Funny thing, hand shaking was supposed to indicate that you were unarmed. Phaelan was bristling, and I was only less so, and only because I was in my own home.

"Are Gwyn and Gavyn here yet?" Phaelan asked.

"Not yet. They're due on the tide within the next two hours. I've had a mirror installed in a warehouse next to the harbor for your crew to come through."

Phaelan nodded in approval. "I couldn't just have them sit around and wait for the Fortune to be repaired. It's a waste of good talent. They'll come through when they have a ship to board, and Gwyn and Gavyn to keep an eye on them. I thought that would be best."

"I think everyone would agree with that."

Nearly a hundred heavily armed elven pirates suddenly appearing on the capital's waterfront could cause a situation none of us wanted to deal with. I'd kept the expedition as secret as I could. Ships were provisioned in Regor's harbor all the time. The Wraith was a sleek merchant ship that ran between Dragalon and Nabe in Nebia, and the Caesolian port cities in between. At least that was her cover. The merchant who owned the Wraith on paper was an actual merchant. If she was stopped, her hold would contain what was listed on the trading manifest. She was fast, sturdy, and exactly what we needed.

Imala, as the director of goblin intelligence, was the true owner.

The Wraith, and the goblin intelligence agents who sailed her, was one of the best sources of information on the west coast. Imala wouldn't be going on the expedition, but she would know what happened every minute that we were gone. The Wraith was discreetly gunned to protect herself from pirates. How ironic that on this voyage, pirates would be protecting her. Barrett appeared at the door. "Your Grace, may I offer your guest refreshments?"

I turned to Phaelan. "Do you require refreshing?"

The elf pirate glanced around uneasily, hands twitching to be on his weapons. "Yeah. Salt air and water as soon as possible."

Regor's warehouses, shipping offices, inns, and taverns resembled any other large city waterfront in the Seven Kingdoms. What was different was that it was nearly deserted.

Goblins were nocturnal, as were our businesses' operating hours, and it was late morning on a bright, sunny day. I had been readjusting myself to a daytime existence for the expedition. It had taken only a few days for me to revert to being awake at night and sleeping during the day. Most of those going with us were elves or humans-day dwellers. The crew of the Wraith was used to being among humans, so it wouldn't be much of an adjustment. I'd had enhanced protective spectacles made for the expedition's goblins, though they were more like goggles. Our sensitive eyes weren't made for a desert environment. Fortunately, we would be doing most of our travel at night when goblin eyes were at their best. For that, I'd had goggles made with clear lenses as well to protect our eyes from blowing sand.

After what had happened last night with Agata, I had four guards accompanying us, courtesy of Imala. Also with us was my best friend, Count Jash Masloc. He was a battle mage and tactician without peer, and would be going on the expedition as my second-in-command. The guards were staying out of sight, and I'd glamoured myself and Phaelan in dress and appearance as minor merchants. Jash did the same for himself.

To keep Phaelan's mind off of goblin assassins jumping out at him-even though to anyone who might see him, he was a goblin-I filled him in on what Raine might not have told him, since I'd only informed Mychael of it yesterday.

The Heart of Nidaar.

Phaelan stopped in the middle of the street. "The rock has a name?"

"Yes."

"You give them a name; they give you trouble. Especially with a name like the Heart of Nidaar. That's worse than a name. Now the damned thing thinks it's important."

"It's just a rock," Jash said.

Phaelan jerked a thumb at him. "This guy didn't get up close and cozy with the Saghred, did he?"

"Fortunately for him, no," I said.

The elf turned to Jash. "Anything with a name like that is never 'just a rock.' The only stones I want anywhere near me are the two I was born with-or the shiny kind I can sell. This Heart of Nidaar doesn't eat souls, does it?"

"No," I told him.

"Good."

"The legend says it powered a city in ancient times," I said.

"And now the Khrynsani want it to power Gates."

"That's what we believe, yes." I felt the weight of the ring on my finger. I sighed. Best to tell him now and get it over with. I tilted my hand slightly so he could see the ring. "This is a piece of the Heart of Nidaar."

Phaelan jumped back a solid five feet. "You're wearing it?"

"We believe the Khrynsani tore apart my house looking for it. So yes, to keep it safe, I'm wearing it."

"I would ask if you're crazy, but you just answered my question."

"Feeling evil?" Jash asked me.

"Of course not."

"Can you take it off?" Phaelan asked.

In response, I did.

"And you're still breathing," he noted with something that vaguely resembled approval. "That's a start."

"Not all jewelry is evil," I told them both. "If this is part of the Heart of Nidaar, then this may well help take us there. Our expedition gem mage is wearing a pendant with a slice of the Heart."

Phaelan went pale. "Another pendant? We're doomed."

Phaelan, Jash, and I had been waiting inside the warehouse's office. From the way he'd been pacing for the past hour, I wouldn't have been surprised if Phaelan had jumped into the harbor and swam to meet his father's ships.

He wanted that badly to be off of a goblin dock and back on a Benares deck.

I didn't blame him. I was equally impatient to get underway. Sandrina Ghalfari had a head start. We'd been playing catch-up. Until we got to Aquas, we would have no way of knowing whether we were too late.

Sandrina and the invaders might already have the Heart of Nidaar. If they did, our mission would go from being merely dangerous to probably suicidal.

We would do what we had to do.

The Wraith was docked near the warehouse. Supplies for the expedition were being loaded in the unmarked, well-used crates used by merchant ships all up and down the coast. Even our clothing was chosen to blend in with the crew of the Wraith. Their typical garb included shirts and trousers with sturdy boots. For going ashore or dealing with bad weather, a long or medium-length coat was added. The canvas and leather was treated to be waterproof and warded to be blade resistant. The length also allowed concealment for the bladed weapons that no goblin would ever go into a strange port without. Stylish, yet eminently practical.

The reason I'd given at court for my upcoming absence was another trip to the Isle of Mid. With the possibility of an impending invasion, no one would think anything of me going to Mid and holing up in the Guardians' citadel for secret tactical meetings. Gearing up for a war took place behind closed doors, and that's where those in the palace thought I was going to be. The only people who knew otherwise were A'Zahra, Imala, Barrett, Chigaru, and Mirabai. Those going on the expedition, other than the ship's crew, would be using a glamoured disguise.

I hoped there hadn't been a leak, but this was Regor, the goblin capital, filled with goblin courtiers who loved secrets more than life itself. What had happened last night with Agata Azul had been an attempt to kidnap her and force her to work for the unidentified mage. At no time did the mage who had used demon zombies to attack us mention anything about what she wanted Agata to do for her, nor did she mention the Heart of Nidaar.

"Gwyn and Gavyn are twins," Phaelan was telling Jash. "There's not much magic in our family-at least not on Dad's side-but what Gwyn and Gavyn have goes beyond the bond that some twins have." The elf grinned. "They're telepathic, which can come in handy when working the high seas together."

"And of unquestioned value when crossing that sea," Jash noted.

"I haven't seen either one of them in almost three years, but Dad said they're the best choice for what you need-after me, of course."

"Of course."

"And naturally," I said, "the legend of a city filled with treasure had nothing to do with your desire to accompany us."

Phaelan clutched his hand over his heart. "You wound me. Raine trusts me to protect the fleet on the way to Aquas."

"And to look to your own interests once we arrive."

Phaelan raised a finger. "Extracurricular activities that coincide with your own."

"We may have to destroy the Heart of Nidaar, which may destroy the city-and its treasure-as well."

"And I may try to talk you out of that, at least until I can fill a few bags."

I gave him a grin filled with challenge. "You're welcome to try."

Chapter 19.

Phaelan and his spyglass were scanning the northwest horizon for signs of his siblings. The scowl told me he couldn't see them. Yet.

We were waiting inside the warehouse where the mirror had been installed.

I knew how Phaelan felt about mirrors. However, other things were waiting inside the warehouse to be loaded onto the ships that the elven pirate captain would like even less.

A dozen firedrakes and four sentry dragons.

Each ship would be carrying three firedrakes and one sentry dragon-including Phaelan's new ship, the Kraken.

Jash jerked his head toward Phaelan. "Did you tell him?"

"Not yet."

"Oh good, I get to be here to watch."

"You don't have to sound so happy about it."

"Sure I do. Besides, it's fun."

I walked over to where Phaelan stood gazing out the window. He inhaled and his nose twitched. He smelled something here in the warehouse and his nose didn't like it. The rest of Phaelan would soon share that opinion.

The east coast of Aquas was four weeks' sail from Regor. A sentry dragon's range was three days. They were essentially overgrown hunting hawks-that is, if a hunting hawk was the size of a warhorse. Unfortunately, they often behaved like warhorses, too. The vast majority of sentry dragons in service were females. They were larger and stronger, and while they weren't any more intelligent than the males, they had infinitely better focus. The males were easily distracted. Not a good quality for an animal in military service. When it came to firedrakes, the males and females were equal in intelligence and focus. We would be bringing both with us. As to telling Phaelan that we'd be bringing some ladies on board-and not the species he preferred-once again, I knew it was best to simply get it over with.

"Phaelan."

He turned and I gestured him over.

The closer he got, the worse the smell, and the elf's face screwed up.

"What the hell is that stench?"

"Passengers."

Phaelan stopped and his eyebrows went up.

I went to the other side of the warehouse and partially slid back the section of wall that separated us from the smaller of Phaelan's new passengers. One shock at a time. The elf's eyes went wide, and while he didn't reach for a blade, it was obvious that he wanted to.

It was equally obvious that Jash wanted to laugh at Phaelan's reaction. I shot him a warning look.

There were a dozen cages on tables, each containing a hawk-sized firedrake. They were a range of colors, but when in flight they took on the color of the sky, and when on the ground they were either a shade of brown or green, or both. They were rather like chameleons in that respect, except these chameleons could put hunting hawks to shame with their speed and maneuverability-and they breathed fire.

It would be that last trait that Phaelan would have the most difficulty getting past, though the smell would run a close second. When a creature breathed fire, it usually smelled like brimstone, or rotten eggs to those not familiar with dragons. On the closed quarters of a ship, it wouldn't be pleasant, but neither would being ambushed by the Khrynsani or their allies. With a twenty-mile range and an uncanny homing instinct, firedrakes would prove invaluable where we were going.

"These are firedrakes," I told Phaelan. "We'll be using them as scouts and lookouts. They'll be fitted with harnesses equipped with spy gems to get a real-time look at anything we need to see that we either can't or don't want to get close to ourselves. I've used firedrakes before, and they're invaluable as scouts. As an added bonus, they're more than qualified to protect themselves, their fire being every bit as hot as that of a sentry dragon. Plus, they're faster and even more nimble than any hunting hawk."

"You're not thinking about putting any of those firebreathers on my ship, are you?"

"I'll need each ship to transport three firedrakes, plus one sentry dragon and its pilot. The pilot will care for the firedrakes as well as the sentry dragon."

Phaelan blanched. "Sentry dragon? I am not carrying one of those crazy things on my ship."

I sighed and slid the section of wall back the rest of the way. Four sentry dragons stood in absolute silence in their stalls, their yellow eyes locked on Phaelan. Sentries were highly intelligent. They knew when they weren't liked. I looked from Phaelan's glare to the ladies' eyes glittering like raptors from the shadows, offended and insulted raptors.

"Do Gwyn and Gavyn know about this?" Phaelan asked, backing up a step as smoke started curling up from the sentry dragons' armored nostrils.

"They do. They didn't see it as a problem."

"They knew I would, and they didn't tell me."

"Maybe they wanted to see the look on your face," Jash piped up.

I shot him another look. I thought about telling Phaelan that at least Jash wouldn't be on his ship, but decided to keep that to myself.

"You've carried horses on board before, haven't you?" I asked.

"Yes, but-"

"They're the size of horses," Jash said cheerfully. "Just think of them as horses with wings."

"That breathe fire."

"An added bonus. Plus, they'll hunt for themselves-and us-while at sea, so we don't need to carry food for them. Which would be problematic anyway, considering that they like their food alive and kicking. They're very sporting creatures."