Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [32]
She nodded. “Why does he know who Wulder is? And it sounded as if Old One regards Wulder as someone in authority. What does he know that the rest of Chiril doesn’t?”
Bealomondore rested his palm across his chin and stroked his jaw with the three lower fingers. He puzzled for a moment before speaking again. “This is most intriguing. And let’s add to the list of questions. Why were the urohms concentrated in this city? Why was the populace exclusively urohms? That’s not true of any other city in Chiril. The kimens keep to themselves for the most part, but they’re not isolated. They do interact with the other races.”
“Why is the urohm city so grand?”
Bealomondore turned his attention to the dragon on his shoulder. “Det says there is no poor section of Rumbard City. There is no evidence of poverty.”
Ellie cleared her throat. “You said Lady Peg gave you a word for lying with no harm intended.”
“Ah yes. It is fibberlating. The person had fibbed but intends to tell the truth later, when it is more convenient. Mind you, she doesn’t approve of fibberlation. And if you ask her why, you will get a long and complicated explanation, at the end of which you will still have no idea of the reasons for her conviction, but you will be thoroughly convinced of her basic goodness.”
“Really?”
He nodded his head vigorously. “Most assuredly.”
“Are you fibberlating to me at this very moment?”
He stood straighter and laid his hand upon his breast. “I am of the same opinion as Lady Peg. To fibberlate is to stoop below the dignity Wulder has bestowed upon us.” He relaxed his stance and leaned forward to whisper in a conspiratorial manner. “But truly I think that last bit is Lady Peg echoing a sentiment she has heard Verrin Schope espouse.” He rolled his eyes. “Please don’t ever use the word espouse around Lady Peg. That is one of those words that is sure to set her off.”
With a grin on her face, Ellie slowly shook her head back and forth, totally bewildered. “I will probably never meet Lady Peg, and I don’t think I could truly understand what you mean unless I did meet her face to face.”
Bealomondore dropped his bantering air and looked quite sincere. “You will meet Lady Peg, Ellicinderpart. I will introduce you to her myself.”
Before she could think of a reply, the dragons burst into noisy chittering.
“What are they saying?” asked Ellie.
“They have to go out on their rounds, and they want to be introduced before they go.”
The dragons lined up on the bookcase as they had when they first came that morning.
“You’ve met Det and Laddin. Kriss, the light green one—”
The little dragon did a flip on the bookcase.
“She’s a procurer of food, which isn’t needed much in Rumbard City, and it makes her sad that she cannot enjoy her favorite pastimes of gardening and cooking.”
Ellie curtsied to each dragon as Bealomondore introduced them.
“Maree predicts the weather.”
The blue dragon dipped his head.
“His skills are underused as well. And Amee”—the dragon hopped at the mention of her name, and her scales shone with markings black as ebony and creamy white that looked like ivory—“is a wonder at communicating with animals, securing their cooperation, and negotiating disputes among them.”
Ellie’s eyes widened as she curtsied. A dragon diplomat to the animal kingdom! Her eyes shifted to the next in line, an orange and yellow fellow. The dragon wiggled in a funny dance, and Ellie giggled.
“Soosahn is a laughter dragon, able to see humor in most situations and dedicated to lifting the spirits of those around him.”
“And,” said Ellie, “the purple dragon sings.”
“Yes, Airon is musical.”
“I am very pleased to meet you all. I’m sorry that I don’t hear you when you mindspeak. I hope I can learn how.” All the dragons turned to look at Airon.
Bealomondore smiled. “Airon has been chosen to be your tutor. They feel that she is most likely to be able to reach your mind and begin the communication lessons.”
The dragons leaped into the air and flew in a circle.
“They