DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [85]
“Not if he doesn’t have a dragon or supplies.”
“Bardon, another young male might come in handy on this venture. He may not be trained, but I bet he does better in a fight than either of the women. N’Rae’s assistance in killing the writher snake nearly cost you your leg. And I haven’t heard you say one word of Granny Kye so much as tripping anyone on purpose. If you take them, you’ll also have the assistance of Jue Seeno.”
Bardon smiled. “She did turn out to be a worthy ally, didn’t she?”
Dar grinned as he stood and stretched to his full height, just under four feet. “I have never underestimated the fighting power contained in smaller packages.”
The comrades in arms exchanged appreciative grins. But Bardon soon sobered.
“I’m disappointed that you will not go with us, sir.”
“No more so than I.” Dar shrugged his shoulders. “You will have much more excitement than I have organizing the defense of my holdings and urging the Wittoom parliament to take similar precautions.” He smoothed the hair on his cheek with a finger, then pointed it in the air.
“Aha!” said Dar. “I’ve had an excellent idea. I will contact Regidor. He would be someone interested in exploring the Northern Reach. The vanished meech colony is supposed to be there, and he’s been looking for someone to help him learn more about his meech ancestry. Your Bromptotterpindosset might be just the man.”
Bardon brightened at the prospect. “Regidor would be a welcome addition to our quest. Does he still carry Gilda around in a bottle?”
Dar chuckled. “Yes, in his pocket. She has mellowed in the last three years but is still a very melancholy, moody, distrustful dragon.”
“And Kale. Have you seen Kale since I’ve been away?”
Dar nodded his head, his furry ears twitched forward. “Yes, I visited Bedderman’s Bog. Kale’s a beautiful young lady now, not the gangly youth we knew. And Fen and Cam argue over who’s responsible for her remarkable abilities as a wizard. Fenworth is supposedly retired and spends much of his time as a tree. Still he claims it’s his instruction that shines through Kale’s more daring achievements.”
Bardon pictured the old man and knew exactly how he would twist his face into a scowl as he made his outrageous claims. “And Librettowit is well?”
Sir Dar laughed out loud. “Librettowit married that helpful little tumanhofer they rescued from Crim Cropper.”
“Taylaminkadot! If I remember correctly, it was Taylaminkadot who rescued Kale and Toopka from the enemy camp.”
“A very resourceful woman, a stellar cook, and an enthusiastic housekeeper. She is the bane of Wizard Fenworth’s existence and the joy of his librarian’s.”
Bardon laughed out loud. As Fenworth’s notable librarian, Librettowit had always complained. The tumanhofer did not believe his duties included cooking and dusting. Fenworth assumed they did. He also assumed Librettowit would wholeheartedly join any adventure, which the librarian resisted like a mule being taught to fly.
A hundred more questions tumbled into Squire Bardon’s thoughts. How’s Toopka? Dibl? All the minor dragons? Have any more been hatched? It had been four months since his last letter from Kale. She’d hinted that Taylaminkadot flirted with Librettowit, but he had dismissed that revelation as a young girl’s invention of romance in her rather isolated society. The urge to see and talk to Kale and the others surged strongly in the young squire’s heart. Dar’s voice interrupted him.
“This is a nasty business,” the doneel said as he stood. “I’m glad you’re to lead this expedition. If Paladin hadn’t chosen you first, I would have. You’ve grown into one of my most reliable men.”
Bardon thrust aside his personal inquiries and followed his mentor.
Sir Dar ushered him to the tall double doors of the chamber. Bardon gave a gentle push to one of the ornate panels, and it swung open.
“We’ll dine in my blue room tonight,” said Dar. “Privately, with only the adult members of your questing party. You’ll find your room just as you left it. If you need anything,