The Dragon Keeper

to die anyway. If his bleeding of the dragon had hastened its death, well, that didn’t mean he’d killed it. It was only an animal anyway, despite how Alise might moon over it. A dragon was only an animal, just like a cow or a chicken, to be used by a man in any way he saw fit.

Exactly the opposite, really.

The intrusion of that thought was so sudden and foreign that it shocked him. The opposite? That man was to be exploited by dragons as they saw fit? Preposterous. Where had such a silly idea come from?

He straightened his jacket, unlatched his door, and stepped out onto the Tarman’s deck.

Day the 5th of the Prayer Moon

Year the 6th of the Independent affiance of Traders

From Erek, Keeper of the Birds, Bingtown

to Detozi, Keeper of the Birds, Trehaug

A missive from Trader Kincarron to the Councils of both Trehaug and Cassarick, expressing confusion and concern about the Councils’ contract with his daughter Alise Kincarron Finbok and asking for clarification. A speedy reply is requested.

Detozi,

When Trader Kincarron dropped this off, he promised a handsome bonus if both his query and a response travelled quickly. If you can prod anyone at the Council there to send a response before the day is out, and use your swiftest pigeon, I would consider the debt settled for the peas.

Erek