The human officers were resplendent in their long leather coats, decorated with stylized dragons; plumed hats; shining brass buttons; wearing ceremonial swords and tall, polished riding boots. Each of the three noble dragons wore a silk sash in the Brigade colors of red, white, and gold around its neck.
The noble dragons crouched on the ground, their heads lowered to speak to the humans. Sunlight glittered on the scales of the dragons and flashed off the swords of the officers. As Kate watched, the human officers began to laugh uproariously. The dragons joined in, loudly chortling.
“They are enjoying themselves!” Kate said resentfully. “They don’t give a damn about Dalgren!”
Cecile gave her a cool look. “You will hear much to anger and provoke you today, Mistress Katherine. You will do far better to remain calm. Let the judges see by your untroubled and relaxed demeanor that you have complete confidence in your defense of your friend.”
“I will try, my lady,” said Kate, who felt far from untroubled or relaxed.
“I see my son talking to the Duke of Talwin,” said Cecile. “He must be arguing your cause. Stephano spoke quite highly of you to us last night, Mistress. He is most impressed by your loyalty to Dalgren.”
The Duke of Talwin was an elder dragon of perhaps five hundred years or more. His scales had lost the brilliant sheen of youth and were a dull blue gray in color. His long neck was slightly stooped, his head hung down. His eyes were still bright, however.
The dragons swore fealty to the king of Rosia, but the Dragon Duchies were self-governing, each led by the head of a clan. Dalgren was a member of the Talwin clan and he always spoke of the duke with respect.
“Seeing him reminds me, I have arranged a meeting with the duke, as you asked, Mistress Katherine,” said Cecile. “He will grant you an audience after the proceedings are concluded.”
Kate had been so worried about Dalgren she had forgotten she had asked for the meeting. She murmured her thanks.
Stephano and the duke finished their conversation, and Stephano walked over to welcome them. He was joined by the Brigade officers, who left their dragon comrades and came to pay their respects to the princess.
The women left the carriage to greet them. Stephano performed introductions, and there was much bowing and doffing of hats, exchanging of compliments, regrets that the king could not attend, smiles and laughter.
Kate stood in the shadow of the carriage, seemingly forgotten. Only a few months ago, she and Dalgren had been flying together in the early-morning mists of the Breath as the Aligoes slept in the heat of the rising sun. She had worked hard to leave her life in the Aligoes behind. But now, more than a little overwhelmed, she wished with all her heart that she and Dalgren were back there.
She had no idea where to go or what to do. She did not even know if she would have a chance to speak. She fixed her gaze upon Stephano and waited. He was talking to a group of people and Kate did not dare interrupt. She was heartened when he glanced in her direction and gave her a nod, as though to say he had not forgotten about her.
He eventually was able to break free, and when he did so, he came straight to her.
“You will be glad to hear, Mistress Katherine, that I have obtained permission from the court for you to speak in Lord Dalgren’s defense.”
“Thank you, sir!” said Kate fervently.
“I hope you can help him,” said Stephano somberly. He sighed when he spoke, as though his hope was a faint one.
Kate was now faced with a daunting prospect.
She could shout orders to her crew in the midst of a howling gale as her ship was sinking, and keep her nerve. But at the thought of standing by herself in front of men and dragons, her mouth went dry, her hands shook, and her stomach clenched. She pictured herself stammering and stuttering, making a fool of herself. She feared she might even throw up! She felt perilously close to sickness now, and she was tempted to run back into the carriage and hide.
And then she saw Dalgren being led forth from the cave by Lord Haelgrund. The rest of the assembly saw him at that moment. Conversation ceased, and they all turned to stare.
Dalgren walked with firm step, his head held high. He did not hesitate or falter. Lord Haelgrund escorted him to the top of a small hill away from the proceedings. Dalgren crouched on his haunches, head and neck erect, aware that all eyes were on him, and that most of the eyes were cold and disapproving.
He was putting on a brave front as befitted a soldier, but Kate could see that he was suffering. His mane quivered; he kept his jaws tightly clenched, so that not even a wisp of smoke escaped; his claws dug into the ground, his tail flicked nervously.
Kate was ashamed of her own fears.
I will not let you down, she promised silently.
The Duke of Talwin lumbered forth to escort Sophia to her place in Grayhollow. As she left, Sophia turned her head to give Kate a reassuring smile. Cecile and the others began going to take up their respective positions.
“Where do I go?” Kate frantically whispered.
“I will escort you,” said Stephano.
He gave her his arm, regarding her with concern.
“Stage fright?” he asked.
Kate nodded and managed a faint smile. “I would rather be flattened by a dragon than talk before this assembly, sir. But I won’t let Dalgren down.”
“Good for you,” said Stephano. “If it helps, don’t look at anyone else. Pretend he is the only person in Grayhollow, and speak to him.”
He led her to a bench located between the north and west compass points. A large dragon crouching nearby scowled at the sight of them.
“Your Grace.” The dragon spoke with disdain.
Stephano answered with a smile and a polite inclination of his head.
“Count Mirgrouff,” he said pleasantly. He added in a low voice for Kate’s benefit, “Dalgren’s father.”
The count snorted a gout of flame in contempt. Stephano had not introduced Kate, for which was she glad, for then she would have had to say something to him, and she did not trust herself to be civil. As they walked past, the count stared fixedly at Kate. She knew enough about dragons to know he was trying to intimidate her. She boldly stared back at him. The count grunted and looked away.
“Why is he here?” Kate asked resentfully. “He doesn’t care anything about Dalgren.”
“The count is testifying against his own son,” said Stephano.
Kate stared at him in shock. “Against Dalgren! Do you know what he will say?”
“No one knows,” said Stephano. “But I fear it won’t be good.”
“Lord Haelgrund told me that no one in the Brigade likes him,” said Kate. “Perhaps the judges won’t believe him.”
“Dragons are far more fair-minded than humans,” said Stephano. “They do not allow personal feelings to cloud their judgment. I fear the count’s testimony could be damning.”
Sophia took her place upon the throne and the duke settled himself beside her, head erect, his wings folded, his tail wrapped around his feet. At this silent signal, the other dragons and humans seated themselves with a clattering of swords and a rustling of wings.
Kate sank down on the bench and clasped her cold hands together. She had looped the train over her wrist, but the loop was cutting off her circulation and she quickly released it. Her skirt with the long train fell in folds around her feet.
“I have to leave you,” said Stephano. “My place is with my mother and the rest of the dignitaries.”
He paused, then added, “You will hear testimony that will make you extremely angry, but you must keep silent. You may not speak until the court summons you.”
Kate gave a bleak nod. She was shivering beneath her cloak.
Stephano rested his hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring pat. “Be brave and try not to worry.”
He crossed the amphitheater, going to join his mother on a stone bench located at the east compass point to the right of the throne, directly opposite where Kate was sitting.<
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She kept her gaze fixed on him and was startled to notice that the Trundler women, Miri and Gythe, were sitting on the bench alongside the countess. Stephano appeared pleased to see them both. He shook hands with them and kissed each on the cheek. They moved aside to make room for him on the bench.
Kate couldn’t imagine why the Trundler women would be here. The two certainly did not look like dignitaries. They were wearing typical Trundler garb: a skirt over pantaloons, peacoats, and knit stocking hats. Trundler women sailed their own boats and would often shed the skirt in order to climb the rigging. They looked warm and comfortable and very much at ease.
Stephano was talking to them and at one point he nodded toward Kate, causing the Trundlers to regard her with interest.
Four dragons wearing Brigade insignia took their places at the head of the amphitheater. They were flanked by three human officers. Since this was a dragon matter, the dragons would have the deciding vote.
Lord Haelgrund had explained the procedure of the trial to her, so that Kate knew what was going on.
A subaltern sat down on a camp stool behind the officers. He would be taking notes to be entered into the official files of the Dragon Brigade.
Dragons did not hold ranks in the Brigade as did humans. The dragon heading the proceeding would be the senior dragon in terms of years served. She introduced herself as Countess Anasi, a member of the Deehaven clan. Anasi was small for a dragon, being only about fifty feet in length, with the thick neck of a common dragon. Given that she was a countess, Kate guessed she must have married into a noble family. The scars on her body attested to her valor and courage. She had a booming voice that echoed off the nearby mountains and would have easily drowned out a cannonade.
She bowed to the princess, acknowledging the crown. Sophia rose to express her brother’s regrets that he could not attend, and resumed her seat. Anasi wasted no time with further ceremony, but opened the trial.
“The accused, Lord Dalgren, son of Count Mirgrouff and Countess Faltihure, member of clan Talwin, will present himself.”
Dalgren rose to his feet. Accompanied by his two escorts, he left the small rise on which he had been standing to take his place in Grayhollow. Dalgren had been wounded in the Battle of the Royal Sail and his left leg had not healed properly. He could use it, but the leg hung at an odd angle from his body and he often walked with a limp. Kate had teased him about it, claiming that his limp grew worse whenever he wanted to escape work.
Today he was making a conscious effort to put weight on his injured leg, and to walk as normally as possible.
If ever there was a time to hobble, Dalgren, this is it. Let them see you still carry the scars of battle, Kate silently urged him.
Dalgren was too proud to play for sympathy, however. He exerted every effort to disguise his injury. He took his place at the southern compass point and stood alone. His escorts settled themselves a short distance behind him.
Anasi resumed. “The account of the Battle of the Royal Sail as recorded in the official log of Commander Jeantrou, now deceased, will be read into the record by Captain Porcelli, senior Brigade officer in the absence of Captain Dag Thorgrimson, who is currently serving in the Aligoes and is unable to attend.”
Captain Porcelli came forward carrying a worn logbook in his hands. He opened it and began to read.
Kate glanced at Stephano. He sat braced, his back rigid, his expression grim; she imagined that steeling himself to listen to the account of the battle must he painful.
Following a request by General Dennis, the Dragon Brigade was dispatched to assist forces then engaged in besieging an Estaran flying fortress, the last remaining holdout of a larger enemy fleet that had sought to invade Rosia. The fortress had been strengthened by magical constructs that rendered it impervious to a week’s prolonged bombardment by the Rosian navy.
The Dragon Brigade attacked the fortress. Dragon magic broke the magic of the Estarans and forced the fortress’s commander to surrender. General Dennis specified the terms of surrender. I delivered them to Lieutenant Domingo Elizandro who had been left in charge of the fortress following the death of his commander. The lieutenant and Sergeant Dag Thorgrimson, commander of a unit of Guundaran mercenaries, agreed to the terms.
During the formal ceremony of surrender, a lone Estaran rifleman fired a shot at the Rosian fleet. The man was quickly subdued by Sergeant Thorgrimson and there was never a real threat. The commander of the fleet, Lord Captain William Hastind, now deceased, responded by ordering his ships’ cannons to open fire on the unarmed Estarans.
The officers of the Dragon Brigade, led by Lieutenant Stephano de Guichen, had given their word of honor that the men who surrendered would not be harmed. They saw the ships running out their cannons and they flew their dragons between the fortress and the ships, hoping to ward off impending slaughter.
Lord Captain Hastind opened fire. The Estarans suffered eighty percent losses. The Dragon Brigade suffered two riders killed outright, five others were wounded.
I want to commend the dragons and riders that served at the Battle of the Royal Sail. They upheld the honor of the Brigade and the Kingdom, at a cost unseen since the Battle of Daenar. It is my wish to recognize the particular acts of heroism of Lieutenant Stephano De Guichen and Lady Cam, who was mortally wounded attempting to save her rider. In addition, I recognize Lieutenant Fernel and his dragon, Lord Praigh; Lieutenant Moretti and his dragon, Lord Dalgren, for particular acts of bravery.
They have my admiration and my thanks. Unfortunately that is all I have to offer.
The captain finished reading and shut the logbook.
No one spoke. No one moved.
Captain Jeantrou had given a very spare account as required in a naval log until that last sentence, when he put his anger and emotion down on the page. Most of those present had served in the Brigade. They were veterans of military action and they could smell the gunpowder and the blood and hear the screams of the dying.
Stephano sat rigid and unmoving during the account. One of the Trundler women, Miri, gently rested her hand on his. Gythe whispered something to the countess, who clasped her hand. Sophia grew very pale and gave Dalgren a look of sympathy.
He had listened without any show of emotion until Captain Porcelli read the part at the end when Captain Jeantrou commended Lord Dalgren and his rider, Lieutenant Moretti. Dalgren blinked rapidly as though to clear a film from his eyes, and a thin wisp of smoke escaped from his mouth. He tightened his jaw and the smoke trailed away.
Kate glanced sidelong at Count Mirgrouff, who had been at the battle and had not been singled out for valor. He drew back his lip in a derisive sneer.
After a brief moment of respectful silence for those who had been lost, Anasi resumed.
“You may continue, Captain Porcelli. I believe you have something further to say to the court.”
The captain reached into an inner pocket, drew out and unfolded a letter. “I received this from Sir Alonzo Moretti, formerly Lieutenant Moretti of the Dragon Brigade. Sir Alonzo was Lord Dalgren’s partner. His Lordship is now living in Guundar, where he is undersecretary to our ambassador. He has asked me to read this into the record, if the court has no objection. The letter is … um … colorful, but to the point. I beg the court’s pardon in advance for His Lordship’s language.”
Captain Porcelli cleared his throat and read.
“‘I am told that Lord Dalgren is being put on trial for desertion following the unmitigated disaster I like to call the Battle of the Royal Numbskull. I want to state for the record that Lord Dalgren performed heroically during that debacle. He was the best damn partner I ever rode and in my opinion he showed remarkably good sense by quitting the Brigade, since it was obvious the goddamn navy had quit on us.
“‘In fact, I would have followed his example, but I was laid up in hospital for weeks after our own bloody navy damn near blew off my head. I call it disgraceful that the Brigade has the nerve to try this heroic officer when t
hat shit-eating horse’s ass, Hastind, who gave the order to fire on his own troops, was awarded a medal. If you find Lord Dalgren guilty, you’re a bunch of goddamn fools.’”
The human officers of the Brigade glanced at one another and appeared to have trouble maintaining their outward composure. Stephano put his hands to his lips as though to conceal a smile.
As Captain Porcelli folded the letter, he added dryly, “Sir Alonzo is notorious for speaking his mind.”
“Indeed,” said Anasi. “One can see why he is the undersecretary to the ambassador and not the ambassador. Thank you, Captain Porcelli.”
The captain bowed and returned to his seat.
“Our next witness is Count Mirgrouff,” said the countess.
Kate looked anxiously at Dalgren. He had dug his claws into the ground and braced himself as perhaps he had done that day when facing the cannon fire.
The count lumbered into the very center of Grayhollow. He did not stand erect, but crouched as though ready to spring. His head snaked around to look at the assembly.
“My name is Count Mirgrouff. I have the misfortune to be the father of the accused. I was present at the Battle of the Royal Sail. First, I want to state for the record that the account of the battle as reported by that imbecile Jeantrou is a damn lie! He and de Guichen were in collusion with the enemy commander of the fortress the entire time, as can be proven by the lamentable fact that Dag Thorgrimson is now commanding the Dragon Brigade. Captain Hastind was well within rights to fire on the traitors and all those who participated in their treachery, including my son. They got what they deserved.”
Stephano sprang to his feet in anger, as Captain Porcelli and the two other officers began shouting in protest. Lord Haelgrund made a loud hissing sound, shooting flame from between his jaws. Count Mirgrouff regarded his former comrades with sneering contempt. Countess Anasi called several times for order, each time emphasizing her booming words with a thud of her massive tail.
“I am sorry you had to witness this disturbance, Your Highness,” said Anasi, after the assembly had settled down. She cast a baleful glance at Lord Haelgrund. “One more outburst from you, my lord, and you will be asked to leave!”
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