Apparently, that was pretty shocking news. Rillon was utterly dumbstruck. His golden eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
"What? But-"
"Hold it!" Pigeon interrupted. All of us turned to look at him. Seriously, he was being so quiet I'd completely forgotten he was there. "What's going on here?" he asked. He looked on the verge of tears. Wimp. "Why were you trying to kill...him? What is this place?"
"You need not worry about that," Fritos said. Then he turned back to Loshar. "And yes, Du Draumr Kacip did indeed tell the truth. However, it changed the details to its liking."
"Great, whatever, so let's just get to this Ellie place first and then we can talk all we want. 'Kay? Yeah, good, let's go," I said, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Yeah, let's go already," Pigeon agreed. I shot him a glare. Like he even knew what I was talking about.
Loshar was still looking at Fritos in a way that suggested they were mortal enemies, even though they'd never even met before then. "Yes," he said. "We have spent enough time here."
Fritos snorted. "Blah blah blah blah blah."
"Blah blah blah blah blah," Loshar responded.
"Blah blah blah?" asked Fritos.
"Blah," Loshar said.
Fritos nodded, as if this was what he had been expecting. "Blah blah. Blah. Blah blah blah blah." Then he turned and ran.
"Blah!" Rillon called, taking a step forwards.
"So, let's get going," I said cheerfully, turning back to the direction we had been going in before Fritos showed up.
Loshar did the same, his face kept carefully blank, and started walking. "Forget him, Rillon," he said. "The Drottning is waiting, and she has had no tolerance of stragglers ever since the Drottningu was abducted."
Rillon hesitated, then followed Loshar without another word.
"What do we do?" Pigeon asked me anxiously.
"Well, we go with them," I said, rolling my eyes. "What were you going to do?"
"I was thinking-" he started, but then I interrupted him.
"You were thinking? That's an improvement," I said.
Pigeon glared at me, then continued, "Couldn't we just fly away?"
"Do you even know how to fly, genius?" I asked lazily, flaring my wings.
The kid looked a bit uncomfortable.
"No, not really," he muttered.
"Then you know how to fly fictitiously! Wonderful. So, let's follow them, since we really don't have anything else to do and I'm bored."
"Can you fly?" he asked. He sounded a bit triumphant, as if he had scored a point.
"Well, duh, I can fly," I said. Pigeon looked crestfallen that I hadn't said no. I snorted, then sprinted after the elves.
The pig sat on its haunches, looking expectantly up at the shadows.
Next to the pig was Grimrr Halfpaw in his cat form. He was sitting with his tail curled around his paws, also looking at the darkness. But he wasn't looking at it expectantly; he was gazing up with an expression that could best be described as worshiping.
Both of them were on a large flat rock that barely rose an inch above the sandy plains of Vroengard. Twenty feet in front of them was one of the crumbling walls of Doru Araeba. Huddled in the ruins' shadow was a creature that had taken measures to not be seen. In fact, it had made sure to be as cliche as possible, since the only thing that could be seen of it were two seriously huge red eyes. It was miraculous that the thing, whatever it was, was able to stay in the shadows at all, since it was obviously so gigantic.
You have done well, a female voice said at last. It was addressing the pig. Indeed, I shall grant your request.
An ivory claw appeared from behind the fog. A small spark leaped out of the tip and drifted over to the pig, where it landed on its snout.
The pig let out a little yelp of pain and scrabbled on the ground for a moment, twisting and writhing in agony. After a few seconds, its eyes glowed silver and it went back to its previous position, somehow managing to look extremely creepy and menacing. It was larger than before, and its already dark skin had turned midnight black. Then a flurry of dust blew past it and covered it for a moment. When the wind passed, the pig had vanished.
What happened to it, Lady? Grimrr asked, looking up at the figure curled up beneath the ivy-covered wall.
In return for rescuing you, I would make her stronger and grant her the gift of gramarye. I have sent her back to the mainland. She now has no memory of Uru'baen, you, or me, the voice answered. As for you, Grimrr...
Grimrr flinched. The Lady hadn't actually done anything to him, but the way that she trailed off unsettled him.
You have failed me, and now I give you a chance to redeem yourself, she finished.
The werecat let out a sigh of relief. What do you wish for me to do?
Go back to the mainland and take up the position of Werecat King. The Varden will head to Surda soon. Once you have control over your brethren, go to Surda and offer them the assistance of the werecats.
Yes, Lady, Grimrr said. He stood up. But they will no doubt search my mind. How will I guard my memories of you without arousing their suspicion?
At this question, the Lady began laughing, a deep, throaty laugh that sounded like a coughing fit. Ah, but Grimrr, you have no memories of me. You have never seen nor heard of me in your life.
Grimrr understood then, and he asked, Is this really necessary, Lady?
Would I do it if it was not?
No. No, she wouldn't. Grimrr was reassured by that thought.
He suddenly felt an enormous presence in his mind. The werecat instantly tried to fight back, but then realized what he was doing and pulled away reluctantly, letting the Lady do whatever she wanted. She stole every memory he had of her, all except for his most recent order, which was manipulated so the voice that had given it was different.
She wasn't trying to hurt him - in fact, she was doing her best not to - but such a large memory modification was bound to cause a lot of pain. So when she retreated, Grimrr was left sprawled on the ground, shivering despite the heat, his eyes open but unseeing and his fur bristling. A small puff of smoke enveloped him, and when it passed, he, like the pig, was gone.