Azure bonds - Kate Novak [112]
"I do," the dragon agreed with a smirk. "And I must confess that the desire to reclaim you, my little, lost trophy, motivated me almost as much as my desire for revenge." Mist paused a moment before asking, "You've heard of singing for your supper?"
With a gulp, the bard nodded.
"Well, with me, you must sing or become supper. I might just spare you… or not."
Ruskettle sighed. Repressing all the smart remarks that came to her head, she reached for her yarting.
20
Dragonbait's Feint of Honor
The smell of blood caught Dragonbait's attention a hundred yards before he entered camp. He dropped to all fours and crawled forward cautiously. By the campsite was a huge dark mound. The massive shape was easily ten times greater than the upended wagon that had shielded the whole party. As the lizard drew closer, he heard singing.
The voice was Ruskettle's, but it was unusually uneven. It rang out strong and sweet for a few lines, then wavered helplessly for a half dozen notes before regaining its tone. Olive sang the tune Alias had taught her way back in Cormyr, the song about the fall of Myth Drannor. Here on the battle-strewn plain, in the dark, with fear so obviously in her heart, the song took on a poignancy Olive might never have been able to give it before a human audience.
The lizard crept closer still, using the wagon as cover. Once he was crouched behind the wagonbed, he looked back toward Yulash. The eastern sky was developing the sickly glow of sunrise through fog, but Dragonbait didn't need the light to pick out the great hulk of Moander. To the lizard's sight, the Abomination stood out against the mist-chilled fields, warmed as it was with the fresh blood of its victims. It was heading south toward the Elven Wood.
Dragonbait turned his attention once more to the matter close at hand. He peeked around the edge of the wagonbed and instantly recognized the monster that crouched like a great cat at the bard's feet.
A lair-beast, a very big lair-beast, Dragonbait concluded, ducking back behind the wagon.
He sniffed at the air and recognized the monster's scent. Alias had gone into this creature's den and brought out the halfling. Even from the back tunnel, his sensitive nose had been able to pick out the dragon's scent, and he had rankled at the swordswoman's order to stay outside while she went in to do battle.
Mist's great tail wrapped around the camp, trapping the halfling in a ring of crimson.
Dragonbait sighed inwardly. This was a very inconvenient time to have to fight a lair-beast, he thought. If he died, there would be no one left to help Alias, but he needed Olive's help. There simply wasn't time to find new allies.
He climbed to the top of the wagonbed so the halfling would be able to see him without alerting the dragon.
Olive's voice quivered with exhaustion. It wasn't easy being so frightened. When she spotted Dragonbait, she almost shouted out the next lyric, but years of training stepped in and she was able to repress her excitement before she gave away the lizard's presence.
Her voice grew in strength as she sang the final verse. A plan was beginning to form in the back of her head. She had seen the lizard in combat, and he wasn't bad. With her brains and his brawn, she might just have a chance. She finished the song with a flourish.
The dragon let out a great contented sigh, steam pouring from her nostrils. "That is a new one. You must have learned it since we last parted, or were you keeping this little gem hidden from me when you stayed as my guest?"
"A good bard is always picking up new pieces for her repertoire," the halfling replied evenly. She stretched and asked, "So, have you decided to eat me now or wait until you find Alias of Westgate?"
"I am of two minds," Mist answered, standing up to stretch herself. She turned around like a cat trying to decide the most comfortable