Page 48 of The Tracker's Rage
Chapter 18
Alittle creek of turquoisewater skimming with white foam gurgled in front of us. Fish of gold, silver, and blue swam about, hiding in between reeds and smooth stones. The perfume of flowers rode the fresh air, making me realize how unclean the air in our realm was.
We sat on a conglomeration of large boulders next to the creek. Glimlock had not sheathed his sword, and I doubted Damien had removed his defensive spell.
The Fae scanned me up and down. “That’s some funny garments you wear. What are those?” He pointed at my tennis shoes.
“Those are my kicks,” I said. “They’re pretty comfy.” I wiggled my toes.
The Fae appeared skeptical. He sneaked a stubby finger through his beard, scratched his chin, and shifted his attention to Damien. “Speak up, then, what is your condition?”
“You deliver goods to the Vine Tower, do you not?” Damien asked.
“Aye, but what is it to you?”
“We would like to speak to Prince Kalyll,” Damien said. “It’s a matter of life or death.”
Glimlock huffed. “If you think I will help you get into the Vine Tower, you’re right mad.”
“We don’t need to get into the tower,” I interrupted, sensing that Glimlock would not concede any ground in this matter.
Damien glared, his expression seeming to say “what the hell are you doing?”
“I know Prince Kalyll,” I said. “I would just like a moment to talk to him. Maybe, instead, you could tell me where I can find him.”
“If you know him,” Glimlock raised a bushy eyebrow, “request a hearing, like everybody else.”
“That would take an inordinate amount of time, which we don’t have,” Damien said. “Foreigners always fall to the back of the line and are invariably told to come back the next day, at which point they’re ushered to the back of an entirely new line.”
“As it should be,” Glimlock said with a firm nod.
“Please, Glimlock,” I begged. “If you can help us in any way, we would be eternally grateful to you.”
The Fae pushed away from the boulder and, standing right at eye level, peered at me. “Please?” he repeated. “That’s a word I’ve never heard from a human’s lips.”
“Really?” I blinked in surprise. “That’s unfortunate. How many of us have you met?”
“Just the one.” He pointed at Damien.
