Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [146]
Blackness overwhelmed the young mage when he struck the ground. It seemed to last for only a moment, but when he picked himself up, the dragon was sprawled dead on the floor of the wash. Priests moved among the fallen soldiers. A priestess of Lathander put her hand on Jorunhast's shoulder, but he shrugged it off and stumbled back toward the dragon's flank, where Gerrin and Thanderahast stood talking to Azoun.
Lord Wyvernspur was badly burned, the left side of his face and entire body raw and bleeding beneath the slimy ointments of the priests. Thanderahast was similarly burned and anointed, and in addition sported purplish ridges rising along the side of his head, bruises from some sudden impact.
Azoun seemed unharmed by his adventure. Jorunhast wondered at the luck of children, fools, and royalty.
"You are back with us, lad," said the elder mage. "We could not return as soon as we'd hoped, but I see the pair of you were capable of handling things."
"It was a good plan," said the young mage, still lightheaded. He blinked hard in the sunlight, then added, "I lost your wand, I'm afraid."
Thanderahast chuckled. "A small loss, easily forgiven. Azoun told me of your bravery in charging the dragon and in waiting for the right moment to strike with the wand. We were worried you had panicked."
Jorunhast stared at the younger man. Hadn't he told them the mage had frozen up when the dragon first attacked? That he had tried to stop Azoun from entering the battle?
Azoun cocked his head and said, "It's good to see you back standing up. Want some help looking for that wand?"
Jorunhast gaped at the young prince for a moment, and then, slowly, nodded.
Gerrin and Thanderahast flagged down the priestess of Lathander for information about the wounded, leaving Azoun and Jorunhast alone. The two young men paced off to the trampled area near the dragon's body. They made vague sweeps in the splayed grass with the sides of their feet, looking for little and finding less.
At length, Jorunhast said, "I only charged in after you because you were going to get yourself killed."
"I know," said the slender man. "And they probably think something like that, but they never have to know. Despite it all, you did pretty well today."
Words burned in Jorunhast's throat like the black dragon's bile. Finally he spat them out. "So did you." And then he added, "Sire."
Azoun flashed a wide smile. "Mind you, I don't trust you, and I still don't like you. But with the beating old Thanderahast has taken, it's likely you'll be my wizard when my time comes. So I might as well get used to you."
The young wizard sighed. "And I to you. But do me one favor, my lord: No more charging into combat."
"Only when you're behind me with your magic," said the future king. "Only when you're behind me."
The young prince strode away, leaving Jorunhast to think that Azoun's voice was not so tinny after all.
Chapter 23: Encounters and
Expeditions
Year of the Gauntlet
(1369 DR)
"I do believe, dear, that we can finally say that Arabel has become truly civilized," Darlutheene Ambershields declared, opening her violet eyes very wide and waving a ring-encrusted hand. Gems flashed and sparkled in the light of near highsun for a dazzling instant before her hand dipped, rising again with a fresh glass of cordial.
"Why, Darlutheene-that outpost of uncultured bumpkins?" Blaerla Roaringhorn asked in disbelief, opening her own brown eyes very wide as well. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Well," Darlutheene purred, "with the news this morning-of nobles found knifed in their beds, and the knives still buried in them, bearing the arms of rival noble houses-I do believe the intrigues of Mabel are finally approaching those of Suzail!"
"No!" Blaerla gasped, color flooding into her cheeks and eyes sparkling with fresh excitement. "Nobles? Knifed in their beds? Why?"
Darlutheene waved a languid,