Winter 4986, 25 Ginmoth
"Shaloon..." the sound of that voice made Shaloon stop dead in her tracks.
Master Archmage In'nin took his time to catch up with her, strolling down the hall at his own slow pace, the clinking of bare stone feet on the stone floor further enhancing his alien nature. Shaloon allowed him to pass before taking up the respectable position a few steps behind. His white robes practically glowed in the dim hall, a sharp contrast with his onyx skin. How he managed to get the stone to flow like real flesh was a mystery she hoped never to solve herself. Such immortality seemed more a curse than a blessing.
She followed the Master Archmage in silence to the rooms he shared with his sister, only daring to rush ahead when it came time to hold the door open for him. She hardly dared breathe as he passed and was glad rather than offended that his blank white eyes never turned her way.
"Close the door, Shaloon," Master Archmage Yonin ordered softly. Their organization's other leader appeared precisely opposite her brother, her white stone skin highlighted by black robes and lightless black eyes.
Shaloon wasn't about to insist that either of these two call her by her rank, no matter how hard-earned it was. She stood in continued silence, her eyes downcast, waiting for further orders from the caretakers of the Central Talon.
In'nin sighed and gestured for Shaloon to come closer as he spoke, "We have found the Firewyrm for you..."
Yonin continued where he left off, "This will be your last chance,"
"I..." Shaloon started, not sure what she could possibly say to defend herself.
In'nin interrupted, "Don't sound so nervous, Shaloon."
They continued to alternate speaking, Yohito continuing, "If you can't get her back, we will transfer you to another Talon."
"We can't afford to lose any more members,"
"Don't make us regret this decision."
Shaloon finally breathed a sigh of relief, "You won't. I swear it, I will retrieve the Firewyrm this time."
The twin leaders exchanged looks, communicating silently with each other, she was sure. Yonin nodded to her brother, then turned black eyes on Shaloon once more, "You will be working with Archmage Tolinar from now on."
"You will need his contacts, and it is our hope that your passion will focus him." In'nin finished. It was telling that they addressed Tolinar with the proper rank. Still, Shaloon was not about to insist on the same respect after her last failure.
Instead, she asked, "Where is the Firewyrm?"
Yonin answered, "She is being held at the Guild in Tarorn."
"They are keeping her in Clearhelm?" Shaloon couldn't help but speak out in her disbelief. She'd been sure they would take her to the kingdom capital or hide her away in some backwater village away from densely populated areas. Unless... "They still don't know what she is?"
"Apparently not," In'nin said,
"Otherwise, the Temple of the Slayer would have had her exterminated by now."
"As such, speed is important, Shaloon," In'nin instructed,
"But not at the expense of caution."
"We have managed to go undetected for millennia,"
"Don't ruin this now,"
"Not when we are so close."
"As much as we desire the return of the Firewyrm,"
"it is more important that she remain alive."
"Do not endanger her again," Yonin ordered, and Shaloon flinched, looking down to avoid those eerie eyes. She'd not expected the Firewyrm to fight beside the Paladins of Hengist, but wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
"Tolinar and I will start planning right away," Shaloon assured them.
She turned for the door, but In'nin called, "You are sure of what you saw?"
Her hand on the nob, Shaloon stopped. Turning back to the leaders, she nodded, "I saw his soul. It was new, Chosen, though I couldn't tell by whom."
In'nin and Yonin looked at each other again, staring at one another silently. Shaloon turned the handle, and when they didn't stop her, she left. She could worry about the implications of the dragon gods' return after she retrieved the Firewyrm.
***
