Chapter 9
Everyone who met Sand thought he was haughty. But there was no denying that Gannayev-of-Dreams looked and acted like the most arrogant person Leona's team had ever met. Leona had contacted him right after the planning meeting, and apparently he agreed to come help them rescue Casavir. This was one of many topics no one in the party wanted to talk about, and they had mixed feelings about meeting him, let alone having him join the party. Everyone knew that Leona had taken a new lover while on the other plane, but that it had been short-lived because she was in mourning for Casavir. Safiya, who was with her through it all, was discreet, but bits and pieces of the story emerged. Everyone was wondering if this Gann was the lover, and if so, why in the world he'd agree to come back and help Leona recover his rival.
Blue-skinned from his mother's side, Gann-of-Dreams was delicately handsome, long-haired, and oozed an intimidating power that you couldn't put your finger on. Shamans usually had a discomfiting aura; for Gann, his attitude only upped the ante. He was also a Dreamwalker, which meant he could enter anyone's dreams, anytime. By nature, he made people uncomfortable, as if they suddenly felt made of glass and he could see right through them. People often felt violated around him, simply because he held the power to violate them. There was an awkward silence as he entered with Leona, while the party tried to figure out how best to handle both a person and past they were unsure of. Leona stayed by the door, arms crossed, clearly certain that Gann could handle himself. But Neeshka, as usual, broke the ice.
"Oh. My. God," said Neeshka. "You are a half-fiend."
"And you," said Gann, "while old enough to know better, have learned no manners from your kind Captain."
"I'm sorry," muttered Neeshka, "It's just that I've never met a…well, I mean I was raised by priests and…you're like me. That's all. It's…rare around here."
"As you are the only one in the room with a tail, I see just how rare it is." Gann turned to face the whole room. "Let's get the awkward over with, shall we? Yes, we did. Yes, we were. Obviously, if I am standing here, no, it did not end badly. No, I am not jealous of Casavir. Leona and I have been to Hell – literally – and so our bond is probably beyond any of you. And I have my own reasons for being here, and no, they are none of your business. And no, I haven't visited your dreams. Nor will I, unless any of you happen to be young comely farm girls. Lastly: yes, I can put a whole island to sleep, and make them stay asleep. Relax your shoulders, now, all of you, and show me the maps."
Everyone reluctantly drifted over to the maps, except for Khelgar, who marched right over to Gann, and stuck out his arm in greeting. "Leona here is a friend. You must 'ave kept her safe down there, and that means you're a friend of mine."
Gann smiled but barely moved other than to take the warrior's offered arm. "Surely you are Khelgar," he said. "I heard about what happened at that pub long ago, when you and Leona had barely met. Sounds like while I keep her safe, you tend to put her in danger."
Khelgar smiled back. "Then it looks like we'll balance 'er out, eh?" And then he headed to the table, just past Grizelda, chuckling all the way.