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influencing Gilda. Regidor, obviously, because he’s a meech. Kale, because she’s the
Dragon Keeper. Take the minor dragons with you.”
Lady Allerion placed a hand on Kale’s shoulder. “Gilda’s clever, and she’ll likely
uncover your true identity quickly. Deal in truth, and she cannot hurt you. Any deceit will
give her the advantage.”
While the wizards, Bardon, and Dar went to the potions tent, Regidor and Kale
approached the fortuneteller.
Regidor stopped at the opening, held the flap up, and gallantly gestured for her to
proceed. “After you,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Thanks,” said Kale and stepped into the gloomy interior. With relief, she felt Regidor
follow. His tall presence behind her gave her courage.
The veiled figure sitting at the back of the tent did not move. In front of her, one lantern
sat in the middle of a black table. The flicker of the flame reflected in the highly polished
top, making the table look as though fire danced beneath its surface.
“So you are the mighty Dragon Keeper.” The meech dragon’s sultry voice floated across
the room. “I am disappointed.”
Kale took two steps forward. In spite of the fact she knew Regidor had not followed her
farther into the tent, she spoke boldly. “Paladin sent us to find you. He doesn’t want you
to live in bondage to Risto.”
“Oh, I see. He wants me to be in bondage to him. How nice.”
“If you choose to break away from Risto, Paladin offers you freedom. He does not offer
another form of slavery.”
“Strange, but your words seem attractive.” She remained motionless for a moment, long
enough for Kale to wonder whether or not she should say something to fill the silence.
But Gilda spoke again. “Perhaps this inexplicable attraction is the lure that makes you the
Dragon Keeper. However, I am not overwhelmed by your influence.”
The shadows in the room pulsated with her words. Although the lantern had not dimmed,
the darkness grew. Kale held her breath as the dragon continued.
“I perceive that you speak out of an honest belief. Perhaps this is the strength behind your
persuasive words.” Again the female meech retreated into silence.
Abruptly she spoke once more. “What a pity your belief is ill-founded. You are a slave to
Paladin whether you are aware of it or not.”
The atmosphere in the room thickened as if a mist had infiltrated the tent. Kale looked
down at her arms expecting to see dew clinging to her skin. Goose bumps rose as the hair
on the back of her neck stood on end.
She tried to keep her voice calm. “It’s a little dreary in here, isn’t it?”
She wished Regidor would step up and take over. Since he seemed determined to stay in
the background, she’d call upon the minor dragons for moral support. She pulled her cape
over her shoulders from where it hung down her back. “I brought some other dragons for
you to meet.”
Gymn and Metta came out and perched on her shoulders. Dibl took his place on her head.
Ardeo snuggled in the crook of her arm, letting off a reassuring glow. The whole interior
of the tent brightened.
“So,” said Gilda after a moment, “does the Dragon Keeper keep pets or slaves?”
“Neither,” she snapped back. “These dragons are my friends.” She lifted her chin. “And
I’m not Paladin’s slave. But I don’t expect you to be able to understand that.”
She heard Regidor prompting in her mind. “Wulder or Pretender? The Creator or The
Destroyer?”
Kale nodded slightly and spoke more gently. “I follow Wulder, who created the world.
You follow Pretender, who seeks to destroy Wulder’s creation.”
The female meech stiffened. “I follow only Risto.”
“And Risto follows Pretender.”
“You are wrong. Risto is our leader.”
Regidor stepped forward. “Now that’s a fine tangle.”
He removed his cowl to expose his distinctive meech features. Kale heard the sharp
intake of breath by the female.
“What you have,” explained Regidor, “is a usurper whose servant is planning to usurp
him. Pretender tries to seize Wulder’s authority, and Risto tries to move into Pretender’s
position. That’s going to be a nasty bit of business.” He tilted his head in a gesture Kale
knew well, and he spoke even more deeply. “And where are you in all this, Gilda? You
are a pawn.”
He moved around the table, closer to the other meech. “But Kale was making a point
before we got sidetracked.” He knelt beside her. “You can choose, Gilda, whom you will
serve. Creator or Destroyer.” Regidor looked down at the hands she kept so still in her
lap. “Put your hand on the table, and I will show you the difference.”
Kale expected her to refuse, but after a moment’s hesitation, Gilda put her gloved hand
on the shiny black surface.
“Will you remove the glove?”
Again, the hesitation. Again, the compliance.
As they focused on the meech’s hand with its scaly skin and fingernails that came close
to being claws, an image formed in the palm. A small plant unfolded. A stem stretched
upward, topped by a bud. The bud opened with pale pink petals uncurling around a
golden center. A shadow fell over the beautiful blossom, and the plant shriveled to black
stubble. The image vanished.
“Creator or Destroyer?” Regidor whispered. “You can choose, Gilda.”
Gilda clenched her fingers into a fist. “You are a fool, meech dragon.” She snatched her
hand back from the table and held it against her chest. “You have to clear the field before
you can till the soil. You have to break up the ground before you can plant the seed.
Destruction is a part of the process.”
Regidor stood with a sigh. “You do not plow down a field of corn to plant weeds, Gilda.
Open your eyes and see.”
Gilda stood. The top of her hat came to Regidor’s chin. With her shoulders squared, she
looked poised to attack. Kale felt energy building within the female meech’s body. Kale
tensed, ready to spring into action should the woman strike Regidor. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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