DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [164]
Paladin carried Toopka over to Sir Joffa, who stood next to his brother. Bardon’s father had a hand resting on his mother’s shoulder. “Tell us, sir,” commanded Paladin, “about how you were separated from your son.”
Bardon didn’t want to hear this story in a crowded room. This tale was personal and shouldn’t be aired in front of strangers. He stared at the man who was his father and waited. He wondered about Sir Joffa’s age. Not very old, he guessed, since his skin, hair, and eyes had darkened only to a ruddy tan. The knight’s eyes glanced Bardon’s way for only a second, swept around the room, and then came back to rest on his son.
“I heard my brother was in trouble and decided to give aid.” Sir Joffa’s voice boomed across the large hall. “I set out with my fair lady and our son toward Wittoom, but we were ambushed in the Kattaboom Mountains by Risto’s men. My wife was killed. The rest of the cutthroats were slain by my men and me.”
By this time, Bardon had lost all trepidation over the witnesses hearing his story. He felt as if his father spoke to him and none other.
“I made arrangements for Liza’s burial,” Sir Joffa continued, “and spirited my son away to The Hall. I knew Grand Ebeck would take care of him for the few months I would be gone to rescue my brother, without giving away his parentage and exposing him to Risto or Stox.”
He looked steadily at his grown son. Bardon returned the regard without flinching. “It is hard for me to imagine that this fine young man is the sleeping six-year-old I handed into Ebeck’s arms.”
Paladin turned to face Bardon. “You were old enough to remember all this, Squire, but sometimes Wulder blots out horrific memories in order to give peace to a fragile child.”
Bardon felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down into Kale’s expectant face.
“Go shake his hand. Do something!” she muttered urgently.
Bardon felt released from a very long, troubling dream. He crossed the wide space and stuck out his hand to his father. Sir Joffa took it and after one firm shake, pulled his grown boy into his arms.
This can’t be real. Oh, thank You, Wulder. It is real. Tears coursed down his cheeks, and he felt only joy, no shame. He heard the crowd around them cheering and applauding, but he paid them no mind.
“Now,” said Paladin, “it looks like we have a happy ending, but I’m afraid there is too much still going on for us to rest.” His eyes roamed the room, connecting with each of the warriors. “I have need of you all. It is true that Crim Cropper and Burner Stox are amassing a hideous army in hopes of taking over Pretender’s powerful position. And although they’re not attacking the citizens of Amara, their skirmishes leave our people, who are innocently caught in the fray, as casualties. Whichever side wins, the next strategic move will be to enslave Amara. It is good that these knights are now awake. We must be ever watchful and not be caught sleeping when our chance comes to stand for Wulder and righteousness.”
“Hear! Hear!” shouted those in the room.
“I bless you, one and all, for your presence has returned my strength.”
“What are we going to do with the tree?” asked Toopka.
“Ah yes, little one, ever practical.” He kissed her cheek. “We must take care of the immediate as we prepare for the future. I am giving this castle property to Sir Kemry and Lyll Allerion. We have flushed out the evil, but if you leave a place empty, the depraved will return. Lyll and Kemry will move the tree to a sunny spot and allow it to be just what it is, a lovely tree.”
“And Kale?”
“She is now Wizard of The Bogs.”
“Can she do that?”
Paladin winked over Toopka’s shoulder at Bardon. “Yes, with help, she can.”
GLOSSARY
Amara (ä´-mä-rä)
Continent surrounded by ocean on three sides.
armagot (är´-muh-got)
National tree, purple blue leaves in the fall.
armagotnut (är´-muh-got-nut)
Nut from the armagot tree.
astiket (a-stik´-it)
A three-team ball game played on a triangular field with three goals.
Ataradari (uh-tar´-uh-dar´-ee)
A tribe native to one of the smaller southern