She tilted her head. “Did you know that only a majority of High Council members need be present for that, and that the High Peer need not be physically before them?”
He narrowed his eyes.
She looked down the hallway. “I don’t know whether you noticed, but the courts have rather nice facilities here in Stronghold. They even have two ether mirrors.”
Koen’s intake of breath was small, but still audible.
She looked back at him. “Yesterday afternoon, the presiding judge and I spoke with the High Council via ’mirror. Myself to present my acts to the council and have them recorded, and the judge so she could verify for herself that it was all officially done. And when your sentencing hearing begins in a few minutes, she’ll instruct the jury that, as you’re no longer a member of the peerage, execution is now an available sentence for your conviction on High Treason.”
He stared at her.
“Ah, but I’ve spent too much time chatting with you. There is a mere quarter of an hour before the hearing starts.” She turned and walked away. “I’ll see you upstairs in the courtroom, Master Koen.”
+ + + + +
“Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to learn anything more.”
Lord Haral slammed his fist onto the desk. “It’s been three days!”
The weak fool twitched then bowed his head. “F–Forgive me, my lord! The guild is just too new. Aside from the rumors and information I’ve already gathered for you, there is nothing else about the guild in any official records and nothing at all about dragons.” He looked up. “With more time, perhaps I could have found more information. Your contacts here could continue searching, and forward what they find to you at—”
“I’m not a patient man, as you well know.”
Dirk swallowed and clasped his left hand within his right.
Whether consciously or not, it was the missing finger the idiot covered with the gesture. Its removal had been punishment for past inadequacy.
Lord Haral frowned. “Supervise checking the coach and wagons,” he said. “We leave tomorrow. It is a very long trip and I’ve already been far too long at getting supplies.”
“Yes, my lord.” With a small bow, Dirk left.
Lord Haral drummed his fingers on the desk.
Along with receiving the Wreath of Gold, a number of Dragon Craft Guild members had been knighted. Incredibly, both humans and dragons had been entitled. Many might think that honor merely symbolic, but he knew there was more to it. Rank and title, honorary or not, carried weight. The royals were up to something, or at the very least, Princess Jord. Not a soul had been knighted in fifty years, and then thirty-five in one evening? It almost beggared belief. The accomplishments High Lady Hasana had listed were notable, to be sure, but were they enough to hand out knighthoods? He’d sensed much unsaid, and from both women. The guild was involved with more than what had been spoken of. He saw nothing impressive in its human members, however, so the dragons had to be where the entirety of the guild’s strength lay.
The chair creaked a bit as he leaned back. Unlike the people, those beasts had been most impressive.
Fiske was a preening peacock to be sure, but the man was owed a debt of gratitude. Lord Haral would not have had a chance to see the creatures up close if not for his cousin’s invitation to the party.
Later that night, Fiske in his blindness had complained at length about the creatures. Apparently, they and the guild had interfered with a venture in which he’d been heavily involved. If not for dragons assisting special investigators, the scheme to grab more influence and market share for the Tigridia Consortium, and not coincidentally increase his family’s standing in the business partnership, would have been successful. Fiske confirmed the scheme’s complete failure during dinner last night.
Lord Haral was certain the scheme involved Koen in some capacity. Articles about him, and more recently his trial, had been in the newspapers for several days, and stories about his conviction filled the papers this morning. A series of very detailed articles written by one Master Elizabeth outlined Koen’s entire plan. According to this morning’s article, the nation would seek the former lord’s execution for the conviction on High Treason.
How had dragons assisted the special investigators in bringing that man down? Was it something obvious like their strength or ability to fly? Or was it some other skill? Even Master Elizabeth’s excellent articles skirted any specifics about dragons and their guild. Unfortunately, he knew next to nothing about the creatures. There had been occasional reports of dragon sightings north of his family’s land for centuries. They even featured in family lore. As a child, however, he thought the tales to be ale-inspired. He eventually came to accept the truth of their existence, but he himself had never seen one. Not until that evening.
Lord Haral sat forward and picked up the wine glass. After a sip, he frowned and set it back down. The white was no longer chilled.
He stared at the glass and again drummed his fingers on the desk. The deliberate shielding of knowledge about dragons added to his certainty—there was something special about the beasts.
Caer Mathan skirted the Howling Wastes. So far north was it that even trade caravans wouldn’t make the long journey to visit. Thus, these semi-yearly trips had to be made to Stronghold for certain supplies. Life was hard up there, so he needed every advantage he could get.
+ + + + +
“Based on your description of the caves, Isandath, I expected them to be a great deal more . . . rough.”
He smiled and glanced at Tevah. They’d spent more time together recently, he and the leader, well, one of several leaders, of the Laminae. “The Dragon Craft Guild has made great strides with their enchanting efforts.”
She nodded. “Indeed they have. I’m still unclear as to what exactly a House Wing is, however. The Observer reports occasionally mention the term. A dragon House I now know, but what is a House Wing?”
“It is something new.”
Tevah glanced at him as they walked down the hallway. “Change comes even unto dragons?”
He chuckled. “So it would seem. From what I understand, a Wing can be likened to a guild branch. There is local leadership, but the Wing remains part of its House and is therefore also governed by the queen and officers of that House.”
“Why would the dragons not form a new House? Governing from a distance seems less efficient.”
“In time, that may be the path the Wing takes, but as I said, there is local leadership, and that leadership will handle the vast majority of Wing decisions. More importantly, the number of dragons that wanted to come here weren’t enough to form a new House.”
“Ah. I see.”
Isandath? Nayra’s voice held surprise.
He stopped walking. Hello! Are you here in the caves somewhere?
“Is something amiss?” Tevah was looking back at him, brows raised.
He held up a hand. “My apologies. I’m speaking with Nayra.”
She smiled and nodded.
Ikan said you were here. Kon and I are just landing at the spire.
Kon?
My mate. I convinced him to come see the caves where our children have hatched.
Isandath smiled. I would love to meet him! Tevah and I will join you in the sand room.
We will await your arrival. Kon is not accustomed to humans, however, so be mindful of that.
I will.
“Nayra brings her mate, Kon, to see the caves. Let’s greet them, shall we?”
“Of course. Nayra is Xochi’s mother, is she not? The dragon Renata bonded?”
“She is.”
They headed off for the large room.
“You spent some time in these caves with Nayra, prior to sending Renata.”
He smiled. “I did. Initially, I didn’t know she was a dragon, only that she had a unique way of communicating.”
“Dragon-speak. I’ve yet to experience it.”
He looked at her. “Oh? Were you not at Daelon�
�s Square for the meeting with the guild?”
“I was busy chasing down word of a scheme, the bribing of a few of the manisi. I was too late, it turned out.”
“Hmm, yes.”
Nayra and Kon were in the sand room, sitting with Ikan. There was another dragon with them, one Isandath did not know.
He smiled. “Nayra, it is good to see you again.”
It is good to see you, too, Isandath.
“Goodness.” Tevah raised fingers to her temple. “What an interesting sensation—as if a tiny person were somehow speaking between my ears.”
Isandath laughed. “That is an interesting and highly accurate description.” He gestured to Nayra. “This is Nayra. Nayra, this is Tevah. She helped us with our work in Bataan-Mok against the Order, and with Aeron and Anaya’s escape.”
Nayra dipped her head in a little bow. It is good to meet you, Tevah.
“The pleasure is mine.” Tevah returned the small bow.
This is Kon. Nayra turned to a handsome dark dragon. Kon, this man is Isandath. He is the one I finally met here in the caves, the one who brought children to meet ours.
The dark blue-green dragon eyed him a moment. Suddenly his large head dropped to the floor, nose just touching the sand. T–Thank you, Isandath, f–for helping my mate with her dream quest.
Isandath held his hands out. Goodness, you don’t have to do that, Kon. Please, raise your head. Of course I would help my friend.
Friend? Kon lifted his head, amber gaze on Isandath.
Nayra chirped. Friend is a human word for a brother or sister not of blood.
Kon nodded at Nayra while letting out a grunt—of understanding, perhaps, or of agreement. Then h–he shall be my brother as well. He turned to Isandath. Brother Isandath.
Isandath could not keep the smile from his lips. Brother Kon.
“And who is this lovely girl?” Tevah smiled at the unknown dragon.
Girl? Isandath examined the dragon closer. Yes. Wider hips, and—his eyes grew large and he quickly glanced from her to Nayra and back. You’re both with child?
Nayra let out what he had come to learn was dragon laughter. We are. This is Mazat. She would like her child to meet and choose a human to bond with.
The brown dragon, her coloration lightened a bit at her extremities, bowed her head. I–If it is allowed.
Of course, it is allowed. Polandra entered the room. Welcome to the Mochyehua Wing, Mazat.
She walked over to Ikan and gave him a loving slap on the shoulder. Ikan told me some guests had arrived. She bowed her head. Hello, Nayra. And hello, Kon. It is good to finally meet you.
Nayra chirped. Hello, Polandra.
Polandra. Kon briefly bowed his head. My son tells me you two have had many great experiences recently.
Polandra laughed. “Yes, we have had great adventures. I will be glad to tell you of them when I return, but there is a hatching at the Guildhall soon, and Liara would kill me if I wasn’t there to watch it with her.”
She turned to Isandath. “I was actually on my way to see if you and Tevah were ready to return to Bataan-Mok so I can get back to the Guildhall.”
Isandath drew his brows together. “Would it be too much trouble to delay returning us to Bataan-Mok until after the hatching? I’m not sure about Tevah, but I would love to spend more time visiting with Nayra and Kon.”
“I’ve not had much opportunity to spend time with dragons,” Tevah said, “so I would love to stay as well.” She smiled at Isandath.
“Alright,” Polandra said. “I’m not sure how late it will be when we can return, but we will!”
Ikan let out little chirps at his parents, then he and Polandra headed up the large ramp.
Isandath moved closer to the three dragons and sat on the sand floor. “So, Kon, tell me, what do you do at House Peku?”
I am on one of the fish teams.
“Fish teams?” Tevah gathered her robes and pulled them up a bit around her legs to sit next to Isandath. “What is a fish team?”
Isandath tore his gaze from her legs and instead watched the big dragon.
Now that he thought about it, Kon’s coloration was like that of the deep ocean far from shore. When he was younger, he’d spent time with family far to the east, next to the ocean. He’d sat for many an hour staring out at the enormous expanse from the high cliffs. So much water.
A fish team catches fish for the House to eat. Kon lifted his head and puffed out his chest a little. My team is the best at it.
Nayra chirped at Mazat and they let out halting little grunts.
Isandath drew his brows together. Were they chuckling? He smiled and glanced at Tevah. This was going to be fun.
He looked back at Kon. How exactly does a dragon catch fish?
The blue-green dragon stood. I will demonstrate for you, brother.
+ + + + +
“What made you want to be a dragonlinked?”
Renny held the corners together with one hand and gently hammered the small peg home with the other. Almost done. The chair creaked when he turned and looked up at Hunter. She stood next to his worktable, arms crossed.
“You’re not from the Caer,” he said, “so you probably didn’t know Jessip from before.”
Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head. “No. But what does he have to do with it?”
“He, we—there were a few of us in a sort of gang.” He took a breath and let it out. “We were a bunch of assholes.”
Hunter raised her brows.
“And Jessip was the lead asshole.” He looked back at the piece he was finishing. “I feel terrible about all that, now, embarrassed. What did we gain by being so—” He let out a loud breath and held the last corner together. “At any rate, Jessip had it in for Aeron. I don’t even remember why.” Three taps and the peg was seated. “He attacked Aeron with a knife during a trade fair, and was nearly turfed from the Caer for it, but Aeron spoke on his behalf.”
“Really.” Hunter sounded surprised, and impressed maybe?
Renny nodded and grabbed the pane of glass. “Yeah. Jessip worked a few months at the Caer’s farm as probation and was allowed to return, after. The gang had fallen apart while he was gone, so I didn’t see him much on his return, but even so, we still had our reputations to deal with. It wasn’t easy for me, so with all he’d done in the past, I can imagine that it was especially hard for Jessip. That may be one reason he got involved with the dragons—to get away from everyone. Oh, plus Aeron saved his life.”
“Wait, what?”
Renny smiled as he slid the pane in place. “Yep. One night while Jessip was still at the farm, Aeron and Anaya sensed a nahual and raced off to kill it. When they got to the thing, it happened to be attacking Jessip.” He tilted his head in thought. “Come to think of it, that was a long time before the guild even existed. And in fact, that was the first nahual a dragon team took care of.”
“Wow.” Hunter chuckled. “When I first thought about coming to apply at the guild, I figured that aside from the dragons themselves, it would be boring way out here, but it looks like even before the guild was founded there was a lot going on. And it also sounds like Aeron has always been Aeron.”
Renny chuckled. “Yeah. But that’s part of the reason, too.”
“Reason?”
He grabbed the thin back panel, set it in over the glass pane, and stared at it. “When I heard Zolin had bonded Jessip, I was shocked. A dragon choosing Aeron makes complete sense. I mean, he’s not perfect, no one is, but well, you know him. I was just so surprised a dragon would choose someone like Jessip. Someone like . . .”
“You?”
He looked at her and nodded. “Jessip being chosen as a bond-mate gave me a sliver of hope. I still wasn’t completely certain I wanted to be bonded, though. Anaya was adorable when she was a babe, but she had gotten very, very big. So when they opened applications to those living at the Caer, I went to Jessip’s place so I could meet Zolin.”
Renny looked back at
the panel, slid the clips closed over it, and flipped the completed item over. “It was his eyes that sealed the contract. Those enormous, amazing, dragon eyes.”
“They see you.”
He looked up at her. “Exactly. They see you, the real you.”
“The you that you want to be.”
He stared at Hunter and nodded. “Yes.” She looked at him in that same way. It was the main reason he wanted to be by her side. Of course, there was also her wit, and the rest of her, too.
“What are you looking at?”
He quickly raised his gaze to her eyes. “N–Nothing.”
A corner of her mouth lifted in a little smile. “Mm-hmm. Hurry up, or we’ll miss all the eggs hatching.”
“And any other dragons that might also bond?”
“There is that, too.” She bit her lip.
He placed the gift in his satchel with the others then stood and smiled. “Well that was the last of them for now, so let’s go.”
+ + + + +
Chanté rubbed the towel vigorously over his head one more time before setting it aside.
“Better?”
He nodded to Quillan. “Much.”
“I always take a shower after getting my hair cut,” Quillan said. “Those little clippings feel absolutely horrible, stabbing at your neck until you wash them off.”
Chanté grunted. It was true. How could a little piece of hair almost too small to see feel like a dagger stabbing at your neck? It was a mystery.
They put on smallclothes and pants, grabbed their satchels, and moved to the mirrors.
Quillan turned his head this way and that while staring at his reflection. “Looks good, now. It was too shaggy before.”
Chanté twisted his lips. It hadn’t looked bad to him. But his own hair had been a bit messy. It looked much better, now.
“I’m still not sure why you had it cut like that.” Quillan turned to him, a smile on his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with a haircut like it. Short on the sides and left long on top.” He laughed and ruffled Chanté’s hair. “Not that it matters, it really suits you.”
Chanté smiled as Quillan’s hand ran through his slightly damp hair. There was no way he was going to admit to Quillan that his intention with having the barber leave it long on top was for this very reason.
Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4 Page 108
