Riding a bike up the winding mountain road felt great. Not as good as flying—few things could really compare—but still, it was fun. Sora was a good driver, too. Ravi had a smile on his face all the way up until they saw the castle gates. And he abruptly realized he’d forgotten to buy the milk.
Well, crap.
But he’d brought back a mage! That had to trump milk, right?
Right.
Ravi was sticking with that story, too.
Sora had to slow as they got closer, as the gates were closed and there was something of a crowd in front of the side door. Not reporters this time. They had been cordoned off to the other side of the road to allow the gates to safely open and close. The line of people were hoping to be to found as mages. A few of them really were mages (Ravi could smell the magic) but others, clearly not. However, each had to be interviewed and tested because they could possibly be good connections to other mages. If someone really was from a mage family, then odds were relatives could be a mage.
North and Gunter were out front, handling the crowd and taking down info. Gunter ushered anyone who smelled of mage inside, where Warin and Lisette took over for further testing, but poor North was getting the brunt of those who weren’t happy to be told they weren’t mages. Someone might need to send in backup.
Ravi waved to a guard to open the gate, which opened just enough for Sora to drive through and closed again immediately afterward. Sora didn’t go far inside before stopping, shutting the engine back off. “Where do I park?”
“Leave it here for now, I can put it into one of the garages in a bit. I want to introduce you.” Ravi hopped off, looking around for Lisette. Ah, there she was. “Lisette, glorious queen of magic and all that sparkles!”
In a graceful movement, she turned from speaking with a newbie mage. With her hair done in that soft up-do, the black dress she had on flattering her figure, she had the poise of an actress stepping onto the red carpet. Then she spotted him not far away, and her eyes obviously rolled off into the sunset. She said something to the mage and Gunter before coming his direction with a quick, decisive stride.
“What have you done now?” Lisette responded in exasperation. She eyed Sora with interest as she moved.
“I didn’t buy the milk, and I may have abandoned my car in Sonthofen,” Ravi admitted cheerfully. Then, like a stage magician, he indicated the taller Sora—who rather unfairly not only looked like a model but had a model’s height—standing next to him. “But I brought back a mage!”
“I really don’t know why anyone bothers to send you to the grocery store. You never bring back the right things.” Even as she teased him, her eyes took in Sora with keen interest.
“No, but I always bring back awesome things. I prefer awesome over right. This is Sora Vo. Sora, Lisette Burkhard, head mage of the clan.”
Sora offered a hand and a bone-melting smile. “A great pleasure.”
Lisette took it, smiling widely in return. “My sentiment exactly. A Vo! How exciting, we haven’t seen anyone from your line in many, many years. Have you come to meet us, Mage Vo?”
“I have. I saw your king’s interview, and it piqued my interest. I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all, we’re very glad to see you. I have many questions for you, and I’m sure Alric will feel the same when he knows you’re here. Can you stay with us for a while?”
Sora’s head jerked back to the nth degree. “I do have a hotel room in town. I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense, going back and forth will invite trouble. Or at least, reporters. We have many rooms available here in the castle. Save yourself the headache and hotel fees.”
Sora glanced at Ravi as if not sure how to take this friendly gesture.
Ravi encouraged it with a nod. Truly, it made more sense for Sora to stay here with them.
“Oh. Well, thank you. I’ll move my bags over later today.”
Lisette directed Ravi. “Show him to one of the rooms and introduce him to people. I’ll catch up in an hour or two. I have others to settle in as well before I can sit down with him. Mage Vo, I’d love to meet up after dinner and speak with you properly, we’re just a bit hectic out here at the moment.”
“I truly understand. I’m not in a rush, take your time.”
“Thank you.” Lisette gave one last smile before hurrying back to where Gunter was sending another new potential mage in her direction.
Ravi took Sora’s arm in a friendly way, drawing him further into the castle. “Come into my lair, my pretty.”
Sora snorted. “I’m not the unwary fly, but I do feel a little like one. I didn’t expect this enthusiastic a response when I decided to come here. Who all are you going to introduce me to?”
“Well, for starters, how about the whole castle?”
Sora followed Ravi through the castle, taking it in with keen interest. It was so different to actually be in a dragon clan’s castle. The history he’d learned growing up said that the dragons preferred fortified positions on top of mountains—that was apparently instinct on their part—but he’d never been inside a castle before. It was very grand, the woodwork on the staircases alone breathtaking. It made his inner geek very happy to walk the hallways.
But he had no time to really stop and admire things. When Ravi was your tour guide, you apparently met everyone. He didn’t fail to stop a single person.
“Carla!” Ravi hailed.
Case in point. Sora paused, regarding the slim blonde with the bobbed hair, her arms full of a box that clinked with delicate glass chimes as she moved. Mage, that was obvious at a glance. In the thirty minutes they’d been touring, she was the first mage he’d seen, aside from those in the courtyard. Which…Ravi had told him that only six mages had survived in their clan, but he’d also mentioned others joining. Surely they had more? Sora expected to see more mages. He’d predominantly met dragons up to this point.
“Carla, this is Sora, a visiting mage.”
Carla put the box down on a nearby step to free her hands, offering him a handshake. Her eyes took him in with delight and curiosity. “Sora, so nice to meet you.”
“And you.” He was pleasantly surprised by the strength and confidence in the handshake. Limp-fish handshakes bothered him.
“You’re visiting?” Carla asked, curiosity rising. “From where, may I ask?”
“India. I saw the interview with your king and consort on TV.”
“Ahhh. We’ve had many people saying the same thing. Really, that interview has become something of a godsend.” Carla rolled her eyes toward Ravi meaningfully. “Even if the reason for it wasn’t planned.”
Ravi’s smile was bright enough to be a deflective shield. “Now, now, all’s well that ends well. That’s how the saying goes, right?”
“You are such a troll.” Shaking her head, Carla dismissed him. “Sora, I’d love to sit and chat with you, swap stories and magic. We haven’t had a good magic chat with another mage in ages. Make sure that Ravi shows you where the dining hall is; that’s where we all congregate to eat our meals. And if you see me there, come and join me.”
Sora was surprised at this friendly gesture. She wasn’t the first to make such an overture, but still, it surprised him. Was every person in this clan so nice? And still, she didn’t ask more than where he’d come from. Not one person demanded answers of him. It was very different from what Sora had expected. In their shoes, he’d certainly be asking more questions.