DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [146]
When Bardon stood, the son on the right seemed to watch him. A shiver ran down the squire’s spine. He crossed behind Granny Kye to stand at her other shoulder. The eyes of the one knight followed him.
“Which one is N’Rae’s father?” he asked.
“This one.” The old emerlindian pointed to the man on the left. “Jilles. His name is Sir Jilles.” Her head turned slightly, and her finger moved to the other man in the painting. “And this is my eldest son, by a few minutes. Joffa. Sir Joffa. Their father was Jofil. I thought I was very clever when I named them.”
Bardon rested his hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. “We will do our best to wake them.” The portrait of Sir Joffa stared at Bardon, and now the expression held a deep sadness. The living, breathing squire gave himself a little shake to break loose of the feeling that the picture would speak if it could. He glanced up at the still, cold knight, who appeared not to breathe at all.
“Where are the others, Granny Kye? N’Rae, Holt, the boys, the guard?” he asked.
“They spend the days exploring. No one has found a way to get out of the castle. All the doors are locked. All the windows are sealed.”
Behind him, he heard Lyll Allerion and Kale speaking in muted tones. He turned to see the lady wizard kneeling beside a seated knight, her head in his stiff lap.
In a few steps, Bardon reached Kale and touched her elbow. She turned toward him, and he naturally enclosed her in his arms. Her arms came around his middle, and she held on as if she would fall without his support. His embrace tightened as she melted against him and cried.
He leaned his cheek against her hair and breathed in the fresh citrus smell of her. Affection and a fierce desire to protect her surged through him. He moved his chin a fraction of an inch and placed his lips against her temple, sure that she would not notice such an insignificant kiss.
He looked at Lyll and the sleeping knight.
“Your father?” Bardon asked.
Kale nodded and sniffed. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out a handkerchief and offered it. Kale took it with one hand but kept herself tucked close while she blew her nose.
“Mother said when she heard about the sleeping knights, she hoped my father would be among them. She knew Risto had captured him and cast a spell over him. No one had seen him fall in battle. No one knew where he had gone from the last inn where she had traced him. Then she heard the rumor of Risto’s mastering this sleep spell and that my father was under Risto’s power. But no word as to where these men were. But she was afraid to think she had found him at last. Afraid he would not be among those sleeping here.” She swallowed another sob. “Now she has new fears. She’s found him, and she is afraid we will not be able to wake him.”
Bardon turned Kale so she could see what the others were doing. Look, Kale. Cam and Fen are at work. Librettowit already has found a reference book and is comparing what they see to the knowledge that is written in its pages. They will break the spell. I’m sure of it.
She leaned back to look at him, and a brave, but tiny, smile lifted her lips. Bardon fought the urge to kiss away a tear that traced a path down her cheek.
He let her go, pushing her away.
“We must find the others. Pull yourself together, Kale.” He turned to Regidor, who examined the tumanhofer knight. “Reg, Kale and I are going to make a sweep through the castle and round up all the members of our questing party and return here.”
“Locate the library,” ordered Librettowit.
“And the kitchen,” said Taylaminkadot.
“I want to come too.” Toopka ran to stand at Kale’s knee.
The three walked briskly out of the room. Six multicolored minor dragons accompanied them, sometimes flying around their heads, sometimes flying ahead or behind them, and sometimes resting on available shoulders, heads, or arms.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Bardon muttered, “I don’t understand how they could have been in the castle for three days and never found the way out through the turret Regidor