Kachka glanced between the two, little Rhi and Brigida in her dragon form, which was as disturbing as her human one.
The two females continued to stare at Kachka but said nothing else.
Finally, Kachka couldn’t stand it anymore. “Do you have actual words for me, witches, or do I just walk back to camp? Because already I grow bored with both of you strange bitches.”
Brigida snorted. “Yeah. She’ll do.”
“She’ll do for what?”
Brigida’s milky white eye turned on its own to stare at Gaius before her head slowly swiveled around in the same direction. He worked hard not to flinch, although he doubted he was fooling her. The witch lived off others’ fear. Craved it the way he often craved fresh, unburnt lamb.
Brigida the Foul was still talked about by the old guard. The dragons who, in their youth, had fought during the wars against the Southland dragons. Even now, centuries later, they still feared her. Rarely mentioning her by name and always talking in low tones, as if she could hear them from whatever hells she’d been dropped in. Little did any of them know that the She-bitch still walked this plane, quite alive, and just as unpleasant as ever.
“You’re going to let this dragon speak for you, Daughter of the Steppes?” Brigida asked Kachka.
“I am already bored with you, old She-beast. So talk to him or do not. I do not care.”
“Well, this is off to a great start,” Gaius joked.
Talwyn came out of the beautiful green trees, moving toward them. But when she spotted Gaius, she stopped.
“What’s he doing here?”
“And always a pleasure to see you, too, Princess Talwyn.”
Talwyn ignored him, instead focusing on Rhi.
“What’s happening?”
“I was waiting for you?”
“Why?”
“And more bored,” Kachka sighed.
“We need you to retrieve something for us, Kachka,” Rhi said.
“I am not thief.”
“It’s not really a stealing situation.”
“Then get it yourself, lazy royals. I am not workhorse for you.”
“That’s it,” Brigida growled. “I’m gonna bite the bitch’s little tits off.”
Unwilling to let that threat possibly come to pass, Gaius immediately stepped between the females, both arms raised. “How about we discuss this calmly? Yes?”
Looking between all the parties, Gaius realized that “calm” was maybe the wrong word. There was little calm here. There were just different levels of dangerous.
Except for Princess Rhi. She may not have been calm, but that was because she didn’t want any fighting. She wanted everyone to get along. A born peacemaker.
Gaius focused directly on her. “What do you need, Rhianwen?” he asked.
“The eyes of Chramnesind.”
Gaius’s arms dropped to his sides. “Pardon?”
“You heard,” Brigida sneered.
“You want the eyes of Chramnesind?”
“I thought he had no eyes,” Kachka said.
“Apparently, he once did.” Talwyn leaned against a nearby tree.
“And what?” Gaius had to ask. “He wants them back now?”
“No. His cult wants them. Salebiri wants them. And they’re not going to stop until they get them.”
Kachka crossed her arms over her chest. “Is that what they have been doing at all those temples? Trying to find this . . . this . . . artifact?”
“I’m sure that’s been one goal. Along with the terror the attacks cause. The message they send.” Talwyn took in a breath. “These people have a very . . . large world view. There’s little they do that doesn’t impact as many lives as possible. If their whole agenda didn’t involve destroying me and everyone like me . . . I’d be impressed.”
“Will you help us, Kachka?” Rhi asked.
“Yes. I will help.”
Gaius faced her. “Wait . . . what? Why would you do that?”
“That has been my job from beginning. To stop this cult from attacking temples on Annwyl’s land. And if they are looking for this thing . . . then I will find it.”
“But is there a reason none of you are doing it?” Gaius asked the others. He pointed at Talwyn. “She’s perky and likes to destroy.”
Talwyn smirked. “Do you really want to see me, Iron, with the unlimited powers of a god? Is that what you really want?”
“No, Talwyn. You with unlimited power is the last thing I want.”
“Kachka has to go,” she explained. “She has no magicks in her blood. She can handle the item without fear of it having repercussions except perhaps revulsion. The three of us can’t say that. Even Annwyl can’t. Not with the way the gods are constantly around her. They must be drawn to something about my mother.”
“But you can go with her, King Gaius,” Rhi said, an adorable smile on her lips.
“That’s sweet, Rhi, but I can’t.”
“Since I do not need you?” Kachka tossed in.
“No,” Gaius replied, glaring at the Rider. “Because I have magicks in my blood.”
Brigida leaned her giant, misshapen dragon head close to Gaius, looked him over, sniffed him, then said, “No, you don’t.”