DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [147]
“Don’t forget,” said Kale, “you had Regidor helping you. He probably did more untangling of spells than you were even aware of. It’s exciting for me to watch him work.”
“So your relationship as Dragon Keeper and young protégé has changed, has it?”
“Definitely. Can you imagine anyone ‘keeping’ Regidor?”
Toopka hopped in anticipation. “Maybe we’ll find something exciting.”
“We found enchanted knights, little one,” said Kale. “What could be more exciting than that?”
“Treasure!”
“Actually,” said Bardon, “Regidor and I saw quite a bit of valuable property, paintings and gold candlesticks, things like that.”
“Any gold coins? Any jewels?”
“No.”
“Well, we can look for real treasure in a box or hidden in a hole in the wall. And we could find a castle monster. That would be exciting too.” Toopka shivered in imaginary fear.
“Only if we defeated it without injury to one of us.”
“Oh, you and the others could protect us from anything.”
“You think so?”
“Yes.” She nodded her head with such a hard jerk, Bardon expected her to say, “Ouch.”
Kale scratched the top of Toopka’s head between her two perked ears. “Suppose you find the monster, the monster eats you, and then we come along a few minutes too late to save you.”
“Then you must cut open its stomach and pull me out. I’ll hold my breath till you come.”
“That sounds like a slimy thing to do.” Kale laughed. “I’d just as soon not deal with any monsters, thank you very much.”
“Oh, I want to see a big, hairy monster.” Toopka grinned and twirled, then stopped and winked at the adults. “But I really don’t want to be eaten. You better come along before he chomps me.”
Bardon laughed. “We’ll try.”
51
TREASURES
Female voices drifted up one of the staircases. Toopka darted ahead, stood at the top, and hollered, “Hi!”
Kale rushed forward, aggravated that Toopka could be so impetuous in unfamiliar surroundings. The women didn’t sound dangerous, but still, Toopka’s monster could be around any corner.
Bardon followed at a slower pace. Kale recognized their uniforms and greeted the two dragon riders as they reached the last steps.
“Hello, I’m Kale Allerion.”
The doneel rider put forth her hand, but her eyes followed the minor dragons, first watching Metta flutter like a huge butterfly through the hall, and then Ardeo and Gymn as they swooped and dived in some game they were playing.
“I’m Lo Mees,” she said, obviously forcing herself to focus on Kale. “And this is Lo Oh.”
Toopka giggled, and the second rider, an o’rant, smiled down at her. “Yes, we know it’s a terrible name, and I am trying very hard to earn my next rank.”
“My name’s Toopka. You don’t see minor dragons very often, do you?”
“No,” said Lo Oh. “I’ve only read about them in books and seen a few pictures.”
“I live in The Bogs with the Dragon Keeper.” The tiny doneel nodded to indicate Kale. “So I know a lot about minor dragons.”
“That’s very impressive,” said Lo Mees.
“Not really. My friend Regidor is a meech dragon, and that is impressive. Have you seen any treasure or monsters?”
Lo Mees looked past her. “Now, there’s a treasure of sorts, our lost leader.”
They all turned to look at Bardon, who nodded.
“I’m back, and so is Regidor. We’ve brought people with us who should be able to break the spell over the knights. I would appreciate it if you would locate everyone and tell them to report to the Knights’ Chamber. We’ll have a meeting as soon as they’ve all arrived.
“Yes sir.” The two women answered and turned around to go down the steps they had just climbed.
Kale smiled at their muffled chatter as they left. Were they enthused about the minor dragons or their handsome leader? Kale gazed at her friend. He doesn’t know how he affects the females he meets. And he doesn’t much care for being impressive. Ha! Unlike Regidor, who loves attention or theatrically avoiding attention. Bardon would have loved months and months of solitude, and instead, here he is with a gaggle of questers.
“Just how many are on this quest?” asked Kale.
“If we count your minor dragons, two dozen plus two.”
“Phew!