Laura Jo Phillips by The Gryphons' Dream: Soul Linked#5 Read Free Book Online Page A

now, and is as family to us. 
    “Does she have a family?” Karma asked as she accepted a dish of what she thought was a vegetable from Olaf.  She sniffed it experimentally, then shrugged and put a serving of it on her plate before passing it along to Rand. 
    “Yes, two adult daughters who now have their own families,” Rand said, accepting the dish from Karma with a smile. 
     “Would you like wine or juice?” Olaf asked Aisling once everyone had served themselves.
    “Juice, please,” Aisling said. 
     Olaf filled her glass from an iced pitcher, then asked Karma the same question.  While he filled Karma’s glass, Aisling took an experimental sip of hers and was surprised to discover that the reddish orange liquid tasted like grape juice.
    “Do you like it?” Rudy asked.
    “Yes, I do,” Aisling replied.  “It’s very good.  What’s it called?”
    “No idea,” he said with a grin.  “A couple of years ago we had an over abundance of fruits and vegetables from our garden, so I did some experimenting.  This combination seemed to be one that everyone liked, so I make it when we have the ingredients, usually late summer, or early fall.  I think this will be the last of it for this season though.  Winter is just ahead.”
    “Does it get very cold in winter?” Karma asked.
    “Here it does, yes,” Olaf said.  “We usually get quite a bit of snow, but it’s the wind storms, what we call howlers, that cause the most trouble.  That’s why our buildings are made of stone and brick.  The winters are much milder on the other side of Jasan, where the Dracons live.  They get less snow, and no winter howlers.”
    “What is it that you guys do, anyway?” Karma asked.  She blushed suddenly, her deep, golden tan complexion turning pink.  “I apologize, that’s none of my business.”
    “Easy, Miss Karma,” Rudy said, smiling gently.  “We are not offended by your question.”
    “Please, just call me Karma.  And I’m glad you’re not offended, but I’m still sorry.”
    “No need for apologies,” Olaf said.  “We are the guardians of the wealth of Jasan.”
    “Like treasurers?” Karma asked.
    “I am not familiar with that term,” Olaf said.  “We account for, manage, and invest the wealth of Jasan, including income from the mines, the various industries such as paper mills, crops, and beef, among others.  We also budget and supervise government and military expenditures and funding.  And we are responsible for the historical artifacts and documents of our people.”
    “That sounds like a monumental responsibility,” Aisling said.  “You guys must be busy all the time.”
    “It is a large responsibility, yes,” Olaf agreed.  “However, we do not do everything ourselves.  That would be impossible.  The other members of Clan Gryphon assist us in our duties, though the ultimate responsibility lies with us as Consuls of our Clan.”
    “How do you trust others with so much?” Aisling asked.
    “As I said, the other members of our Clan assist us.  Guarding the wealth of our people has been an honor and privilege of Clan Gryphon for all time.  If we cannot place trust in our own family, our Clan, then who can we place it in?”
    Aisling shoved her chair back and stood up, causing the Gryphons to freeze, their senses instantly alert for danger.
    “Excuse me,” she said, “I’m afraid I’m not feeling well.” 
    “Of course,” Olaf said, but Aisling had already turned away from the table and was half way out of the room before the words left his mouth.
    Karma frowned, then reluctantly put her fork down and rose from the table too.  “I will go check on her,” she said.  “Thanks for dinner.  It was very good.”
    Olaf, Rand and Rudy all stood politely and bowed.  Karma wasn’t sure how to react to that, so she just stood there for a long moment.  “Um, goodnight then,” she said finally before hurrying out of the dining room after Aisling.
    After the women