Cold Hearted Son of a Witch (Dragoneers Saga) Read Free Page B

Commander Herald’s smaller party north from here.”
    “Commander Herald’s party?” Mysterian asked. “What’s this, Herald?”
    “I’m needed at Kingsmen’s Keep,” he shrugged innocently.
    “We will speak of this later,” she scolded, but a tiny bit of hurt showed through her angry visage. Not enough to keep her from turning her gaze on Rikky.   “You’ll keep your peg-leg on, Rikky Camille. I heard about what happened today.”
    Mysterian then turned and started in on Herald about his leaving. Jenka watched as Zahrellion demanded a whispered explanation from Rikky. Soon the map was rolled and the table loaded with honeyed pork and game hens. Before they began the meal, Queen Alvazina stood and thanked everyone for their commitment to saving the Crown Prince. She looked at Linux’s body when she said, “...and I speak for my husband when I say that no matter the outcome of your quest, your efforts will never be forgotten.”
    Zahrellion asked Jenka to meet her later at the usual place, so his distaste over the way of things between the king and the druid was soon washed away with eager hope. Underneath that feeling, though, was the ache of knowing that he would have to spend a long while without either of his two companions.
    After dinner most everyone excused themselves from the Lair. Rikky rolled over to Jenka’s side. “I have to go work on the portable chair Linux devised for me.”
    “Will it roll in sand?” Jenka asked.
    “Doubtful,” Linux said as he joined them.
    Jenka looked up at King Blanchard’s face. “Herald said you needed to see me?”
    “While you are in the foothills, would you find Lemmy and take him to the Temple of Dou? There are drawings that I saw in an old journal written by a woman who claimed to have befriended an orphaned dragon.” Linux hated to lie to Jenka about the importance of that journal, but he saw no other option at the moment. Stuck in fat King Blanchard’s body, he couldn’t return to the temple himself. His vile brother Lanxe would make a mockery of him. “I remember one of them showed the makings of a clever riding saddle. I originally dismissed it as some raver’s scratch, but now, after working with Rikky and Silva, I think that the design may have merit. I’ll send a missive for Lem explaining where in the Librarium to find the volume, and what I want him to copy for us.”
    “I told Linux how you fell into the wall that one time,” Rikky grinned.
    Jenka laughed, remembering how Jade had saved him from that impact with Dour magic. “Sure, Linux, we need saddles. I have questions for Lemmy anyway. I’ll do it.”
    “Am I not the fargin king? Isn’t the proper response, ‘I’ll gladly do it, Your Majesty ?’ ” Linux did a perfect imitation of King Blanchard’s voice and manner to go along with the body he wore.   This caused a laugh that lightened the mood.
    Jenka used the awkward moment to excuse himself so that he could get ready to go meet Zahrellion.

 
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    Like the Dragoneers, the dragons were treated well in Mainsted. A large open area, once a park, had been dubbed the dragon bailey. It was set aside for the coming and going of dragons. There were three shifts of attendants to take care of the wyrms' every need. A whole troop of hunters worked to keep fresh meat available. But at night the area was devoid of people.
    Out beyond the wavering light of the night fires, there was a pond with stone benches lined around its overgrown shore. Jenka found Zahrellion sitting at one of them. She was fidgeting and looked anxious. He was nervous too, and her manner only made him feel less sure of himself. The words of love and commitment he had been about to spill formed into a knot just behind his sternum.
    As he stood there afraid to say what was on his mind, the sound of the cicadas and a low-groaning bullfrog’s repetitious call filled the moonlit silence.   To his surprise Zah saved him by stepping up and mashing her