Free The Eynan 2: Garileon by L. S. Gibson Page A

surroundings, Remelin pushed open the door of one of the first cottages they came to.
    "Make yourselves as comfortable as you are able," she said, holding the door ajar for them to enter. Though the words were an invitation, the tone of voice said otherwise.
    Ninian followed Jhond inside. There was a large room with a fireplace taking up most of one wall, although there was no welcoming fire lit. Next to the fireplace was a metal frame bolted to the wall, a small cauldron hanging from a large hook at the end of the movable arm. Set at an angle in front of the hearth was an armchair, a little worse for wear, but it looked comfortable.
    Directly opposite the entrance was a back door, beside which was a stone sink. Nearby was a large dresser and, while most of the shelves were empty, the lower one contained a few plates, cups and saucers. To the left, shoved against the wall, was what looked to be a folding table.
    Opposite the fireplace was a small window, the drapes still closed so they didn't allow much light inside. Under the window stood a large wooden chest. There was another door not far from the window. The door stood ajar, and Ninian could see enough to know it was a bedroom.
    Remelin noticed he was looking in that direction and walked over to close the door before crossing back to the center of the room. She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look unconcerned, but Ninian guessed she was uncomfortable with having strangers in her home.
    "You live here alone?" Ninian asked.
    At first, her only response was a raised eyebrow. Then in a repressive voice she said, "It used to be a lot homeier, but I had to sell most of my parents' belongings just to be able to survive."
    Ninian was wondering what to say to put her at ease when Jhond said, "We can do well enough here." He glanced at Ninian and smiled. "If you'd like to do the honors, my friend?"
    Knowing what Jhond meant, Ninian dipped into one of his pockets and drew out his flat stone.
    Jhond smiled at Remelin and said, "Perhaps we should move back a little and give him some room."
    Remelin frowned in confusion, but complied.
    Ninian laid the stone in the palm of his right hand and passed his left hand over it, chanting a spell. The stone began to appear translucent and a puff of smoke rose slowly from it. Remelin craned her neck for a better look and ducked back as the smoke drifted away from Ninian's hand, thickening until it settled on the wooden floor nearby. The cloud thinned, gradually dissipating to leave in its stead a small round table and three chairs. On the table's surface was a small tray containing a large jug and three ornate goblets.
    Ninian glanced at Jhond. "Are you hungry yet or shall we wait until we have talked?"
    "I can wait. Remelin, do you require food now?"
    "I...I'm in need of a seat," she muttered, plopping herself down in one of the chairs.
    Ninian chuckled and took one of the other chairs. "I'm sorry. I'm so used to doing that I forget others might find it odd." After reaching for the jug, he poured out a goblet for Remelin and passed it over to her. She quickly gulped some down and promptly coughed.
    "Lords, I thought it was water." She stared at her goblet and then sipped some more.
    Ninian poured a goblet each for Jhond and himself and took a drink. "Hmm, that's even better than I remember. It's been a while."
    "Oh, that's quite wonderful," Jhond said. "What is it?"
    "Cupria," Remelin answered. "It's a local fermented fruit drink that was one of our most successful exports until about fifteen years ago, when the icy wastes came too close for the fruit trees to thrive." She sighed and turned her attention on Ninian. "That is some stone you have there, Ninian."
    "And as we are now a little more relaxed, perhaps it's time to put our cards on the table," Ninian said.
    "I don't even understand what you're doing here. What possible interest you can have in me?" She frowned, adding, "Assuming it is me. Did you expect to find something else