Elayra snorted at Ghent’s question about trying to kill Drust. “Because you’re a featherhead, Featherhead,” she snapped, her fear forming bitterly on her tongue. 
	She flinched when a flash of light sparked to life only a yard away. A wicked chortle reached her ears, sending a chill down her spine. An unnerving electric sensation tickled her skin, making the hairs on her arm prickle. The spirits moved ever closer.
	Her head snapped toward Drust when his body stiffened and shifted subtly.	
	Despite his reassurance and hasty promise, she stared at Ghent a moment more, her eyes narrowed. Finally, she nodded and relinquished the dagger to him.
	“‘Bribe them out,’” she muttered at the ridiculous suggestion as she returned her full attention to the greater threat at the moment. The spirits could wait. They still had a bit of time before [i]they[/i] became more than a nuisance. “Think I have the ghost of a rabbit hidden somewhere, do…?”
	Elayra’s head raised slightly as exactly who she was traveling with struck her. Or, rather, [i]what.[/i] She scowled. [i]How could I be so [u]stupid?[/u][/i]
	She slapped her free hand to her forehead, disgust at herself in her eyes. “You’re a vinifcium!” She looked to Ghent, glowering. “You can communicate with the Spiritayum.”
	[i]Drust would’ve thought of that hours ago![/i] She glanced nervously to the surrounding trees, the darkness gathering with alarming swiftness.
	Her grip on her sword tightened as Drust exhaled heavily. “And the tichari are messengers of the Spiritayum. [i]You[/i] can bribe them out!”