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“Good morning,” Claire whispered, kissing the top of his head. “Thank you for watching out for them.”
Puck gave a small squawk before climbing up onto Claire’s shoulder and eyeing Desmond with a mischievous look. Desmond wisely moved to Claire’s otherside before insisting he go first down the steps. He cast his magic out in front of them with each flight of stairs they descended and Claire couldn’t blame him. She didn’t want a repeat of the previous day’s events either. The sight of the tree bridge breaking and her men plummeting to the ground was not something she ever wanted to see again. She gave a little shudder at the memory and Puck pressed his cheek into hers reassuringly.
After an uneventful journey, they reached the platform where they had breakfast the day prior. Had it really only been a day? It seemed as if so much had happened in such a short period of time. When her foot hit the platform, Toan’s head appeared on the opposite side coming up the stairs.
“Good morning,” Toan greeted as he ascended the last steps with Malcolm and Everett on his heels.
“Good morning,” Claire smiled at all of them. Malcolm and Everett crossed the platform quickly to her and she held out her hands to both of them. Everett cut in front of Malcolm and smiled at his growl before placing a quick kiss on Claire’s forehead and stepping aside for her grumpy dragon.
Malcolm gathered Claire close and she buried her face in his chest. “How was patrol?” Her voice came out muffled.
“Uneventful,” Malcolm grumbled.
“Which is how we like it,” Everett reminded them all.
“Yes, but it would be more helpful if we found that fake Elf you saw yesterday.”
“We’ll find him,” Toan promised. “I have doubled our patrols. With your help, we’ll find him while Claire learns to control her magic.”
“You aren’t teaching me?” Claire lifted her head from Malcolm’s chest to look at her uncle.
He shook his head. “Typically it’s our Elven Elders that teach the younger generations. I might be old,” he smiled to show her he was teasing, “but I haven’t reached Elder level yet.”
Claire laughed.
“Who is going to teach her then?” Desmond asked.
“Greta, the Healer you met yesterday will.”
Desmond’s mouth twisted and Claire had to fight to hold in another laugh. Desmond apparently was not over his first interaction with Greta. Their sharp tongues were evenly matched it seemed.
“If you think she’s the best person for the job then I look forward to it,” Claire said, gently reassuring Desmond that it would be fine as she replied to her uncle.
“Greta’s the best we have,” Toan said. “You will learn a lot under her guidance.”
They ate breakfast quickly before Toan led them down a few more flights to an ancient-looking tree. All the trees in the Elven Forest looked like they had been here for forever but this onelookedancient with graying bark and silver-tipped leaves. When Claire placed her hand on the trunk though, the tree seemed perfectly healthy based on its Energy. It must be just for looks. Puck chittered on her shoulder.
The door at the base of the tree creaked open and Greta hobbled out, leaning on the same walking stick that she had used yesterday.
“Good morning, Elder,” Toan greeted respectfully. “I brought your pupil for today.”
“I can see that. I still have eyes, you know,” Greta said sharply and Claire stifled a laugh.
Toan for his part just looked bemused and waved Claire forward.
“It’s good to see you again,” Claire greeted.
“It’s better to see you on your feet, young Princess,” Greta responded.
Claire wrinkled her nose slightly at the title and Greta’s sharp eyes narrowed momentarily before her face relaxed. “Come on then.” She stepped to the side and gestured Claire forward.
Claire stepped into the tree.
“Ah, ah.” Greta’s sharp voice had Claire turning around. She had stuck her walking stick in front of Desmond when he tried to enter after Claire. “I only have one pupil today and she needs to focus on me, not on you three bumbling buffoons.”
“Buffoons?” Everett said to Malcolm while Desmond bristled and opened his mouth for what was sure to be a sharp and offensive retort to the Elder.
“Desmond,” Claire said quietly. His sharp blue eyes cut to hers. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
