Master's Mind (The Dagger of Dragon Rose Book 1)
Introductions

Introductions all around, and buy the drinks yourself - Tavern Patron

Taren was disoriented when the clearing came into view. He hadn’t known what to expect, but instant teleportation had not been it. He blinked as he took in the sight. The camp seemed just as it had been the last time he’d seen it. His tent stood next to Parel’s near the eastern side of thr large clearing. The stump where he’d sat to replace out more about himself was closer to the northern edge. He flinched ashe saw the dark stain on the grass there.

“NATHAN!” Parel screamed as she took a running start and jumped, wrapping her arms around his neck and knocking him to the ground. “Are you well?”

Taren scooped her into his arms as he climbed to his feet. “Thanks to the expert ministrations of this fine gentleman here, I will most likely make a full recovery.” He said, nodding his head toward Hope.”

“Are you serious? A full recovery?” Parel asked

“Yes, a full recovery. He was even able to save my wings.” Taren answered. “Parel, you need to remember to call me by my Elf name. I am not going by Nathan any more.”

“Did I...? Oh, I’m sorry Taren. Old habits die hard.” She said apologetically.

Hope, Shaunna and the small woman that had attacked him the night before stood watching the exchange. They all looked relatively uncomfortable to be there. Taren could have sworn that he saw something else in Shaunna’s face. A sort of burning behind her eyes that was only noticeable for a moment before it disappeared.

Taren put her down. “I think introductions are in order. Since most of you already know me, I will start. I am Taren Elloy, my father was Paron Elloy. I was raised by a human couple after his death. That’s really all there is to know about me.” He shrugged his shoulders as he finished speaking.

“I will go next.” Parel said. “My name is Parel Zalek. I do not know who my real parents were. When I was a baby, I was adopted by the Zalek family in Bright bay and raised there. Nathan, er... Taren, and I have been friends for the past three years.”

“Why are you here?” Shaunna asked, and Nathan thought he could detect a bit of steel in her tone.”

Parel pulled Oran out of her pocket. “I came because the bard told me I was supposed to. He told me I would replace out about my family while I was on the journey.”

Taren had never seen her look so vulnerable before. He was not sure what to think. He was used to the strong Parel. He had never seen her cry, until recently. This was very unlike her. He wanted the old Parel back, but he wasn’t sure how to help her.

Hope stepped forward. “Come, let us all be seated. We could be here for a while. We may as well be comfortable.”

As one, the group seated themselves around the smoldering fire pit. Taren, Parel and Shaunna seated themselves on the large log. Hope seated himself on a large rock and the small woman that Taren didn’t know situated herself on the ground.

“Now that we are all more comfortable, I guess it is my turn. My name is Ularen Hope, but you may all call me Hope. I am the son of Sareth Hope, who was a good friend and guard to Taren’s father. I now wield the same Crystal Blade that my mother did before me.” He paused for a moment as though trying to regain his composure. When he continued his voice did sound a bit strained, as if the memory of his mother bothered him. “Since my mother disappeared, on the day of the attack on the palace, I have run the clinic and waited for her return. It has recently become quite clear that I have waited in vain, my mother is not going to return.”

Every one waited to see if Hope was going to continue, when it became clear that he was finished, Shaunna scooted forward a bit.

“My name is Shaunna Nightshade, I am the great grand-daughter of Shalarandra Kaardrannan...”

“You’re what?” Parel jumped to her feet, brandishing the small knife.

Taren rose to his feet and placed a hand on Parel’s shoulder. “Parel, sit down.”

Parel’s face was red with anger. “But... She’s a dark elf.”

Taren nodded. “I know, they are not what everyone thinks them to be.”

Parel turned on Taren. “How can you know that?”

The others were watching the exchange with bemused curiosity.

“You know those dreams I have been having for the past little while?” He paused and watched Parel nod her head. “They have been about Shaunna’s great-grandmother. She and Knoro were friends.”

Parel stared at Taren open mouthed. “Those are just dreams, Taren.” She spit his name like it left a bad taste in her mouth. She was wild eyed and Taren could see that there would be no reasoning with her.

In one fluid movement he stepped forward, pulling a length of rope from his pocket, and wrapped his arms around her. Before she knew what had happened, Parel found herself tightly bound.

“TAREN, LET ME GO!” Parel screamed.

“Not until you calm down, so we can discuss this civilly.” He answered. “Now be quiet, or I will throw you in your tent.”

Parel quieted down, but she still tossed angry looks between Taren and Shaunna.

“Now, as the lovely lady has been so kind in pointing out, I am of dark elf descent.” Shaunna continued. “The fact is, I am only half dark elf. My mother was a dark elf, but my father was a Light Elf. Both of my parents were killed in the attack on the castle. I was gravely injured. Hope found me and saved my life with his power, probably the last time he really used it until last night. After that I spent some time with the Old Man of the Forest.” Parel scoffed at this, mutting something under her breath. “I was with him for two years. He is the one that taught me to hunt and track. He is the reason I have survived while I was growing up. Since then, I have been doing the odd job here and there to make my way through life.”

Hope shook his head slightly at the last comment. The move was so slight that Taren was not sure that he had actually seen it. This only added to the feeling that Shaunna was not telling them everything.

“I guess that just leaves me.” The small woman said quietly.

She was the palest person that Taren had ever seen. The clothes that she now wore only accentuated her pale skin and pink eyes.

“I am Narissa Silvermoon, my father was Seth Silvermoon. When I was five, Dareth killed my mother and my brother, and kidnapped me. I have spent the past twenty years either in his presence, or doing his dirty work, I think.” She paused for long time. Just when everyone thought she was done, she began to speak again. “I was sent out to kill the Elf king and his companions. When Taren broke the enchantment that I was under, I remembered the truth. I no longer wish to harm anyone, except for those that have harmed me.” There was no emotion on her face as she spoke.

It was Hope that responded first. “We are on an impossible quest. If you come with us, I am sure you will get the chance to take a swipe at your old master.”

The words did not cheer her at all. She just continued to stare into the dying fire, a maelstrom of confused feelings making her feel ill.

“You said I broke the enchantment during our fight. What kind of enchantment were you under that turned you into that beast?” Taren asked.

She shrugged, never taking her eyes off of the embers. “My guess would be some sort of locking incantation mixed in with a memory suppressing spell. It made it so I couldn’t change out of my tiger form.” She spoke as calmly as if she were discussing the weather. She did not see the astonished looks on Taren’s, Parel’s and Shaunna’s faces. She also did not see the furtive glances that Hope was directing towards Shaunna.

“Tiger form?” Taren asked,

For the first time, Narissa looked him directly in the face. He could see deep pain behind her eyes. “I am a shape-shifter, like my father before me was. I think our fathers were friends, but the memory is a bit vague. I was only five when I was taken, after all.”

Hope nodded. “Seth, my mother, Grathius Wolftracker, and Taranna Bowsmith were the kings personal guard. Along with the king, Derek Fantis, and Shalarandra they made up the Guardians of the balance.”

“What?” Parel interrupted. “You mean one of the Guardians was a dark elf?”

“That is correct.” Hope affirmed. “Taren is right, they are not the enemies that history makes them out to be. At least most of them are not.”

Taren was so engrossed by the conversation that he was startled when Parel bumped him with her shoulder.

“Are you going to untie me?” She asked.

He bumped her back with his own shoulder. “That depends, are you going to attack the person that is responsible for my still being alive?”

Her voice was a bit strained as she answered. “I suppose I can restrain myself.”

Taren reached over and removed the rope, placing it back in the pocket that he kept it in.

Shaunna rose. “Well, I should get going.”

“I am not going to attack you.” Parel said.

“Don’t flatter yourself, girl. I need to go and speak to my contact in Brightbay. We’re about a day out, aren’t we?”

Taren shrugged. “I don’t know, I was flying. I am not a very good judge of distance when I am in the air.”

“I wasn’t really paying attention.” Parel admitted. She pointed back the way that she and Taren had come. “Go that way, and you will eventually reach the city.”

“Who are you looking for?” Taren asked,

“Ah, Taren, that is private information.” Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the trees.

Hope stood next to Taren. “Be careful of that one. She is not what she seems, and she is dangerous.”

“Thank you for the concern, but I can take care of myself.” Taren smiled as he spoke. “I am not too worried.”

Hope frowned. “You should be worried.”

Taren gave a dismissive gesture as he walked over to the dark stain that signified where he had been attacked the night before. On the grass next to the bloody mess, the purple cylinder glittered in the afternoon sun. He hadn’t realized the they had been speaking for so long. his stomach growled as he stooped to retrieve the strange weapon that had saved his life the night before.

He turned to Parel, who was still sitting on the log. “I’m starving. What is there to eat?”

Parel didn’t answer, she just added wood to the fire and then went to her pack. It didn’t take very long for the smells of whatever Parel was fixing to start wafting around the clearing. Whatever is was, it smelled very good and set Taren’s mouth watering.

He sat on the same stump that he had the night before, and studied the strange cylinder again. It was hard to believe that a weapon of such power were contained within. He closed his hand around the cylinder, and again the purple fire shot our of both ends. The fire wrapped around his hand to form the sword, just as it had the night before.

“Where did you get that?” Hope asked, fear in his voice.

“I found it.” Taren explained, lifting the sword so Hope could see it better.

“Don’t you know what that is?” Hope asked.

Taren shrugged. “Some weird sword that has the power to break enchantments.”

“That is a Star Fire Sword. No mortal is supposed to be able to wield it.” Hope explained.

Taren laughed. “Well, either the stories are exaggerated, or I am not mortal. This is the second time I have used the sword. The first time was against Narissa last night. It was this sword that caused her to come back to herself.”

“I wouldn’t use that unless absolutely necessary. If any one saw you use that, it may lead to some rather uncomfortable questions.” When he was finished, he turned and walked back to sit by the fire.

“I am glad you are well.” Cyan’s voice slid through his head.

“Now you talk to me? Where were you last night when I needed you?” Taren asked.

“We are forbidden to interfere in squabbles between wielders.” Cyan explained.

“Oh, that’s convenient. I was almost killed last night, and your answer to why you didn’t help is, you are forbidden to interfere.” Taren didn’t know if he should laugh or if he should start yelling, so he decided to laugh.

“I am sorry Taren. It is the truth.” Cyan said. Taren could almost detect sincere apology through the metallic tinge in his voice.

“It’s okay, I’m alive.” Taren said.

Cyan floated back into the trees to resume his vigilant guarding of the camp.

Taren smiled faintly as he watched the sword go. He had only known the sword for a very short time, but he had already come to think of him as a friend. He supposed that could have something to do with the mind link that the two of them now shared.

His thoughts were interrupted as Narissa approached him. Her face was apprehensive. She stopped directly in front of him. She stared at him for several minutes without saying a single word. Without warning, she threw herself to the ground in a prostrate position.

He jumped off the stump, landing softly on the grass. He stooped and tried to lift her. He was surprised how heavy she was. “Please don’t. I do not blame you for what happened.”

She slowly rose. Tears were streaming down her face. “I am so sorry.” She whispered. “I didn’t know.”

He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her, embracing her tightly. “I know. You are welcome to join us in our journey. Some would say it was expected of you, as you are a wielder. However, the choice is yours. I will not make you come if you do not wish to.”

He noticed that her body was stiff, and was not giving any indication that she was going to soften.

“Are you okay?” He asked positioning himself at arms length.

“After twenty years, this body feels strange. I am hesitant to revert to my other form, I do not wish to alarm anyone.” She stared at the ground as she spoke.

“If you are more comfortable as a tiger, then by all means. I don’t think anyone here would mind, and it would make brigands and such think twice about bothering us if they saw a large tiger on our group.” He smiled as he spoke.

She looked at him with a strange expression on her face. Without warning, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him so tight he could not breathe.

She let go of him and stepped back. Going down on he hands and feet, she began to grow in size. The clothes that Parel had given her tore, falling to the ground under her. Her arms and legs started to thicken. White and black fur sprouted all over her body. Her nose elongated into a feline snout. A long tail sprouted from her rear. The large tiger now stood where the small woman had mere moments ago.

As a tiger, Narissa was quite a bit taller than she was as a dwarf. As a dwarf, she was a little less than half Taren’s height. As a tiger, her shoulder came to just below his chest. She was approximately as long as he was tall. The only thing that was the same about her, was her eyes. They were the same pink, and the pupils were oval like a cat’s. Behind those eyes Taren could see a deep intelligence.

“Is that better?” He asked.

He was not surprised when she nodded her head in an affirmative motion.

“Taren, the food is ready. I thought you said you were hungry.” Parel called.

Taren and Narissa walked over to the fire side by side. He sat on the log, and she curled up on the ground next to him.

Parel gave him a questioning look.

“She is more comfortable like this. I told her that she could stay in her tiger form if she wanted to.” He explained.

Parel nodded and handed him a plate of food.

Narissa raised her head and sniffed at Taren’s plate.

“Would you like some too?” Parel asked.

Narissa nodded

“Would you prefer the meat raw?” Parel asked.

Narissa made a gagging sound that Parel took to mean that the very idea was repulsive to the large cat.

“I guess that is a no.” Parel laughed.

She put some meat on a plate and set it in front of Narissa.

The meal was consumed in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The only sound was from Narissa consuming her meal. The sun was setting when they finished, and there was no sign of Shaunna.

“She is at the borders of Brightbay.” Cyan told Taren when he asked. “She won’t be back until tomorrow at the earliest.

“Looks like we are going to be here for another day, at least. Let’s get some rest.” Taren announced. He helped Hope pitch his tent, and then everyone retired for the night, leaving the Crystal Blades to once again guard their camp.