Chapter Thirty-Seven
GRAND THEFT
With their precious cargo in tow, Huldar and Daric trudged along the faint path that led from the portal to the lake. Already the deep thunder of the falls vibrated through their feet. As they rounded the bend above the lake, the thunder became a roar. Huldar paused, as usual, to admire the expanse of white blooms that vanished into the mist at the base of the massive cascade, and the small flashes of green as the flying lizards combed the falling waters for prey.
“The flowers don’t have seeds,” he said to Daric. “It’s unusual. And watch while this cloud goes over … see?” With his hand he followed the shadow of a cloud as it scudded over the lake. Petals closed in a wave of brown, then opened again as it passed. “They work quite hard on days when clouds
