed the sound to find Theatox standing over a figure with her bow drawn, with Tyrin and Skarde closing ranks. Landing nearby, I quickly shifted into my human form and went to investigate.
“M’lord.” Theatox bowed as I approached, and the gargoyles followed suit. “We have another intruder.”
A winged creature lay on its side at the centaur’s feet. Blood matted bright orange and yellow feathers, and an arrow protruded from the shoulder joint of a wing.
“Is that a harpy?” I asked, coming closer for a better look.
“It is,” Tyrin confirmed.
I crouched to study the creature. Clawed, four-toed feet ended in hooked talons. Down covered her legs and the swell of her chest that rose and fell with her breath.
“I caught her near the fruit trees,” Theatox said, keeping her nocked arrow trained on the creature’s head. “Would you like me to finish her off?”
I grabbed the creature by the shoulders, jerking her up to face me. Her weight barely registered in my hands. Hollow-boned, perhaps, built for the sky rather than the ground. I shook her until her eyelids slid open and two fiery orbs focused on me.
“What can you tell me about the wolves?” I demanded.
The harpy blinked. “Wolves?” The word came out raspy.
“Do not lie to me.”
I shook her again, rougher this time. She cried out in pain, folding in on her wounded shoulder protectively.
