Treasure and Treason Part 31 Treasure And Treason

Treasure and Treason Part 31

"That would be it."

He looked around, taking in the destruction, the death caused by the Heart of Nidaar. "I felt what Agata did and what we were up against. All I was able to do was lend her as much power as I could call up. I would have been worthless otherwise."

"I wouldn't say worthless, merely inexperienced in that type of magic."

"I felt so small, so insignificant compared to what was coming at us. The Heart made those cliffs we were nearly crushed against. I'm not qualified for this."

I felt myself start to smile. "If you were qualified to go up against the Heart of Nidaar, then you would be the first."

"You're not qualified?"

"None of us are. What we are experienced at is finding the people behind this and stopping them from doing it again."

"Uh...I don't think I'm qualified for that, either."

"I'll teach you. Consider it on-the-job training. All I ask is that you listen and do as I tell you."

"That sounds simple enough."

"But you know it's not."

Talon gave me a sheepish grin. "I kind of have a history of doing my own thing, don't I?"

"There's no 'kind of' about it. That needs to change. Right here and right now. All of our lives depend on each member of this team working together."

"And you think I can do that?"

For the first time since I'd met my son, he wasn't sure of himself. It was a good first step.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "I know you can."

"You're sure? Because I'm not."

"I'm sure of you. As to what we'll encounter, no one can be sure of that. We'll face it together and do our best."

"Do you think our best will be good enough?"

"It has to be. If the Khrynsani or the Sythsaurians already control the Heart of Nidaar, our job is to take that control away. The fate of the Seven Kingdoms depends on what we do here in the next few days."

Talon swallowed with an audible gulp. "Okay, I'm about to admit something. I'm scared."

"That makes all of us. We push that fear aside and do what needs to be done."

"Is that called courage?"

I smiled. "Yes, it is. And you have it, of that I'm certain."

Talon was quiet for a few moments. "Was my mother brave?"

I clenched my jaw against an unexpected flood of emotion. "Yes, she was. She was one of the bravest women I've ever known." I hesitated. "Talon, when this is over, I'll tell you all I know about your mother."

He looked out toward the ships now rocking gently at anchor and merely nodded. "I would like that."

No, I don't think you will. But it's time. It's past time.

"I need you with me, Talon. You and Kesyn. I think when we go inland, we'll be taking any trouble with us. But if whoever is using the Heart aims it at our ships again...Nothing will save them this time. The only way we can do that is to take control of the Heart away from whoever has it."

"And you think I can help."

"I do." I gave him a crooked grin. "Plus, I know how hard it'd be to keep you from following after Agata like a lovesick puppy."

Talon waggled his eyebrows. "Woof."

Phaelan caught up with me later.

"I want to go with you."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Your ears are as good as mine. You heard me. I want to go to Nidaar." He hesitated. "Okay, maybe want isn't the right word. Let's just say I can do more good there than here."

"You have a ship to repair."

"My first mate would be in charge of that anyway. Everyone likes and respects him. They'll be fine. Gwyn can settle any disputes. They like her, too. There's good fishing here, so food won't be a problem, and our cooks know how to turn salt water into fresh."

I smiled. "One more bit of magic you don't seem to mind."

"Any magic that saves my ass, my crew, and my ship gets a free pass."

I chuckled. "You do know that there's not any gold in Nidaar, don't you?"

Phaelan scowled. "Yeah, I do. Jash really enjoyed telling me that."

"There's no gold and you still want to go?"

"That's what I said."

I crossed my arms. "Very well. As the leader of this expedition, what skills will you bring?"

"I can fight. And I can guarantee I won't slow you down. Mainly, I've played the mundane before."

"The what?"

"The mundane. Whoever is tossing that black magic mojo around can track you due to that ring and pendant, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"But you have to have them with you."

"Also yes."

"And every last one of your team is packing dark magic of every kind."

"Yes, and I'm failing to see where you're going with this."

"Yeah, Raine said you can be impatient when you're not in control."

I began to bristle. "Your point?"

"You can't tell me that it's never come in handy to have someone with you who has absolutely zero magic, who doesn't need to tamp down his magical mojo to go undetected. A special someone who is a master at slipping in and out of a place, hearing what needs to be heard, stealing what needs to be stolen."

"The Heart of Nidaar is attached to a mountain."

"Merely a challenge waiting to be overcome."

"Time is of the essence," I said, "so we'll be taking the dragons to the top of the escarpment and from there, on to the mountains."

"I've ridden a flying lizard once; I can do it again." His expression hardened. "Tam, thirty-two of my people and yours are dead, and that's just on the Kraken. Gwyn and Gavyn can oversee the repairs, but unless we get into that city and either steal or destroy that rock, ships to get home in aren't going to do us a damned bit of good. Your dark mage team is one man down, and last time I checked, I was a man."

Bane had broken his leg in the attack on the Nebian ships. He was walking around, but was still using a cane. He would be remaining with the ships as defense.

"You're also one of the bravest I've had the honor to know," I said solemnly.

Phaelan opened his mouth, started to say something, then closed it again.

I smiled. "And the good captain is at a loss for words."

"Can you blame me?"

"I am not easily impressed," I told him. "During this voyage, you have earned my esteem, my admiration, and my respect. I do not give these lightly or often. I give them to you now. In turn, I offer you my friendship and the loyalty that goes with it." I felt one side of my lips curl in a crooked grin. "That being said, I'm in charge of the expedition, and if you go, you will be taking your orders from me."

"Raine admires you and she's told me a lot about you," Phaelan began, "but hearing about someone, regardless of how highly I think of the one doing the telling, doesn't impress me. Seeing it for myself does. During the past four weeks, I've witnessed what Raine's told me firsthand. You've got my admiration and respect." The elf pirate's smile was slow and dangerous. "Plus, I've seen you cut loose on your enemies-and from the back of a diving dragon no less." He made a show of hesitating. "I think I can take orders from such a man."

"We leave at dusk," I told him.

"Not a problem."

I put my hand out and Phaelan shook it. I bared my fangs in a fierce grin. "Welcome to the team, Captain Benares. Let's go finish this."

The End.

About this Series.

Thanks for reading Treasure and Treason. I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews help other readers find books and I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Please take a moment and write a review for Treasure and Treason.

Suggested reading order for the Raine Benares Series:.

Magic Lost, Trouble Found.

Armed and Magical The Trouble with Demons.

Bewitched and Betrayed Con and Conjure..

All Spell Breaks Loose Wild Card (a Raine Benares novella).

Wedding Bells, Magic Spells.

Treasure and Treason, A Raine Benares World Novel.

Visit my Website at http://lisashearin.com.