Dragon Rule - E. E. Knight [76]
“You have both those qualities as well, old friend.”
“My Tyr flatters me.”
The Copper could see the reason behind NoSohoth’s desire. A Protectorate as rich as Hypatia—he could fill his resort’s bathing pools with silver if he wished.
“Don’t speak of flattery. You deserve it.”
“I’ll train a replacement, of course. I was thinking, perhaps, of devoting myself to selecting and training one to take my place after the hearing of this accusation of murder.”
“You doubt their evidence?”
“I’ve only heard rumors, my Tyr, but it strains credulity.”
“You deserve a reward for all your services past.”
“And future, my Tyr.”
“Yes, and future. When we’ve put this ugly matter behind us you may begin your preparations for becoming a Protector.”
“Of Hypatia, my Tyr?”
“If that is what you want, that is what you shall have,” the Copper said.
He wondered if he’d just outbid Ibidio in this contest for justice.
It was impossible to sleep, impossible to think—the Copper wanted to fly to Nilrasha and tell her about the predicament, but the questioning would be over by the time he could return. He lurked in his chambers and bath, like SiMevolant of old, brooding. No wonder he was so dour and sought refuge in the aroma of sweat emanating from plump human females.
Could he send a swift messenger to Nilrasha, seeking her advice? No, she’d tell him to sacrifice her to preserve his status as Tyr.
It seemed unfair that she couldn’t answer the charges with her own voice.
The arrangement with NoSohoth was cold comfort. Too much could go wrong. It may all depend on the digestion of the audience when the witnesses were heard. He’d have to see about sending some bullocks from the Tyr’s herd around to the principal hills.
A thrall announced that his Queen-Consort wished to see him.
“Very well, show her in.”
He had no interest in listening to Wistala’s latest complaint about one of the Protectors taking too many cattle or making a meal out of a bronze statue.
His sister entered, followed by Rayg. What was she doing with him?
“My brother,” Wistala greeted him. “DharSii has returned. He’s trying to learn more about the crystal statue taken from the Red Queen.”
His bats had told him that DharSii was in the Lavadome, mostly visiting with Wistala. As for that crystal. . .Rayg had been experimenting with the crystal for years. For all its size, it didn’t seem to do much. He’d done much better with the smaller jewel AuRon had brought into the Lavadome when he delivered the Queen’s ultimatum.
DharSii wanted permission from him to descend with Rayg into the depths of the Lavadome, Wistala explained.
“Unless he’s interested in a show of lights, I don’t understand what he thinks he can learn.”
“I’ve been studying what happens to the lights when we try to interact with the crystal,” Rayg said.
Interact? What, could a piece of stone live?
He needed to get his mind off of the upcoming questioning. “I’ll come. I’d like to see what DharSii is up to with my own eyes. I hope the great dandy doesn’t mind getting his sii dirty.”
“The Ankelenes are slowly coming around to my opinion,” Rayg said.
“What’s that?”
“It’s easier if I show you.”
They met DharSii outside, and the Copper waved off the usual formalities, though he did offer the visitor a mouthful of coin. DharSii declined.
“I’d rather keep my thoughts clear.”
They descended through Imperial Rock, down into the livestock pens and storage rooms, and finally to slippery chutes coated with waste from dragon, thrall, and livestock. The Copper hadn’t been this low in the Lavadome since learning the few passageways into the depths during his time in the Drakwatch. The only things that thrived in this noisome mess were worms and brightly glowing cave-moss. Thick masses of dwarfsbeard hung from the ceiling like hedges.
Rayg led them through a series of dripping passages. Unpleasant waste pooled and reeked.
They passed along a natural watercourse that churned the muck out of the Lavadome and down. Here they picked up a cleaner trail again.
Then they came to sort of a twisting passage that dropped