We should return, Kanin said, moving back towards the bank.
No, we have to meet the king, Khollo reminded him.
I meant to the hill where we ate, Kanin clarified. The herds will want the streams back. If we leave now, there may be cows or hogs later.
You already ate two deer!
Yes.
You can’t possibly still be hungry?
The second one was small.
Khollo pulled on his shirt, shaking his head. You’ll split your hide eating like that, he warned.
I’m a growing dragon, I need to eat.
Khollo, in the act of adjusting his weapons and armor, looked up at Kanin. Growing? Still?
I am only young.
How young is young?
A year, maybe a little more.
Khollo raised his eyebrows, surprised. Really?
Did you expect me to be older?
I didn’t know what to expect, actually, Khollo admitted. So, you lived for a year as a captive?
Yes.
And you only reached out to me a couple months ago? Why not sooner?
Because I was not yet strong enough, or smart enough, to enter your mind, Kanin explained. It took several tries. But when every fiber of your being was focused on survival and your defenses were weakened, I was able to force my way into your thoughts.
Khollo nodded, thinking on this. That question had bothered him for a while. I expected something more along the lines of me not being ready for the responsibility.
No. But we could add that to the reasons if you like.
Never mind, Khollo said quickly. Let’s just get back to the hill and wait for King Relam.
Kanin sighed and waded onto the shore, creating wavelets that crashed over the icy banks of the stream. Khollo climbed up Kanin’s slick foreleg and settled himself on the saddle, which was saturated. Should have taken that off, Khollo reflected. We’ll do that when we get back to the hill.
It itches, Kanin complained as he launched into flight.
Khollo shivered as air rushed past him, chilling him to the bone. Flying while still damp was not a fun experience. It didn’t seem to bother Kanin though. The dragon climbed rapidly up to the hilltop they had eaten breakfast on and found everything as they had left it, even the leftovers from Khollo’s meal and the smoldering fire.
Still warm, Khollo observed, carving another slice from the haunch and chewing thoughtfully.
The saddle? Kanin reminded the young Keeper pointedly.
Khollo nodded and moved quickly to the dragon’s side. Sorry, nearly forgot.
The king approaches, Kanin announced as Khollo undid the knot around Kanin’s middle.
Where? Khollo asked, spinning around and nearly whacking his head against Kanin’s leg.
There, Kanin replied, looking to the east.
Khollo followed the dragon’s gaze and saw a small group of perhaps a dozen riders moving steadily across the plains. No banner flew among them, but it hardly made sense for Relam to advertise his presence with a small guard in potentially hostile territory.
Can you make out the king? Khollo asked, returning to his work.
Yes, he wears the pointy metal on his head.
That would be a crown, Khollo reminded Kanin.
Right. An absurd little headpiece, really. No function whatsoever.
Khollo bit back a laugh and reached up to remove the straps around Kanin’s spines. I wouldn’t share those observations with Relam, he warned.
Why not? He wouldn’t dare do anything to me, or you for that matter.
It’s a matter of politeness, Khollo replied, pulling the saddle off of Kanin’s back.
But is it not also polite to let someone know when something is amiss with their appearance so they can fix it?
You would suggest he find a new crown?
No, I would suggest that he replace his crown with something useful, Kanin replied.
What, a helm?
You mean an armor hat?
Well . . . yes.
Perhaps. Just not a crown.
Enough, Khollo said quickly. He’ll be here soon enough. And don’t mention the crown.
But –
Trust me on this. I am a human after all.
Kanin snorted and lay down on the grassy hilltop, opalescent eyes fixed on the approaching riders. Khollo watched the riders in silence too, sitting beside the dying fire.
Finally, eleven riders rose slowly into view as they crested the hill, the jingle of harnesses and the snorts of the horses reaching Khollo’s ears. There was a chorus of whoas as the soldiers reined in, looking about curiously. Khollo recognized Relam immediately, leading the way astride his gray charger. The beast kept prancing and sidestepping, apparently unnerved by Kanin’s presence.
“Your majesty,” Khollo said, standing and inclining his head. “Welcome. Your journey was not too long, I trust?”
“Not at all,” Relam replied, smiling slightly. “A pleasant ride, and very safe. No ambush points and great visibility all around. This is quite the land you have here, this Renlor Basin. So open, and flat.”
Khollo nodded thoughtfully. “It is a good place,” he agreed. “Or, it was. Please, sit with me and let us talk. I am sure you have many questions.”
Relam nodded and turned to his guards. “Leave us.”
“Your majesty, perhaps we would do better to – ”
“That is an order,” Relam growled pointedly. “I will be quite safe. Why don’t you find a good observation position and set up a temporary camp in case we have to stay the night here?”
I could bring them something to eat, Kanin said to Khollo, thrashing his tail.
“Kanin would be more than happy to bring you food while you wait,” Khollo informed the soldiers.
The leader of the king’s guard looked around uncertainly, then finally glared, hard-eyed, at his master. Relam glared back, unwavering.
“As you wish, my king,” the man finally said, bowing stiffly. “We will
