A Dreamer's Knight

Chapter 21 - Hello Again!

He stared at her in wordless shock for what felt like minutes. It was clear from the look on Tirinia's face that she was just as surprised as he was.

"Uh, Mikaen?" Jyle said, giving Mikaen a concerned look. "You sure you're up for this?"

It took a considerable amount of effort for Mikaen to wrest his eyes from Tirinia. "Yeah, I'm good. Sorry."

Shaking his head as Mikaen took his seat, Jyle turned his attention back to the Shoran delegates. "So what did you find out?"

The auburn-furred tigreth gave Mikaen an odd look. Jerking a thumb at him, she asked Jyle, "You cool with him hearing this?"

"Of course. Mikaen's an old buddy of mine. He knows how to keep a secret, so feel free to say-"

"Rydiana's sneaking out of the castle to spend some 'quality time' with an alcian." The auburn-furred tigreth stated flatly.

There was a snort of laughter. Mikaen was sure it had come from him until Tirinia quickly put her hand to her mouth, her cheeks slightly red beneath her fur.

"An alcian?" Jyle asked, the look in his eyes more curious than angry.

"Yup. Spotted 'em in the act near the Calline Gorge." She paused a moment, before adding, "Well, not spotted, but heard."

"Definitely." Tirinia added. "Over and over again."

"All night, actually."

"Okay, okay." Jyle said, holding up his hands to stop further details. "I get the picture. I don't suppose you managed to catch his name?"

"Not unless his name is 'Sweetie', 'Honeybuns' or, 'Creator's Grace, yes'."

Mikaen chuckled, drawing curious stares from the rest of the table.

"Something funny I miss?" Jyle asked, raising an eyebrow. He didn't sound offended; if anything, the Cygros seemed genuinely curious.

Shaking his head, Mikaen said, "Stray thought. Sorry, Miss ...?"

"Teria."

"Miss Teria." Mikaen finished.

Teria's eyes narrowed. "Now how in the name of the Creator do you know my name?"

"You just told me." Mikaen said, frowning.

"No, I didn't." Teria jerked a thumb at Jyle. "He never bothered to introduce us."

"I told him on the way here." Jyle said, flashing Mikaen another curious look. "Now quit stalling! Who is my daughter sneaking out to see?"

Teria stared suspiciously at Mikaen for a few more moments before shaking her head and turning back to the Cygros. "Couldn't get a name. Tirinia got a good look at him, though."

"He had white wings."

"Do white wings have some significance?" Mikaen asked curiously, looking at Tirinia. To his surprise, her eyes widened.

Frowning, Teria glared at Jyle and demanded, "Okay, what's the deal here? You went way out of your way to ask us to check up on your precious little snowflake, then ask your friend here to do it too?"

"I did no such thing!" Jyle said indignantly. "Besides, I have it on reliable sources that he spent last night in the Center of Knowledge!"

"Then how'd he know about the wings?"

"Is he right?"

"Well, yeah." Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Jyle. "I'd say they were probably gray, but Tyr's got the eye for detail. She says they were white, then they were white. The good news is that if this is an alcian we're talking about, identifying him shouldn't be hard."