As Tytula trudged back to bed, she noticed that Kody's door was ajar. Sensing mischeif, she peeked around the corner. She caught a rustle of movement, and saw the young Drow boy sneaking out of her room. She raised her eyebrows when she saw Kody clinging to an empty burlap sack.
The boy then tiptoed over to his own room. Tytula slipped back into the shadows, and watched as Kody snuck in through his doorway. About 30 seconds later, he came back out, his sack stuffed with something that looked strangely like metal.
"C'mon, Per," Kody whispered. "Let's go."
"Ko-ko," the green Drakkin whispered, rising from his bed. When had he learned to say that?
"I hope this works," the boy moaned, walking up to a dark corner in the cavern. Tytula saw Kody climb onto Per's back, and the two walked into the nook. They didn't come back out.
Tytula rushed over, and saw a dark, swirling portal there. What in the world was Kody up to? Ty was beginning to get nervous.
That's when she saw the note. It was pinned by the portal, written in Kody's quick, loopy handwriting.
Ty. Going to Dwahro with Per. Clutch open. Had to borrow some of your jewelry. Will work to pay you back. Sorry. Wish me luck. Kody.
Ty shook her head. That's what he was planning, eh? And this portal must lead to Rileikoul. Count on Kody to trick her like that.
She knew that Per would protect the young boy, but she couldn't help worrying. What if the portal was faulty, and Kody wound up somewhere other than the Drow city? She took a deep breath, and stepped into the portal.
* * *
Kody was lucky. It was the middle of the night, and the portal had taken him just outside Rileikoul. Thank goodness Tytula had showed him how to make portals when he asked her how they worked.
"Let's go, Per," Kody said. "Dwahro and Lefati will be glad to see you. Run, would you?"
The powerful green Drakkin set off at a smooth gallop, only bouncing Kody a little bit. The boy found himself enjoying the ride, closing his eyes and feeling the cool night winds ruffle his hair.
All too soon, the ride ended. The two travelers were at the gate to the dark city. It looked like the guard was asleep, so Kody urged Perturmiles on past. Several beer bottles were scattered on the ground near the gates.
Kody remembered Tytula's stories about the day she first met Dwahro, so he was able to find his way to the shed with ease. He could see Dwahro's lavish house looming up behind the humble breeding barn, and the boy was impressed. He rode Per cautiously into the dark room.
Being Drow, he could see perfectly well in the pitch black interior of the shed. There were many tables and cabinets, full of Drakkin and Drow foods. Kody wondered if the supplies he brought with him would be needed by the rich man.
"Who's there?" asked someone. It was the voice of a middle-aged Drow man. It had to be Dwahro.
"Only me, sir," Kody said, his voice coming out as a soft, nervous tremble. "I've come to see the Drakkins."
Dwahro came stepping out of the shadows. He was wearing dark black robes, leather shoes, and a DragonStone pendant that seemed to glisten against the dark Drakkinhide cloak that enveloped the breeder. Kody was very intimidated by the man, but he was startled when he was met with an extended hand.
"Hello," Dwahro said. "You must be Kody."
"Ah...yes," Kody said, confused. He took the breeder's hand. "How do you know me?"
"I recognized Per," Dwahro said simply. "I can always tell if a Drakkin is, or was, mine. He's looking wonderful. How is Tytula?"
"Asleep, I think," Kody said. "I hope. I don't want her to worry about me. If she does, I left her a note."
"Sneaking out of the caverns?" Dwahro tutted. "One shouldn't do these things. Ah, well, you're here with an offering. What can I say?" He smiled.
"I really want to meet Lefati," Kody said, jumping off of Per's back at last. "Where is she?"
"I'm afraid she isn't the clutchmother this time," Dwahro explained. "This time it is my dear Tikina, a bronze. I'm sure you would like to meet her, would you not?"
"Of course!" exploded Kody. He had never been so excited in his life. Then again, he'd never really had anything to be excited about.
"Tikina!" the breeder called sharply, clapping his hands twice. Out trotted an elegant, sleek bronze on light feet. Her intelligent pink eyes blinked curiously at this strange boy and Drakkin. Well, the Drakkin wasn't so bad.
Welcome, the Drakkin said quickly and curtly.
Kody nodded politely, and looked back up at Dwahro. The man was still gazing intently at the female.
"I don't think she has a problem with you, young Kody," Dwahro said. "Now, tell me why you think you deserve a Drakkin?"
"I helped raise Per and Cris and Sera," Kody said happily. "I'm good with the Drakkins. Ty said so."
The boy expected to see an impressed, pleased expression on the breeder's face. Instead, Dwahro looked confused and concerned.
"Who is this Sera you speak of?" he said quickly, sounding frightened and curious at the same time.
"Oh, the Drakkin Ty got from Tolethven," Kody chattered on, unaware that he was starting a bit of a problem. "Serau-ra! Can you believe that Ty got a female? She's so -"
"Female?" Dwahro asked sharply, startling Kody.
"Yes..." Kody said nervously.
"All right," the breeder said, though he seemed vacant. "Let me see your offering."
"Okay," the Drow boy breathed, glad to escape from what was becoming a very uncomfortable situation.
The pleasant smile quickly returned to the breeder's face as Kody emptied his burlap sack onto the floor. The contents of the sack, Kody's offering, piled up before the two Drow. Soon the floor held a good sized pile of jewels, fine clothing, and other fancy items that made Dwahro drop to his knees examining them.
Finally, after he had inspected the offering thoroughly, he rose to his feet. "Very nice, Kody," Dwahro said smoothly. "I believe we have a few things to discuss, pertaining to this purchase." A smug smile played on the breeder's lips as the two elves sat down at last.
"I'm sure you have some idea as to what Drakkin you would like," the elder of the two said dryly. "Do tell."
"Well," began Kody, "I want a male, of course. You could have guessed that. Anyway, I love the purples, as well as the blacks, but especially the purples."
"I see," Dwahro said. "Male Purple or Black for you. It will be housed in the same home as Per, Cris, and...Sera, correct?"
"Yes," Kody said quickly, avoiding the topic of the young female. "I can take care of him along with the others. Right, Per?"
"Ko-ko-k-koko," the Drakkin said firmly. "Ty-t-koko."
"All right, then," Dwahro said, rising from his seat. "I suppose I'll have to consider your offering with the others, and decide if you're worthy of training one of my Drakkins. Until then, I wish you and Tytula luck with your charges. I've got quite a bit to think about now."
Wondering what the man meant, Kody smiled weakly and nodded his head. He had suddenly been hit with a bout of nervousness, and he could barely say good-bye as he mounted Per's back again.
"What troubles you?" Dwahro asked kindly as Kody turned to go.
"I'm just worried..." Kody moaned. "I'll bet Ty'll be mad that I didn't tell her I was coming. I wish there was something I could give her in return...."
"Also, I'm quite sure you didn't come by all these jewels by yourself," Dwahro said slyly to a blushing Kody. "I'll see if I can't come up with something to give to your friend. She's a nice young lady, is she not?"
Kody nodded, and thanked the breeder earnestly. Soon, after a surprise visit from Lefati and many good-byes, the Drow and Drakkin were again riding toward the portal back to Dracogrex.
