DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [1]
Jue Seeno—minneken from the Isle of Kye serving as N’Rae’s protector
Kale Allerion—o’rant wizard and Dragon Keeper, former village slave, eighteen years old, has gift of finding dragon eggs
Granny Kye—old emerlindian, artist, and N’Rae’s grandmother
Harbormaster Mayfil—important official in Ianna
Librettowit—tumanhofer librarian to Wizard Fenworth
Lo Mees—one of the guard sent with Bardon
Metta—purple minor dragon, sings
Mistress Moorp—housekeeper at Ornopy Halls
Scribe Moran—Bardon’s Tome mentor at Castle Pelacce
Innkeeper Nald—owner of inn in Norst
N’Rae—emerlindian girl who was raised by ropma and is searching for her father
Lo Oh—one of the guard sent by Sir Dar
Master Onit—marione tavern owner in Norst
Master Ornopy—o’rant landowner in upper Wynd
Pat—chubby brown minor dragon, fixes things
Lo Pont—one of guard sent with Bardon
Regidor—meech dragon, in search of a colony of lost meech dragons, likes fancy things, carries an enchanted meech dragon in a bottle with him
Wizard Risto—evil wizard killed by Fenworth
Saramaralindan—Bromptotterpindosset’s daughter
Seagram—Pont’s dragon
Sittiponder—blind tumanhofer orphan and seer
Taylaminkadot—tumanhofer housekeeper in Fenworth’s castle
Toopka—doneel child, under guardianship of Kale and Sir Dar
Trum Aspect—courtier and merchant representative at Sir Dar’s court
1
SABBATICAL
“People. Always too many people.”
Only the leathery beat of Greer’s dragon wings answered Bardon’s observation. Cool air rushed against Bardon’s face, blowing away the cares of three intense years of training and study.
He squeezed his knees into the riding hooks and leaned forward across the major dragon’s neck. Brisk mountain air rose off the snow-topped mountain and blew his dark hair back from his pale face. Soon he should be able to spot the valley Sir Dar had recommended. He needed time alone. The first part of his sabbatical would be spent in isolation.
Bardon put a hand on Greer’s purple scales and communicated his desire to locate a lake shaped like a boot.
Looking down at the forested slopes, he speculated on how many of the seven high races populated the area. A smile spread across his face. It was likely that not one civilized being walked this southern part of the Morchain Mountain Range for a hundred miles in any direction.
He saw a ropma scurry across a rocky stream.
“Don’t worry, fella. I won’t bother you if you don’t bother me. I’m taking a break from everyone, both high and low races.”
Greer rumbled in his throat, and Bardon placed a hand on the amethystine scales of his dragon’s neck. “No, I’m not running away from you, my friend. And in truth, I’m not really running away from civilization. I just need a sabbatical, a long sabbatical.”
Ahead, two peaks stood taller than the rest. Bardon mentally guided the major dragon toward the landmark Dar had given him. He thought about the parting from the wise little doneel.
The room had bustled with activity like all the rooms in Castle Pelacce. Dar had taken Bardon aside to speak words of encouragement and instruction, but the constant commotion intruded on their conversation.
“I’m proud of you, Bardon.” Dar’s small furry hand had rested on his squire’s arm. “You’ve developed a gracious social presence. I know it’s been hard for you, but I consider it one of your greatest accomplishments.”
Inwardly, Bardon had cringed when a woman’s piercing laugh rose over the clucking babble of a small group of ladies. Squire Bardon glanced at Sir Dar. He couldn’t speak of his concern to the knight he admired so much. Every day Bardon underwent a great struggle to project that image of serenity Sir Dar assumed was real.
He thinks too well of me. The young man wrestled with a truth he did not like. After three years, this knight-in-training is only better at hiding his uneasiness.
I find the social life Sir Dar thrives on to be overwhelming. Bardon looked around at the gregarious crowd. Sir Dar smiled sincerely at a marione’s comment as he passed. The squire wished they had chosen a secluded spot for this