“We will have much to learn afore we can take stock of the realm of the dragons.”
“What think you of the people?”
“They are friendly enough,” Drystan replied in a tone that was unconvincing at best.
“I fear your sense of foreboding is a contagion.”
“It cannot hurt to be cautious as we begin our duties.”
“I am already missing Geron and the rest of Court Besant,” Conley confessed.
“It was better to leave him and the others there to assist their new king.”
“We made a wise decision, but I fear we must take care to watch our backs.”
“Come, let us tour this pile of stones and get a look at the books,” Drystan said before grabbing his hand and leading them back to Imperial Duke Berlan.
* * *
“How can there be no coin in the coffers?” Drystan asked. They were in the study, looking over the books with the ever-present Imperial Duke Berlan.
“Your Majesty, Emperor Erhard was unwell for several centuries. We did the best we could, but there was no one to make decisions,” Imperial Duke Berlan explained. Drystan was unimpressed by his reply. Every one of the dukes was dressed as if they were emperors themselves. The castle was teeming with riches in tapestries, golden ornaments, and there were more candles lit than Drystan believed he’d ever burned in his lifetime, which spanned over three centuries.
“What became of all the taxes collected from quarter to quarter?” Conley asked.
“Your Majesty, there was food to procure and a village in need of maintenance. There are not nearly enough taxes to see to it all.”
“And yet there are over two dozen men of nobility who have wages that are paid out of those same taxes,” Drystan said.
“This is the castle of the Emperors themselves, Your Majesty. How would it look to the other dragons if we did not have the best defense?”
“Like we valued the needs of dragons over the expense of having lavishly dressed nobility,” Conley stated grimly.
“Your Majesty, you have only just arrived. Perhaps you do not yet understand the complexities of your station. It is my duty as your first duke to guide you.”
“It is your duty to offer counsel as necessary and when asked, Imperial Duke Berlan,” Conley argued.
“I did not mean to overstep my bounds, Your Majesty.”
“There are adjustments to be made by everyone. His Majesty and I will need to discuss what needs to be done. It is obvious economies must be made,” Drystan insisted.
“Of course, Your Majesty, but if you would allow me to offer you one last piece of advice: these men who serve you have lived as a part of Court Draconis for the whole of their lives. Should you turn them out or send them to other courts to act as defense to kings, you would be separating them from all they have known.”
“With all due respect, Your Grace, His Majesty and I have been ripped away from all we have known—not once but twice now. If we can see fit to adjust to the changes in our lives, I daresay the men you give orders to can as well,” Conley said. Drystan could tell Conley was quite through dealing with Imperial Duke Berlan for one afternoon.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll leave you now.”
Once the door was shut behind Imperial Duke Berlan’s back, Conley turned to Drystan and commented, “I do not care for him.”
“Nor do I, but he is an expert on all that transpires here.”
“If I were to take a guess, I would have to say with Emperor Erhard sick all these centuries, these dukes have run amok and are used to making the decisions on their own. Judging by the lack of gold in the treasury, I would say they have no trouble indulging themselves. They cannot possibly care one whit for the dragons outside of this castle.”
“You may very well be right. We will have to learn more and make changes slowly as not to start a revolt. We cannot help dragons if we are too busy quarreling with the nobles in our own home,” Drystan said.
“I do not have to like it, but I agree with your assessment. We shall move with caution.”
“At least we need not fear a sword in our backs; none of these men are your match in swordplay,” Drystan remarked.
“Some of them are unfit to lift a sword at all, and they seek to be the ones to defend my honor? Should we wind up in a swordfight, I would likely need to hop over their bodies as they were struck down where they stood.”
“They would be the fanciest clothed corpses ever seen.”
“A bunch of peacocks, the lot of them,” Conley grumbled before they heard a knock at the door.
“Enter,” Drystan ordered and unfortunately for them, it seemed Imperial Duke Bernal was back.
“Your Majesties, the goldsmith is here to fit you for your new crowns. The tailor should arrive shortly to measure you for clothes befitting your new rank,” Imperial Duke Bernal announced. Behind him, a large man in a dragonskin apron stood. “I have also instructed him to fashion two new mating bands to replace what you now wear.”
“We will not need new mating bands,” Conley stated in an unforgiving tone.
“Your Majesty, it is expected you will wear ones of gold.”
“That is their bad luck. These are the bands given to us by our parents and ones we pledged our vows with. We will not replace them to suit the sensibilities of others,” Conley said.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Imperial Duke Bernal replied though he didn’t look at all pleased with Conley’s decision.
“What has become of the crowns worn by emperor’s past?” Drystan asked.
“There are several crowns in a chest in a locked storage room Your Majesty,” Imperial Duke Bernal explained. Shaking his head, Drystan wondered at a castle with empty coffers but a locked trunk full of unworn jeweled crowns.
“Let us see them. Mayhap the smithy here can adjust two already in existence to fit upon our heads,” Conley suggested.
“That is most wise, Your Majesty. If you find a pleasing crown I can promise I can make it fit,” the smithy promised.
“Good man, let us be off to see these crowns,” Drystan said and allowed Imperial Duke Bernal to lead them to the trunk’s location. Who knew what other kinds of treasures were amassed at Castle Draconis? Drystan thought as they walked. Looking at Conley, he could see the scowl on his face and knew he was doing his best to stay polite to the offending Imperial Duke Bernal. Drystan did not know why Fate chose them for this duty, but he hoped they truly were up to the task; the intrigue of this place could get the best of them if they allowed it.
Chapter 18
“Have you read the letter we received from Mother?” Conley asked as he took a seat on the arm of Drystan’s chair.
“I did.”
“She and Father wish to pay us a visit.”
Drystan’s serious dark eyes met his. “I do not feel it would be wise to allow them to come. We have only been here for a few short weeks. I would be more comfortable should we have a better handle on the goings-on of the castle.”
“Aye, I feel much the same. I would not want either of them to be drawn into any of the intrigue that abounds here.”
“What are we to do with all these dukes?”
“Imperial Duke Bernal and his cronies are a powerful force, but we are left with little choice but to work with them. We cannot send them out to other courts knowing we are saddling unsuspecting kings with men little interested in anything beyond their own importance and desire for riches,” Conley said.
“Emperor Erhard was ill for centuries. Imperial Duke Bernal had to assume many of his duties; it would seem he is now reluctant to relinquish them.”
“He should have written to a king and asked him to take over those decisions. Fate-chosen leaders are needed to rule.”
“We are in accord, Con. There are many kings to choose from, and any of them would be proud to offer their assistance to Court Draconis.”
Conley stood and began to pace. “I fear that is why the fairs were ended. The stat
e of Emperor Erhard’s health would have been made known, and the kings would have demanded to assist in ruling. I know as I would have been one of them.”
“That is but one reason.”
“You have the right way of it. Greed is the other. Why spend gold on all dragons when you can line your own pockets with it? Each of these dukes has an apartment fit for a king or better. Stuffed full of all manner of expensive things. All of this coin should have been sent out to kingdoms in need.”
Drystan chuckled. “Did you see the look upon Imperial Duke Bernal’s face when we announced we would lower the taxes collected? He fair turned green.”
“We knew the taxes were rising each quarter, but we had no idea the gold was being spent in such a frivolous manner.”
“Aye and that gold could have been spent to enrich the lives of the Besant dragons. No doubt there were many small demesnes who were in much the same predicament. Despite our best efforts, we could not afford many luxuries to give to our people,” Drystan replied with a frown.
“I was most content to hear from Duke Geron that there is a new King Besant. I feared our former court would suffer without one.”
“Aye, Geron seemed most pleased.”
“His post will be made easier by no longer being forced to send most of the Besant earnings to Court Draconis,” Conley said.
“When we are better able to afford fairs, I hope to meet him.”
“It will be some time before we can manage it.”
“I know it and it does not please me to continue the practice of not having an annual dragon gathering. We need to be united as a people,” Drystan replied.
“Of course you have my agreement. Cutting the monies we give to our excess of dukes will aid us. They have made out better than most kings these past few centuries Emperor Erhard was unable to attend his duties.”
“It is strange we can get no answers on what kind of illness Emperor Erhard suffered.”
“Aye, the words of these dukes are far too vague. There is much drama to be had in this castle,” Conley said.
“I do not feel it is too late to simply shift and disappear into the night. There must be an isolated island in which we may take refuge. We could live with no worries of overreaching dukes and lack of coin. It would only be one another we need to see to.”
“It is most tempting Drys, but Fate has chosen us for this duty. She must feel we are up to the task, no matter how daunting it may all seem.”
“I fear you are much better suited to the task of ruling.”
“You have no cause to doubt your abilities. You were a fine king and so shall you be an emperor. My faith in you is absolute,” Conley stated as he walked back over to Drystan’s chair and bent down to give him a kiss.
Drystan raised his hand to his cheek and offered him a smile. “Your outlook is, of course, most biased.”
“You believe because my heart belongs to you I am without good reasoning skills?”
“Always you are able to twist my words to your advantage.”
“What else could a mate be for, Drys?”
“I can think of many, many things,” Drystan revealed with a rather lecherous grin.
Conley ignored it and resumed his pacing. “Did you hear the tale this morning from the guardsman’s son?”
“Do not think I am unaware of your desire to change the subject.”
“I will attend to you this evening when we are alone.”
“It is I who will be attending you,” Drystan insisted.
“The tale.”
“Aye, I heard the tale.”
“What did you make of it?” Conley asked.
“It was quite spectacular, was it not?”
“Aye, it was most unbelievable and yet I find myself wishing it could be true.”
Conley smiled brightly. “Can you imagine if sorcerers truly were more than tools for storytelling?”
“According to the boy, he saw a pair of them casting spells as he hiked through the woods.”
“It is rather nonsensical to think two sorcerers picked woods so close to a castle full of dragons to ply their craft.”
“My thoughts were along the same lines. Perhaps if it were some far-flung forest I would put more credence in the story, but I fear you have the right of it. Still, I do wish there were such people in the world. I would be most interested in having speech with them,” Drystan said.
“Aye, I would ask them to cast a spell to make Imperial Duke Bernal disappear.”
Drystan smirked. “It would be the noblest of spells.”
“I shall believe in sorcerers when I can gaze upon them myself.”
“Let us hope the pair the boy saw hie their way to the castle.”
“We would see to having a feast prepared in welcome,” Conley suggested.
“Unless they have views much the same as humans.”
“It is difficult to imagine a sorcerer would hold anything against a man who can transform into a beast. Humans think us unnatural. If these magick people were real, the humans would align them with us.”
“You likely have the way of it. Shifting into a dragon is a bit of magick,” Drystan said.
“They may not accept the will of Fate the way we do. Humans do not.”
“Another hurdle to be overcome should we find ourselves dining with sorcerers.”
“If they think as humans do, they would not be willing to share bread with us,” Conley replied.
“Aye, two men together is abhorrent to humans.”
“It is equally abhorrent to some dragons.”
“That will be an attitude no longer acceptable among dragonkind.”
“We shall devote time to counseling kings to accept the will of Fate no matter how she chooses to pair up dragons,” Conley said.
“It shall be easier when we are able to afford to travel to all courts and host our fairs.”
“We need a decree which makes it unlawful to come between mates.”
“Such a law already exists.”
“I know it, but it shall now be punishable by death,” Conley insisted.
“If that does not discourage bigots from harming the bonds of mates, I cannot imagine anything will.”
“It will take time, but I feel we can make much progress for dragonkind.”
“Do we continue the practice of keeping ourselves separate from all humankind or should we reach out to see if we can find some allies amongst them?”
“Drys, I cannot see how it would aid us to allow humans near dragons. They have offered nothing but threats and violence against us.”
“It has been some time since any murderous things were done against dragons by humans.”
“Aye, and I intend to ensure that lack of evil continues. Dragon castles will continue to be fortified against humans.”
“They are little match for us in any event,” Drystan said.
“Which may well explain why there is so much hatred in their hearts. It is not a fair fight between man and dragon.”
“You need only attend a dragon-shifting ceremony to know the truth of those words.”
“I wish there was more that could be done to help drakelings become dragons,” Conley remarked.
“As do I. Mayhap we can discuss it with the dragon trainers of the courts. They might have insights which can provide a better measure of safety.”
“I am most anxious to be able to spend time with dragons of all kinds.”
“We are likely to be cooped up inside this castle for some time before it is a possibility,” Drystan said.
“We must endeavor to create more ways of earning gold.”
“Perhaps we can find many rich sorcerers who have need of jewels and tapestries.”
“We have those in abundance,” Conley replied.
“Aye, imagine all the gold we could make by selling the excess owned by the dukes of the emperor’s realm.”
Conley beamed a smile at his clever man. “We could fair swim in all the coins.”
“We do have many things owned by Emperor Erhard we could sell to kings that have a surplus of gold.”
“We shall look over the ledgers and send word to them. They can send a representative to the castle and we can haggle over the contents of many of Emperor Erhard’s trunks.”
“That coin we can set aside to be distributed to kingdoms most in need,” Drystan suggested and Conley strode over to give his man a kiss.
“An excellent idea. We shall keep a separate ledger for the gold we produce—that way it is not used by Castle Draconis.”
“Excess food can be handled in much the same way,” Drystan said.
“Aye, our grounds are vast and Imperial Duke Bernal did mention there were plenty of excess crops after the last harvest.”
“We will find a way to ensure all dragons share the same level of prosperity.”
“A noble goal,” Conley declared.
“It is almost as if Fate has chosen me for some great purpose.”
Conley laughed. “Almost as if you were an emperor.”
“I am not an emperor, but I am mated to one.”
“I am not fond of such a sentiment,” Conley said with a frown.
“Whether you wish it to be that way or not, Fate chose you for the role of emperor. I merely followed my royal mate here to Castle Draconis.”
“And yet you are called Emperor Drystan.”
“Only because I am willing to indulge your whims,” Drystan replied.
“If you wished to humor me you would cease remarking upon our shared title. We are equals, Drys. I do not think there is any need to quibble over the details.”
“Since I do not wish to sleep this night without your head upon my chest, I shall allow the subject to drop.”
“That is most wise.”
“And since I wish to do more than sleep I would offer my lips to you for a kiss,” Drystan said.
“I have been kissing you much of the day.”
“A brief buss against my lips is not what I had in mind.”
Conley walked over to Drystan and lifted a brow. It was something Drystan had spent many hours practicing, and he was still put out that he was unable to copy the gesture. “You wish my tongue between your lips?”
Resurrection Of The Fallen Page 12
