Free The Companions of Tartiël by Jeff Wilcox Page B

right.”
    As Kaiyr prepared the midnight meal, Wild and Caineye sat down with Astra. “Did you find what you were looking for, or do what you wanted to do?” the druid asked Astra.
    She shrugged uncomfortably. “Sort of. It’s really complicated, and you don’t really need to know about it.”
    Caineye returned the gesture. “If it’s something we can help with, I know that I, for one, would gladly aid you, since you are a creature of nature.”
    Astra frowned. “So you noticed.”
    The human pointed to himself, smiling wryly. “Druid.”
    “Touché. Well, it’s my own business, and I’ll advise you to keep your nose out of it,” she said without rancor. “The things I do are far too dangerous for you to know about.”
    “She was probably stealing all sorts of fun stuff,” Wild said with a wink at Astra.
    She smirked. “Something like that.”
    The table fell silent, and the three plus wolf were left listening to Kaiyr’s noises in the kitchen. At length, Caineye said, “So, Astra. We are with you in this. What is our next move with you? Where are we going next? Have you found out anything more about Sayel?”
    The nymph frowned. “I don’t really see the need to tell you that.”
    Caineye and Wild traded a meaningful look. The halfling spoke next. “Uh, I really do see a need to know how the hell we’re supposed to help you. Good gods, lady, you won’t even tell us what Sayel did to you.”
    Flames of anger smoldered in Astra’s violet eyes. “Why should I trust you with that kind of information? It’s a private matter!”
    Wild frowned as Kaiyr emerged from the kitchen, bearing a tray with five plates. “Uh, isn’t it obvious? We’re on your side.”
    Astra scowled at him, then turned her mean look on Kaiyr as he gently set a plate of food in front of her. The two of them locked gazes for a moment. “And I should trust you because you said that? You’ll need a better reason than that.”
    Kaiyr knew the question wasn’t really aimed at him, but he fished around for an answer anyway. Finding none, he just shrugged. “I made dinner,” he said simply.
     
    *
     
    The game ground to a halt as all four of us shook with laughter at the sudden, silly statement. It didn’t help that what I’d said was true.
    “‘I made dinner!’” Dingo cackled, ecstatic. “I’m writing that one down as a ‘D&D quote!’ Oh, you’re killing me.”
    “Nice one, Jeff,” Matt said, giving me a thumbs-up. Xavier congratulated me on the game-stopping statement, too, and we finally got back to the game.
     
    *
     
    Astra stared at Kaiyr in shock, as though his robes had just mysteriously disappeared from his body. He returned her stare with a perfect deadpan. Finally, the woman looked at her plate, a nervous giggle escaping her pretty lips. “Well, I guess I can’t argue with that.”
    “Indeed,” Kaiyr said, returning to setting places. The last plate he set before Vinto before taking his seat. “Lady Astra, I want you to understand that you have my most sincere promise of aid and protection, should you desire it. But in order to aid you, I need to know what challenges await us. I will not allow myself to be led as a bull by the nose. If you cannot offer us more information, more power to act, then I am afraid even I must revoke my hand.”
    Caineye nodded. “Master Kaiyr speaks for me, as well, Lady Astra. We need to know what we’re up against.”
    Astra glared at her plate as though it had somehow betrayed her. But her anger deflated, and she blew a sigh. “All right. What do you want to know?”
    Wild spread his hands. “How about we start with who Sayel is and what he did to you?”
    She pursed her lips, ready to start another tirade, but then, clenching her fists, she forced her anger away. “Fine.” She continued to stare at the table as she spoke. “I don’t know who Sayel really is. I’ve never seen him. But my brother, with his dying breath, told me who had killed him. I don’t know