Iron-Forge Crossroads by Gwydion Royce

Author:Gwydion Royce [Gwydion Royce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oracle of Lost Paths Books
Published: 2024-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

The only course of action I could possibly take at this point was to fess up to Derfael about my massive blunder. The next morning, I shouldered Wolfe’s door open with a foreboding groan. He might actually take me off this mission now. I wasn’t even sure I knew what I was doing anymore.

“Derfael!” I called, Jake hot on my heels as I moved through the shop. He was sniffing everything within reach, and I kept an eye on him to make sure he didn’t eat anything he shouldn’t.

Try explaining to a vet that the egg-shaped rock in your dog’s stomach was indeed moving on its own and the basilisk that lived in it was about to hatch. Not only would they have to remove it immediately, but they’d also need to clear the area for the exterminators to come through.

“Derfael?” I asked, pulling the curtain to the back room aside. The front door was unlocked, he had to be here somewhere.

“He’s not here,” said a quiet voice behind me. I pulled a knife and whirled around, grabbing the speaker and holding the knife to his throat. Jake was still sniffing around and showing no sign of concern for this stranger.

“Who are you?” I questioned.

“Easy,” he said, putting his hands out. “I work here.”

“Bullshit,” I hissed, pressing the blade against his neck.

“Name’s Tristan. I’m Derfael’s apprentice.” He laughed nervously. “Nice to meet you.”

I eyed him suspiciously but lowered the knife. “Where is he?” I asked, not quite ready to believe him. Since when did Derfael take on apprentices?

I didn’t count; Aunt Theresa didn’t really give him a choice.

“He stepped out for a minute. He’s meeting a supplier that’s supposed to have gotten some dragon’s blood, the good stuff. One hundred percent genuine.” The “apprentice” smirked. “Derfael didn’t want to meet him here just in case the guy brought the actual dragon with him.”

“Sounds like something he would do.” I sheathed my knife.

Jake’s nose finally led him to the stranger’s feet. He looked up curiously to see who the feet were attached to but still didn’t react like I would’ve expected him to. He sat and stared up at the apprentice, tail silently dusting the floor with happy contentment. The apprentice reached down and scratched Jake’s chest.

“Cute dog. What’s his name?”

I was still staring in flabbergasted silence while Jake reveled in the attention, a huge smile on his face. The man looked at me.

“W-What?” I asked.

A smile spread across the apprentice’s face, a genuine smile that lit up his eyes. They were a shade of gold that was unusual, and I got caught up in their glint. He wasn’t human, that was obvious, but I couldn’t figure out what he was. “What’s his name?”

It took a minute to process the words and I blinked out of my trance. “Oh. Jake.”

“Bernese mountain dog?”

I nodded. “A little over a year old, now.” I couldn’t help myself, I had to ask. “What are you?”

The apprentice laughed, but it wasn’t cold or derisive. It was so out of place to hear real laughter not tainted with hidden meaning or threat.

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