Page 51 of Sorcery, Swords & Scones
“Do you mind if I hold it, love?” Iris asked, extending her own hand.
Sass gratefully tipped the amulet into Iris’s palm, rubbing her own on her skirt as if dislodging whatever lingering connection she had to the piece.
Vaskel leaned closer, squinting at the amulet as Iris turned it over in her hand, one thumb brushing across the stone as she hummed contemplatively.
Finally, Vaskel straightened, growling without speaking. The Tiefling was clearly unsettled by something.
Iris looked up at Sass. “It’s a lovely piece, and the craftsmanship is remarkable.”
“Dwarf metalworking is unrivaled,” Thrain said, his chest puffing up as he pulled himself to his full height.
“Reminds me of that cursed necklace we recovered near Craigmire.” Vaskel shot Lira and Cali loaded glances.
“Only because both are silver,” Cali said. “If this necklace was like that one, we’d all be speaking in tongues and hallucinating.”
Vaskel mumbled something about giving the hex time as he eyed the amulet warily.
Lira pivoted away from Vaskel and focused on Iris. “Can you tell us anything else about it? Anything suspicious?”
Sass swung her head to Lira and then back to Iris. “Is that why you wanted to see it? You think it’s hexed?”
Pink splotches mottled Iris’s cheeks. “Lira knows me too well, but even if I have suspicions, curses and enchantments were never my strength.” She gave Lira an apologetic smile. “That was your gran’s domain. If she were here, she could probably use a spell to detect any curses.”
“Should I get her book?” Lira asked, nibbling the bottom corner of her lip. “I’m not sure which spell would work, but maybe if we all worked together?—”
“And end up with this amulet turned into an enchanted platypus and nothing to return to Florin?” Sass shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“The bookwyrms were a one-off,” Iris muttered. “And that never happened again.”
Sass gestured toward the kitchen. “What about Crumpet?”
Iris twisted her lips into a prim bow before sighing. “I’m pretty sure Elia meant to do that and didn’t want to admit it.”
Sass thought about the vanishing powder Lira had attempted, but she didn’t mention it. The fewer who knew about that near miss, the better.
“If you want to know if your amulet is enchanted, I can tell you that, my dears.”
They all pivoted to see Erindil, who’d slipped into the tavern through the back door and was standing on the outskirts of their group, his long, jewel-laden fingers steepled in front of his chest.
Sass could have kicked herself. Of course, the elf could tell them. Aside from having certain magical powers of their own, most elves possessed the ability to detect enchantment or magic in other creatures or things. It was one of the many traits that made the species so superior and insufferable, if you asked Sass—or really any dwarf.
But at the moment, she’d never been so happy to see an elf.
Thirty-Nine
“You must be Erindil.”Iris stepped forward, continuing to hold the amulet in her outstretched palm.
The elf’s eyes twinkled at the woman’s ruffled skirt and wild mane of curls. “And you’re the apothecary. I remember hearing about the rogue turned potion-maker.”
Iris blinked rapidly as she took in the regal elf in a green velvet tunic over snug brown pants, all the components edged in gold cording. “You do?”
Erindil bowed his head to her. “My brother told me all about Wayside and the people surrounding my niece. It’s how I could track her down.”
Lira stiffened at this, but Erindil was already taking Iris’s hand in his own, bending low to examine the amulet. “Yes, yes,” he murmured, more to himself than to any of them. “Very intriguing.”
Vaskel folded his arms over his chest, and Korl followed suit, as if silently objecting to the proceedings. Both could be overprotective, especially of Lira, but Sass noticed Val grinning at the male posturing and Cali rolling her golden eyes.
After a few moments, Erindil tipped the amulet from Iris’shand into his, making more contemplative sounds as he brushed delicate fingers over the gemstone in the center and whispered elvish words.
