Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [107]
“Well, Kale,” said Lyll, “I’m famished. Let’s go down to breakfast, shall we? I’m also anxious to see what Fen and Cam have decided we should do about this dragon problem.”
“So we just sit here and wait,” said Wizard Cam, leaning back in his chair at the breakfast table. His wet hair looked as though it had just been washed, but Kale knew he almost always looked damp. Soon there would be a puddle under his chair, and if he sat in one place long enough, a rivulet would wander away, following any downslope.
Only tea and juice had been served thus far. Dar and Bardon had not yet joined the gathering.
“The suspicious wagon should be here today,” said the lake wizard.
“Oh great,” said Toopka, a pout pursing her lips. “That means it’ll be next week before they get here.”
Sitting next to her, Regidor tilted his head. He still wore his clerical robes since the populace of River Away had managed to accept a tumanhofer, two doneels, and three wizards, but still had problems with a walking, talking meech dragon. “What kind of wisdom is that?”
Toopka stood on her chair and put her hands on her hips. “It’s wisdom that comes from seeing how things work. Things you want to happen always take a long time.” She pointed one little finger at the meech dragon and shook it in his face. “You may read books and know bunches, but I have lived life longer than you.”
Regidor’s lips twitched as he suppressed a grin.
Toopka stomped one tiny foot. “You may get to be the smartest thing in all of Amara, but you’ll never be older than me. That’s just the way it is, and you’ll have to live with it!”
Fenworth, who was resting in the chair at the head of the table, stirred slightly, rattling his branches.
Cam cleared his throat. “No need to be so pugnacious, Toopka. We are all cognizant of the importance of seniority.”
Toopka sent a puzzled look Kale’s way.
Kale patted the little doneel’s back and guided her to sit down again on the wooden box that had been placed in her chair. “He means, don’t be so feisty, and we all know you’re older than Regidor, and yes, that’s important.”
Toopka nodded triumphantly at her meech friend.
Kale glanced around the tavern. In the days when she helped serve breakfast here, a number of regulars sat at the same tables every morning except Saturday and Sunday. Only her friends waited for their meal this morning.
It’s because of us, I’d guess. People in River Away don’t like to mix with people from outside.
Mistress Meiger came into the room from the kitchen. She carried a pot of tea. Yonny and Cakkue followed with a basket of muffins and a platter of scrambled eggs and sausages.
Kale’s former owner put down the pot and picked up a pitcher of fresh purpleberry juice. She refilled empty glasses in front of her guests. When she came to Kale, she said, “How’s your mother this morning, Kale?”
Kale glanced over at her mother. With a mischievous gleam in her eye, Lyll spoke up.
“Mern, I’m right here, and I’m feeling more like myself this morning.”
Mistress Meiger’s eyes popped. “And here I was thinking these wayfarers had brought in another strange person during the night.”
Oh dear! That was rude. Mistress Meiger only uses the term wayfarers to name those guests she believes are disreputable.
But Lyll Allerion did not take offense. “Now, Mern, you knew me well as a regular traveler years ago and enjoyed our visits to your tavern. Don’t be kerflummoxed by a few surprises.”
Mistress Meiger’s complexion blushed red. “I never would have thought that you and your dear husband were one of them. In fact, you deceived us, Lyll Allerion. I thought you were marione. You disguised your true being.”
“Ah, yes,” said Lyll, and her face grew solemn. “I wanted to be your friend, Mern, and you would not have let me. You’re not fond of things that are strange to your daily living. There are stranger things coming to River Away. Soon you’ll have to face the fact that Wulder is real and expects your loyalty.”
“Wulder’s coming here?”
Lyll sighed. “He’s already here.”
The innkeeper cast a look over her shoulder as