Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [48]
“Name’s Cam Ayronn, lake wizard and cousin to Fenworth here.”
Bardon shook the man’s hand and then wiped his fingers on his pant leg. Kale couldn’t resist the urge to look into the lehman’s thoughts. She wrinkled her nose when she realized Bardon’s hand had been damp from the moisture he’d gathered from the wizard’s palm.
“Harrumph!” said Fenworth. “A distant cousin, a very distant cousin. Ninth cousin, twenty-two times removed, at least.”
Wizard Ayronn cocked an eyebrow at the older wizard and grinned. “Second cousin, not once removed.”
“Bah!” exploded Fenworth, with a wave of his hand. A stream of bats hurled out of his bulky sleeve and squeaked piteously in the stark sunlight as they flew away.
Cam Ayronn chuckled and turned to Lee Ark. “You’re the commander of this expedition, I take it. Paladin sent me to reinforce your mission.”
“I’m the oldest,” said Fenworth. “I am in charge.”
“Oh yes,” returned the newcomer, not in the least discommoded by the old wizard’s abrupt manner. “I understand you’re in charge of the wizardry elements of the operation, but certainly not the military aspect. How distasteful, to command legions of sweaty, belligerent soldiers.”
Kale sent a look of inquiry to Dar. Legions?
“Diplomacy,” he answered with a look of polite interest on the face he showed his comrades.
Fenworth’s head bobbed in one short nod of agreement. “Quite right. Much prefer the intellectual. Astute as ever, Cam. You’ll do.” He walked away a few steps, but did an about-face to shake his staff at his cousin. “Mind you, you are under me—younger, waterlogged, from a pesky branch of the family. You’ll remember I’m in charge.”
“Certainly,” said Cam with a sober expression. “I wouldn’t usurp your authority, not when Paladin has sent me to help.”
Fenworth turned again, grumbling. “Where’s breakfast? You’d think with the sun in the sky and birds singing, one would smell a piece of bacon frying.”
Toopka pulled on Cam Ayronn’s blue robe. The wizard looked down, adjusted his spectacles, and smiled at the tiny doneel.
Toopka’s eyes twinkled. “Are you wet because you’re a lake wizard?”
“Yes, dear.”
“When Wizard Fenworth sits still, he grows things. What happens when you sit still?”
“I drip. Leave a puddle. Makes it difficult to have dinner in fine palaces. I’d much rather have breakfast with you beside the campfire.”
Toopka hopped and clapped her hands together. “Dar makes fried mullins. You’ll love mullins, especially if you like mordat.”
“I love mordat, and I know where we can find a mordat grove.”
Toopka squealed and grabbed the small wizard’s hand. “Let’s go!”
“Not quite yet, little one. I must confer with the adults before we indulge our sweet tooths with Dar’s delicious mullins.”
A gravelly voice interrupted their conversation. “Shouldn’t that be sweet teeth?”
The wizard spun around to face Regidor. “My goodness!”
Regidor grinned, his wide mouth opening to show his expansive row of pointed teeth. “My name is Regidor. I’m a—”
“—meech dragon,” said Cam Ayronn.
“I was about to say, ‘apprentice wizard.’”
“Ah, yes.” The wizard pinched his mustache between thumb and knuckle and repeatedly pulled at it. He stuck out his hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you. Do you enjoy mullins? I do hope so, because Toopka has promised us fried mullins for breakfast.”
Toopka gasped. “How’d you know my name?”
“I’m a wizard, my dear.”
“Do you know everybody’s name?”
“I only bother to know the names of important people.”
Regidor harrumphed in the manner of Fenworth. He eyed the wizard, who was no taller than himself. Kale frowned at her friend, who peered intently at the visitor.
Regidor cleared his throat. “Are you friend or foe, sir?” he asked.
Cam Ayronn threw back his head and barked a laugh. “That’s like saying, ‘Are you truthsayer or deceiver?’ If I am evil, I will lie about it. If I am benevolent, I would say the same as a malefactor.”
“Perhaps, but I am testing out my talents. I believe when you say what you are, I shall know if you tell the truth. I’m glad you’ve come along, because I am having difficulty