 |
|
| |
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
I don t know if Holt will stick with us. So it may only be Bromptotterpindosset and myself.
I ll assume responsibility for the orphans, but the emerlindian women must go with you. This quest is at
their instigation. Paladin has approved of their participation. And the marione Holt Hoddack Sir Dar s
eyes twinkled with amusement will most likely go anywhere the lovely N Rae goes.
Not if he doesn t have a dragon or supplies.
Bardon, another young male might come in handy on this venture. He may not be trained, but I bet he
does better in a fight than either of the women. N Rae s assistance in killing the writher snake nearly cost
you your leg. And I haven t heard you say one word of Granny Kye so much as tripping anyone on
purpose. If you take them, you ll also have the assistance of Jue Seeno.
Bardon smiled. She did turn out to be a worthy ally, didn t she?
Dar grinned as he stood and stretched to his full height, just under four feet. I have never underestimated
the fighting power contained in smaller packages.
The comrades in arms exchanged appreciative grins. But Bardon soon sobered.
I m disappointed that you will not go with us, sir.
No more so than I. Dar shrugged his shoulders. You will have much more excitement than I have
organizing the defense of my holdings and urging the Wittoom parliament to take similar precautions. He
smoothed the hair on his cheek with a finger, then pointed it in the air.
Aha! said Dar. I ve had an excellent idea. I will contact Regidor. He would be someone interested in
exploring the Northern Reach. The vanished meech colony is supposed to be there, and he s been
looking for someone to help him learn more about his meech ancestry. Your Bromptotterpindosset might
be just the man.
Bardon brightened at the prospect. Regidor would be a welcome addition to our quest. Does he still
carry Gilda around in a bottle?
Dar chuckled. Yes, in his pocket. She has mellowed in the last three years but is still a very melancholy,
moody, distrustful dragon.
And Kale. Have you seen Kale since I ve been away?
Dar nodded his head, his furry ears twitched forward. Yes, I visited Bedderman s Bog. Kale s a
beautiful young lady now, not the gangly youth we knew. And Fen and Cam argue over who s
responsible for her remarkable abilities as a wizard. Fenworth is supposedly retired and spends much of
his time as a tree. Still he claims it s his instruction that shines through Kale s more daring achievements.
Bardon pictured the old man and knew exactly how he would twist his face into a scowl as he made his
outrageous claims. And Librettowit is well?
Sir Dar laughed out loud. Librettowit married that helpful little tumanhofer they rescued from Crim
Cropper.
Taylaminkadot! If I remember correctly, it was Taylaminkadot who rescued Kale and Toopka from the
enemy camp.
A very resourceful woman, a stellar cook, and an enthusiastic housekeeper. She is the bane of Wizard
Fenworth s existence and the joy of his librarian s.
Bardon laughed out loud. As Fenworth s notable librarian, Librettowit had always complained. The
tumanhofer did not believe his duties included cooking and dusting. Fenworth assumed they did. He also
assumed Librettowit would wholeheartedly join any adventure, which the librarian resisted like a mule
being taught to fly.
A hundred more questions tumbled into Squire Bardon s thoughts. How s Toopka? Dibl? All the minor
dragons? Have any more been hatched? It had been four months since his last letter from Kale. She d
hinted that Taylaminkadot flirted with Librettowit, but he had dismissed that revelation as a young girl s
invention of romance in her rather isolated society. The urge to see and talk to Kale and the others
surged strongly in the young squire s heart. Dar s voice interrupted him.
This is a nasty business, the doneel said as he stood. I m glad you re to lead this expedition. If Paladin
hadn t chosen you first, I would have. You ve grown into one of my most reliable men.
Bardon thrust aside his personal inquiries and followed his mentor.
Sir Dar ushered him to the tall double doors of the chamber. Bardon gave a gentle push to one of the
ornate panels, and it swung open.
We ll dine in my blue room tonight, said Dar. Privately, with only the adult members of your questing
party. You ll find your room just as you left it. If you need anything, just ring.
Bardon nodded and walked out into the massive hall. Clumps of people stood in the hall. Always the
hangers-on seemed to know exactly which room Dar occupied. If the doors were closed, implying he did
not wish to be disturbed, they waited in the immediate vicinity. Bardon had little patience with these
people. But Dar treated them well, with the same genteel courtesy and respect he extended to everyone.
Even me. I m one of the ones Sir Dar treats with respect, though I don t deserve it. Why do I
begrudge the grace that falls on these cadgers when I deserve no better and receive so much
more?
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plcs-sysunia.htw.pl
|
| |
|
|
|
| Podobne |
| |
|
| |
|