“Well, you should know that I wouldn’t treat dragons the way Imani does,” Kendra said.
“Perhaps that is why your sanctuary fell,” Giselle said.
Kendra paused. “Maybe.”
“Dragons do not want a cage, however considerate the keeper,” Giselle said.
“Leave us,” Vanessa said. “I wish to talk to Kendra in private.”
Giselle looked to Kendra.
“Yes, please,” Kendra said. “And would you promise not to listen to this conversation?”
“I promise,” Giselle said. “It is wise to give specific instructions. Consider the possibility that, at some level, I do not wish to work against you or to help the Giant Queen in any way. Remember that though I must be loyal to the queen, I am assigned to obey your direct orders like a good servant. Sensible commands can limit my opportunities to gather information. I cannot avoid helping the Giant Queen when you leave the opportunity available.”
“Thanks, Giselle,” Kendra said.
Giselle gave a small curtsy and left the room.
Vanessa stepped near Kendra and spoke quietly. “We’re in the middle of some delicate politics here.”
“I can’t believe I’m being served by a dragon,” Kendra said.
“Believe it, but stay on guard,” Vanessa said. “The Giant Queen might be our ally, but she is not our friend. Giselle will serve her as required. And if Giselle were freed, she would immediately turn on any of us.”
“I got that feeling,” Kendra said.
“I’m going to visit my room and then do some reconnaissance,” Vanessa said. “Rest while you can.”
“Andromadus gave me a book,” Kendra said. “I’ll do some reading.”
“It would be worthwhile for you to learn that story,” Vanessa said. “Either Warren, Tanu, or I will always be available right down the hall. Enjoy your book.”
Giselle opened the front door for Vanessa’s departure. After closing it, she turned to Kendra. “May I prepare any food for you?”
“Sure,” Kendra said. “What are the options?”
“I will do my best to prepare whatever you want,” Giselle said.
“How about a sandwich?” Kendra asked.
“What kind?”
“Turkey with avocado,” Kendra said.
“Mayo? Mustard?” Giselle asked.
“A little of each,” Kendra said.
“Cheese? Lettuce? Tomatoes? Oil? Salt? Pepper? Vinegar?”
“Some cheese and lettuce,” Kendra said.
“Anything on the side?” Giselle asked.
“A salad with ranch,” Kendra said.
“No problem,” Giselle said. “Any potato chips?”
“Sure,” Kendra said. “What did you look like as a dragon?”
Giselle gave a shy smile. “It has been too long. I hardly remember.”
“You didn’t forget,” Kendra said.
“Mostly red scales,” Giselle said. “I was long and slender. Streamlined. Very fast.”
“Did you breathe fire?”
“You would call it fire,” Giselle said. “Mine was hotter and more liquid than some dragon fire.”
“Like lava,” Kendra said.
“Yes and no,” Giselle said. “Would you care for privacy?”
“Yes, please,” Kendra said. “I’m going to read. Promise not to spy on me?”
“I will see and hear only what I must to perform my duties as your attendant,” Giselle said. “Take care what you show and say at those times. At present, I will avoid gathering information per your request. May I intrude to bring in your sandwich?”
“I’ll come get it when I finish,” Kendra said.
“Very well,” Giselle acknowledged with a curtsy.
Kendra went into her bedroom and closed the door. She opened the sports bag that held some spare clothes, the sack of gales, and the book Andromadus had given her.
Flopping onto her bed, Kendra found the mattress a little firmer than she would have chosen, but all the soft covers and cushions allowed her to get really comfortable. She studied the elaborate book cover for a moment, then opened it and began to read.
ong ago, before the world had been properly mapped, King Titus feared for the kingdom he ruled. His beloved realm of Selona enjoyed modest prosperity but was hemmed in on all sides by terrible dangers. To the north, fierce yeti guarded their icy peaks. A merciless vampire haunted the eastern waterways. Access to the southern swamp was impeded by the arcane powers of the gorgon. And in the west, a deadly phoenix scorched his rocky domain.
One day in the late spring, the king issued a proclamation: “Selona is growing, but we lack room to expand. My engineers believe we could drain the swamp to the south if only we had safe access. If any man will overthrow the gorgon, I shall grant him the title Earl of Farcastle, along with the associated estate and all pertaining lands, including the mill and the village of Drygap. This offer will stand for the next three days.”
Many in the nation of Selona were astonished at the news, for the earldom of Farcastle was among the most prosperous in the kingdom, and though the recently deceased earl had left no direct heirs, the majority assumed the property would pass to one of many surviving nephews. But in Selona, the word of the king was law, and the people waited to see what brave soldier would come forward to claim the prize.
On the first day, many a seasoned soldier was heard grumbling that if he were ten years younger, he would slay the gorgon simply on principle. And plenty of tenderfoot soldiers were heard boasting that after gaining a bit more experience, they would make short work of the threat to the south and then donate the earldom to orphans. But not a single person accepted the challenge.
On day two, the proclamation was repeated by commanders to their companies, who encouraged the best of their men to rise up and accept the challenge of the king. Wives spoke of the opportunity to husbands, fathers repeated the challenge to sons, and sons fantasized with friends about becoming heroes. When it came to actual volunteers, a drunkard made some vague boasts before staggering away, and a child of seven years tried to sign up until his mother carried him off, but not a single viable applicant came forward.
By day three, the king and his closest advisers began to worry that perhaps the bravest and best of the men of Selona had already attempted
