22. Attack of the Mole Trolls

We've been serenaded by the monster's chirps and whistles as we've hiked through the glowing wood. They follow, too scared to attack.

The end of the bluewood is in sight, the cavern wall rising in front of us, and I'm just optimistic enough to believe we might get out of here without another confrontation with the mole trolls.

But apparently, that optimism turns out to be stupidity because we're only two hundred feet from the red door when I feel the creatures' emotions shift around me. Several monsters have been getting steadily closer while the others have kept their distance.

"We're surrounded," I warn my companions, gripping my sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. I'm not comfortable enough with the new weapons to rely on them solely, but Tiago's certainly had an effect on the monsters when we entered the bluewood. "There are four or five of them, and more watching. If we don't take them out quickly, we'll have a real fight on our hands."

Felicity's anxiety spikes. Dax is more than eager. Both Davyn and Tiago are nervous but resigned. Patches is prepared, calm. He's the one I focus on, drawing his emotions around me and using them like a shield.

We surround Felicity.

"Why don't you give us some extra light to see by?" I ask Tiago. "They know where we are anyway. It won't make any difference now."

He sends up several orbs of strong magelight. They're startlingly bright after walking in the dim light for so long. But while we can bear them, the nearby mole trolls hiss, in pain.

"Watch out!" Patches yells, ducking to the side just in time to avoid a spear that flies through the forest.

Tiago sends a firebolt toward its caster, the flames splitting into an arc of burning orbs that fly through the trees. I feel the creature's pain at the same time we hear the screech.

"Hit one," Tiago says.

"That's a fancy trick," I answer.

"I have rotten aim," the mage laughs. "It helps."

There's no more time for chatting because the rest of the group charges. Dax leaps forward, twin blades flying, killing one of the monsters before it even has a chance to reach us. Patches handily deals with a second. I shoot the third, startling the fourth. Davyn takes it out before it can flee.

It's over in a matter of minutes.

Tiago smirks as he surveys the group. "Fine show there, men."

I feel Davyn's wisp of guilt, and I turn to him. He studies the dead monster near his feet.

"You had to," I remind him.

"He was running away."

"The rest are waiting in the wings, waiting for us to show signs of weakness."

And it's true. I feel the creatures pulling back, once again wary.

"I know." He sighs. "Let's get out of here."

We emergefrom the cavern a few hours before dusk, our rescue a success. Nothing attacked us after we entered the mines, and Tiago worked the lift again without too much difficulty. We still have time to get back to the dock before dark.

I cough a little as we emerge, my throat dry. The others turn my way, giving me sharp looks.

"I'm fine," I insist, laughing a little. "I swear, I don't have the plague."

Despite my assurance, unease floats around my companions.

With a frown, Felicity presses the back of her hand to my forehead. "You don't feel feverish. If you were sick, you'd be running a fever, wouldn't you?"

"Wilder and Gregory both looked sick," Patches says as he studies me. "You look fine."

I extend my hands to the others as if to say, "See?"

"Do you think Lord D'vain's ship's mage was able to find a cure?"

"What does a ship mage know about a cave disease?" I say. "My hopes are on Soleil."

"She's not an alchemist," Dax says. "Is she?"

"Her father is," Davyn answers before I get the chance. "He's a master at the Mages' Guild College of Eromoore. She helped him when she was young."

"Well, I hope someone can do something," Patches says. "Let's keep moving."

I exhale with relief when I see the dinghy waiting for us by the dock. Jorgin stands up and waves when he spots us at the top of the beach.

"Soleil said we were to wait for you," Brantley says when we reach them. Grinning, he adds, "She said unless something ate us, we had better be here when you returned."

"We appreciate it," I tell them as we find our places. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I have no desire to spend another night on the island."

"How are you going to avoid it?" Felicity asks. "We haven't found the treasure yet."

"No…but I know where it is."

Davyn turns to me sharply. "You found the treasure?"

"I think so, if my hunch is correct." I let them sit in anticipation for a few seconds, enjoying it more than I should. "The dragons have it."

"How would you come to that conclusion?" Davyn demands. "Did they tell you?"

"No, but they keep dropping Tilloran tolbits." I produce the coin I found after the rescue. "Somehow, they found it, and they pilfered it."

"As dragons do," my brother says slowly, nodding as he decides I might not be insane.

"But how did they get it?" Tiago asks, taking the gold coin from me. "Wasn't it hidden somewhere in the cavern?"

"I don't know. We'll have to ask them when we pay them a visit. I told them we'd check on them anyway."

"Let's hope you're right. If I never see that wretched cave again, it will be too soon," Patches says. "Let's get to the ship."

The boys row us back, and the Serpent comes into view just as the sun disappears beyond the horizon.

Hudson announces our arrival. Soon, the dinghy is hoisted up to the main deck.

"Welcome back," our first mate says when we're safe on the ship. "Glad to see you, captain."

"You as well." Davyn looks around. "How are things here?"

As Davyn listens to Hudson's report, I excuse myself, going down to Soleil's chambers. The door is open.

She, Jack, and Shawn stare into a tin cup on the table. Flink lies at her feet, asleep. The trio looks terribly solemn.

I don't think they hear me approach because they jump when I rap on the doorframe. Soleil's eyes fly to mine, relief etched on her face. She rushes across the cabin, launching herself into my arms. Flink joins her, nearly knocking me over.

"Yes, Davyn is here, too," I answer the dragon, scrubbing my hand over his back, scratching between his wings like he likes. "Go find him."

Grunting with glee, Flink disappears into the hall, his talons scraping against the wooden treads as he climbs the stairs.

Smiling, I hold Soleil tightly. "A man could get used to this sort of welcome."

She pulls back, placing her hands on my cheeks and turning my head from one side to the other as if to inspect me. "You're all right? How did it go? Did you find Davyn and Felicity? What about the mole trolls?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It went well. We found Davyn and Felicity holed up in the cave. And we did run into a few mole trolls, but I valiantly fought them off."

Amused, she smirks. "Singlehandedly?"

"Naturally."

Laughing at the blatant lie, she moves her hand to my forehead. "You still don't appear to have a fever."

I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. "That's because I'm not sick."

The scholars edge toward the door, reminding me they're still here. "Glad you're back," Jack says to me. He then looks at Soleil. "We'll be up top if you need anything."

"Thank you for your assistance."

As soon as they go, I look back at her. "Did you make the concoction?"

"A version of it." Worry dances around her. "I had to make a few substitutions. I stole your coral."

My eyebrows fly up, just now remembering it in my pack. "And here I thought Felicity was the thief."

"I needed a warming ingredient," she explains. "I only used a small piece of it."

"What's mine is yours. Take what you need, whenever you need it." I stroke her hair. "Was the concoction a success?"

She glances at the cup on the table. "I'm waiting for it to turn gold. It's still red. It's going to take a few hours."

"What happens if it stays red?"

"It didn't work."

"Then let's hope it turns gold."

She pulls away from me and peers into the cup.

"Will it turn faster if you scowl at it?" I tease.

Smirking a little, she says, "Maybe."

"I can think of a more pleasant way to pass the time." I close the door, giving us privacy, and meet her eyes as I flip the lock.