An aide, brave or stupid, burst into Corrinus's bedchamber and stood breathless in the doorway.

It was lucky for the aide that Corrinus had not been asleep, or he might not have survived long enough to tell his news. As it was, he stood there with one hand to his chest as he hurriedly explained what he had just witnessed.

"My lord! A trap was set off in Silence Gorge. By Elani, sir."

Corrinus sat up on his bed and glared at his aide. "I was unaware that we had traps in Silence Gorge," he said, unable to hide the irritation from his voice.

The aide shook his head and waved his hands about in a fluster. "No, no my lord! Not new traps, not the type you're thinking." He smiled and nodded quickly. "Ancient traps, mysterious, magical, very old, very clever."

Corrinus groaned, stood, and snatched up his sceptre. He wandered over to his window and gazed out at the fire pits below. "Get to the point," he hissed.

The aide nodded again and followed him farther into the room. "Yes, my lord. You see, before our ancestors first occupied the Kingdom, Lamya were drifters, roaming the land taking what opportunities they could. Thieves would hide their takings and then protect them with magic, when they came to the Kingdom and after the Elani were ousted, they set up crystal watch–stones that would warn them when their treasure was disturbed, so they could return to that place and defend their gold."

Corrinus turned back to his aide. He seemed to be taking his time in getting to the point.

The aide smiled quickly, then lowered his gaze and fidgeted uncomfortably. "I was tidying away some old books in the library, my lord, when a crystal watch–stone on my desk exploded. I found out what it was linked to – an underground chamber somewhere in the vicinity of Silence Gorge. I figured it must be Elani, my lord, as that's where some are left hiding."

"What was the trap?" Corrinus asked. He knew only a little of watch–stones and ancient Lamya history.

"Grey Men, my lord." If the aide was expecting to see a reaction on Corrinus's face he was disappointed. Corrinus remained impassive so he continued, "They should have killed the Elani easily, my lord—"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Should have?"

"Yes," said the aide. "Someone knew how to break the spell, didn't they? They must be in the chamber now, my lord, stealing ancient Lamya treasure!"

Corrinus folded his arms and a thoughtful frown creased his brow. "Yes. Well, no matter. That treasure is worthless now. It is a shame the Elani weren't disposed of, especially as they would've been led by that swords–master…"

The aide stayed respectfully silent as Corrinus mulled over his thoughts.

"…Still, she will travel to the Kingdom soon. And then, yessss, then I will kill her." He smiled at his aide. "It is good," he said. "You have done well. Zev will reward you. Now, I have plans to make."

The aide nodded and backed quickly out of the room, careful to close the door behind him.

#

Sorrel and Little Cloud walked to the back of the chamber and stared at the row of swords fixed to the wall, all glittering and dangerously beautiful in the golden light.

Sorrel stepped forward and took one from its fixture. It was a double–bladed broadsword, with a silver–plated hand guard, dark leather hilt and a ruby set in its pommel. "You take it," she said, holding it out to Cloud. "Please, even if you never use it, I'll be happier knowing you have a weapon."

Cloud nodded and took the sword from her grasp. She knew it made him uncomfortable but he secured it firmly in his belt anyway. "Best let Saoirse have one too," he said. "And any of the others who would like a stronger weapon."

They called the other Elani to the swords but other than Saoirse, there were no takers for them. They had grown used to their own modified staffs and were still reluctant to use a Lamya weapon.

Saoirse nodded at Sorrel. "Would you not like one to replace your old sword?" she asked. "These are so much prettier."

Sorrel shook her head and patted the sword by her side. "Leif handed me this sword and called me a warrior," she said. "It's mine now and I'll take no other."

Saoirse smiled. Then Cloud, who had wandered off on his own, returned and held up a small round shield.

"You must take this, Sorrel," he said, a serious look on his face as he presented it to her. "You were meant to have it."

She studied the shield – it appeared sturdy enough, silver plated with the faint etching of a dragon on it, half-worn with age. She took the shield from her friend and smiled. "Thanks, Cloud. Now, Elani, let's get back to the gorge!"

Sorrel turned to leave, Cloud by her side, but the others seemed reluctant to leave the treasure. "What need do we have of ancient Lamya coins?" she asked. "The Elani haven't used currency in hundreds of years!"

With several disheartened sighs and last wistful looks at the gold coins, the Elani left the chamber and made their way across the cavern back to the tunnel. Sorrel waited and let the others go before her. She stopped as Cloud took hold of her arm. "What's happened back in the gorge?" he asked curiously. "I know you have need of the shield, but I don't know why."

She sighed and looked at the shield. She didn't understand how it would help at all but trusted Cloud completely. She smiled sadly and said, "Come on. I'll tell you on the way back."