DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [91]
“A guard?” asked N’Rae. “What’s a guard?”
“A military unit,” answered Sir Dar. “A captain and four loes. A lo is higher rank than leecent and lower than lehman.”
“Is a captain higher in rank or lower than a leetu?”
“Lower,” said the doneel. “Why do you want to know of military rankings?”
“Bardon mentioned a Leetu Bends, that’s all.”
Sir Dar sent his squire a quizzical look. Bardon merely shrugged. He didn’t know why his little emerlindian comrade should take such an interest in someone he spoke of once.
“Is that good, Bardon?” asked N’Rae. “To have more people to help rescue Father?”
“That depends.” He looked at Sir Dar. “Who wants to join us?”
“Follow me.” Dar led them to the other side of the field, skirting the dancing dragons. The five in service to Sir Dar executed their drill in synchronized motions. Greer only just managed to keep up. He usually performed his morning exercises by himself.
Watching his dragon trying to blend in caused Bardon to puzzle over the odd behavior. Why are you even bothering to join their routine? The squire’s eyes moved to the graceful golden female between the two greens. Yes, I see what you mean. She is, indeed, a beauty.
Bardon put his hand on N’Rae’s elbow to guide her. Her head was turned so she could admire the graceful movements of the dragons. She had no idea when Sir Dar changed directions and would have walked off the steep decline on that side of the hill if Bardon hadn’t tugged on her arm.
Three people, two boys and a man, stood near the tack house. Bardon knew two, Ahnek and Trum Aspect. A surprisingly slender tumanhofer youth stood next to Ahnek. He had a walking stick in his hands and gazed over the dragon field.
Bardon stuck his hand into his pocket, curling his fingers around the coin Paladin had given him.
Sir Dar led him to the courtier Trum Aspect, who had distanced himself from the poorly clad boys, and made introductions.
The coin grew cold in Bardon’s hand. He bowed politely. “I decline your generous offer, Master Aspect. We have no need of your estimable talents on this journey into the wilderness.”
Aspect held his expression in check and bowed with just the right amount of deference. “Your choice, of course,” he answered. He turned on his heel and strode off toward the castle.
When he had passed the end of the field, Sir Dar muttered, “I wouldn’t have taken him, either. Shifty. Couldn’t figure out why he wanted to go.”
“I believe he thinks N’Rae is a valuable commodity.”
Sir Dar tilted his head, and his ears lay back. “Emerlindians are becoming scarce, but his investments are usually more commercial.”
As they walked closer to the shed and the two boys, Dar said, “Next, we have two eager young adventurers. Ahnek, you know. The other is Sittiponder from Vendela. He has traveled here for the express purpose of joining your quest.”
“He must have known of it long before I did.”
“He probably did. He is a blind seer.”
“Sittiponder?” Bardon spoke the name in a considering tone, then paused. “I think Kale mentioned this lad.”
“She did. He’s an associate of the street urchin, Toopka.”
Bardon clenched the coin in his fist. It held warmth as he studied one boy and then the other. He and Sir Dar stopped in front of the boys. Ahnek looked up with a smile. Sittiponder cocked his head slightly, but his face remained directed to the field he could not see.
Bardon put his free hand on the blind boy’s narrow shoulder. “What is your reason for coming, Sittiponder?”
“To serve Paladin, Squire.”
“How will you serve him?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t been told. I have only been told to come.”
Bardon considered the answer.
The boy shuffled his feet. “I have a talent that might be useful.”
Dar’s ears perked. “And this is?”
“I hear voices of wisdom.”
Dar cocked his head and nodded. He looked up at Bardon. His squire nodded as well.
“Why do you want to go, Ahnek?” Bardon asked.
“I can be of use, and I desire to train to be a knight. With my background