Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol. III

“Every variation.”

“Yes, well, we can thank Erini for his relative calm toward the end. Melicard’s parents have always been a touchy subject. Rennek IV was not the best of rulers, evidently, but he had a soft place in his heart for his son.”

“And too fragile a mind,” added Cabe. Ahead of them, he heard the laughter of a child and the sound of the queen’s voice.

“It is a clever suggestion,” the crimson-tressed enchantress admitted. “Now that Melicard has gotten over his initial confusion, he should be able to see that himself. It allows Kyl to show his willingness to admit to the terrors committed in the name of his sire, while at the same time it enables the king to show his people that he is strong enough to have the respect of the new emperor of the drakes. That no one but we will witness it makes no difference. Word will get out and that will be sufficient.”

“Providing it ever takes place.”

She grimaced. “I think I will urge Erini to convince her husband that it should take place either tomorrow or the day after that. Most likely the day after; with the formal reception this evening, tomorrow would make everyone feel hurried for time.”

Cabe looked at her, a wry smile spreading across his plain features. “Exactly who runs this kingdom? You? Erini? Lynnette, perhaps?”

Gwen had no chance to respond to his jest, for suddenly both of them became aware of the sound of soldiers running. The sound came from the same direction where they had both heard the queen and her daughter playing not a moment before.

No word passed between the two, but suddenly Gwen no longer stood at his side. Cabe hesitated only long enough to ready himself, then also vanished.

He materialized in the midst of spear points and sword tips. More than a dozen guards surrounded the scene, with yet another contingent arriving even as the warlock drank in his surroundings. Erini stood to one side, a small, delicate-looking girl holding her hand and two massive guards shielding them both from possible danger. Darkhorse stood near the center of the circle the soldiers had formed, but it was not the eternal at whom the weapons were pointed.

A drake cowered before the captain of the guard. Darkhorse was on the dragon man’s other side, looking more curious than wary.

“Pleassse! I meant no-”

“Be silent!” The captain struck the drake across the false helm. Cabe noted the lack of crest; the prisoner was one of the servitors, not a warrior. That did not mean that the drake was not capable of killing, but it did make it unlikely. They were generally not very aggressive for their race, even in dragon form.

It seemed doubtful that any of the drakes would be so foolhardy as to attack one of the royal family, even as a dragon. True, any one of the draconian visitors had the potential to become one of the legendary leviathans, but in Talak that was more likely to mean death to the shapeshifter than to his prey. It was reasonable to assume that Melicard had planned for such circumstances; the king would never have allowed the drakes in otherwise. And prior to the departure of the caravan, Lord Green had made certain to remind his folk that even an accidental transformation meant punishment . . . possibly at the discretion of Melicard himself.

To most drakes, Melicard was a demon in human guise. Cabe had been confident from the start that none of the reptilian race would risk themselves so.

Which brought up the question as to what had happened here.

“Captain, I command you to stop that.”

The guardsman looked at his queen, rather befuddled that she would give such an order. With evident reluctance, he lowered his hand. “But Your Majesty-”

“Stay here, Lynnette,” the queen whispered to the slim, ivory-skinned child. The young princess, despite her appearance, was no fragile flower, but this was one time, Cabe saw, that she would obey her mother without question. Erini stepped past the two reluctant guards and confronted the captain. “I gave you a command.”

Her words were spoken softly, but the soldier nonetheless paled. He saluted and stepped back.

The queen finally seemed to notice the Bedlams. “I am glad the two of you are here. Do you recognize this drake?”

Cabe thought he did, but Gwendolyn spoke before he had a chance to commit himself. “Osseuss, isn’t it?”

“Y-yessss, my lady!”

“He was trying to sneak up on the queen and the princess!” snapped the captain of the guard.

The drake shook his head. “Nooo! No!”

“Lies!” The soldier made to strike the drake again, but a glance from Erini made him falter. “My men saw him creeping around the trees, Your Majesty! Creeping around the trees and watching you and the Princess Lynnette!”

“And me!” rumbled Darkhorse. “Come, come, Captain! Do you think one drake is any threat to me?”

Even under the chilling gaze of the shadow steed, the veteran warrior remained steadfast. “I was doing my duty!”

“And very well,” soothed the queen. “I thank you for your concern, but I have my doubts as to the danger posed by this particular drake. Tell me, Osseuss; why did you come here?”

The dragon man glanced at the Lady Bedlam, who nodded to him and said, “Tell the truth.”

Keeping one eye on the captain, Osseuss explained, “I wasss lossst. The landsss, they are ssso beautiful, ssso well-kept! I wandered, then realized that I had become turned around. I thought I knew the way back, Your Majesssty, but found myssself here inssstead! I grew fearful, knowing that I wasss where I wasss not meant to be, and when I sssaw you and your daughter, my heart pounded! I was certain that I had condemned myssself by not paying attention!”

“Why is that?”

“A drake near the bride of Melicard the Terrible? Only for the royal party isss that possible! For the ressst of usss, that is surely sssuicide!”

Judging from the guards’ expressions, it was clear to Cabe that Osseuss was correct in that assumption. These men were ready to kill the servitor simply because he was what he was. To be fair, Osseuss should have known better, but if men could be foolhardy, then so could drakes. In some ways the races were too similar.

Queen Erini looked at the Bedlams. Gwen studied the cringing drake for a moment longer, then said, “I will vouch for him. His duties at the Manor concern the care of the gardens there. Osseuss has always been one of the most loving caretakers. I will definitely vouch for him.”

“So will I,” Cabe added in support. Unless Osseuss was a cunning mage comparable in power to the trio of spellcasters before him, his story was genuine. While neither Cabe nor his wife had delved into the drake’s thoughts, it was simple enough to read the truth in the emotions radiating from the mind of the servitor. There was true fear there, fear mixed with confusion and self-recrimination.

The guardsman was still not convinced. “But Your Majesty! We can’t just-”

“Are you questioning the word of our guests, Captain? If so, you will also be questioning mine, because I find I agree with them in this matter.”

As if that was not enough in its own right to crush what protest there was left in the officer, Darkhorse added, “And if you question the word of my friends, then know you that you also question my word!”

Seeing that there would be no more interruptions, the queen did the unthinkable. She held out her hand to the prisoner. He stared at it for several seconds, trying to decide what she intended. When it was clear that Erini did not plan to withdraw the proffered hand, Osseuss reluctantly took it. He rose, then executed a perfect bow.

“Can you find your way back on your own now?”

The drake hesitated. His reptilian eyes continued to flicker between the queen and the captain. A forked tongue darted out and in as he nervously considered her question. “I . . . I am not sure.”

“I would give you an escort, but I think that emotions run too high for that at the moment.”