Page 199 of Vasmora

She frowned back at him.

Smirking, he turned back to Corwin. “Not even a little.”

Corwin tilted to the side, offering a smile and nod, but the way his smile faded told Zevander that the older woman wasn’t quite so welcoming.

“She’ll warm to you.”

“Speaking of warm, I cannot remember the last time I slept on such a luxurious bed. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Of course.”

“There must be endless rooms in this castle.” Corwin glanced around the kitchen. “Not sure I’ve ever seen a kitchen so vast.” When his attention swung back to Zevander, he smiled. “Your sister is quite lovely. Any chance that she might be–”

“No.” While inquiries about his sister were nothing new for Zevander, it still pissed him off. “And if you so much as flirt with her, I’ll cut your tongue out and have Magdah serve it as an appetizer.”

The old woman chuckled behind him.

Zevander grinned back at her. “Seems she knows Vonkovyan, after all.” He turned back to Corwin, the amusement from moments ago dissolving to a more serious tone. “Tomorrow, we’ll begin training. I’d also like you to show me how to bind the vivicantem to steel.”

“Yes, yes, absolutely. I, um … perused a bit and saw you have an impressive library. Might I explore?”

Zevander shrugged. “Everything is in Nyxterosi, but sure.”

“Ah. Nothing in Vonkovyan, then.”

“Only a text for how to speak it.”

Lips pressed together, Corwin nodded. “Well, maybe I can learn from pictures.”

“Maybe.” Zevander took a step forward to leave but paused. “Stay out of the dungeon, though.”

“Okay, sure. I can’t imagine wanting to venture down there, but I’ll avoid it.”

“Good.” Zevander headed back in the direction of his room, stopping when he reached the training room, where Torryn stood swinging a sword.

The other Letalisz shot Zevander a quick glance, and abandoning his training, he strode toward him. “No word of Kazhimyr on your travels?”

“As I understand, he was transferred at some point. To Zivant for trial and execution.”

Torryn’s eye twitched. “What are the odds he’s still alive?”

“Slim but possible, if Zivant wasn’t aware he was infected.”

“Heard Dolion had a vision that he’d gotten infected. You think he brought it over?”

Zevander glanced around, hesitating to admit the truth to his friend. “I played a part in that, as well. I gave him passage.”

“He was a longtime friend. Can’t say I’d have done any different.” Torryn shook his head. “Also heard what happened to Ravezio.” He rubbed the back of his neck and turned away. “Cadavros is going to pay for what he did. I’ll draw every drop of life out of him and crush his bones.”

So much had happened since that night, Zevander hadn’t had an opportunity to reconcile and grieve his fallen friend. The mere mention of his name struck him like a stab to the chest. “Thought I avenged him by throwing Cadavros into the chasm. Stubborn bastard lived.”

“He ain’t gonna live much longer. I’ll see to that.” Torryn spun around and launched his sword across the room. It struck a wooden plank alongside other lodged daggers and quivered from the blow.

“Training tomorrow. Early.”

“I’ll be up.”

Zevander nodded, and Torryn gave him a pat on the back, before he strode toward his sword.