Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [59]
Lady Brunstetter laughed, her eyes twinkling with merriment. “I know exactly how you feel, Kale. But it’s their custom, and doneels think it not rude but complimentary to eat noisily. The problem is when my doneel friends leave after an extended visit. Then I have to retrain our children in the manners of our people.”
As if to prove her point, one of the children took a bite of roasted venison and smacked loudly before dabbing grease from his chin with a linen napkin.
The meal was quickly dispatched. Paladin thanked their hostess for her graciousness and ushered the questing party into a chamber behind the throne room.
A gateway shimmered against a solid stone wall. Kale held Toopka with the little doneel’s arms wrapped around her neck. Librettowit stood in the shadows against a side wall in the small room. Bardon held a position by the door, his posture stiff, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and his jaw rigid. Kale intercepted a glance her way and smiled at him. He looked away without acknowledging her gesture of encouragement.
It’s all right, Bardon. We’re all nervous.
He blinked, but didn’t respond.
Regidor held his tail in one hand. White knuckles gleamed on each scaly finger.
Kale looked at the stone slab floor and wished for Leetu Bends. She isn’t always friendly, but she sure acts like nothing bothers her. On the last quest, I thought I was safe just because she was there.
Paladin nodded for Dar to go first. The doneel diplomat stepped before his ruler.
“I pledge again my loyalty to you, my lord. May Wulder keep me humbly in your service.”
Paladin rested a hand on Dar’s shoulder. “I commission you to stand strong against the enemy of our high and mighty Wulder, to stand true to His word of hope, to stand with wisdom over His warriors entrusted to your guidance, and to seek justice and mercy in this quest.”
Dar bowed slightly and strode through the gateway.
Regidor marched forward. “Do I get a commission? Do I get special instructions?”
“Your commission is like Dar’s. Each member of the party is to uphold Dar’s leadership and to accept his mission as their own.” He looked around the stone-walled chamber to include each member of the questing party. “You may decline at this moment.”
No one moved to take up the offer.
Paladin turned back to the meech dragon. “Regidor, you will grow in knowledge, stature, and maturity in very short order. Do not think that you outpace your comrades. Wulder has placed each one within your circle of influence for your good and for their own. Be mindful of your rank. You are neither the head nor the tail of this expedition.”
“I understand, my lord. We are dependent on each other.”
“Precisely.” Paladin clapped him on the shoulder. “Go.”
As soon as the lights in the gateway faded from Regidor’s passing, Paladin held up his arm as a falconer would to invite his bird to land.
“Come, little ones.”
The three minor dragons crawled out of their pocket-dens and flew to him. They perched on the elegant sleeve and gazed studiously at Paladin. After looking each one in the eye for several moments, the ruler gave his small subjects permission to fly through the gateway.
Kale realized that some of her anxiety had drained away.
I don’t know what he said to them, but it must have been wonderful.
She heard Paladin’s rich chuckle in her mind.
“I told them to behave.”
Kale grinned. That’s all?
“I did remind them that Wulder cares whether they do well or not, and will always be with them.”
Ah, that comforts me as well.
Paladin gestured for Librettowit to come forward. The librarian shuffled to his position in front of the ruler. Paladin placed a hand on each shoulder.
“My friend, you are always the reluctant hero. What would we do without you?”
Librettowit’s head snapped up, and he scowled.
Paladin’s face showed no humor, only sincere respect. “Go, my learned comrade. Mind these young rapscallions.”
Librettowit jerked his head in an affirmative nod and pushed through the gateway.
“Bardon,” called Paladin.
The lehman stepped forward and saluted. “At your command, my lord.