Triss rushed over to the bed, helping Reginald sit up. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

  "Like I got punched by a giant." He replied, resting his back against the pillow. "What happened after?"

  Triss quickly explained the confrontation between Naiela and the giant. "He left after that."

  Reginald nodded, then winced at the motion. He pinched the spot between his eyes, a very human motion for a very unhuman face. He took a deep breath, then slowly put his legs over the side of the bed. He started to stand, but Triss put a hand on his shoulder. "Easy. You need to rest."

  "What he needs to do is answer my questions, actually." Naiela cut in. "Now, mphhsmjmf." Her words were suddenly muffled, and Triss looked to see wide purple bands of energy encircling the wizard's body, binding her arms to her side. One was covering her mouth, and she was nearly matching the band's color as she raged against them.

  "Shhhh." Reginald shushed her as he lowered his wand. "I did warn you." A hateful glare was the only response. “Can you help me to the kitchen? I have some herbal teas there that will help with this headache.” Triss nodded and held the lizard’s arm as he headed unsteadily out the door. A flick of his wand had Naiela floating along angrily behind.

  Triss followed Reginald’s instructions and soon they sat in the kitchen again, with Reginald sipping a dark cup of tea. The complex floral scent filled the room, like a field of wildflowers in a ripe apple orchard. It smelled wonderful, and Triss had tried a sip as she brought it over to Reginald. Now she sat with a sour look on her face, glaring at Reginald as he drank his tea. “You could have warned me, you know.” Triss spat.

  “Most herbal teas require a little bit of sweetener to make them…palatable.” Reginald replied from behind the mug. He was using the mug to hide his grin, Triss was sure. “I think I will need to pack a few sachets of this with me. I always forget how well it works.” He sighed in pain-free satisfaction.

  “Where are we going?” Triss asked.

  “We’re not going anywhere. I’m going to find Percival and make sure he’s ready for…for the person who was here.” He replied.

  “One, you’re not leaving me here. Two, do you actually know who that was?” Triss replied.

  “You’re not coming. And I have a suspicion for who that was.”

  “Who?”

  “I’d rather not say.” His eyes flicked briefly towards Naiela, who was floating a few inches off the ground in the corner. Triss got the hint.

  “How are you going to find him? You said you didn’t know exactly where he was.” Triss asked, changing the topic.

  “I may not know where he is exactly, but I think once I get to the area I can track him down. Even when he’s trying to be subtle, he leaves quite the impression on people.” Reginald said wryly.

  “Ok. When do we leave?” Triss asked.

  “You’re not going.” Reginald said firmly, putting down his mug. “I appreciate that you want to help, but it’s safest for you to stay here.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  “I’ll tie you up in a spell before I leave. Something that will wear off in a few hours.”

  “So I’ll only be a few hours behind you?” Triss said. “Because once that spell wears off, I’ll be following you.”

  In the corner, Naiela began trying to speak against the gag in her mouth. Reginald sighed and waved his wand towards the bound wizard as he addressed Triss. “You are impossible, you know that?”

  “Grounth said I will be an excellent wizard some day because of how stubborn I am.” Triss replied with a smile.

  That is most certainly NOT what I said. I said that stubbornness is an important trait.

  Same difference. Triss shot back.

  “I too will be coming along.” Naiela said, her voice rough and scratchy from the pointless screaming she’d done when the gag was applied. “You cannot stop me either.”

  “I can kill you.” Reginald said flatly.

  “I could kill you too.” Naiela snapped. The anger in her tone must have bothered her throat, because she began to cough. Triss jumped up and poured another mug of Reginald’s tea, carrying it over to the coughing woman.

  “Here. Maybe something hot will help your throat.” Triss said, handing her the steaming mug. Naiela glared at her, then snatched the mug from her hands. A few drops of the hot liquid splashed on Naiela’s hand and she winced in pain, wiping it against her shirt. She sniffed mug once, then took a large sip. A sour look passed across her face, and for a second Triss wondered if the other wizard was going to spit it out. She didn’t, instead squeezing her eyes shut tight and swallowing hard. “That…that’s disgusting. It doesn’t taste anything like it smells.” She whispered. She looked at Triss. “That wasn’t very nice.”

  “I am not nice.” Triss replied.

  “Nicer than me.” Reginald said. “I would kill her and be done with it.” Triss whirled to the lizard, face already red with anger, but he held up his hands to stop her. “Relax. I won’t kill her without good cause. But she’s not coming.” He pointed a clawed finger at Triss. “And neither are you. You need to stay here.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Triss glowered at the draconic for nearly a full minute, arms folded and eyes narrowed. “When are you leaving?”

  “I should be ready to go in an hour or so?” Reginald replied, confusion etched across his face. “Why?”

  Triss turned to Naeila. “How soon can you be ready to go?”

  “Wait a minute, she’s not coming.” Reginald protested.

  “I’m ready to go now. My horse is in a stable in the village with all my gear.” Naiela said. “Why?”

  “Good. I’ll be ready to go in fifteen minutes.” Triss said.

  “I said you’re not coming with me.” Reginald said flatly.

  “I know. I’m not going with you. I’m going with her. If you want to follow us, I can’t stop you.” Triss replied.

  Naiela grinned. “I think that would work well.” She said with a grin.

  “You’re not coming with me!” Reginald snapped.

  “Correct. I’m not going with you. I’m not even going to follow you. But, like I said, you are welcome to follow along behind us.” She turned to Naiela. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.” She turned and strode from the room as Reginald continued to protest.

  She ran down the hallway and up the stairs to her room. Reginald had given her a backpack quite a while ago, and she quickly stuffed clothing into it, not caring if it was folded or not. She changed into a more appropriate outfit for travel - thick pants, a long sleeved shirt and a thin jacket. A quick trip to the bathroom to grab a few essentials and she was out the door, heading back to the kitchen as quickly as she could. Naiela was alone in the room, sipping on the mug of tea. “Where’s Reginald?” She asked the other wizard. “Also, how can you drink that stuff? It’s vile.”

  “Reginald is packing. He left right after you. And it’s not too bad once you get used to it.”

  Triss ran around the kitchen, quickly grabbing some food that would travel well. Some jerky, a loaf of bread, some dried fruits, and of course, the canister of coffee. she stuffed it all into her leather satchel and latched it shut with a pair of leather straps. The backpack bulged like a spoiled can of beans, but it held. She threw it over her shoulder, and the weight nearly took her off her feet. She grabbed her dark robe from beside the fireplace and threw it over her shoulder. “Let’s go. Quickly.”

  The two women made their way through the castle to smaller exit door. she faintly heard her name being called as she unlatched the door, but ignored it and strode outside. The rain was beginning to stop, more a strong mist than actual rain now. The women walked swiftly across the field and into the woods. Triss took a glance back just as they entered the forest, and saw Reginald’s form just leaving the castle door. “Hurry up. We’ve got a couple stops to make before we leave.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do, dark wizard.” Naiela spat.

  Triss stopped and turned to the other wizard. “Listen. Reginald is quite obviously more powerful than you. He’s second order, and he’s been studying magic longer than we’ve been alive. I get you don’t like me because I’m a dark wizard. Fine. But for now, our interests align. Can you put aside your prejudice for a little while and work with me? Because if we don’t work together he’ll probably find a way to send us back. And trust me, he has absolutely no problem killing you. I’ve seen him kill in cold blood before.”

  Naiela glared at Triss for a long moment, one that they couldn’t spare. Finally she spoke. “Fine. I will work with you for now. Don’t tell me what to do though.”

  “Then don’t call me dark wizard. Triss will do.”

  “Fine. Triss.” Triss nodded and turned back to the dark forest. She led them through easily, and they broke into a jog once they’d reached the field beyond. The gates were shut, but not barred, and they made their way into town. Triss stopped and barred the gate behind them. “It’ll slow him down for a minute. Come on, we need to see Jonal first.” Naiela grumbled about taking orders, but followed as Triss led her confidently through the winding streets. They came to Jonal’s shop, and Triss burst through the door, startling the heavy man behind the counter.

  “Triss! I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. Especially after that storm!” Jonal said, recovering from the surprise quickly when he recognized her. “Who’s your friend?”

  “I am-“ Naiela began.

  “No time.” Triss cut her off. “Jonal. I need saddlebags, a horse, supplies, anything you think I’d need for a journey. Percival is in trouble, and we need to leave right now.”

  Jonal’s eyes widened in surprise. “Percival? Trouble? Oh dear. Where’s Reginald?”

  “He’s dealing with some other things, he’ll catch up with us.” Triss lied smoothly. “Time is of the essence though. We need to be on the road now.”

  For an overweight, one legged man, Jonal could move frighteningly fast when he was motivated. He called his youngest daughter, Glorinia, and sent her running to get a horse while he began packing a pair of bags for Triss. He took her bag as well, distributing the food and clothing into the two bags and leaving the most useful things in her backpack. A change of clothes, some dried rations she could eat while riding, and a long sharp dagger. “For cutting meat. Or cutting…other things.” He said.

  By the time the bags were packed, Glorinia had returned. “Master Polt says he has a horse at the stable for her. He’s getting it saddled now.”

  “Good. We have to head there to get her horse anyways.” Triss said.

  “Oh, is hers the black one? I saw it there. It’s such a pretty horse.” Glorinia said.

  “He’s not pretty. He’s magnificent.” Naiela corrected, pride in her tone.

  “He’s a horse.” Triss replied. She gave Jonal and Glorinia each a long hug.

  “Be careful.” Jonal said quietly in her ear as he crushed her in a hug. “You come back safely, you hear?”

  “I will.” Triss promised. Then they headed out the door, walking quickly towards the stables. The rain had let up completely by this point, but the roads were covered with deep puddles that the women had to skirt around. After a few minutes they reached the long wooden stables near the front gate of Thalonia. Master Polt was waiting for them outside.

  “I’ve got a horse all saddle up for you, mistress Triss.” The stable master was a short, thin man with only a few whisps of white hair on his otherwise bald head. He beckoned them inside the dim stables and they followed him in. “Her name is Buttercup, and she’s a well tempered mare. Not the fastest I have, of course. But for a first time rider she will be just perfect. Ah, here she is.” A young stable boy was leading a pale brown horse towards them, a dark leather saddle already in place. He handed the reins to Master Polt, bowed to each him and each of the women in turn. “Get the other one too, please.” He said to the boy. The boy nodded silently and turned back into the stables. Master Polt turned to Naiela. “Are you going with mistress Triss?” He asked.

  “We are travelling together for now.” She replied, a hint of frost in her tone.

  “Then I won’t charge you for the stay. It’s only been a few hours anyways.” He bowed to Naiela.

  A few moments later they were outside and mounted up. Polt gave her a quick rundown on how to control the horse, and it seemed to Triss to be fairly intuitive. “A safe journey, mistress Triss.” Polt said. “I hope you return soon.”

  “Me too.” Triss said with a smile. Then the two set off, trotting their horses out of the stableyard and towards the gate. “That went better than I expected.” Triss said to Naiela. “I thought for sure Reginald would catch up to us.”

  “I think he did.” Naiela replied. She pointed ahead, through the open gates.

  Reginald stood on the road just outside the gate, arms crossed and a angry look on his face.