Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,66
sighed and her eyes misted over. “Isn’t he an amazing specimen of feline elegance? Angeliello, the famous elven sculptor, couldn’t have captured Knot’s grace and beauty in marble. I don’t think any artist would be able to do justice to Knot.”
Keelie wrinkled her nose at Risa’s obsession over Knot. “What did you put in that love potion?”
Risa eased back in her chair and arched an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because you need to find an antidote, and you need to find it real fast.”
Risa picked at the dress material on her knee. “There is no antidote. I’ve been searching for one.”
“What? You were going to give Sean a potion without an antidote? That’s cruel and stupid. Not to mention selfish.”
Risa lifted her head, her green eyes bright with tears. She rose and walked over to the fireplace. “I didn’t give it to him, so it all worked out in the end. I’m the one being punished. It is my heart that is breaking. My love for Knot will forever be unrequited and I will have to endure my days upon this earth alone, knowing he is with you.”
Knot sat up, twisted, and began washing his butt. Risa looked over and placed her fist in her mouth to stop her cry.
The doorknob turned. Keelie’s heart raced as Grandmother stepped in. She had bright rosy cheeks and her eyes were glowing a deep green. “Why are the jousters camped at the base of the tree?”
“Sean thought I needed extra protection. There was something following us in the woods earlier tonight.” Keelie spoke impatiently, anxious to find out if Grandmother had noticed anything off about the redwood elves.
“You should not be alone in these woods. We have already seen what great danger there is here.”
Keelie lowered her head and sighed. “I’m never alone in the woods.” She looked toward Knot.
Grandmother shook her head. “I’m glad Sean was with you.”
Keelie was glad of that, too. “You know, we saw Peascod walking with Tavyn.”
“There is no law governing walks in the woods,” Grandmother said. “But that is indeed a curious thing. Peascod is a player, not an elf. What was he doing in the forest?”
Risa wrinkled her nose. “Peascod never changes his costume.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” Keelie parked her hands on her hips. “I’m trying to tell Grandmother something serious and you’re going on about fashion. It’s not like jesters have a lot of choice.”
“I mean, he never changes. Have you smelled him?”
Keelie shuddered, remembering her first job at the Wildewood Faire, when she’d worn a smelly purple dragon suit. Even thinking about it brought the stench back. “I could have gone the rest of my life not knowing that.”
Risa sat up. “Did you hear that? Knot needs me.” She went to the door and looked out. “I’ll be right back.”
Grandmother sighed, but the corners of her lips were raised in a little smile. “Keelie, you’ll soon have some help looking for Viran. Bloodroot has volunteered to help you.”
“Bloodroot the tree? Did they pin your wig on too tight?” Even his name sounded sinister. “I can do it with Knot and Sean.”
“But my dear, Bloodroot knows this forest as you do not.”
Kalix and Sariela glided into the room. Kalix lifted his haughty face. “Your grandmother is right. You need to listen to her.”
Sariela sat down in a chair by Keelie and stared pensively toward the doorway.
Grandmother was oblivious to Keelie’s bemusement. “He seems to have many interests and talents. It’s amazing what the Ancients can do.”
Kalix nodded. “Your grandmother is right. You will benefit from the benevolent wisdom of Bloodroot.”
Benevolent? More like malevolent. Was something wrong with Grandmother? Suddenly she seemed to trust the trees. Something wasn’t right. Keelie needed to talk to Dad.
The room suddenly shook strongly, causing the dishes to rattle in the cupboards. “Earthquake. Minor one,” Keelie said. There wasn’t much point standing in the doorway. They were in a tree, for Pete’s sake.
“I suppose they have more temblors than we do farther north,” Grandmother mused. The doorknob turned and Grandmother smiled as the door opened. “Ah, there you are. We were just talking about you.”
Tavyn stood in the open doorway. Keelie bit her lip. Tavyn came closer and Keelie backed away, staring. His skin had a reddish cast, as if he were sunburned, but too much sun didn’t explain why the whites of his eyes were deep green and there was a loamy scent about him, very much like the redwoods.