“Not to worry, Bastaeno.” Raelene skewered Bardamen with her glare. “Bardamen hasn’t claimed the title yet. He has a few more moons before his father steps down from the chief position.”
Bardamen’s cheeks flamed, and he displayed a rare moment of speechlessness.
Meravelle edged her way back toward the table, but her grandfather stopped her. “Mera, Raelene wishes to know about the man who came to the Craedenza to study soulmates. You helped him when I was ill, remember? Perhaps a moon ago or a bit longer?”
“He was Water Clan. Gifted in wisdom, but not language.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Language is a rather rare gift, in all actuality.”
“Do you remember what he discovered while he was here?” Raelene asked. “I have reason to believe Vindrake sent him to acquire knowledge for ill purpose. Vindrake has learned of our soulmate couple, Alora and Kaevin, and has already attempted to kill them.” Raelene held her breath, waiting for the answer.
Mera shuddered as she sank into her chair at the table. “Such a travesty to use knowledge for vile purposes. I don’t believe the Water Clansman discovered anything to aid in such a cause. We did, however, learn that soulmates cannot take their own lives, thus killing their mates.”
“A shame, truly,” Bardamen muttered, his dark brows furrowed over his eyes.
“Why would that be a shame?” Mera sat back and crossed her arms, her grey eyes flashing as she acknowledged Bardamen for the first time.
“I imagine there could come a time when a man might feel killing his spouse or himself was the best option to escape from his spouse’s presence.”
Raelene gasped, slapping her hand over her mouth.
“I would never consent to marry a man who would push me to such a desperate action,” said Mera.
“But perhaps your spouse might feel so compelled,” Bardamen suggested. “Perhaps he might grow tired of a woman who cannot tear her attention from her work long enough to complete a conversation.”
“Perhaps she felt the conversation was complete already. While you obviously had plenty of free time on your hands, I had work to do. When I finished drinking my mug of tea, I assumed we were done.” Mera rose from her seat, stomping toward Bardamen as she wagged her finger. “Is my conversation too dull for you? Because I have no gift in wisdom, do you believe I cannot carry on an interesting dialog?”
“Precisely.” Bardamen stood his ground, unflinching. “Now if you’ll excuse me…”
“You believe wisdom is a superior gift to shaman? Truly?”
“Your words, not mine. But they are the wisest I’ve heard from your lips.”
Raelene stifled a laugh. “I must assume the two of you have met on a previous occasion.”
“Yes, but I’m afraid the incident had slipped my mind,” said Mera. “The conversation was so insipid I’d forgotten it had even occurred.”
“Forgive me. I purposefully kept my dialogue on a childish level because your diminutive stature led me to believe you had but ten or twelve years.”
“When I had but ten years, I utilized words in conversation that you would find incomprehensible even now.”
“There’s no need for shame simply because you once had a speech impediment.”
Mera jabbed her finger to emphasize each word while her face turned red as a glowing ember. “That wasn’t my intent when I said my words were incomprehensible. I had no speech impertinent… impenitent… Argh!! Impediment… I had no impediment!”
Bardamen threw his head back, laughing. “Ha! You are disconcerted… shall I tell you the definition? I believe I’ve notched one victory in our little contest, though you have the superior gift of wisdom.”
To Raelene’s amazement, a lopsided smile slid onto Mera’s face. “Very well, I’ll concede one victory. But next time, I won’t limit myself to such simple verbiage.”
*****
The impressive broiling tower spewed again, drawing Kaevin’s attention from Arista’s antics. She found it hilarious to lie inside the portal, extending various body parts, which then appeared to float in the air above the ground a short distance away from the steaming pool of water, edged in a rainbow of colors.
“Kaevin,” Jireo pulled him aside, speaking in urgent tones. “I cannot allow you to go.”
“I must go; you know that. The council decided; I’m only following orders.”
“No, you don’t understand. I can’t let you go without me. It’s the defender bond; I’m certain of it. I must go, or you must not.”
“But you’re the only one who can communicate with Laegenshire once Alora enters the portal. You must remain behind.”