Page 26 of Song of the Shadow Prince
I brushed her off. “Friend, servant, whatever.”
“Awesome?” Garrick whispered to himself in confusion, glancing between Maeve and me in bewilderment. “From my understanding, the Ryders are natives of Elaria and you’ve lived here your whole life.”
“Like I mentioned, long story,” I said by way of explanation. “In any event, I’m in need of your expertise.”
Garrick cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, then folded his hands in front of him on the tabletop. “My lady, I don’t deal in magic anymore.”
“Aw, come on, friend. Come out of retirement for a second! I mean, you sort of owe me. I saved your place,andI wiped away your debt of a hundred thousand gold leaves. You can’t really say no.” I shrugged.
“Are you threatening me, my lady?” he asked, a subtle grin teasing one corner of his mouth.
I gasped mockingly and clasped my imaginary pearls. “Moi? Never. Just a friendly reminder of all my meritorious deeds.” I gave a broad smile, feeling overly pleased with myself.
Garrick threw his head back and laughed uproariously. “I like you.” He straightened and stared at me, focusing his one visible eye solely on me. “How can I be of service, my lady?” he entreated with a slight bow.
My grin widened and I wiggled in my seat, ready to get down to business. I leaned forward and placed my elbows on the table, then pitched my voice to a whisper. “Here’s the thing, friend. I’m not really from here.”
He frowned. “Where are you from, then?”
I looked around to make sure no one was listening in and continued. “I’m from somewhere very, very far away… like, another world. Possibly another dimension, if my theory is correct.”
Maeve exhaled loudly and slumped in her chair, looking defeated. “My lady! Please don’t start with this again,” she groaned.
I knew Maeve didn’t believe me. She still believed I was Lady Arya, even after my display of fighting prowess just a few minutes ago. I didn’t know what else I could do to convince her.
Ignoring her outburst, I continued to whisper. “I came through a portal or something in the river…” I turned to the long-suffering servant beside me. “Which river was it, Maeve?”
Resigned, she sighed and mumbled, “River Elara.”
I snapped my fingers. “Yes! That’s the one. I was pulled out of there a week ago and brought here, where everyone thinks I’m Lady Arya, but I’m not. My real name is Cat and I’m from the city of Los Angeles, from a country called the United States of America. I’d never even heard of Elaria until I landed here.”
Garrick watched me intently without interrupting. When I finished, he reached for my mug of ale and chugged over half in three gulps. “Well… that’s quite a tale, my lady… or Cat.”
I slumped in my chair, crestfallen. “You don’t believe me.”
Garrick shook his head and waved off my words. “No, no, I did not say that, my lady, it’s just… a lot to process. There have been… tales of travelers who arrived from other… lands throughout the centuries. Folk songs have been written about it, but that’s all they are – songs and stories. No one has ever met someone who actually came from another land before.” He peered at me with clear skepticism.
“Wow… that’s veryOutlanderof you guys,” I murmured.
He narrowed his gaze. “You’re not lying to me, are you? Trying to pull one over on a man down on his luck? Having a bit of fun, are we?”
Surprised, I jerked back. “No way! Are you kidding me? I’m trying to get home!” I said a little too loudly.
Maeve glared at me, clearly mortified by my outburst. A cluster of nearby patrons turned their heads our way, curious about the commotion. I lowered my voice and leaned closer to Garrick.
“Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I really need your help to get back. If you’re as powerful as Maeve says, you’re my best shot.”
Garrick took a deep breath and scratched his scruffy chin as he considered my words. “Assuming I believe you, what exactly do you want me to do? Magic isn’t like flipping a switch. It’s complicated.”
I sighed, frustrated and desperate. “I need to find a way back to the portal in River Elara. If you can’t open it, maybe you can at least guide me to someone who can.”
Maeve’s eyes were wide with concern as she glanced between us. “My lady, are you sure this is wise? Magic is unpredictable, and if something goes wrong…”
I gave her a reassuring smile. “Maeve, everything about this situation is unpredictable. I’d rather take a chance with magic than stay stuck here, pretending to be someone I’m not.”
Garrick nodded slowly. “Alright, I’ll help you. But it won’t be easy, and it won’t be quick. There are no guarantees. Understand?”
“I’m not expecting any miracles; I just ask that you try… please,” I begged, and I never begged.
