Chapter 4 | Part 4

The map covered Zaelar’s entire desk.

Drusniel pressed down a curling corner. The parchment dragged against his palm. He had seen maps of the surface routes, but never the whole coast; beyond it, warning marks crowded a stretch of sea.

“Wyrmreach,” Zaelar said, tracing the coastline with one long finger. “The land beyond the barrier.”

“I know what Wyrmreach is.” Drusniel kept his distance from the desk. “Every drow child learns the stories. The nightmare sea. The barrier. The realm of dragons. No one who crosses returns.”

“The stories aren’t accounts of what a trained air mage could attempt.”

“Why are you showing me this?”

“I need a courier who has a chance of surviving the crossing. Your affinities give you that chance.”

“You want me to go to Wyrmreach.”

“I want you to consider it. There is something I need delivered.”

“What?”

“An artifact.”

“To whom?”

“Someone who can offer training I cannot.”

Drusniel looked at the map. “I won’t leave my family.”

“Keep them in mind, then, while you hear the offer.”

“Why now?”

“Because Umbra’kor is becoming less stable.” He tapped one finger against the map. “Movement near contested territory. Houses shifting old alliances. Nothing decisive yet.”

Drusniel thought of his father’s tightened patrols. The dead informants. Shyntara watching every door.

“House Vrinn.”

“Perhaps.”

“If they move against my family, being stronger in Wyrmreach does nothing for them here.”

“No. You’d have to decide before they moved, or after. I can’t offer you a way to be in both places.”

Drusniel studied him. “And if I refuse?”

“Then you refuse.”

“I need time,” Drusniel said.

“Take it.” Zaelar left the map open.

Drusniel looked at the warning marks across the sea. “You really think I could survive the crossing?”

“Could.” Zaelar met his gaze. “Air and water give you a chance most drow do not have. If you decide to go, then we discuss how.”

End of Chapter 4.4 —> 4.5: Forbidden Knowledge: The Hesitation