"We meet for the first time, my dear. I had hoped you would see me at the wedding. Maceo was quite taken with you at one time, I know. But of course, all that is over now. And your little insignificant life will be over soon, too. I'll just take his ring back to him for you."
Riolla reached for the ring on Claria's finger, and to her great surprise, the girl did not try to draw back her bound hands. Instead, she wiggled her finger, now swollen again, right under the Schreefa's nose. Riolla cocked an eyebrow at Claria and tried to remove the ring.
Which, of course, would not come off. Claria laughed behind her gag. Riolla was not amused.
"Ah… well, then. There are other ways, my dear," she cooed.
Rotapan finished reciting Riolla's request and fell silent.
"All right, Wyrvil. Hand over the coin," said Drufalden, tapping the arm of her throne with a long silver nail.
Rotapan blinked and rolled his eyes, adjusting them to the blazing brightness of Drufalden's chambers. Saelin had removed the half-ore's blindfold only after they had been escorted through the maze of ice and stone that formed Drufalden's personal corridor.
Rotapan fished into his pocket and reluctantly brought forth the Ninnite coin. Drufalden examined it carefully, at last satisfied that it matched the Raptor's description.
"You just saved your miserable life, Wyrvil. I've been waiting for years at the chance to have you standing before me. Tell Riolla her escort will be waiting. I'll send five hundred of my finest assassins to wait at the curtain. She can meet them there.
"Get him out of my sight before I forget myself, Saelin." Drufalden waved her hand at the assassin.