by Linda McNabb
“The healer said he couldn’t be healed!” The old woman burst into a loud wail. She stopped suddenly and stared hard at Toby. Her eyes narrowed as she poked a bony finger at his chest. “You’re Toby ain’t you?”
“Yes,” Toby answered. Most people knew him so he wasn’t surprised.
“I hear you get to see the dragon.” Her voice had dropped to a conspiratorial whisper and she looked back over her shoulder to check they were alone. “It would be able to heal my grandson if you took him to see it.”
Toby frowned as he wondered why the healer had told the woman that the boy couldn’t be healed. It had never happened before. Surely the scale hadn’t lost its power yet? They had only taken it from Klel a few months ago and it should work for at least a year.
The woman must have misunderstood Toby’s frown, for the hope in her eyes faded and she turned to leave.
“Wait, I’ll take him to Klel,” Toby whispered as he put his hand on her shoulder to stop her leaving. He didn’t dare speak any louder because he would definitely get in trouble for taking the boy to see Klel. He was relieved when she turned back to him but did not expect what followed.
“When he’s better you can get him work up here in the castle, can’t you?” The old woman whispered, and with a brief kiss on the boy’s cheek she shuffled quickly out the door.
“But…” Toby turned to look at the young boy who stood looking expectantly at him. How was he supposed to find a job for this boy when he couldn’t even get one for himself? And where was he supposed to live? Toby had intended on moving back in with Aggie, but would she take in this boy too? It was true that Aggie had taken him in as a baby and raised him as her own along with her own son, Nathan, but this was different.
“I’m Marc,” the boy said quietly. “You don’t have to let me stay at the castle. I can go down to the town and sleep at the shelter.”
“The shelter!” Toby was horrified. Most of the people who lived there were thieves and beggars, forced into such a lifestyle by desperation. “We’ll sort something out.”
“I won’t be any bother and I don’t eat much,” Marc promised with a huge sigh of relief.
“First we have to get you to Klel,” Toby said and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I can’t take you till after dark, or we’ll be seen.”
It was several hours before dark and Toby had to think of a place to hide him until then. If Marc was found in the castle he would be cast out into the snow.
Just at that moment the aleman came into the room with a trolley and began to load up a barrel of ale. Toby knew then that he had the answer to one of his problems, for the moment anyway.
“How are you, Trec?” Toby asked, pushing Marc back into the shadows.
“Toby, how’s life down at the stables?” Trec slouched against the barrel for a rest.
“It didn’t work out,” Toby admitted with a shrug.
“Well I’ll make sure I’m not around when you tell Aggie.” He gave Toby a sympathetic look. “Just as well it’s my night off. I’ve just got to put this last barrel in the storeroom and I’m off to town.”
“I’ll take it down for you,” Toby offered, trying not to look too eager.
“S’fine by me.” Trec didn’t think about it for more than a second. “I know I can trust you with the key to the storeroom.”
Trec pulled a big brass key from his pocket and threw it to Toby. “I’ll be back about midday tomorrow.”
“No problems, Trec,” Toby said as Trec headed out into the snow.
Marc, too weak to walk, sat on top of the barrel as Toby pushed it down into the depths of the castle to the ale storeroom. They didn’t meet anybody on the way for which Toby was grateful.
“You can stay in here until dark and then I’ll come and get you,” Toby said as he lit a candle from the flame of an oil pot and handed it to Marc. “Sorry but I’ll have to lock the door.”
“That’s okay,” Marc said bravely and sat down in a corner.
Toby locked the door and walked slowly up the corridor. Now he had to go and tell Aggie he was back!
He found her in the kitchen, overseeing the preparation of the evening meal. She ruled the kitchen as she ruled the rest of the domestic areas of the castle, with an iron fist. Nobody, not even the head cook, would dare to question one of her orders. Toby watched from the doorway as her tall, slim body worked its way around the hearths. He decided to wait until she finished her inspection of the kitchen before he spoke to her. He didn’t really want an audience when she gave him a lecture.
“Toby, over here.” Aggie spotted him hovering at the door and Toby sighed as he went over to her. “Since you’re here you can make yourself useful. Do you have to be back at the stables soon?”
“No, I can take as long as I want,” Toby replied truthfully.
“Good, then you can turn this spit.” Aggie stopped turning it and Toby took over. Aggie had to bend to reach the handle of the spit but for Toby it was just the right height. Anyone who was told that Aggie was his mother would laugh. Aggie was over six feet tall with jet-black hair, pale skin and blue eyes whereas Toby was well under five feet with sandy brown hair, darkly tanned skin and deep violet eyes. People often accused him of having too much time on his hands if he could be so well-tanned, but it was just his natural colouring and it didn’t even fade in the depths of winter.
“Can you stay to help serve the banquet?” Aggie asked as she moved to stir a pot of soup with a large wooden spoon.
“I guess so.” Toby didn’t see how he could refuse. Maybe if he helped out she wouldn’t take his news so badly, but would make it hard to get Marc out to see Klel. The heat from the spit had already thawed out Toby’s feet and legs and he was getting too hot. He removed some of his extra clothes and was just putting them into his carrysack when Aggie turned back his way.
“Why did you bring all your clothes with you?” she asked loudly from across the kitchen. To Aggie there was nothing secret, she disliked whispering or gossip.
“I… umm… I was cold,” Toby said lamely.
“You are still apprenticed down at the stables aren’t you?” Aggie came closer and Toby cringed as he saw that she brought the large wooden spoon with her.
“I… well… I guess I’m not too good with animals.” Toby tensed, ready to listen to her yell at him.
“And what do you intend to do now?” Aggie stopped right next to him and a flash of her blue eyes showed her anger.
“I don’t know,” Toby admitted quietly. “Perhaps it’s time I left the castle altogether. Maybe I’ll head north and look for my father.” Toby wasn’t sure why he said that. Until that very moment the thought of going to look for his father hadn’t even occurred to him. All he knew about him was that he was a travelling musician and that his birth-mother had met him in the North Kingdom. That was before she came here to the West Kingdom and died when he was born.
“But when would I see you?” Aggie’s voice had lowered so that only he could hear her. Toby looked up at her, surprised to see a tear run down her cheek.
“I can’t stay here. I’ve been kicked out of every trade in the castle and there are no jobs in the town.” Toby realised that half the kitchen staff were listening. By the time dinner was served his sacking would be common knowledge around the entire castle. Aggie may disapprove of gossip but she couldn’t stop it.
“But it’s so cold this time of year. Surely you can wait until spring?” Aggie was as close to begging as Toby had ever seen her. This was nothing like the telling off he had expected.
“I guess I should wait for better weather,” Toby agreed.
“Good, you can take Rane’s place here in the kitchen until then.” Aggie was instantly back to her confident and controlled self as she turned the spit that he had forgotten all about. “Rane has been moved up to be a page for Prince Rory.”
Him, a kitchen hand and serving lad? Toby didn’t like the idea one bit but what choice did he have? At least it would only be for a few
weeks until spring came, then he would be off.
The banquet was well under way before Toby found time to slip away to fetch Marc. He raced down the corridors as fast as he could. The poor boy had been locked up for far too long considering he was already ill.
He reached the ale storeroom and quickly unlocked the door. Marc was slumped in the corner and didn’t look to have moved since Toby left him there. He looked pale and half-asleep and when Toby shook him gently he didn’t rouse at all. Toby picked him up and carried him up the corridor. Had he left it too late? Marc looked dreadful now.
Toby kept to the shadows until he reached the door to the courtyard. He slipped quietly out the heavy wooden door and scanned the walls for guards but saw none. The chilly air bit at his skin and the snow-covered stones were numbing his feet but he didn’t dare move yet. Still no guards, they must be tucked up in the guardroom drinking mulled wine or sleeping. It hadn’t taken long for them to go back to their lazy ways.
Slowly Toby moved around the edge of the courtyard until he could see Klel’s shelter. Trying to ignore the biting cold that had now numbed his nose, as well as his feet, Toby carried Marc over to the shelter and went inside.
CHAPTER THREE
DRAGONS DON’T TALK
Klel’s shelter had a stone back wall, wooden rafters and a straw roof. Widely spaced wooden poles held up the roof around two sides, which made it look like a cage. Klel was curled up in the corner, his nose tucked under his tail.
You come? Klel’s voice was light and musical. He raised his blunt snout towards Toby and his startling green eyes shone brightly.
“Dragons don’t talk,” Marc muttered without opening his eyes.
“Marc is sick, can you help him?” Toby whispered in case someone was near enough to hear.
Toby had never brought anyone to see Klel before but he knew the dragon would help if he could. When Toby was just a small boy he had fallen very ill in the night. Aggie, fearing that Toby would not survive the night, had tried to rouse the healer but he refused to come. She had taken him down to Klel’s shelter and asked the dragon to heal him. Klel saved Toby’s life that night and Toby’s earliest memory was of being held in the golden dragon’s embrace.
Klel rose into a crouch and moved closer. Did he see healer?
“Yes,” Toby told his friend.
Klel leaned over Marc, nudging him gently with a clawed foot.
Wake up, lad, Klel ordered.
“Dragons don’t talk!” Marc opened his eyes and stared at Klel.
He showed a total lack of fear and Toby was impressed. Klel may not be very big, about the same size as one of the king’s horses, but to wake up with him an inch away from your face was scary enough.
When last eat, lad? Klel asked, ignoring Marc’s denial of the obvious.
“I’m not worth eating.” Marc shuffled out of Klel’s immediate reach.
Don’t want eat you, Klel snorted and swung his head towards Toby. What rubbish told him?
“None,” Toby defended himself calmly. “Rumours in the town have you eating naughty children and breathing fire all day.”
They do? Klel’s eyes widened and his eye ridges rose several inches. Why?
“To scare children into being good I guess.” Toby shrugged his shoulders. “Aren’t you going to heal Marc?”
Nothing to heal, Klel said bluntly as he backed into his sleeping corner again.
“Nothing?” Toby looked from Klel to Marc who looked about to faint again.
Used to breathe fire! Could burn greenfruit off tree, fifty paces. Much further than brothers. Klel seemed to have slipped back in time as his eyes glazed over to a light yellow.
“Why can’t you now?” Marc leaned forward to stare hard at Klel.
They took my band away. Klel’s eyes snapped back to brilliant green and he snorted loudly.
“Your band?” Toby prompted. Klel had never spoken of this band before.
My band… is who I am… where I belong… Klel replied with a proud, angry voice and his eyes turned a dull orange colour.
Toby knew that Klel was getting cross. He may not breathe fire but his tail could sweep your feet off the ground and send you flying across the courtyard.
Leave, Klel muttered.
“So I’m healed?” Marc looked unsure as he tried to keep his balance.
Nothing to heal. Try eating. Klel gave them one last snort before he turned several times on the spot and settled himself to the floor, tucking his nose under his tail.
“Come on Marc, we’d better go,” Toby said and helped Marc to his feet.
Used to breathe fire, Klel muttered as pale golden lids closed over his eyes.
Toby paused at the entrance to the shelter, scanned the quiet courtyard and frowned as there was still no sign of any guards. He didn’t want to be caught but it made him angry that they weren’t doing what they were supposed to, protecting Klel and everyone else in the castle.
Putting one arm around Marc, Toby helped him over into the shadows at the edge of the courtyard. They crept around the walls until they reached the wooden door. It wasn’t until they slipped back inside that Toby spoke.
“Why didn’t you just tell me you were hungry?” Toby almost accused him.
“I couldn’t pay for any food. Besides I ate several days ago,” Marc replied matter-of-factly with a shrug of his shoulders. “It’s never hit me like this before and I’ve gone twice as long without food many times.”
“You have?” Toby wondered what it was like to go hungry. Growing up in the castle he had never once gone without a meal, unless he was naughty.
“Gran didn’t have a lot of food and my little sister cried herself to sleep all the time so I started giving her my food as well,” Marc explained. “Where do we go now?”
“Good question.” Toby frowned as they walked deeper into the castles corridors.
These were the corridors used by the servants to move around the castle without the royals or their guests knowing they even existed. So where could they go? Toby knew his old room had been taken by another boy and he could hardly turn up to share Aggie’s room with Marc in tow.
“Don’t you have a room?” Marc queried as he stopped to rest against the wall.
“I…” Just then Toby remembered that he was taking over Rane’s duties, which meant he got Rane’s room too. “Of course I have a room.”
Several minutes later Toby had shown Marc to Rane’s old room and given him another candle.
“I’ll come back with some food soon. There’s bound to be stacks of leftovers from the banquet,” Toby promised as he gently closed the door.
He’d been gone a long time and Aggie was bound to be cross with him but he detoured around the kitchen and headed up to the dining hall. The first thing he had to do was get Marc some food.
**
The next morning Toby arrived at the king’s private eating room in a rush. Aggie wasn’t in the kitchen today so he was under the orders of the head cook, Claris. Claris could bellow louder than the Master Groomer and she was lightning fast with a wooden spoon.
He had scored double duty for his absence last night. Not only did he have to serve down in the main dining hall but up at the king’s private eating room as well. That meant rushing from one to the other several times to keep the cups full and tables cleared as soon as possible.
King Herat, Queen Lisan and Prince Rory were still eating so he stepped quietly to the side of the room to wait for them to finish.
Prince Rory, a quiet man in his early twenties, was eating slowly and gazing out the window. He looked as if he wished he were somewhere else. Queen Lisan, a tall woman with long, straight black hair, was trying to engage her husband in conversation but he was ignoring her as he gave his full attention to the food before him. He looked like he had never gone hungry as his stomach was straining the shiny gold buttons on his bright blue jacket. It was a colour that most people with flaming red hair would avoid but King Herat wore it often.
“Ah, my schedule for the day,” the king muttered through a mouthful of bread as he took the offered parchment. Vern, the Chief Clerk, took several steps back while the king looked at it.
“Rory, I want you to come to this morning’s court session.” King Herat spoke to his son without looking up.
Prince Rory did not reply and the king finally looked up
“Rory!” the king shouted and Prince Rory blinked as he brought his attention, seemingly reluctantly, back to his surroundings.
“Pardon father, I didn’t hear you,” Prince Rory said so quietly that Toby only just caught his words.
“You haven’t attended the court sessions in over a week. It is inexcusable for the heir to the throne to avoid his responsibilities.” The king banged his clenched fist on the table and several cups almost overturned.
“But father I dislike the need to punish people,” Prince Rory almost pleaded with his father.
“Maybe Rory is right.” Queen Lisan spoke up for her son. “Punishment isn’t the only answer.”
“Enough!” The king bellowed and thumped the table again. This time several cups tipped their contents onto the table and Toby raced forward to mop it up. “You will be there Rory or I will have you dragged there.”
“Yes father,” Prince Rory replied distantly and turned back to the window, eating without really noticing what he was doing.
The king stood up so quickly that his chair fell backwards, almost hitting Vern. Immediately the queen and Prince Rory put down their spoons. Nobody ate once the king had finished. King Herat thrust the parchment back at his Chief Clerk and strode angrily from the room. The queen and her son rose too and left quietly, leaving just Toby in the room.
“What ya doing?” hissed a voice from the doorway. Max, another serving lad, came into the room. “Claris sent me up to see what’s holdin’ you up.”
“They’ve only just finished,” Toby defended himself as he hurried forward to start clearing the table.
