Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [6]
A look of interest crossed the matron’s face as her features softened.
Kale hunched her shoulders and sighed. “I wasn’t really thinking all this when I took the little girl under my cape, but Paladin once told me that I had acted well when I acted quickly, and I guess that gave me confidence. And the criminal…”
She held the little girl away from her for just a moment to show the unthreatening nature of the small culprit. Toopka whimpered pathetically and ducked her cute, furry head, a gesture bound to appeal to the sympathies of those watching.
“Well, Captain,” Kale continued, “she didn’t seem to be a dangerous sort who needed to be apprehended at that very moment.”
The guard’s stony expression chilled Kale. She suspected she’d be hauled off to court.
After a long moment, the guard’s narrow eyes shifted right, then left. In a lowered voice, he said, “You’ve met Paladin?”
Kale nodded. “Twice.”
“Ha!” The tumanhofer glared up at the captain. “Don’t listen to ’er lies. Take ’er to the jail. Put ’er before the magistrate.”
“I would be that magistrate.” An older emerlindian man stood at his table, leaving his afternoon tea unfinished. He cast a long, thin shadow across the lawn. His intelligent face was darkened with age. His brown eyes glittered cold, holding no humor. “I’ve had quite enough of your loud posturing, Tellowmatterden.”
Maye Ghint stepped forward. “I apologize that you’ve been disturbed, Magistrate Hyd.”
The man held up his hand, and she was silent. He looked at Kale. “Young lady, come here.”
Kale obeyed.
“Who gave you the cape?” he asked.
“Granny Noon.”
“A moonbeam cape cannot be stolen.” He stated the fact with a powerful voice that reached those all around. His eyes remained on Kale. “What is your name, child?”
“I am Kale Allerion. Leecent Kale.”
The man’s eyebrows twitched upward, and a new gleam entered his eyes. “You will do well to follow closely the teachings of Paladin and remember Wulder in all your dealings.”
This phrase was often spoken among those at The Hall. Kale nodded obediently.
Magistrate Hyd lifted a hand and pensively stroked his smooth dark chin. He studied Kale until she wanted to squirm under his gaze.
Finally, his eyes shifted to Toopka, and he spoke. “Are you an orphan?”
She gave a quick nod and clung to Kale, her fingers tightening on the cape.
The magistrate’s attention came back to Kale. “You will take the doneel child as your charge.”
Kale jerked at the command. “But—”
“Dar will assist you.”
“Excuse me, Your Honor,” Kale tried again. “But I—”
“You are fully capable of this charge, Kale Allerion. Do not turn back what has been given you.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
Magistrate Hyd looked over her shoulder. “I believe an escort has arrived from The Hall. Good day, Kale.”
“Good day, Your Honor.” Kale turned away as the magistrate sat back down.
Maye came forward to offer fresh hot tea and nordy rolls, warm and fragrant from the inn’s oven. The guards put a hand on each of the disgruntled tumanhofer’s arms and guided him toward the door. Dar watched with a pleased grin on his face. As Kale turned her head to see the guards escort Tellowmatterden through the center doorway, she lost her own smile. Next to the inn stood the representative of The Hall.
Kale caught a groan before it escaped her throat.
Lehman Bardon, the only o’rant in The Hall who treats me like I don’t exist. He never speaks to me. He looks right through me when we pass in the corridors. And now he looks like he swallowed a drummerbug. What else could go wrong?
3
THE MURAL
Bardon bowed in the magistrate’s direction and then nodded to Kale and Dar. Kale wondered how anyone could gaze upon the festive garden with so little interest. Guests and serving maids wore colorful attire. A sweet fragrance rose from the flowers. Guitarists provided lilting music. Lehman Bardon looked as if nothing made any impression on his wooden soul.