“What have you lied about, Gerith?” Seren asked.
The halfling grinned. “If you can’t figure it out, you’ll get no clues from me.”
“I cannot believe your people would embrace such dishonesty,” Eraina said.
“The halflings say the truth is like a bathtub,” Gerith said, taking no offense. “Dipping in can be quite refreshing at the right time and place, but it’s too much trouble to carry along everywhere.”
Omax laughed, but Eraina clearly did not find the analogy humorous. She sighed at the halfling and snatched her spear from the ground. “I for one don’t appreciate being lied to,” she said. “If he’ll lie to us about Overwood, how do we know he hasn’t lied to us about Marth as well? This could be a trap.”
“I know the Ghost Talons,” Gerith said. “As long as Dalan’s money is good, we can trust them. And House Cannith letters of credit are very, very good.”
“And what if Marth has made them a better offer?” Eraina asked.
Gerith frowned. “We don’t really have a choice, Eraina. This was the only settlement I could find that had the resources to help us and was anywhere close by. If we turn to anyone else for help, we may as well just keep walking because Karia Naille will never fly again.”
“If you fear treachery, Eraina,” Omax said, “then all that remains is to be vigilant.”
The paladin said nothing.
CHAPTER 19
This is foolish, Dalan,” Eraina snapped. “No good will come of this.”
“A foreboding prediction,” Dalan said. He pushed aside the tent flap and peered outside, probably more out of habit than any real suspicion. Dalan had requested a private tent while he discussed the chieftain’s proposition, though he had spent much of his time arguing with Eraina. “If you disapprove so strongly of the course I have chosen, perhaps you might beseech your goddess to provide a reasonable alternative?”
The paladin regarded Dalan coldly. “You know that the Host does not interfere in such a manner,” she said. “I do not see why we have agreed to aid a man who cannot even be truthful with us.”
Seren almost laughed at that. Was there anyone in the crew other than Eraina who was truthful?
“We have agreed to aid him because we are surrounded by his warriors,” Dalan said. “I have little doubt that whatever Rossa’s interest in Kiris really is, it has nothing to do with a ring. I do not intend to expose her to him while she is still valuable to us-but Rossa need not know that.”
Eraina folded her arms across her chest, body tense as she glared at Dalan.
“I see such a statement does not lessen your disapproval, Marshal,” he said.
“If you do not intend to honor the agreement you made with Rossa, you should not have made it,” Eraina said.
“First you warn me not to trust Rossa because he is a liar, and now you are upset to hear my agreement with him is insincere?” Dalan asked with a smug grin. “Mourn not a ruin built on sand, or so it is said, paladin. Worry not for your honor, d’Deneith, you have made no promises.”
“But if I know Rossa cannot trust you,” she said, “why should I?”
“Because of your irritating talent for detecting falsehood,” Dalan said. “Have I lied to you yet?”
“Not that I can see, but my senses are not absolute.”
“Excellent. Then let us cease this bickering and decide how we shall find Kiris Overwood.”
“What exactly should we be looking for, Dalan?” Seren asked.
“Overwood herself will suffice,” Dalan said. “Tristam will need her spells to break my uncle’s ciphers. A pity he is also required to repair the airship. His insight would be useful.”
“So we intend to take Kiris with us?” Seren asked. “What if Rossa’s men guarding our ship see her?”
“A road to cross when we find her,” Dalan said.
“Then what if she does not wish to come with us?” Eraina asked.
“She will come,” Dalan said. He took an envelope from his coat and offered it to Seren. It was sealed with blue wax featuring the House Cannith crest. “If all else fails, give her this. Try to reason with her at first, if possible. I would prefer not to fulfill the promises contained therein.”
“What if Kiris is not alive?” Omax asked. “If the Boneyard is as dangerous as we have heard, and she has not emerged in weeks, she may be dead.”
“Overwood was my uncle’s most trusted confidant,” Dalan said. “I do not doubt she is resourceful enough to survive in such a place. It would be a simple matter for her to use magic to sustain herself, and I do not doubt she could find a way to protect herself from whatever horrors dwell there.”
“Horrors,” Gerith said. The halfling laughed bitterly. “What about them? You haven’t even talked about the biggest problem, Dalan. Surviving the Boneyard.”
Dalan looked keenly at the halfling. “You have known we were bound for the Boneyard since we left Black Pit.”
“No,” Gerith said. “I knew that we were going near the Boneyard. I didn’t expect that Kiris would be stupid enough to actually live there, or that we’d be stupid enough to follow her into the damned place.” From the way Gerith spoke the word, “damned” was deliberately chosen.
“Then enlighten us before we continue,” Dalan said. “What, precisely, is the nature of the Boneyard and its curse?”
“It’s a graveyard,” Gerith answered. “It’s filled with the bones of dragons as old as the continent itself. Nobody has ever seen a live dragon there. Nobody knows how the bones got there. It’s off limits for all halflings. Even the city halflings who ignore the old ways don’t take the curse lightly.”
“And what is the curse, specifically?” Dalan asked.
“Any halfling who enters will die far from home and be unmourned by his tribe,” Gerith said.
“Then nothing prevents you from guiding Seren, Eraina, and Omax there, so long as you remain outside,” Dalan said. “After all, they aren’t halflings.”
Gerith laughed nervously. “You don’t understand, Dalan. The curse is there to protect us, to stave off curiosity. With or without the curse, the Boneyard is evil. There are dead things there, things better left undisturbed. That place is dangerous.”
“We are already in a great deal of danger, Gerith,” Dalan said. “Or do you not recall our rough landing? Now will you lead us to the Boneyard, or must I rely upon one of Rossa’s guides?”
Gerith looked at Omax and Eraina before casting a long, troubled look at Seren. She offered him as encouraging a smile as she could muster.
“I’ll help,” he said. “But I don’t like it.”
“And I regret forcing you into such a decision,” Dalan said, “but we all must make sacrifices.”
“Sacrifice, d’Cannith?” Eraina laughed. “I notice you did not list yourself as one of those entering the Boneyard. What sacrifice do you intend to make, remaining here?”
Dalan met the paladin’s mocking gaze levelly. “Do not mistake pragmatism for cowardice, Marshal,” he said. “I know my limitations. I do not excel in physical arenas. I would only be a burden in a place like the Boneyard. Here, at least, I can keep a watchful eye on Rossa. I assumed that all those more capable than myself would be willing to participate, but if that assumption was incorrect, please speak up. Do any of you wish to remain here?”
“No,” Eraina said.
Omax did not reply. Strangely enough, he looked at Seren.
“Can’t turn back once you start,” Seren said.
At that, Omax silently nodded his approval.
They set out almost immediately afterward, making their way across the Talenta Plains on foot. Rossa claimed his tribe had no suitable steeds to offer humans, though Seren suspected that he did not wish to send his own animals into the accursed Boneyard. She didn’t mind walking. After spending so many days cooped inside the cramped airship, a chance to stretch her legs was welcome. The plains were broad and flat, so they made good time.