Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol. III

much as the threat of a return to war.

Cabe despised the intrigues of government. Sorcery was so much simpler, so much more straightforward, in comparison.

“What do you suppose is happening there?”

Gwen’s question concerned a young noble who was speaking with Grath. They appeared to be having a somewhat heated discussion, at least where the human was concerned. While what Grath was saying was not audible, the drake’s demeanor indicated reason and calm. Yet, each word seemed to incense the noble.

Stepping between his brother and the human, Kyl muttered something to the Talakian.

The noble replied.

Kyl, hissing loudly, started to swing a fist at the man.

“Trouble!” Gwendolyn breathed.

Before either of them could move, Grath took hold of his brother’s arm and prevented the blow from landing. Unfortunately, the noble took the aborted assault as excuse to draw a ceremonial knife from his belt. Even from where he stood, Cabe could see that the blade was as well-honed as any normal knife.

“Jermaine!” Melicard called. “Stop!”

Both the king’s men and Kyl’s honor guard began moving toward the struggle. Neither Bedlam could get a good enough view of those at the center to dare a spell. It was possible that the wrong reaction would leave either the dragon heir or the noble open to attack. The death of either would shatter the peace, no matter what the original reason for the argument.

Jermaine, the noble, slashed at Kyl. Grath’s hand blocked the attack, but not without incurring a jagged cut. One of the courtiers behind Jermaine grabbed the noble’s other arm. Jermaine struggled free, then took a step toward his adversary.

The entire situation threatened to get out of hand . . . if that were any more possible. The two honor guards had already taken up positions around the combatants, old hatreds causing both of them to choose their own kind. A full-scale battle was brewing.

“I’m going to try to pick Kyl out of there!” Gwendolyn hissed. “I don’t understand why the fool hasn’t done so himself!” Although the warnings against using drake magic were supposed to apply to the emperor-to-be as well as his retinue, it was doubtful that Melicard would have held Kyl responsible for using his sorcery in self-defense. Still, perhaps the drake felt it was safer to fight by hand rather than risk the defenses of Talak.

Then, just as it seemed that everyone was converging on the battle, a blast of thunder shook the entire room. It was so intense that everyone froze, many perhaps thinking that an earthquake or siege had commenced.

“Children, children! Behave yourselves now!”

It was Darkhorse. His stentorian voice echoed throughout the room.

“Milady,” he continued, now looking at the queen, “I regret to say that I may have cracked your floor down to the foundation! For that, I do apologize.”

Queen Erini was barely able to hide a smile. She nodded to the shadow steed. “You are forgiven, I think.”

“My gratitude for that.” The ice-blue, pupilless orbs focused on the king. “Your Majesty, the situation is now in your hands.”

Melicard reacted immediately. His expression unreadable, the lord of the mountain kingdom marched toward the struggle. Two courtiers held the noble named Jermaine by the arms. Kyl and the others watched in silence as the tall king stopped before them and stared.

“My Lord Kyl, I hope you will forgive this distasteful display. It should never have happened.”

The dragon heir exhaled. The fire in his eyes faded. He eyed the noble, then his brother. Something passed between the two drakes. To the king, Kyl replied, “It isss underssstandable, Your Majesssty! Mossst regrettably underssstandable.”

“I will have someone see to your brother’s hand.”

“Let me.” The queen stepped forward. There was a murmuring among the guests.

“The wound is slight,” argued Grath. “There is no need.”

“Nonsense!” Erini took the drake’s hand. She inspected the wound, then cast a disappointed glance toward Jermaine. The noble had the good sense to look at least a bit ashamed.

It would have been simple for any spellcaster of reasonable strength to heal the flesh wound. Grath himself could have done so, given a little time, but Cabe understood what the queen was doing. Talak was responsible for the wound and so Talak, in the form of Queen Erini, would heal it.

Meanwhile, Melicard had turned on the young noble. “Have you anything to say, Jermaine? What was this all about?”

Jermaine’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. One of the courtiers holding him cleared his own throat and quietly said, “If I may, Your Majesty; I think it was a misunderstanding.”

Pulling his attention away from the queen’s ministrations, which had already caused the wound to seal, Grath announced, “Yes, that was all.” Curious eyes turned his way. “A very great misssunderstanding. We were discussing the future relationship of our two kingdoms-”

The king raised a hand, silencing the drake. “That will be sufficient. I know this lad and I know how he thinks.” The disfigured monarch paused. “I know very well how he thinks. Baron Vergoth!”

The baron stepped out of the assembled throng. “Yes, my liege?”

“Will you see to our unruly guest here?” The king indicated the petulant Jermaine.

“One moment, Your Majesssty,” interrupted Kyl. “What do you plan to do with him?”

The two lords confronted one another. In level tones, the king asked, “Did you have some particular punishment in mind, Lord Kyl?”

“I had no punishment in mind. I underssstand hisss way of thinking. There isss much reason behind it, consssidering the passsts of our two racesss. I would rather hope that you will take that in mind and treat him accordingly. Better to work to break down old hatredsss rather than reinforce them. The latter will only ssslow the peace we both desssire.”

Melicard stared at the drake as if seeing a different person there. He visibly mulled over what Kyl had said. “I cannot very well reward him for shaming Talak, but I understand your point. Very well.” Melicard turned to Jermaine. “You know what I could have done to you for endangering the kingdom?”

“Yes, my liege. I . . . apologize for everything. I would make some restitution.”

“You will. I’ll see to that. I will have you work to help make this peace real, lad. We cannot let it be said that Talak was incapable of changing when the chance was offered to it. We’re not merely speaking of peace with the drakes, you fool, but also with the other human kingdoms. Who would trust us if you had more seriously injured- possibly even killed-one of those to whom I have granted protection under a banner of truce?”

“I had no intention of killing him, Your-”

“Which excuses nothing.” Melicard folded his arms. “Baron Vergoth and some guards will escort you from this palace. Tomorrow afternoon, you will return here, at which time I will tell you how you will make amends for this. Is that clear?”

Jermaine went down on one knee, his eyes downcast. “Yes, my liege.”

The king turned to Vergoth. “If you please, Baron?”

“Aye, Your Majesty.”

The impetuous noble was led silently off. The other guests whispered among themselves. Cabe read a variety of emotions among them. There were many who felt that the king had been more than generous, considering the importance of the affair, but there were also several who revealed sympathy for Jermaine. The warlock made a mental note of the names and faces of the most conspicuous of the latter just in case.

Once more, King Melicard turned to his special guest. “I apologize again, Lord Kyl, for this disastrous incident. Despite what anyone might imagine, such behavior will not be tolerated. The next one who shows such colors will not benefit from your good will.”