Jaax hadn’t slept the entire night, for the information Jahrra had shared with him had gnawed at him the way a river carves away stone. He had too much on his mind, what with the news he’d gathered on his trip to Nimbronia and now Shiroxx’s attempt to manipulate Jahrra. How was he going to tell her that they might be required to leave Lidien much sooner than he had ever hoped? If the reports were accurate, and he had little doubt that they were, then the Tyrant’s men were at this very minute leaking into Felldreim’s borders and slowly making their way to Lidien. How they had managed to get past the magic was beyond his knowledge, but if they reached the great city there would be immeasurable catastrophe, he was certain of it.
As daunting as this information might be Jaax had other things to worry about at the present. He glanced out of the window behind his desk, noting that the trees were still a black silhouette against the dark sky. At least two more hours before dawn; two more hours before he had to go talk to Shiroxx and stress that she needed to stay away from Jahrra.
He sighed and rubbed his scaled knuckles against his forehead, the spirit stone in his ring glinting in the pale candlelight. He smiled despite his headache and irritation. He never particularly enjoyed jewelry of any kind but this ring held special meaning coming from Jahrra.
A soft knock on the front door of his estate drew his attention. He paused and listened carefully, thinking he’d imagined it. The sound came again, a little stronger this time. Who would be calling so early in the morning?
Not wanting Neira to be disturbed, Jaax rose and crossed the hallway. He opened the door and blinked in surprise.
“Forgive me, Lord Raejaax,” a familiar golden dragon said, his voice all formality, “but I must speak with you.”
Jaax studied the young Tanaan standing before him, cowering like a wolf that had been put back in his place by the alpha male.
“Of course,” Jaax said carefully. “You are Kehllor, I believe.”
Kehllor nodded and swallowed, lowering his eyes.
“Very well,” Jaax sighed. “My study would probably be the best place, since I have a feeling you wish to discuss something of a delicate matter.”
The golden dragon nodded again, the scar running down one side of his face seeming to pale even further.
Once they were both settled in the dragon’s study, Jaax behind his desk and Kehllor sitting before it, the younger Tanaan blurted out, “I have a confession to make.”
Jaax lifted both eyebrows.
“I know I should have waited until later this morning, but something has been weighing on my mind for several days and I just had to tell you and this way she won’t know I’ve spoken to you.” He heaved a great sigh and released it.
“Shiroxx came to visit me last week, more agitated than usual, saying she had to talk to me and that she couldn’t take it anymore. She was so angry and carrying on about the insolence of the girl,”
He was babbling now and Jaax was sure he had forgotten where he was and to whom he was speaking.
“Stop,” he said, using the authority that came so naturally to him. “Start over. Forget that it is early, for it is clear we have both spent the night worrying about something.”
Kehllor swallowed, closed his eyes, and began in a more normal tone, “Several months ago, Shiroxx asked me to spy on the girl Jahrra for her, and I agreed.”
Jaax tensed, but he kept himself from snapping at the younger dragon. “Continue,” he said shortly.
“I got my first opportunity on Sobledthe Eve when I ran into Jahrra and her friends, but after spending the evening with them I knew I couldn’t go through with Shiroxx’s wishes.”
He looked up at Jaax with morose eyes. “I have been avoiding Jahrra ever since and feeding lies to Shiroxx.”
Jaax took a deep breath and released it. He had planned on giving Shiroxx a warning later that morning. Now his plans would have to be changed to something much more severe.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Kehllor went on when Jaax said nothing. “Jahrra was so kind to me, befriending me like she did; I couldn’t report to Shiroxx what she’d said to me, even if it seemed unimportant. But Shiroxx has me trapped–”
“No,” Jaax cut him off, thinking about what the golden dragon was saying.
Jahrra and Kehllor were friends? When had that happened? Probably when you were off performing your ‘more important’ duties, his inner voice told him.
Jaax shook his head and returned his focus to the current dilemma. “No, you no longer need to feel any obligation to Shiroxx.”
Kehllor blinked in confusion.
Jaax took a breath, quickly going over the thoughts running around in his head. He couldn’t make a decision now but perhaps he could speak with Kehllor again after visiting Shiroxx.
“I’ll handle Shiroxx. As you know, she visited Jahrra last week with the intent on gleaning information from her. I have to speak to her about this, today.”
Kehllor nodded but his jaw was clenched tight.
“Go home, Kehllor. Go home and rest and then meet me back here an hour after noon. You have provided me with important information and I will not forget it.”
“I cannot go home. Shiroxx has been providing me with a small cottage and I don’t wish to go back there anytime soon.”
Jaax noted that his guest’s voice was no longer so compliant but had become tainted with disdain. If he was judging correctly, he would say that Kehllor had felt detached from Shiroxx for quite some time but felt obligated to stay by her side.
Jaax made sure Kehllor looked him in the eye before he said, “Then go for a very long walk or flight. You are always welcome to stay here with us if you feel the need, until this all blows over.”
Kehllor looked genuinely surprised but bowed his head in acknowledgment, his nerves finally seeming to settle.
Jaax sat back and relaxed and Kehllor mimicked him. It was still too early to visit Shiroxx, despite his eagerness to confront her and demand answers, so he turned his attention back to the young Tanaan in front of him. It had taken some deal of courage for Kehllor to come to him and admit his partial involvement in Shiroxx’s devious plans. The female Tanaan had been on Jaax’s watch list for some time now. He knew she could be demanding and pushy at times and he always suspected her of taking things one step too far. Now he had his proof.
“Tell me about yourself Kehllor, for unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to get to know you since you joined the Coalition.”
Kehllor took a breath and repeated the story he had told Jahrra on Sobledthe Eve, about how Shiroxx had found him wandering alone in the desert without a single memory of his life before her discovery of him.
Jaax listened intently, storing away every word. No wonder the young dragon felt so compelled to serve Shiroxx. He owed her much, but no one had the right to take such advantage of others. She would pay, for her treatment of both Jahrra and Kehllor, Jaax would make sure of it.
The sky was finally growing light in the east when Jaax saw Kehllor to the door. Shiroxx would surely still be asleep at this hour but he didn’t care. He had a few choice words he wished to exchange with her, all of which he was certain she wouldn’t like to hear.
He sighed and headed down the drive, intent on making it to the other end of the city. That was one consolation; at least Shiroxx hadn’t managed to acquire one of the empty cottages on the hillside beside his own. If that had been the case, then the conversation he was planning on having would only cause more of a problem. It might do that in the end anyway but this time the dragoness had gone too far; it was time he put her in her place.
For weeks she’d been trying to point out all of what she considered Jahrra’s faults to him and he had ignored her, as usual. But to come to his home while he was away and to entice his ward in such a manner, and to bully Kehllor into spying on her? He shivered in irritation.