In the deepening dusk, Laurana could barely make out several dark shapes upon the water. They were still far down river, but it was clear to Laurana that there would be little rest for the companions tonight. One of the Kaganesti, however, spoke to Theros, gesturing downstream. The big smith nodded.
“Do not worry. We are safe until morning. He says they will have to make landfall as well. None dare travel the river at night. Not even the Kaganesti, and they know every bend and every snag. He says he will make camp here, near the river. Strange creatures walk the forest at night-men with the heads of lizards. Tomorrow we will travel by water as far as we can, but soon we will have to leave the river and take to land.”
“Ask him if his people will stop the Qualinesti from pursuing us if we enter his land,” Sturm told Theros.
Theros turned to the Kaganesti elf, speaking the elven tongue clumsily but well enough to be understood. The Kaganesti elf shook his head. He was a wild, savage-looking creature. Laurana could see how her people thought them only one step removed from animals. His face revealed traces of distant human ancestry. Though he had no beard-the elven blood ran too purely in the veins of the Kaganesti to allow that-the elf reminded Laurana vividly of Tanis with his quick, decisive way of speaking, his strong, muscular build, and his emphatic gestures. Overcome with memories, she turned away.
Theros translated. “He says that the Qualinesti must follow protocol and ask permission from the elders to enter Kaganesti lands in search of you. The elders will likely grant permission, maybe even offer to help. They don’t want humans in Southern Ergoth any more than their cousins. In fact,” Theros added slowly, “he’s made it plain that the only reason he and his friends are helping us now is to return favors I’ve done in the past and to help Silvara.”
Laurana’s gaze went to the girl. Silvara stood on the river bank, talking to Gilthanas.
Theros saw Laurana’s face harden. Looking at the Wilder elf and the elflord, he guessed her thoughts.
“Odd to see jealousy in the face of one who-according to rumor-ran away to become the lover of my friend, Tanis, the half-elf,” Theros remarked. “I thought you were different from your people Laurana.”
“It’s not that!” she said sharply, feeling her skin burn. “I’m not Tanis’s lover. Not that it makes any difference. I simply don’t trust the girl. She’s-well-too eager to help us, if that makes any sense.”
“Your brother might have something to do with that.”
“He’s an elflord-” Laurana began angrily. Then, realizing what she had been about to say, she broke off. “What do you know of Silvara?” she asked instead.
“Little.” Theros answered, regarding Laurana with a disappointed look that made her unreasonably angry. “I know she is highly respected and much loved by her people, especially for her healing skills.”
“And her spying skills?” Laurana asked coolly.
“These people are fighting for their own survival. They do what they must.” Theros said sternly. “That was a fine talk you made back on the beach, Laurana. I almost believed it.”
The blacksmith went to help the Kaganesti hide the boats.
Laurana, angry and ashamed, bit her lip in frustration. Was Theros right? Was she jealous of Gilthanas’s attention? Did she consider Silvara unworthy of him? It was how Gilthanas lead always considered Tanis, certainly. Was this different?
Listen to your feelings, Raistlin had told her. That was all very well but first she had to understand her feelings! Hadn’t her love for Tanis taught her anything?
Yes, Laurana decided finally, her mind clearing. She’d meant what she’d said to Theros.. If there was something, about Silvara she didn’t trust, it had nothing to do with the fact that Gilthanas was attracted to the girl. It was something indefinable. Laurana was sorry Theros had misunderstood her, but she would take Raistlin’s advice and trust her instincts.
She would keep an eye on Silvara.
Silvara
Although every muscle in Gilthanas’s body cried for rest and he thought he couldn’t crawl into his bedroll soon enough, the elflord found himself wide awake, staring into the sky. Storm clouds still hung thickly overhead, but a breeze tinged with salt air was blowing from the west, breaking them up. Occasionally he caught a glimpse of stars, and once the red moon flickered in the sky like a candleflame, then was snuffed out by the clouds.
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