stamina, the dragon’s strength waxed beyond measure that day. For the first time ever, the knight knew fear-fear so great he wanted to run as the squires had.
The barren hills offered Flinn no cover. Verdilith buffeted him with his great wings and knocked him aside with his tail. The dragon raked the knight with his claws and snapped teasingly at him with fangs of ivory. When Flinn’s strength was finally spent, the dragon lost interest in playing with his foe. Deep and true was the wyrm’s next bite, piercing nearly through the knight. Flinn still bore the scars of those ugly wounds. But deep and true, too, was the bite of Flinn’s sword that day in the dragon’s side. Dragon blood cascaded to the rocky ground. Both seriously wounded, the dragon and the warrior gave and took a series of blows so great that Flinn thought they would die together. But then the huge green dragon took to the skies and fled.
Flinn fell to his knees, almost mortally injured. Four knights of Penhaligon, returning home from the war with the giants, came upon Flinn. They had heard the battle raging from afar and arrived with swords drawn, but they saw only their fallen comrade and the dragon winging away.
“…with cries of dismay,” Jo was saying, her words returning Flinn’s thoughts to the present. “They carried their brave leader back to the Castle of the Three Suns, tears falling every step of the way. But at the castle the great baron called for his finest healers and clerics. In time, the brave knight mended, becoming whole and strong again.
“Shamed, the wyrm fled the lands of Penhaligon in defeat. Thus ends the tale of the Mighty Flinn, his sword Wyrmblight, and Verdilith the Great Green.” Jo’s eyes flashed. “But I won’t add the ending I was taught, for Verdilith has returned, and that rather spoils it.”
Braddoc and Dayin enthusiastically voiced their appreciation for the tale, and Dayin handed Jo some apple rings he had saved for her. Flinn, too, expressed his pleasure, and Jo’s face lit up at his praise. How good it is to have someone believe in me again, really believe, he thought suddenly. His smile turned rueful.
Dayin yawned suddenly, and Braddoc put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. The dwarf said, “It’s late, and I think the child should get some sleep while the rest of us discuss what tomorrow may bring.” He looked at Jo. “I’ve put your things in my room, Johauna. There are advantages to being a woman, like a comfortable bed rather than a hard floor. I hope the bed’s not too short for you. Flinn, your bedroll’s here by the hearth. Dayin and I will bed down in the kitchen.”
Dayin yawned widely, but tried to mask it with his small hands. “No, please. I’m not sleepy, just tired.”
Jo mussed his hair and said, “All right, Dayin, you can stay up. But the moment you fall asleep, Braddoc will take you to the kitchen.” She smiled at the boy, who sleepily nodded in return.
Flinn put his elbows on his knees, leaned forward, and sighed. The last few days had been long and grueling ones, and for a moment a part of him didn’t want to contemplate what the morrow might hold. But he knew he must, and with another sigh he looked at Jo and then Braddoc.
“Well, my friends,” the warrior said, “it’s time to make some decisions. I’ve promised to take Dayin to Karleah Kunzay to see if she would like to take him on as an apprentice. That errand will delay my return to the Castle of the Three Suns by no more than half a day, so to Karleah’s I’m headed.”
“When?” Braddoc asked.
“The day after tomorrow,” Flinn replied readily. “The animals-not to mention the riders-have been through much the last two days. We need to rest, but for one day only.”
“Will Ariac be fully recovered, do you think?” Jo asked. Her hands were clasped before her and she seemed calm, but Flinn saw that her knuckles were turning white.
“Yes, I think so. There are easier paths to follow to the west, and there won’t be a blizzard and an entire orc tribe trailing us. At least, I hope not,” Flinn added wryly. “It will probably take a day and a half to get to Karleah’s, but after that I head straight to the Castle of the Three Suns.” He took a deep breath.
“Between now and then, Jo, you need to make a decision,” he continued. “Do you want to petition the council for squiredom on your own-or do you want to stand at my side while I petition for reinstatement as a knight? You should know that I think your skills have improved enough that they would accept you as a squire. Furthermore-” he looked at the young woman keenly, and she grew nervous under his gaze “-I think you do have the dedication and commitment necessary to become a knight, even without me.”
“Oh, Flinn,” Jo cried softly. Her gray eyes were luminous in the light of the dying fire. The faith and devotion he saw there touched him deeply. He remembered he had once slapped her because of that shining belief. “I don’t need a day and a half to make a decision,” she said, shaking her head. “The decision I made when you first asked me that question still holds: I will be your squire no matter what. I don’t need to think on that.”
Flinn looked at her closely, trying to determine whether she knew what lay in store for them. Although she’d been a flighty girl in the past, in the last few months she had developed into a courageous young woman. He nodded toward her, then said, “That’s settled then. After we bring Dayin to Karleah’s, we go on to the castle. There I settle a score with Sir Brisbois, and then I petition the council for reinstatement as a knight. If all goes well, Jo, you and I will leave the castle as members of the Order of the Three Suns.” He smiled and Jo did the same.
“And your plans for Verdilith?” Braddoc asked, thoughtfully stroking the plait in his beard.
Flinn sat back in the chair and drew Wyrmblight onto his knees. “Once I’m a knight again, my rights as a knight will be restored. Only then will I be a match for the dragon, and only then will Wyrmblight shine in full glory. I’ll avenge the town of Bywater and my friend Baildon the Merchant. I will hunt down that wyrm and, as Thor is my witness, I will kill him.” Flinn’s teeth clenched involuntarily, and his hands tightened on the sword.
“Would you like another comrade?” Braddoc asked casually.
Flinn looked at the dwarf in surprise. “You?” he asked. “But, Braddoc, what of your mercenary duties? Don’t you have any contracts pending?”
“I disbanded the group shortly after you left, Flinn,” the dwarf said slowly.
“Why?” Flinn and Jo asked simultaneously.
“Because, like you, I wanted something better for myself. I wasn’t going to find it as a mercenary. I took up goldsmithing; the case I made for Wyrmblight was the first thing I made.” Braddoc held up his braids and smiled ruefully. “I stripped the gems from my hair clasps-not to mention my goblets, my daggers, rings, and everything else I could find-to ornament that case.”
“The case is lovely, especially now that we know what you sacrificed to make it. What made you become a goldsmith?” Jo asked politely.
Braddoc shrugged. “You might say I wanted to return to my dwarven heritage.” He turned his good eye toward Flinn. “You haven’t said whether you’d like my company.”
Flinn held out his hand. “I would be grateful, friend, if you’d join me.”
The dwarf extended his hand, too, and the two men clasped wrists. Braddoc nodded and said, “It’ll be good to be on the trail again with you, Fain Flinn.” He stood and looked down at the sleeping Dayin. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, the boy’s got a good idea. I’m off to bed. Good night.” Braddoc picked up Dayin and carried him from the room. Just before entering the kitchen, Braddoc flashed Flinn a thoughtful look. The warrior looked away.
Jo quietly looked at the fire for a few moments, then turned to Flinn. “I had best be going to bed, too.” She made as if to stand, but Flinn caught her arm. She settled back in her seat.
Flinn looked at Jo, taking in the curve of her neatly braided hair and her high, intelligent brow beneath. He noted her firm chin, sensitive lips, and compassionate eyes. He touched her hand.
“Stay and talk awhile?” he asked quietly. He’d never actually asked her to converse with him before, and for a moment he wondered if she would misinterpret his desire.
“Certainly,” Jo said with alacrity. “What would you like to talk about?” Her eyes watched him intently.
“Tell me what you think will happen when we reach the castle,” he suggested.
Jo smiled. “That’s easy. I know what will happen. You will present your case, exposing the lies of your accusers, and not one person there will vote against you. Everyone will know that you were unjustly accused and that you deserve to become a knight again. Your knighthood will be reinstated.”
Flinn looked at her, baffled at how she could have so much faith. “You can’t really believe that, can you? There are people who don’t think of me as you do, you know,” he added with asperity.
“Yes, I know,” Jo said, then smiled solemnly. “Your petition isn’t likely to go that smoothly. But I do know you will regain your knighthood. Have no fear.”
Flinn looked at her questioningly. “Do you have any fears, Johauna?”
She looked away for a moment, then turned back to him. Her eyes were clear and steady. “I fear that perhaps you may find it difficult adjusting to a life with people again. You’ve lived outside society for the last seven
