Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol. III

servants.

“He vanished at some point between the moment it was decided that he would join us at supper and just now, when I turned my gaze back to you.” Melicard’s tone was cautious. “I will never understand that creature. Do not even you have any control over him?”

“Darkhorse does what Darkhorse chooses to do.”

A half-silver frown crossed the king’s unique visage. “I had noticed that. I still hoped.”

The caravan and its escort had begun moving again. Cabe watched for a moment, then reminded the king, “You wanted to talk to me, Your Majesty?”

“Yes.” The king of Talak looked around at his staff. “The rest of you may return to your duties.”

The departure of the dignitaries left the two alone save for a second set of guards whose task it was to protect the king at all times. Melicard acted as if they did not exist. The heir to the throne of the mountain kingdom since his birth, he was very much used to the near-constant presence of bodyguards.

“This way, if you please.”

Following the tall, regal figure up the steps of the palace, Cabe asked, “Has my wife arrived yet, Your Majesty?”

“I commanded those responsible to notify me the moment she does. Likely you will know before anyone else does.”

That was probably true, but the warlock liked to ask, just to be certain. Gwendolyn had said she would arrive early in the evening of this very day, but exactly when had been debatable. Cabe hoped that she would appear before supper. He wanted her there if it was at all possible.

As they reached the top, Melicard casually asked, “What are your personal observations concerning this supposed emperor?”

The intrigued sorcerer arched an eyebrow. “Is that one of the minor details you wanted to discuss with me?”

A pause. “One of them, yes.” The king fixed his true eye on his companion. Even after so long, it was sometimes hard to believe that the other one was not real, despite its silver shape, for the elfwood so well mimicked Melicard’s original face that the false eye followed the direction of its counterpart with perfect precision. The disfigured monarch had never said otherwise, but Cabe occasionally wondered if he saw better than he pretended.

Mulling over the king’s request, the warlock finally replied, “I’d be happy to give you my observations concerning Kyl.”

Melicard actually appeared a bit startled. “I thank you.”

The mage shrugged. “I would do the same for him in regard to you. Likely, I will whether he asks or not.”

“That would be . . . fair.”

Although he was able to hide it from the king, Cabe was vastly relieved by Melicard’s lack of protest. Had the gray-haired ruler commanded him not to speak to Kyl, it would have created a precarious situation. Despite his position as one of Kyl’s guardians, the warlock was desperately attempting to be neutral when it came to the talks between the two rulers. If either side felt that he leaned toward the other, it could only make the situation more perplexing . . . not to mention dangerous. It was even more difficult since, despite Melicard’s constant formality, Cabe considered both king and queen good friends.

The question is, the sorcerer thought as he followed Melicard into the palace, how long before I do take sides? Or have I done so already?

He hoped that Gwen would make it in time for supper.

Kyl was pleased with himself.

“I did very well, would you not sssay ssso, Grath?”

The dragon heir stood in the midst of the sumptuous suite that had been turned over to him by the very charming queen, who had just left his company not a moment before in order to make the final arrangements for the informal supper. Had his interests not been focused elsewhere, Kyl would have utilized his full charms on Queen Erini. It was clear that she controlled her husband, so whoever controlled her could have whatever he desired. Concessions, perhaps.

“You did well,” Grath admitted. Unlike his brother, he maintained a quiet, almost reclusive air. Seated in a plush, gold-and-purple chair on one side of the vast room, Grath watched his sibling continue to preen. For the first time in days they were alone, Kyl’s guards having taken up residence outside the entrance to the suite.

“I wasss grace and charm. I treated our two-faced hossst with the ressspect and care that he could hardly have expected from . . . how wasss it he put it long ago? . . . from ‘a blood-thirsssty lizard that sssometimes walked on two legsss’?”

“He was, I believe, talking about Toma,” Grath corrected.

“He wasss talking about all drakesss, regardlessss of which of usss he ssspoke of at the time!” The emperor-to-be stalked toward his brother and leaned over the chair. He smiled slightly as Grath shrank back. The other drake was not frightened, merely cautious. Both of them knew how valuable Grath was to him. When Kyl had a question, his younger sibling was generally there with the answer. The arrangement pleased the dragon heir. He had the best, most loyal of all advisors, one who had no designs on the throne himself. He would rather bury hisss head in hisss precious booksss than rule a race!

Yes, a perfect arrangement.

“We should prepare for the supper,” Grath suggested quietly. “You have to press your advantage.”

Kyl’s handsome face momentarily revealed anxiety. The confidence that his performance at the steps of the palace had built evaporated somewhat. It would not be long before supper. He had the advantage now, having confused King Melicard’s assumptions about the new Dragon Emperor. Queen Erini was especially pleased with the elegant young visitor, of that he was confident. What, then, was the best way to further capitalize on his success? With the mountain kingdom on the very doorstep of his own domain, he needed the good will of the king and queen . . . at least until the clans of Gold were once more a power to be reckoned with. That, however, would take a few years.

Kyl studied his brother’s eyes. “You have sssome possible sssuggestion. I know that look.”

“I think . . . I think you should make some sort of grand gesture, Kyl.”

The emperor-to-be straightened. “A grand gesssture? I thought I had sssimply by coming here!”

Grath steepled his hands. “I mean a persssonal gesture to King Melicard himself, Kyl.”

A personal gesture. The elder drake could see the potential in that. Done properly, it would completely undermine the last vestiges of the human monarch’s misgivings. “Tell me what you think might be a worthy gesssture. Tell me what you would do. . . .”

“It came to me while I was reading about Talak and King Melicard in general.” Grath looked down, as if uncertain as to whether his suggestion would be worthy of his brother’s time.

Kyl had no such doubts. His brother had not failed him yet. Giving his advisor a reassuring smile, the heir to the dragon throne urged Grath to continue.

The encouragement appeared to be all the younger drake needed to spur him on. Looking more excited, Grath said, “It concerns His Majesssty’s father, Renneck IV, and our distant brother, the late Duke Kyrg . . .”

“Rennek and Kyrg?” Kyl could not see the connection.

The other drake leaned forward. “Thisss is what I think you should do, Kyl. . . .”

VII

The manor was now his.

Pride and worry wrestled for control. Aurim’s mother had left for Talak the night before, leaving him in