Dragonfly Read Free Page B

anger--he felt like a sheep herded into the shearing shed, about to lose the comfortable fleece of dreams and pleasures that had so far made up his life. "But you forget the elections they've got there."
    Lagan waved his hand airily. "Practices can change. Those elections are open to abuse and have been manipulated by Fergox. Why do you think an insignificant girl was chosen as the new Crown Princess? He's bribed some of the priesthood--he's weakening the rulers. When the Crescent Islanders realize this, they will want to put a stop to it, drag the Islands away from the vagaries of elections into the modern age of strong hereditary leaders. To men."
    Ramil considered his father's words carefully before replying. "So what you are really asking me to do is to marry this crone to cement an alliance while all along we're planning to take over?"
    "Not a crone. I have already said we will only accept a woman of child-bearing years. And yes, we can offer the Crescent Islands strong leadership when the time is ripe."
    "Can I refuse?"
    "If you refuse, I will open negotiations with Fergox for a suitable match for you. I understand his sister is still unwed. The Inkar Yellowtooth will no doubt accept a fresh young man like you in her bed."
    "You are joking!"
    "Sadly, I am not. I wish to spare my people a war we cannot win. Without the Blue Crescent, the only future
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    is as a vassal state of Fergox. He would ask just such a sacrifice of us--a pledge of our loyalty."
    Ramil was overwhelmed by a desire to start the day again; go back to the forest but this time forget to come home.
    "So I have no choice?"
    "No, I'm sorry, but you don't."
    "The wedding--when, where?" Ramil snapped.
    "The details are yet to be decided. Go and take a bath."
    Lagan dismissed his son with a sigh. Ramil stalked out with his shoulders hunched. It grieved the King to know that he had just shattered his relationship with his only son. He remembered exactly what it had felt like to have his father behave as king rather than loving parent. His father had never treated him the same after his marriage to Ramil's mother, and his beloved wife had barely been received at court until the old king died. He feared Ramil would now hold a similar grudge against him.
    Once the Prince had gone, the King rang a bell. The chief of his guard came in.
    "See that Prince Ramil does not leave the castle until further notice," ordered Lagan. "Make sure he does not visit the stables on any pretext."
    If the guard thought the order strange, he did not say. He bowed and left quickly to organize a twenty-four hour close watch on the young heir to the throne.
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Chapter 2
T
    ashi was the last to arrive at the Hall of the Floating Lily, the seat of government in the four isles and one of her favorite places in the palace. The roof opened out from a central dome in the shape of an inverted water lily, petals becoming cream-colored pillars turning blush-pink where they joined the mosaic floor. The patterns on the ground reflected the rich culture of the Blue Crescent: the ever-present motif of the water lily, perfect beauty floating on the water like the Islands themselves in the Sapphire Sea; the dragon of eternity chasing its tail; the leaping dolphin, legendary friend of the first Mother; the dragonfly, the herald of the Great Goddess herself, catching fire with a fragment of her glory.
    Tashi approached her fellow rulers with a carefully measured step. Marisa of Phonilara, the First Crown Princess, was already sitting on her throne--the Throne of State, which was carved like a ship in full sail--her white robe spread around her so she looked like an old wrinkled figurehead. The Second Crown Princess,
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    Safilen of Lir-Salu, a fine-looking woman in her fifties, was just taking her seat on the Throne of Plenty--a magnificent piece decorated with images of the harvest of land and sea. She swept the folds of her green robe, embroidered with golden sheaves, so that they rippled gracefully