“Don’t think I’ve forgiven yeh, Arenadd,” Laela said sharply. “I ain’t ever gonna forgive yeh. I’m gonna stay your follower, an’ I’ll do my duties, but we ain’t friends no more, an’ next time yeh feel like pourin’ yer heart out, talk to Skandar or the wall or somethin’. Because I ain’t doin’ it for yeh ever again.” She stood up and bowed stiffly. “Get some rest now. I’m gonna go tell everyone yer feelin’ better.”
Then she left, leaving Arenadd feeling more alone than he could ever have imagined.
Even so, he looked at the door that had closed behind her, and his eyes still had some of their old sly glitter. His plan was working. She had become every bit as ruthless and manipulative as she would have to be. She had learnt far more from him than she could have realised, and one day it would be vital to her.
“You’ve come into your own now, Laela,” he murmured. “I knew you would. You’re the Dark Lady through and through.”
29
Several more days passed, and the
He slept and ate as much as he could, and those mortal nourishments helped him recover. He wondered if his powers would return when he set foot on Northern soil again.
When the ship docked in Maijan, Vander came to see him for what they both knew would be the last time.
The diplomat was plainly dressed and had his messenger dragon perched on his shoulder. He looked as calm and collected as always, but there was a hint of tension in his voice when he said, “How are you feeling this morning, Sire?”
Arenadd could sit up in bed by now. He sipped some water and inclined his head politely toward him. “Much better thank you, my lord. How’s your journey been so far?”
“I cannot complain,” said Vander.
“And how’s Ymazu? I heard she laid her eggs.”
“Yes indeed, Sire. Five of them-an unusually large clutch. The Mighty Skandar is the father, of course.”
Arenadd raised a sly eyebrow. “You’ll have to carry them. I hope you’re prepared for that.”
“They are not the first clutch Ymazu has had, Sire,” Vander said stiffly. “We have carried eggs with us before.”
“Of course. But it must have been difficult for you not to have a clutch of your own, so to speak.”
“A diplomat’s life is often a lonely one, Sire,” said Vander. “I have been longing to settle down for many years now.”
“Every man needs a place to call home,” said Arenadd. “And someone to share it with makes it feel like one.”
“Yes.” Vander scratched the dragon’s ears, and finally smiled. “For what my advice is worth, Sire, I think you would do well to keep your Master of Wisdom close. You will not find a better advisor or a better friend if you live for a hundred years.”
“I know.” Arenadd smiled, too. “She’s something very special.”
Vander chuckled. “You are no ordinary man, either, Sire. You know,” he added unexpectedly, “I pride myself on my ability to judge a person’s nature, and my memory is superb. But even so, you still managed to surprise me, Sire.”
“Oh, how?” said Arenadd.
“When I saw you again, after so many years, I was astonished by how much you had changed,” said Vander. “I barely recognised the boy I met in Eagleholm once upon a time. But now I see I was wrong.” He smiled and smoothed his moustache. “Underneath, you are still the same mischief-maker you were then. Oh yes, I knew your reputation in Eagleholm. Every man in the city said you were very thoughtful and quiet; not the sort of man who would make trouble. You did your duty and never challenged authority, you were very gifted at talking to commoners. You were not a fighter, you were good with books and numbers.” He laughed softly. “But everybody knew how the mild-mannered Northern boy they looked down on was bedding Lord Rannagon’s daughter.”
Arenadd froze.
“It was a scandal, you know,” said Vander. “Few could understand why Lord Rannagon had not moved to put a stop to it. But the Lady Flell would tell anyone who asked that she loved you. Now that was a fine way to irritate the Eyrie Council!”
“Yes,” Arenadd managed. “I. . I suppose. Now, I’m tired. .”
“Of course, Sire,” said Vander. “Forgive an old man his reminiscences.” He bowed low, murmuring, “Farewell, Arren Cardockson.”
Then he was gone, and Arenadd never saw him again.
Weeks passed after Vander left, and the
But he spent most of his time with Skandar. The dark griffin had refused to live belowdecks any more, and instead slept in the open, by one of the masts. He’d made himself a nest there with straw and some stolen washing, and spent his time sleeping, eating, or idly flying overhead with the other griffins. He was more than happy to see Arenadd, though.
If their time in Amoran had weakened Arenadd, it looked to have had the opposite effect on Skandar. When Arenadd saw him again after emerging from his cabin for the first time, the giant griffin practically shone with lazy good health. His coat was glossy and his eyes bright, and his sides were thick with solid muscle and more than a little fat. He’d spent their entire visit to Amoran doing nothing but eating, fighting, and mating, and it showed.
Arenadd found he had almost nothing to say to him. Skandar, never talkative, seemed happy enough just to have him there, and the two sat silently together for long periods, neither speaking nor needing to speak.
Arenadd would stare out over the sea, his expression serene. When Laela was near, he would watch her. He never tried to speak to her, and she pretended he wasn’t there.
Once, in the evening while the sailors were in a cheerful mood and had decided to play some music, Laela and Oeka were up on deck and began to play together. Oeka, who’d grown a lot since leaving the North, nipped at her human’s hands and shoved at her-inviting her to play. Laela pushed back, and they wrestled and chased each other around the deck while the sailors laughed.
Arenadd sat with his back resting against Skandar’s flank, and kept his eyes on Laela. She looked happier than he’d seen her in a long while. Her long hair fell around her face, black and glossy, and her angular features were alight with laughter.
It wasn’t the first time he had thought that.
The final weeks of their journey home passed peacefully enough, and Laela felt immensely relieved when she felt the air begin to grow steadily colder. Tara’s shore was thick with snow when it came in sight, and chunks of ice floated in the sea.
“My first Northern winter,” she remarked to Oeka.
The griffin sighed and wrapped her tail around her paws. “I hate snow.”
Laela understood her almost perfectly by now, and only smiled.
Skandar had already flown on ahead and landed on the beach, and he was waiting for his human when he disembarked. Arenadd put a hand on his shoulder. He’d taken to using a walking stick again, and he pointed it at
