DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [40]
He cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Mistress Seeno. I didn’t mean to imply that the Isle of Kye was uncivilized.”
She folded her hands across the fancy braided belt encircling her plump waist. She gazed at some distant point across the room and tapped her foot.
Bardon waited. He couldn’t say much after he had already apologized.
Her foot stopped. She sat down in her comfy chair, looked up at him, and cleared her throat.
“I am sorry for my tirade. I seem to be a bit out of sorts in this large world of yours…and truly, the quiss did disturb me greatly.” She chuckled and took up her cup. “That tea you made for N’Rae will be crawling out of the mug and walking if you don’t see to it soon.”
Bardon stirred in the sugar and presented the mug to N’Rae.
“Would you like tea as well, Granny Kye?” asked the young squire.
“Yes, thank you.” She stroked N’Rae’s long blond hair away from her face. “Sip it slowly, infant. Those are heavy tea leaves and will stay at the bottom if you don’t stir them up by gulping the brew.”
Bardon returned to the stove to fix another mug for Granny. Jue Seeno motioned him closer once the water was poured.
“I like you, Bardon,” she said, casting a glance at the emerlindian women. Granny Kye hovered over the girl as she put her to bed in a sitting position to drink the tea. “I shall count it a pleasure to work with you in the charge to protect the girl.”
Not knowing what to say, Bardon merely nodded.
“Although it goes against the grain to do so, I place myself under your authority. I should have done so immediately, for Granny Kye said it was obvious that Paladin had arranged for you to lead our quest.” She blinked, glanced down, and then directly into the squire’s eyes. “Frankly, I have a bit of a problem with pride.” A twinkle came to her eyes, and a smile quirked her thin lips. “You can help me with that.”
“I would be honored to assist you, Mistress Seeno.”
She leaned forward and whispered. Bardon had to bend quickly to get his ear close enough to hear.
“I hate being mistaken for a rodent.” Her eyes darted from side to side. “A mouse.” Her expression hardened, and she stiffened, standing erect. “Should you ever hear someone refer to me by that name, skewer him!” At Bardon’s jolt of surprise, she added, “At the very least, persuade him he is mistaken.”
Bardon cleared his throat and worked to keep his expression bland. “And if the mistaken person is a young girl who leaps to stand on a chair as you pass, should I skewer her?”
The minneken’s tail twitched, and her eyes narrowed. She pointed a finger at him and wagged it. “N’Rae told me not to mention your ears because it causes you distress. I would appreciate the same sort of courtesy returned to me. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.”
Bardon wondered if all three women had discussed his ears. He frowned but realized talking about the matter would further confirm the minneken’s impression that his ears were a point of contention.
What would Sir Dar say? He’d say to be polite. It never damages your objective to be polite. Outmaneuver your opponent with manners.
“Yes, Mistress Seeno. I understand. I shall endeavor to be more sensitive to your concern. But surely the problem will not arise. Aren’t you to remain hidden? I assume you are not in favor of the general populace learning that minnekens do, indeed, exist.”
“Quite right, but at some time on my reconnaissance, I could inadvertently be seen.”
“At that time, wouldn’t it be more convenient to be mistaken for a mouse?”
Her mouth popped open and then slammed shut. Her whiskers quivered, and if her eyes could have done damage to his person, he would have fallen to the floor. Quite without warning, Jue Seeno dropped into her chair and started chuckling. She then began to laugh and ended up wiping tears from her eyes with a tiny handkerchief.
“Oh, lad,” she gasped, “you have a hidden streak