DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [150]
Since space was limited, others in the questing party mingled with the sleeping knights, standing next to and sitting beside the unresponsive men. Granny Kye remained at her easel, detached from the others. Jue Seeno presumably listened from the basket next to the artist’s supplies.
I would love to hand over the leadership of this quest to someone else. Bardon sighed. He was obligated to fulfill his responsibilities, and he knew it. I’ll just proceed one item at a time. He paused for a moment, surveying the other worthy leaders in the room. Ah yes, Wulder, I see. Thank You for these people You have assembled for this task. Help me to hand bits of the burden You have placed on my shoulders into the most suitable hands.
“Captain Anton, the wizards have opened the front door. You and your guard will be responsible for patrolling the area. I’m sure there are grawligs interested in what we are doing here. And, of course, there may be more sinister opponents lurking about. Although this fortress seems deserted, it was at one time a stronghold for evil.” He paused to give Ahnek and Toopka a look of warning. Both youngsters nodded their understanding. Bardon turned back to Captain Anton. “I charge your men to hunt for food as well. There should be game on the mountainside.”
The captain nodded.
“Regidor, would it be possible for you to fly out and guide our dragons to this castle?”
“It will take several hours,” Regidor said. “I’ll see to it first thing in the morning.”
Bardon looked at Wizard Fenworth, who had dozed off and taken the form of a scraggly bush. A mouse peeked out from the long tangle of moss that would be his beard if he were awake. When Bardon looked again, the small creature had disappeared. I wonder if that’s Jue Seeno disguised as a mouse. He shook off the distraction.
Since Fenworth was not awake, the squire addressed Wizard Cam. “What can we do to help you discover the remedy to this spell?”
“We could use assistance in the library. If you would designate workers to sort through the books and bring any to us that have to do with wizardry, that would save time and energy. We are particularly interested in tomes pertaining to living organisms and vital processes.”
Bardon nodded. “Taylaminkadot, may I count on you and N’Rae to be in charge of meals?”
“It would be my pleasure, Squire Bardon,” said the tumanhofer.
N’Rae perked up. “I can do that, and I’ll watch after the children.”
Toopka tossed the ring she’d found from one hand to the other. “We don’t need watching after.”
Ahnek said, “Shh!” and stood up. “We’d like to continue our explorations, Squire. We might discover something useful.”
“Fine, Ahnek,” answered Bardon. “That’s a good plan. And when the dragons arrive, I want you to help with taking care of them. Regidor will escort them here, then they will return with their riders to pack our equipment and bring it along. You could be useful there, as well.”
Ahnek beamed as he accepted the responsibility and sat down again.
Holt stirred in his seat beside a stiff knight. “Is there anything you want me to do?”
“Would you rather be assigned to the guard or the library?”
“The guard.”
“Done. You’ll answer to Captain Anton.” Bardon surveyed the group. No one seemed to be eager to add to his instructions. “Any questions? Suggestions?” Most of them gave slight negative shakes of their heads. Of course, Fenworth didn’t respond. Neither did Toopka nor Granny Kye. “Regidor, I believe Taylaminkadot will need your assistance in providing for our evening meal. All right. Let’s get to work.”
They dispersed. Librettowit, with Ahnek guiding his way, led the group down to the library. Captain Anton said they would join the book search, since they wouldn’t be hunting this late in the day. Kale and Bardon followed some distance behind the others.
Kale looked at him askance. “I only counted twenty-five.