Chapter 10: Tavern

Chapter 10: Tavern

"That's why I suggest I should accompany you. He won't even notice my presence."

"Negative," I replied. "He's allowed me to come over. He said nothing about me bringing along a chaperone. If he did spot you"

"He would get that it's standard practice in the Vorgan. He must have some knowledge of our workings."

"I reiterate: no."

"But"

"Discussion over, Thorne."

He shut his eyes and let out a sigh that lingered in the air akin to a Lurivox's courting call. He opened his eyes again. "Fine. You want Selendis to handle the teleportation, correct?" Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

"Correct. Is he capable of managing the coordinates?"

"Drevolan said one of his men would implant them directly into the mind of whoever we choose for the spell."

This intrigued me. "How can he do that? How can one of his crew establish that deep a psychic connection with someone they don't know?"

Thorne yawned. "Magic," he replied.

"What sort of magic, Thorne?"

He shrugged. "How would I know?"

"Sounds like Sorcery, boss."

"That's precisely what crossed my mind, Opal."

"Do you suspect he might be employing a Sorcerer?"

"Recall, he spent considerable time out of Terran, during the Regency Break?"

"Yeah. That's accurate."

I flexed my fingers. "Regardless," I declared, "I do wish for Selendis to handle the teleportation. I want him here tomorrow an hour earlier than planned."

"Are you visiting your grandfather, boss?"

"No, not today."

"Then where? Wait, don't tell me. A tavern."

"You guessed it. A tavern."

"Who's going to get you home safely?"

"I'm only planning on one or two drinks."

"We'll see."

"Quiet, Opal."

"Boss, you're still planning to go to Nocturne Castle, right?"

"If I can muster the courage. Now let me think."

Around that time, a drizzle started. Using my connection to the Sovereign Sphere, I created an unseen barrier over my head - a simple spell. Most of the other pedestrians I saw had done the same. The few who hadn't, primarily from the House of Baku, took shelter in doorways or got drenched. The streets turned muddy, and I mentally noted that I had to allocate time to clean my boots. There has to be a spell for that. I'll need to learn it someday.

By the time I crossed DuoVint and entered South Avandryl, the rain had ceased. That was a relief, as very few Terrans are Wizards, and I didn't want to stand out. Granted, my grey and black attire of House Vorgan, along with Opal on my shoulder, already screamed, "Here is a Wizard!" But there was no need to exacerbate the situation.

At this point, Opal picked up on my thoughts and exclaimed, "Hold on, boss. Who do you plan on leaving behind?"

"You, pal. Sorry."

"No way. You can't"

"Yes, I can. One doesn't bring a Vorgan to meet a Dragonlord. At least not on the first visit."

"But"

"You're not disposable, you're not naive, and you're not going."

This sparked a debate that lasted until I reached my destination, helping me distract myself from my worries. Truth be told, I was genuinely scared. I badly wanted to avoid this visit, but saw no alternative. The thought of appearing there was inconceivable. Yet, if I didn't take action on Ignar, my reputation would take a hit. In the Vorgan, reputation equates to wealth and security.

I located Verenk's Tavern, exactly where I had been informed, and stepped inside, allowing my eyes to adapt to the dim interior. It was my first visit, but my grandfather had endorsed it as the place to find fine Venorium brandy.