Truths in a Rift (The Traveling Rifts Trilogy: Book Two)

Chapter 3 | Dragons

    "What were you thinking?"

Prince Sajen Kasin turned around to face the Amaldian leader, a man by the name Wodj. He was taller than Sajen, and had much bigger muscles—the only thing the Amaldians seem to care about. Muscles and power.

Wodj snarled. "We were doing as you said, prince. Getting the pixie-"

"The pixie is in my father's empire now, Wodj," Sajen interrupted in the same language. Such an unusual language: all clucks and grunts. Still, growing up as a prince in the Empire of Shadows resulted in Sajen learning many languages, the Amaldian's native tongue being one of them.

"I sent out one of my men to tell you," he continued. "Did you not get the message, or did you decide to ignore it?"

Sajen expected Wodj's eyes to flash with anger, but instead the man looked troubled. He asked, "How long ago did you send out your messenger?"

Sajen narrowed his eyes. "Two nights ago. Traveling all day and night, he should have arrived just last night. Why?"

"Because we never received your message." Wodj sniffed disdainfully. "Prince."

Sajen blinked. He looked out at the shadow creatures and neithers milling about. His second-in-command, Elan, stood a little to the side. He was in earshot of the conversation, but didn't make a move. The trees overhead creaked in a night breeze.

When the rebels had escaped custody two nights ago, King Saj had sent Sajen on their trail almost immediately. The king sent out warriors as far as the Empire could stretch, reaching as many rifts as they could. He trusted that they warned the residents of those rifts about Ravlynn and his group of miscreants. Sajen himself had just come from one of those rifts. After stepping foot out, he ran into an Amaldian bearing the message of their recent attack, and their discovering that Ravlynn no longer possessed Nettle Mossflower.

Idiots, Sajen thought with a roll of his eyes.

"It seems we have a traitor in our midst," he said. He coolly surveyed the people before him.

"Another?" Wodj grunted. He looked ready to manipulate the Earth around him. "I hate traitors. Have you seen your messenger since you sent him?"

"No," Sajen responded.

He didn't say anything else, so Wodj asked, "What do we do now?"

"Keep everything as normal as possible. Whoever this traitor is won't know that we're onto him." The elf discreetly slid his eyes to the manipulator. "I suggest you keep your men in line next time."

"You think one of mine killed your messenger?" Wodj asked, outraged. He made a fist and a rock nearby exploded.

"I sent the messenger personally. I watched him go. The only way in and out of my rift is if a dragon aids you. That is the only explanation."

"Unless you have more rebels in your kingdom than you thought."

"Empire," Sajen corrected icily. He took a deep breath and turned to Wodj. "Return to your castle. I won't risk your incompetence again. Besides, I may have other uses for you in the future."

Wodj growled in his throat. "You would do well to remember our alliance is a partnership. We are not your subjects."

Sajen gave him a small smirk. "Don't test me, Wodj. My father's empire numbers you twenty to one. That's what our alliance is."

As the prince began walking away, he nodded towards Elan, who straightened.

"What about the pixie?" Wodj asked behind him. "What will you do with her?"