The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(76)

“Jala said you would drop by,” the woman in blue drawled. She swirled her wine in her glass a moment then took a dainty sip as she waved a long delicate hand toward an empty seat at their table.

“Have you had a chance to meet the Three Sisters Shade?” Nigel asked conversationally as he motioned toward the three women.

“Can’t say that I have,” Shade replied neutrally. It was irritating to know they were seated a few feet from where he had landed and had decided to simply let him wander off before they actually let him know they were there. It was enough of a relief, however, to know he could get information, that he didn’t really want to complain about it.

“We don’t speak true names of course and most simply refer to them as the Three Sisters, but for novelty sake I will introduce them. Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire,” Nigel said with a smirk as he waved to each of the women in turn.

“How fitting,” Shade muttered, his gaze moving from each jewel-toned woman to the next. “I’ve actually heard of the Three Sisters before, though honestly I thought it was only two sisters now. From the stories, I thought one of you died in Avanti.”

“Injured, not killed,” Ruby sniffed indignantly and gave him a withering look.

“I thought you were guarding the border alone and I…” Shade’s voice trailed off as he gazed around the table piled with fine foods and the decanter of wine. “Really didn’t expect all this,” he finished, his eyes moving to the massive pavilion tent that was standing several feet away. If this was Nigel’s idea of roughing it, the dragon truly was city-born. The camp reminded him more of a festival gathering than a scout’s outpost.

“I never travel without the Sisters. Life is so boring without them,” Nigel replied easily, seeming more amused than offended. “I suppose I could, of course, guard the border in scales and sleep on the ground, but why would I want to?”

“Mmm. Because you are a dragon?” Shade suggested with a shrug. Honestly, he didn’t know much about the people of Nerathane, but if he had a natural form as powerful as a dragon he doubted he would ever shift out of it.

“Which essentially means I am too large to enjoy the finer things in life and too frightening to ever have a rational conversation with anyone that doesn’t have scales. I’ll pass.” Nigel waved a hand dismissively and glanced toward the forest. “You are likely more interested in information on the Blights, however. Emerald has one chained behind the tent if you would like to speak with it. I think it’s still alive,” he paused and glanced at the woman in green. “Is it still gagged?” he asked calmly.

“It was keeping me up at night, so yes,” Emerald replied with a shrug.

“Hmm. It might not be alive, then. It should still have food back there, but if it’s still gagged it can’t very well eat,” Nigel mused.

Shade stared at them each in turn as he tried to determine if they were serious or not. From the expressions on their faces it seemed as though they were. “You do realize Jala is trying to make peace with the Blights, right?” he asked cautiously.

“So she says,” Nigel agreed as he poured himself a glass of wine and offered the bottle to Shade.

Shaking his head Shade frowned at them. “Why in the bloody hell would you chain one up and starve it to death if you know she wants to make peace with them, then?” he demanded in the nicest tone he could manage. It was already a nearly impossible mission to make peace and if their so-called protectors were treating them this way there was very little chance Shade would ever gain enough trust to find their leader.

“It attacked me,” Emerald replied, as if that explained everything.

Sapphire giggled and nodded. “The stupid little thing sprang on her with claws and couldn’t seem to understand why its claws broke on her skin. Its expression was simply wonderful, such bewilderment.” She rolled her eyes and smiled widely. “As if such a pathetic little creature could actually wound a dragon with claws alone,” she added much to the amusement of the other two women.

“It is not one of the rational ones, Shade,” Nigel assured him and leaned back in his seat, his glass of wine held loosely in one hand. “It has scars all over it and growled rather than speaking. I’m not entirely sure it is right in the head.”

“Have you met Emily?” Shade asked with a hint of irritation breaking through his voice. “She growls more than speaks too, if you recall,” he added as he rose from his chair and moved toward the area where they said the Blight was chained.

“Emily is different,” Nigel replied easily and rose from his chair as well. “This thing was matted with filth and gibbering.” “Emily would be too if Jala didn’t insist on bath day,” Shade grumbled back.

“If you say so, but I think you will understand once you see it,” Nigel drawled as they rounded the corner of the tent and Shade froze in his tracks.

The Blight was smaller than any other he had seen and its skin was far darker. The creatures typically resembled the Elder Blood in appearance and beauty, but this thing was hideous. Its skull seemed to be misshapen and its body was distorted with limbs that were far too long for its height. Shade watched it for a long moment, his eyes moving across its prone form, counting the endless scars that covered its legs and back.

Its chest still rose and fell, proving it was alive, but from the looks of it, he wondered if he should bother helping it at all. It might be kinder to let it die.