DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [42]
As they came alongside the dock, Bardon saw an unwelcome sight.
“Look!” cried N’Rae and pointed. “That marione sitting on the cargo bales on the dock. Isn’t that Holt Hoddack?”
Granny Kye glanced at Bardon behind the girl’s back. She winked at him, and he turned abruptly away. He heard her calm voice, deep and smooth.
“Yes, infant. It is.”
14
LANDING IN IANNA
The ship slid into its mooring, but the sailors had not yet lowered the gangway when Holt jumped off his perch. He strode to the edge of the dock, waving at them.
N’Rae waved back. “Hello, Holt. How did you get here?”
“By kindia, of course.”
His upturned face, filled with laughter, caught the rays of the sun. Two dimples framed his happy expression. The sea breeze tossed his blond hair.
“Why are you here?” asked N’Rae, smiling and still waving.
“To see you. Why else?”
N’Rae dropped her hands to clutch the railing and bounced on her toes. The minneken’s basket on her arm swung sharply, and Bardon wondered how Jue Seeno fared within.
He rolled his eyes, shook his head, and picked up the heavier pieces of their belongings to be taken ashore. He headed to where the sailors hefted the gangway into place. As soon as the wood scraped the pier, Holt bounded up, passed Bardon, and greeted the two emerlindian women. He took Granny Kye’s fragile hand in his two square ones and shook it while expressing his joy in seeing them again. But when speaking to N’Rae, the marione took both her hands and held on much longer than Bardon thought necessary.
N’Rae laughed at something the marione had said.
The squire scowled. You silly little widget. You’re all smiles now, but this bounder will crush your happiness. I should warn you off of bestowing your friendship on someone who wears his charm like a pretty garment to make himself look better. Sir Dar’s gallant behavior is to ease another’s discomfort. How do I explain the difference to this infatuated child?
But then again, it’s no business of mine if she gets entangled with this spoiled youngster…Well, not really a youngster. I guess he’s just a year or two younger than I am.
Bardon’s fists tightened. But N’Rae’s been entrusted to my care for some inexplicable reason. Master Hoddack is a wily man whose concept of valor certainly falls short of mine. I thought Holt didn’t want to have anything to do with this pursuit of N’Rae. So why is he here? Is he a pup, a dog, or a cur?
N’Rae giggled. The sun made a halo as it filtered through the loose strands of her light blond hair. Holt flung a hand out in an expansive gesture accentuating some story he related. He looked friendly and innocent, like a bothersome puppy.
Bardon bottled behind clamped teeth the command he wished to blast at Holt. He also fought the urge to physically remove N’Rae from the smooth marione’s guile. She is so incredibly naive. Someone should be keeping an eye on her.
He looked at Granny Kye. The old emerlindian gazed about her with a smile on her face, obviously enjoying the sights of the harbor and unaware that Holt was a potential threat to her granddaughter’s happiness.
I am beginning to think it’s true. This granny will not be a help on the quest. Who ever heard of an incompetent emerlindian?
Bardon felt the back of his neck tighten. “We have a lot to do,” he observed. “I’ll inquire after suitable lodging and find transportation.”
Holt stood straighter. “Let me help.”
Bardon thought the farmer’s son even puffed up a bit.
Holt beamed at the ladies. “I’ve found a modest inn, clean and un-crowded. And as I waited for your boat to come in, I scouted around the dock. I’ll be back in just a few minutes with a vehicle for hire.” He hurried away before anyone could answer.
“A most accommodating young man,” said Granny Kye.
“Yes,” said N’Rae, her eyes glowing as she watched the young man disappear in the crowd. She turned to Bardon, took his arm, and squeezed it. “Isn’t he nice? And isn’t it nice to have friends?”
Bardon put his arm around