Jahrra slumped back in relief and Denaeh went on.
“They were deeply saddened by Hroombra’s passing but grateful you and Jaax escaped. I did,” Denaeh sat forward on her rock and took a breath, “I did tell them who you were.”
Jahrra stiffened, whether from Denaeh’s admittance to knowing her true identity or the thought of Gieaun and Scede knowing, she couldn’t tell. She shouldn’t be surprised that the Mystic knew, actually. Denaeh knew everything.
“You’ve known who I was from the beginning, haven’t you?” she asked quietly.
Denaeh nodded and looked off into the trees that climbed the hill on the other side of the creek. “Aye,” she said softly, “I always knew.”
Jahrra nodded and grinned, but with little humor, “It must have been hard to keep that secret from me.”
Denaeh looked back at her then, her eyes taking on that deep golden color they always did when the Mystic was using her gifts.
“Aye,” she repeated in a soft voice, “but you have no idea of what secrets I’ve kept and continue to keep.”
Jahrra stopped smiling and leaned back a little. That was a very ominous thing to say. Before she could think about it any further, however, Denaeh snapped out of her strange mood and continued with her tale.
“Ah, if you had seen Gieaun’s and Scede’s faces when I told them you were human.” The sly grin was back and the two women laughed.
“Once they recovered from their shock, Gieaun was prancing around the Belloughs with glee and Scede merely sat on one of my old stumps, looking as if someone had just punched him in the stomach.”
Jahrra’s throat ached with the thought of her two best friends. She missed them terribly, especially now with Denaeh here to tell her about them. She fought the urge to cry; it wouldn’t help anyone and it would only make her feel worse.
“I assured them that Jaax was taking care of you and stressed the importance of their staying back in Oescienne in case you ever needed their help. They had talked about following after you but I knew you had a reason for leaving without telling them.”
Jahrra nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. She may never see Gieaun and Scede again but at least they would be safe from any harm.
“I started my travels shortly after they left, working my way up the coast until I reached Lidien,” the Mystic began again. “It took me such a long time because following you wasn’t as easy as I had thought. My visions came sparingly and they weren’t as clear as usual, but I knew eventually that Jaax would be bringing you here.”
She waved her arm around casually, indicating the trees and low hills surrounding them.
Jahrra had been listening politely but she lifted her head after this announcement and asked, “Why were you following us?”
Denaeh grinned, her young face looking worn and tired.
“I wish to help you on this mission of yours, in any way I can.”
Jahrra blinked stupidly. “But how? Jaax has forbidden me to make any contact with you.”
Denaeh sighed and stood up, placing her hands at her lower back and stretching. “I know. But I’m a Mystic, I see things that are yet to come, remember? How do you think I found you today?”
Jahrra blinked again. It had been strangely coincidental that she’d stumbled upon Denaeh of all people on this impulsive ride of hers.
“I saw you. Three days ago. I knew you would be riding Phrym down this very road about this time so I arrived very early this morning and started a fire in order to wait. I hadn’t seen those awful vagabonds, however.”
She made a face. Jahrra found it amusing, but didn’t smile.
“They didn’t hurt you, did they?” she asked instead.
The Mystic made an absurd noise and eyed Jahrra disbelievingly. “Oh please, I could have cursed them well and good if you hadn’t come along. It takes a lot more than a couple of filthy thieves and their tricks to do any damage to a Mystic. That mountain mint I was offering was actually fire nettle.”
Denaeh grinned with mischief and Jahrra returned the gesture, resettling herself on her log. “If you are to help us,” she began, “why do you not go to Jaax? We could use your knowledge and foresight in the Coalition. You would be a great asset.”
Jahrra thought about the recent developments once again; about the confrontation with Rohdann and the future problems that would surely arise with him and Shiroxx. It would be very helpful to have Denaeh’s gifts handy if anything were to occur. The Mystic might even be able to let her know if the two rogue Tanaan dragons were plotting anything before they struck.
Denaeh sighed. “I cannot go to Jaax. He has made it clear he wants nothing to do with me.”
Jahrra stood up and crossed her arms, her curiosity about something that bothered her years before finally pushing itself forward. “Why is that Denaeh? Why does Jaax dislike you so?”
The Mystic grimaced again and regained her seat on the chunk of cold granite. She smoothed her worn skirts and held her hands out to the fire. “We have history, he and I.”
That could mean anything, Jahrra thought. “Can you be a little more specific?”
Denaeh slumped her shoulders. “Let’s just say we had a disagreement several years back and he hasn’t quite forgiven me.”
Jahrra raised her eyebrows. Just how long had Denaeh and Jaax known each other? And what kind of disagreement could they have had?
She opened her mouth to query further but Denaeh raised a hand and lowered her eyes. “Let’s just leave it at that. I don’t wish to say any more about the subject.”
Jahrra pursed her lips then took a breath and said, “Well, if it was several years ago surely it’s time he forgave you.”
Denaeh looked up then and grinned, though her eyes held sorrow. “Oh no Jahrra, he has every right not to forgive me for this but I do hope that someday I can prove myself worthy of his good regard once again.”
Now that was too bold of a declaration to leave it just where it was but the note of finality in the Mystic’s voice suggested there was no way Jahrra was going to get anything else out of her, at least not today. All she needed to know was that Jaax would never allow Denaeh into the Coalition and that if she wanted to keep seeing her old friend, she would have to once again meet the Mystic in secret.
“You’ve had some trouble in that group of yours,” Denaeh said, her voice taking on a new, lighter air.
Jahrra heaved a great breath and nodded. “Two Tanaan dragons, Shiroxx and Rohdann. Everything seemed fine up until a week ago when Shiroxx tried to rattle me more than usual. Now she has been expelled from the Coalition and Rohdann is eager to seek redemption on her behalf.”
“Ah yes, I remember your mention of a Shiroxx but I don’t recall a Rohdann.”
Jahrra shrugged and told her what little she knew of the black dragon. “I’m not sure how long he’s been a member of the Coalition and he never liked Jaax, but now I fear he means us ill.”
She reached her hands towards the fire, her skin feeling suddenly chilled.
Denaeh sat back and her face took on a knowing look. “I see,” she said, “Am I to presume Shiroxx didn’t take her dismissal well?”
Jahrra nodded. “Jaax paid her a visit and gave her the news before our meeting last night. I believe Rohdann considered her a close ally of sorts and now he feels alienated.”
Denaeh gazed across the fire at Jahrra. “Jaax dismissed her without the consultation of the Coalition? That was a rather risky move. She must have done something serious.”
Jahrra winced. She was still uncomfortable with the fact that she was the reason for all this commotion.