Page 91 of Tristan
“I told you. And the others?”
“I don’t know, but there’s something else. I’ve found a way to get you out of here. I don’t know when it will happen but I’ve bargained for your life and when the time comes, you need to go home.”
“You’re not coming, are you?”
I look at my hands. “I’m not.”
“I won’t leave without you.”
“You’re going to die here if you stay, Diekin. Maybe not today, maybe not in a year from now, but you will. I don’t know if I’m going to get another chance like this.”
“Was this your plan all along?”
“No. Diekin,” I say. “I’m not going to use that plan if I can help it.” If I can’t persuade Andothair to abandon his plans to start war with Mortouge, then I will use my dragon’s blood.
“You’ve traded yourself for me once again, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“What have you done?”
“Diekin, listen. My original plan involved my dragon’s blood.”
“Do you have magic, Warlord?”
“Not in the traditional sense, no. I have one power, but if I use that power I’ll die.”
“How could you even think of using such a thing just for me? I know you were, Warlord.”
“I was.”
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing, if I can help it. You need to go back and warn Mortouge that the Rogue Elves are coming.”
“Corrik is going to kill me anyway when I return without you.”
“Then you must explain it to him and make him understand,” I say with a look to match my father’s. He stares at me a long time.
“I see you are coming into your heritage, Warlord.” He sighs as he looks to the ground, resigned to what I’m making him do, but not liking it much. I don’t like seeing that look on him. I miss the Diekin I rode carefree on the bow of the ship with.
“Here, Diekin. Eat.”
“Only if you will eat with me and tell me another story—one of you and Lucca. This might be the last time I see you.”
“Where is your eternal optimism? I might get away yet.”
“You have no intention of returning to Mortouge, Warlord. I know this.”
I won’t lie to him. “No. I already told you. I can never face Corrik or Mortouge again. I only hope I can save Mortouge and that they will still hold alliance with Markaytia.”
“I know the man Corrik is. He will make sure Mortouge’s end of the bargain is held for no other reason than he loves you.”
“I hoped you’d bring him this.” I reveal the goal of my secret venture, my wedding ring. I found it scattered amongst the wreckage today and I got the idea to do this.
“Take it and tell him I say… tell him I say, hi.”
“Hi?” He laughs and it’s worth me looking foolish.
