Read Online DragonFire by Donita K. Paul - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Donita K. Paul
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Sir Bardon. This is my wife, Lady Kale Allerion. Granny Noon is our advisor. Sir Regidor and Lady Gilda accompany us.”
“Three wizards?” The man bowed as he spoke. “Then news of the wizards’ conclave has reached you. We weren’t sure our messengers would pass through the enemy lines.”
Kale glanced at Regidor, who shook his head.
“We’ve had no news of a meeting,” she said.
“Tomorrow night.” The sentry pointed to one large tower of Paladin’s castle. “At eight. Since you did not receive the summons, it must be Wulder’s providence that brought you. Eleven have already arrived.”
“Will we be able to speak to Paladin?” asked Kale.
The man’s expression turned solemn. “A physician will greet you at his bedchamber. He will decide if you can enter. Do you know the way?”
“Yes.” Kale felt a warm, soothing glow spread through her body as she thought of Paladin. “I’ve known where he is since I walked through the gateway.”
The sentry smiled wryly. “I’ve given up offering escorts to wizards. They always seem to know where they’re going.”
Gilda stepped forward. “I would like an escort to our chambers. I am tired and would also like some nourishment.”
“Yes, Lady Gilda.” The sentry raised a hand. A young boy dressed in livery came to his side. “Summon Mistress Nidell.” The boy scooted off. “The housekeeper will be here shortly. Please be seated.”
Around the courtyard, spots of greenery shaded comfortable benches. Flowers in pots and arranged in colorful beds decorated the open space. A minstrel strummed his instrument while sitting in a stone and wrought-iron gazebo.
Kale tugged at Bardon’s sleeve. He looked down at her upturned face.
“Maybe my parents are here.”
He took hold of her hand. “Maybe.”
Kale called the minor dragons out of their dens to enjoy the splendor. Briefly she thought about the unquickened eggs. Would Paladin want her to hatch them now?
The travelers spent several minutes benefiting from the sunshine and the beautiful surroundings, and enjoying the songs of the small birds that inhabited the trees. After traveling in underground tunnels, the elegant gardens relieved some of the tension that had built up between them.
She and the others hadn’t yet seated themselves before a bustling marione matron came to greet them. She had two maids in tow and sorted out the guests so that Granny Noon received an escort, Regidor and Gilda were led off by the other maid, and Mistress Nidell took responsibility of Bardon and Kale.
“We’ll go straight to Paladin’s room and ask if you can be admitted.”
“How is he?” asked Kale.
“Not well, but he’s perked up a bit with all this company. He does love people, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” Kale murmured as she followed.
Sensing her distress, Bardon put his arm around her waist and sought to distract her. He pointed out a plain vase stuffed with common bonnies.
I’m surprised by the humble décor of Paladin’s palace.
Simple rugs carpeted the corridor, landscapes hung on the walls in unadorned frames, and the basic architecture of the building emphasized an unpretentious style.
Have you ever been here before?
“No. It is different from the other castles we’ve been in…Certainly different from our castle made of hollowed-out trees.”
Kale giggled.
The housekeeper cast a puzzled look over her shoulder at the sound of Kale’s amusement. To her, the small laugh had come out of nowhere. Kale merely smiled and, when the servant turned away, made a face at Bardon.
They traveled to a wing of the castle far from the bustle of activity. A tall, dark emerlindian responded to Mistress Nidell’s knock at a heavy wooden door.
“Grand Sorn.” She curtsied. “We have visitors to see Paladin. Sir Bardon and Lady Kale.”
The grand stroked his chin. “Our leader is weak. But I think seeing his Dragon Keeper would raise his spirits.” He addressed Sir Bardon. “Would you mind
“Three wizards?” The man bowed as he spoke. “Then news of the wizards’ conclave has reached you. We weren’t sure our messengers would pass through the enemy lines.”
Kale glanced at Regidor, who shook his head.
“We’ve had no news of a meeting,” she said.
“Tomorrow night.” The sentry pointed to one large tower of Paladin’s castle. “At eight. Since you did not receive the summons, it must be Wulder’s providence that brought you. Eleven have already arrived.”
“Will we be able to speak to Paladin?” asked Kale.
The man’s expression turned solemn. “A physician will greet you at his bedchamber. He will decide if you can enter. Do you know the way?”
“Yes.” Kale felt a warm, soothing glow spread through her body as she thought of Paladin. “I’ve known where he is since I walked through the gateway.”
The sentry smiled wryly. “I’ve given up offering escorts to wizards. They always seem to know where they’re going.”
Gilda stepped forward. “I would like an escort to our chambers. I am tired and would also like some nourishment.”
“Yes, Lady Gilda.” The sentry raised a hand. A young boy dressed in livery came to his side. “Summon Mistress Nidell.” The boy scooted off. “The housekeeper will be here shortly. Please be seated.”
Around the courtyard, spots of greenery shaded comfortable benches. Flowers in pots and arranged in colorful beds decorated the open space. A minstrel strummed his instrument while sitting in a stone and wrought-iron gazebo.
Kale tugged at Bardon’s sleeve. He looked down at her upturned face.
“Maybe my parents are here.”
He took hold of her hand. “Maybe.”
Kale called the minor dragons out of their dens to enjoy the splendor. Briefly she thought about the unquickened eggs. Would Paladin want her to hatch them now?
The travelers spent several minutes benefiting from the sunshine and the beautiful surroundings, and enjoying the songs of the small birds that inhabited the trees. After traveling in underground tunnels, the elegant gardens relieved some of the tension that had built up between them.
She and the others hadn’t yet seated themselves before a bustling marione matron came to greet them. She had two maids in tow and sorted out the guests so that Granny Noon received an escort, Regidor and Gilda were led off by the other maid, and Mistress Nidell took responsibility of Bardon and Kale.
“We’ll go straight to Paladin’s room and ask if you can be admitted.”
“How is he?” asked Kale.
“Not well, but he’s perked up a bit with all this company. He does love people, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” Kale murmured as she followed.
Sensing her distress, Bardon put his arm around her waist and sought to distract her. He pointed out a plain vase stuffed with common bonnies.
I’m surprised by the humble décor of Paladin’s palace.
Simple rugs carpeted the corridor, landscapes hung on the walls in unadorned frames, and the basic architecture of the building emphasized an unpretentious style.
Have you ever been here before?
“No. It is different from the other castles we’ve been in…Certainly different from our castle made of hollowed-out trees.”
Kale giggled.
The housekeeper cast a puzzled look over her shoulder at the sound of Kale’s amusement. To her, the small laugh had come out of nowhere. Kale merely smiled and, when the servant turned away, made a face at Bardon.
They traveled to a wing of the castle far from the bustle of activity. A tall, dark emerlindian responded to Mistress Nidell’s knock at a heavy wooden door.
“Grand Sorn.” She curtsied. “We have visitors to see Paladin. Sir Bardon and Lady Kale.”
The grand stroked his chin. “Our leader is weak. But I think seeing his Dragon Keeper would raise his spirits.” He addressed Sir Bardon. “Would you mind
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