be Ephitel? But of course it was. That arrogant bravado. That sneering swagger. It was the hallmark of the whole Vestossi clan, and they’d been Ephitel’s anointed throughout Ithale for years.
How many years? The druid’s question struck Corin again. How many thousands? What was this place? When was this place?
Corin caught Jeff’s sleeve. “Who are you, druid?”
“I think that hardly matters,” Jeff said. “The real question is who are you?”
Corin pointed toward the door. “That was really Ephitel? The Ephitel? I’d heard stories he once served Oberon, but…”
Jeff frowned. “What do you mean, once?”
The money changer stomped her foot. “Don’t you say another word! Jeff, we are so far outside the strictures—”
Perhaps the druids’ magic could send him home. Or perhaps Oberon’s. Strange as these creatures were, Corin needed their aid. He raised his voice before the money changer could stop him. “Ephitel is chief among the gods. Where I come from. He’s a scurvy dog, but he runs things.”
The money changer rolled her eyes and collapsed into a wide armchair. “See? That’s the kind of thing we should not have heard.”
Jeff rounded on her. “Are you mad? Do you have any idea what this could mean?” Back to Corin. “How can Ephitel be chief? What about Oberon?”
Corin’s mouth fell open. He’d heard more than a touch of affection every time they’d mentioned Oberon. After a moment Corin snapped his mouth shut. They didn’t know. After a moment more, he looked away. “Oberon’s…gone. Forgotten. Just a legend.”
Jeff turned to the money changer. “Emily—”
“Aemilia!” she snapped. “My name here is Aemilia.”
“This is not the time for that. Do you understand what he’s saying?”
“No!” She threw herself to her feet to confront the leech. “I don’t understand a word of it, and neither do you. You’re pretending. You’re guessing. And you’re about to do something rash based on no understanding of the strange magic in this place. That’s why we have the strictures.”
“Em—”
“No. No. No. We are not supposed to talk of these things at all.”
Jeff rolled his eyes. “Only in front of the sons and daughters.”
“Well, what is he?” she asked, stabbing a finger at Corin.
“I don’t know what he is! This is unprecedented.”
“And why don’t you take that as a warning?”
Before they could argue more—before Aemilia could chase Jeff away—Corin chimed in. “I’m a Godlander. That is all. Born and raised in Aepoli. I’m nothing strange.”
Both the druids stared at him for a moment. Aemilia threw her hands up in disgust.
Jeff smiled. “There is no such place. What is a Godlander?”
Aemilia hissed at him. “You need to shut up. Now.”
Corin tried his best smile on her. “Are you so determined to keep me here on your couch?”
She blushed. “I never suggested—”
“And I would never impose on your hospitality,” Corin said, climbing awkwardly to his feet. Aemilia was no use to him, but Jeff seemed more than ready to talk. Corin held out a hand. “This gentleman said something about his office?”
“No. You’re not going with him.”
Jeff stiffened. “He’s my patient, Emily.”
“He’s dangerous, and you know it. He’s out-of-bounds for both of us. We must send him to the palace.”
Jeff rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on! You heard what he said. If Ephitel gets his hands on this guy…”
Corin did not like the sound of that. “Please, my lady. I am lost and afraid and most grievously injured. Entrust me to your companion’s care. I’ll see no harm comes of it.”
She shook her head, firm, and Corin flashed a look of abject defeat. He let his shoulders stoop and turned away. Over his shoulder, he said, “I understand. I’ll go. Thank you for your aid.”
Aemilia only grunted. Corin took a tender step toward the door, showing his limp. Then on his second step, as his weight settled on the damaged ankle, he collapsed, clutching theatrically at the strange boot. “Stormy seas! That hurts!”
“You see?” Jeff whined. “He needs my care.”
She only rolled her eyes and dragged Corin back to his feet. “You can play a role almost as well as one of us, but I can see what you’re after, and you won’t get it from Jeff. He’ll pretend because he’s nosy, but once he’s shot you full of penicillin, he’s exhausted his usefulness.”
Jeff tried to object, but she rounded on him. “What do you know about time travel? What do you know about geography and politics?”
Corin shook his head. “If he knows anything at all, it’s more than I.”
“No,” she said. “I will not allow it. I’ll give you both