Waiting for Myra

Saeba Ril waited patiently in the comfortable darkness of the cave—her mind racing over the possibilities. She suspected that the one called Myra Sunveil would come. It would be unlike her to leave her dark curiosity so unsatisfied. Saeba’s spies had been in the glade of the elves for a long time now, and much of what they reported in some way kept turning back to Myra Sunveil and to Morde’sythe. Saeba smiled to herself and began going over the plan mentally. She knew that she must order the questions just so, making allusions at the correct moments, always implying that she knew more than she actually did. She must also reveal certain specific information that she wanted the Darthiir to believe—just enough truth so that the illusion of honesty and fair play would lay like a shroud over Myra’s mind.

A wave of paranoia swept over her as she recalled that Myra was a shadow walker. Her hand went instinctively to her dagger as she looked about the cave. She could already be here. She could be right next to me. Saeba turned quickly, slashing with the dagger in a circle around her, but she encountered nothing save the soft gurgle and plop of the lava pits nearby, and the hiss and plume of the green gas venting through a mineral column.

It was at this moment that Myra entered the cave. Saeba could see her slowly walking the narrow path between the ledge and the cave wall, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. Saeba stepped forward so that she could be seen and introduced herself. To her dismay, Myra did not seem frightened or impressed. She only continued to walk slowly toward her, down the path and out into the openness of the cavern. She stopped a comfortable distance away. Saeba both admired and regretted this bravado in her guest, as fear would have been a greater advantage.

But now the time had come. Yes it was time to plant the seeds of future despair—time to manipulate and weigh the results on the delicate balance, and always with an eye for deceit and deception. Almost unconsciously, Seaba Ril fingered the magical ring on her hand. Yes, she thought, we must remember to give her the ring.