“There’s always a first time,” Sermas countered, still searching the newcomers.
I thought that they might have recognized my help as well! Kanin said peevishly.
Well, they’ll get there, Khollo assured the dragon. We couldn’t have done it without you, Kanin. Today, we reminded the world what the Keepers can do.
I hope they were paying attention, Kanin groaned. I do not want to fight again for at least a week. Fighting is very painful, and difficult, and long.
We’ll spend tomorrow hunting, just us, Khollo said, resting a hand on Kanin’s flank. Somewhere quiet and peaceful where we won’t be bothered with noise and questions.
That would be nice, Kanin agreed. But they may need you at a council meeting to plan the next step.
That can wait one day, Khollo replied. Especially after we spent so long waiting for the king to hurry up and get here with his army.
A short fanfare sounded from the area of the gate and every head in the courtyard turned expectantly. Khollo caught sight of Janis moving quickly through the crowd, making for the gate himself.
“Let’s move closer,” Khollo muttered. “I want to see this new king.”
Hern and Sermas led the way, Khollo and Kanin following close behind. Some people resented them shoving through the crowd, but then took one look at Kanin with his bloody claws and gore-smeared scales and decided not to argue the point.
Finally, they reached the front of the crowd, just in time to see the lancers form two rows at the main gate. A score of riders was coming up the causeway and beyond were even more soldiers, banners bearing dozens of sigils flapping in the wind.
The lead rider reined in a few meters short of Janis. Khollo saw his uncle hesitate, then kneel, head bowed. There was a brief pause, then everyone else in the courtyard followed suit. Except for Kanin and Khollo, who remained erect, heads held high.
“Khollo, what are you doing?” Hern hissed.
“Nothing.”
“But – ”
“Quiet, Sermas. I’ll explain later. It is critical that I do this at this time.”
Hern and Sermas subsided, grumbling. But the exchange had not gone unnoticed. A few of the others in the crowd muttered to themselves as Khollo and Kanin stood there. Khollo turned his attention to the rider leading the army.
He was young, only a year or two older than Khollo, with long, brown hair that fell nearly to his shoulders. On his head was a crown of gold traced with bronze, with eleven points around the edge. He had a lean and athletic build but not the bulk of a classic warrior, though he was easily taller and heavier than Khollo. His eyes were a deep hazel, his gaze as hard and unyielding as agates. The young man swept his gaze over the crowd, and finally made eye contact with Khollo. Khollo met his gaze steadily, but not aggressively, until young King Relam moved on.
“Rise,” the king said softly.
Janis stood first, followed by the rest. The lord of the West Bank stepped forward.
“It is an honor to finally meet you, King Relam,” Janis began. “Please accept my deepest condolences with regards to your father’s passing.”
“I appreciate your compassion,” Relam replied evenly. “It is not easy to lose your father one day and march to war the next.”
“But you did it, and for that we are eternally grateful,” Janis replied, bowing. “Please, step down and make yourself at home, your majesty.”
One of the riders beside the king leaned over and murmured something in his ear, but Relam shook him off. Then the young king dismounted, handing the reins of his gray horse to the man who had just spoken to him.
“Your majesty, allow me to introduce you to a few of my friends,” Janis said eagerly. “First, Ondus, my second in command. He commanded the defense at the main gate.”
“A valiant effort,” Relam murmured. “I am most impressed with what you were able to do with such a small force.”
Ondus bowed politely, smiling.
“Next, cadets Sermas and Hern,” Janis said, gesturing for them to step forward. “They are responsible for the many traps you passed on the way into the fortress.”
“Ingenious devices,” Relam observed, nodding to the cadets, who bowed so low they nearly fell over.
“And finally, may I present Khollo Kurkan and the dragon Kanin, masters of the Keepers.”
Relam turned and studied Khollo and Kanin for a long moment. “I do not expect deference from a dragon,” he said, inclining his head to Kanin. “But I might have expected it from you, Khollo Kurkan.”
Khollo smiled wryly. “Then we need to discuss some ancient history, King Relam. My legacy is from a line that was greater than kings.”
Relam’s expression hardened. “Indeed,” he said finally. “Well, I look forward to having that conversation in the very near future.”
“Pardon me, but I must ask,” Khollo said. “Did you know of the Keepers before you arrived here?”
“I have read legends of dragons,” Relam replied. “The library at Etares is most extensive . . . but I thought they were long gone.”
Not yet, Kanin growled.
Khollo nodded. “I was merely curious. You may rest assured that even if I do not suborn myself to you, Kanin and I stand ready to assist you.”
“As equals?” Relam guessed.
“For the time being,” Khollo agreed. “Until we can clarify where things stand.”
Relam snorted. “You have an interesting ally here, Lord Kurkan,” he said to Janis.
“As the first Keeper in a thousand years, Khollo has great need to choose his words carefully,” Janis replied. “If you would like to come up the council room, we can fill you in on all that has happened and begin planning the next steps.”
“Not yet,” Relam replied. “First, I would like to set up camp around and below the causeway in case there are more vertaga
