Free The Dreamer's Curse (Book 2) by Honor Raconteur Page B

admitted with a blasé shrug. “But
given enough time and experimentation, we’re able to figure out a great deal.
Those charms you’re wearing around your neck are a result of such research.”
    Krause and Decker both touched the two small metal charms
with surprise and looked at them far more carefully than when she’d put them on
the first time.
    She ate peaceably while they mulled over everything she had
said. Eventually, Krause picked up his spoon and started eating as well.
    “After lunch, what do you plan to do?” the ombudsman
inquired.
    “Nothing more I can do at this moment,” she denied,
seriously considering finding something to satisfy her sweet tooth. Apple tarts
sounded good. “Right now, I’m just waiting on Sarsen to arrive.”

Sarsen had more or less stolen her idea of using clouds to
fuel an airborne vehicle to create his own version of transportation. Instead
of designing something he sat on, however, he had made a very long glider that
let him hang underneath the wings. He claimed that because his glider didn’t weigh
as much and had a more streamlined design, it could go faster than either her
skimmer or mini-skimmer. She hadn’t yet had the chance to race him and prove
him wrong.
    His glider didn’t have the same on-the-spot landing ability
as the mini-skimmer, so he came in along the main road, lowering his legs from
the back harness and running along, slowly coming to a stop. With such a showy
entrance, most of the village came running to see who approached, alerting
Sevana as they went.
    She had to push through a crowd of spectators, ruthlessly
using her elbows to move people bodily aside, and even then she had to squeeze
through. With a grunt of effort, she almost exploded out of the crowd and into
open air. By that time, Sarsen had unhooked himself from the glider and taken
off the goggles he wore while flying, letting them hang around his neck. He
waved when he saw her and started jogging forward.
    “Sev!”
    Decker, from behind her, leaned forward slightly and asked
in an undertone, “He’s close enough to you to call you by nickname?”
    “We trained under the same master.”
    “Ahhhh.”
    Sarsen hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen him, back
when Bel and company had finally left. He wore black leathers over his lanky
frame, probably to protect him from the chilly wind, wiry black hair still
cropped razor-short, and dark brown skin looking paler after going through the
winter months indoors. His beard was stubbly and his eyes bloodshot, both signs
that he hadn’t slept well since she’d called him. He slowed to a stop in front
of her, looking her over from head to toe, eyes strangely penetrating. “Tell me
you didn’t try tackling that thing on your own.”
    “Do I look suicidal to you?” she retorted dryly. “I gathered
information and made a rough plan of attack while waiting. Well, that and drank
mulled cider. It’s quite divine here. You must try it.”
    Sarsen let out a breath of relief. “Good. Master beat it
into my head before I left that we are not to try and deal with this
alone. In fact, he said if we could borrow the help of other magicians that
would be wise.”
    “There’s two more in town,” Decker offered.
    “Thank mercy.” Sarsen belatedly held out a hand in greeting.
“Sarsen Vashti, Artifactor.”
    “Decker,” the hunter responded, accepting the offered hand.
“I’m one of the hunters of this village.”
    “He’s also our volun-told guide while we’re here,” Sevana
added, still amused by that turn of events. Turning, she spotted Krause headed
their way at a quick walk, girth shaking under the force of his pace. “And that
is the Ombudsman of Chastain Village, and acting mayor, Krause.”
    Krause practically beamed up at Sarsen as he held out a
hand. “A pleasure, sir. You must be Sevana’s colleague that she was expecting.”
    “Sarsen Vashti, Artifactor,” Sarsen introduced himself again
patiently. “Pleasure is mine,