45: THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE

“Okay, I take it back,” Kihrin said. “Grizzst wrote that. Relos Var wouldn’t want to come off as that much of an arrogant jerk. Whereas Grizzst would think describing himself that way was hilarious.”

“Still, we don’t know for certain,” Thurvishar responded. “Which is something to keep in mind.”

(Kihrin’s story)

After the Most Uncomfortable Carriage Ride in All History, I was happy to confront an enemy I could stab. Unfortunately, Valathea was having none of it.

She stepped from the carriage. “Put those away,” she ordered whoever was outside.

I gave the others an uncertain look. It wasn’t a huge leap to check for more people in the carriage, and given the open door, several archers could see us.

“If you will come this way—” a voice said.

“I’m here to see Dolgariatz. Is he here? Because if not, I’ll just be on my way.”

Another voice, male: “Valathea? Stars, is that really you?”

“Rather shocking, I know, but yes.”

“I just never thought … I mean—”

Valathea laughed. “What, you thought you’d never see me again just because of a death sentence? I believe the Law of Daynos applies here.”

The man laughed. “Of course. Relax, my friends. Valathea is my honored guest.”

“Archers, Dolgariatz?” Valathea said. “Really?”

“There have been some … troubles. You are always welcome here. This is your home, after all. I have only been borrowing it.”

“I’m completely in your debt. Also, I need someone to unload the carriage. Please be careful with the harp.” Valathea tapped on the door and looked back inside. “Come out, my lovelies. I’ve someone you should all meet.”

Thurvishar shrugged and stepped outside. I followed and then smiled to myself when Teraeth didn’t offer Janel a hand down this time. He was learning.

Dolgariatz was a Manol vané, with dark indigo skin and silver hair braided with matching dark blue ribbons. As expected, he was beautiful, dressed in gossamer black silk robes embroidered with tiny silver stars. Crystals shimmered from chains hanging from his wrists and also from a decorated pectoral on his chest. One could easily miss the jewel-like mail hauberk and matching sword.

He raised an eyebrow at Doc. “Mithraill? It has been centuries. Where did you go?”

“Quur,” Doc answered. “And I’m not Mithraill.”

I could only assume Doc used Chainbreaker, because Dolgariatz’s eyes widened. “What? No, what—?”

“Gari,¹ this is my son, Teraeth, and his friends Kihrin, Janel, and Thurvishar. And this is my friend Therin. You already know my wife.” Doc was fighting a smile.

I waved.

Valathea claimed a stunned Dolgariatz’s hand. “This is Dolgariatz, everyone. One of my dearest friends.” She raised an eyebrow. “Even if he did switch sides on me.”

“No, you cannot fault me for that. Kirpis winters are too cold.” Dolgariatz looked at us, and his expression changed almost imperceptibly as he took in the prison garb, the guard uniforms. His gaze lingered on me.

“Well,” Dolgariatz said. “Any friends and family of Valathea and Terindel are welcome here. Perhaps you would come inside and refresh yourselves? Have something to eat?”

Behind me, Janel whispered, “That depends. Will it be drugged?”

I fought to keep a straight face. “Thank you. We’d all like that.”

The cottage looked small—much too small to hold all the soldiers roaming the grounds. Those soldiers had started slipping into the nearby jungle or positioning themselves behind bushes or trees near the shore. Their skills at hiding were impressive. So much so I suspected magic was involved.

Maybe we’d missed a larger building? Or maybe the cottage wasn’t what it appeared.

Dolgariatz motioned for us to follow him as he walked past a wooden deck perfect for fishing or sitting down or whatever one did by a lake. Neither Doc nor Valathea gave a sign anything was amiss. I decided to give Dolgariatz the benefit of the doubt—for the moment.

My father caught up to me. “We need to talk,” he whispered.

“Oh yeah. I would say so.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

I almost tripped. “What was that?”

“I should have believed you. About everything. I’m sorry I didn’t.”

He kept walking, while I stopped and stared at him until Teraeth caught my arm. “Come on. Time for that later. I’m especially looking forward to the awkward family chats.”

I laughed. “Liar.”

“Do you think slitting my throat would be a good excuse?” Teraeth said pleasantly. “I’m prepared to find out.”

“Don’t.” I punched Teraeth’s arm. “Thaena’s too busy to Return you, you know.”

“Aww, but it’s so tempting.” Teraeth eyed his father. “Come on, I suppose. Food does sound nice.”

Once we turned the corner, I saw the cottage wasn’t a cottage at all. It was a three-sided cover for a ramp and a stairway leading under the lake.

“I thought the vané liked to live … you know…” I pointed up.

“In trees,” Teraeth finished. “Above ground. Way above ground.”

Valathea must have heard us. “That’s what made this such a scandal. When you’ve lived as long as I have, one occasionally longs for novelty.”

The tunnel looked spacious, with elegant stairs sweeping down to a well-lit corridor.

Double doors sat at the end of the stairs.

Dolgariatz turned around. “Please do not be alarmed. Trust me when I say what is behind this door is perfectly, completely safe.”

“That’s never a statement to inspire confidence,” Teraeth said.

Dolgariatz grinned and pushed open the doors.

Another hallway lay behind, but only the floor was opaque. The glass walls and ceiling created the illusion of walking through water.

Doc said, “I honestly didn’t expect this to still be here.”

“You’ve kept this in wonderful condition,” Valathea said. “I’m so pleased.” She began walking down the corridor, gliding her hand across the glass, before she turned back. “This is quite safe, my lovelies.”

“This is quite gorgeous,” Teraeth said as everyone followed.

The sunlight refracted through the water, casting floating shadows on the floor. Swimming fish added their own lazy shapes across the ground as they swam their daily routines. If I looked closely, I could see the seams, a thin metal mesh holding each pane. It all seemed … delicate. Beautiful, but fragile. It was lovely—as long as I didn’t give too much thought to how much water floated above us or how this tunnel was five hundred years old.

I hurried through the corridor.

The flowing shadows continued past the end of the tunnel, meaning glass also encased the next room. Fantastic. I wondered if the whole house was the same way.

I walked forward. My father had stopped cold in the doorway, so I almost ran into him. “What?” I looked past him.

Dappled shadows, silk, and velvet-covered divans filled an elegant lounging area. A vané woman stood as we entered, wineglass still in her hand. Her skin wasn’t as dark as Teraeth’s or Doc’s, but no one would think her Kirpis. Her skin had a golden sheen to it, as if she’d rubbed gold dust on herself. She dressed in a layered green silk gown embroidered with leaves. Her golden hair fell nearly to the floor.

“Therin,” she said. A smile lit up her eyes.

My father turned around and left the room.

“Therin, wait!” She set down the glass and rushed to follow him. And then stopped as if a leash had snapped taut. “Kihrin?”

I didn’t recognize her, but her voice seemed familiar. Then I realized why—she sounded like my mother. No. Not sounded like. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to react. I stared. This woman had murdered Galen, my nephews and nieces, every extended family member … if she didn’t look anything like my mother, I still knew her identity. My father’s reaction had proved that much.

But even as she reacted to my presence, her focus remained on Therin. As she started to push her way past us, Doc grabbed her arm. “Give him some space, niece. Also, if you enchant his mind again, I’ll kill you.”

Khaeriel stared at Doc for a beat before her eyes widened in recognition. “Ah. The whole family. Is my brother here too?”

“He wasn’t invited.”

“Let go of me,” Khaeriel demanded.

I cleared my throat. Terindel sighed and let her go. “I’m serious. He’ll find you when he’s ready.”

“Yes,” Khaeriel said. “That is exactly my concern.”