Keeper of the Flame Read Free Page B

the fire was roaring in there, where many people had gathered on this gloomy, sub-zero day.
    “I’ll send the boy up with coals for the fire and food for the youngling,” the innkeeper said as he bustled ahead of Hugh and his burden. “Blankets and nesting material too, though you’ll have to promise to keep her safely back from the fire. This lass is too young to know the danger.”
    “No fire,” Miss piped up, holding up one paw that Hugh now saw was singed. “Hoo warm.”
    Hugh shared a grim expression with the landlord who had opened his door with the master key. “Perhaps some salve for her paw? If you have any.”
    “I’ll see what the missus has from the stillroom.” He blocked Hugh’s path when he would have entered, holding his gaze with a hard look. “You seem to know your way around gryphons.” It was more question than statement.
    “Not gryphons, exactly.” Hugh shrugged. “In my travels I have become familiar with many different creatures. They seem to like me as much as I like them.”
    “They are often better judges of character than most men, I reckon.” The innkeeper nodded once and moved aside. “All right then. If you would see to her for the night, we’ll see what must be done in the morning. If anything.”
    “I would be most obliged if you could send dinner to my room. I will pay…” Hugh tried to look reluctant, knowing the rough traveler he posed as would balk at spending extra coin—or at least make a show of objecting.
    “No need. The boy will be along soon with food and supplies for the nestling. Just tell him if there’s anything else.”
    “Thank you,” Hugh said politely as the innkeeper closed the door, leaving him inside with his precious burden.
    The room wasn’t warm yet. No fire had been lit in the grate. The innkeeper’s son would bring a coal to get the blaze going. Hugh didn’t need that, of course, but it would raise suspicion if he lit his own fire, and he’d have to expose his ability to the gryphlet. She was just a baby, really, and couldn’t know how important it was for him to keep his dragon half secret from the people of this land.
    Hugh still didn’t know if Helios was friend or deadly foe to dragon folk. Until he figured that out, he would have to keep a low profile. Taking in a rejected gryphon nestling wasn’t exactly the way he had planned to do that, but his honor wouldn’t let him do anything else.
    Half dragon, Hugh was a strong believer in fate. Some things were just meant to be. Perhaps finding this baby gryphon in need was part of the grand plan fate had in store for him. Or perhaps not. Hugh would likely never know either way.
    Hugh settled on the lone chair in the small room, preferring not to transfer the wet mud from his clothes to the room’s single bed. Miss stayed happily in his arms, cuddling close to his chest for warmth. She jumped a little when the innkeeper’s son knocked once before entering at Hugh’s word.
    He held a small wooden bucket and a metal scoop that held a hot coal with which to light the wood and tinder already in the grate. Miss watched the young human with wary interest. She jumped when the fire caught in the fireplace, but Hugh soothed her, holding her close in his arms and stroking her drying fur.
    “I’ll be back in a tic with towels and hot water so’s you can clean up, sir,” the boy said as he headed for the door. “Da said heat first, then cleaning stuff, then food.” He ticked off his tasks on his fingers as he headed out the door. “Ma’s burn ointment is in the bucket, sir.”
    Hugh thanked the boy as he left and spent a few minutes coaxing Miss off his lap. She was truly afraid of the fire, which was a healthy instinct when not taken to an extreme. Hugh hooked the handle of the bucket with his foot and dragged it over, having been not entirely successful in dislodging the kitten. He found a small earthenware pot with a square of gingham fabric tied over the top, which proved to be a