Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [61]
A crowd mingled in the large entryway to a country manor. Dark, rustic beams accented white plastered walls. A huge fireplace dominated one end of the room. Kale saw two massive square doors opened to a front carriageway and lawn.
Along with her eight comrades, many mariones of various ages participated in some kind of celebration. More visitors arrived and were greeted by the host and taken to a buffet of aromatic foods.
“The party is to cover your departure from this house,” explained Granny Noon. “The enemy may or may not know that there is a gateway in the back room. They’re definitely suspicious of the family’s activities.”
Gymn sat in the cupped hands of an elderly woman in a rocking chair. Kale knew he was soothing away the aches of her arthritis. Metta, Dibl, and Toopka had joined the crowd around Dar, who was playing a harpsichord. Regidor eyed the musical instrument as if it were a delectable dessert. Librettowit and Bardon sat in a corner, the librarian holding a tankard and scowling, Bardon just scowling.
Irritated, Kale called to him. Bardon!
His eyes flicked her way, and the line of his jaw relaxed.
Stop scowling. These people are risking their lives to help us.
“I’m not scowling. I’m merely observing.”
From this side of your face, it looks like you’re scowling.
Dibl left the music makers and perched on Bardon’s shoulder. The solemn lehman lifted a finger and stroked the yellow dragon’s belly. Dibl hummed, closed his eyes in pleasure, and leaned against Bardon’s neck. Bardon smiled and winked at Kale.
Granny Noon tugged at Kale’s arm. “Don’t frown so, dear. These are your friends.”
She guided Kale through the great hall to a sitting room where three comfortable chairs and a settee surrounded an elegant table.
“I’m really not hungry, Granny Noon,” Kale said as she sat down. “We just ate at Brunstetter Castle.”
Granny Noon sat as well, lifted the china teapot, and poured into delicate cups. Her homespun dress draped gracefully over her shoulders with soft folds of material.
“Just a cup of tea, then, to settle your nerves.”
“My nerves are fine now that I’ve seen you. Can you go with us?”
Granny Noon chuckled. “No, dear. I’m much too old for adventures.”
Kale took a sip of the warm, sweet tea. She closed her eyes as it went down her throat, delighting in the way it refreshed her deep down inside. When she opened her eyes again, she sighed and tackled the subject she most wanted to talk about.
“Granny Noon, I saw my mother.”
“Did you, dear?”
“Yes.” Now that she had decided to talk to Granny Noon about her mother, even against her mother’s wishes, she couldn’t hold the words back. “She called to me from a forest near our campsite. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Kale looked down to the drink in her hand. Beneath the dark amber brew, tiny specks of tea leaves floated near the bottom of the cup.
She shook her head slightly. “But I don’t like her, Granny Noon. She told me not to tell anyone that I’d seen her. The second time she called me, it felt awful. When Paladin said I had to come here and not go to Creemoor to rescue her, I was glad.”
Her hands shook, and the teacup rattled on its saucer. She hastily put the fragile pieces of china down on the table. Balling her hands into fists, she placed them on her knees.
“What’s wrong with me?”
Kale glanced at Granny Noon, but averted her eyes before really seeing the old woman’s expression. She didn’t want to see her disapproval. “As a slave, I know I’m supposed to obey. I’ve always been good about doing what I’m told to do. But I didn’t obey Mother. And I don’t want to find her or stay with her. I’d rather be with Dar and Regidor, Librettowit and Wizard Fenworth, my friends.” She sobbed.
“I understand what you’re saying, my dear.” Granny Noon took another sip of tea. “But I don’t understand why you’re crying.”
Kale peeked at Granny Noon and saw the emerlindian was not looking at her with disgust. She took a deep breath, trying to control the sobs. She must explain how she had failed and was doomed to continued