He smiled—apologetic again—but I had the distinct impression the man was lying, yet couldn’t pinpoint what he gained by that, so was left gaping.
What the hell was happening here?
I knew there were dragons on this land—we’d seen them in the air multiple times, distant, but in numbers. Rayv insisted most of the herd was actually kept in the lands far beyond the city, where there was a lot more space.
That would have made sense to me, except, these were their stables. Their Keep. Their security. Even if the wider herd rested and hunted outside the city, surely they’d sleep here? Or at minimum, keep shifts to protect their riders and King?
Our Vosgaarde dragons were as protective of us, as we were of them. Probably more.
Why would this herd allow their riders to remain so far away?
Then again, I hadn’t actuallymetFyrehold Furyknights, only heard tales of their escapades. Perhaps the dragons were staying close to their men, elsewhere?
Remembering Kgosi’s words, I tried a new tack as I followed Rayv around the scat pit and towards a different entrance to their stable building.
“Is the Primarch black? Or has he not changed his scales yet?”
“No, no he’s not,” Rayv said.
“What color is h—”
“The herd is somewhat nomadic,” he said with a wince. “Very independent. They travel a great deal, patrolling our borders.”
‘I believe there are very few dragons that call this place their home, Donavyn,’Kgosi said grimly.
My instincts agreed with him, but it made no sense. Why would Fyrehold agree to an exchange of bloodlines and breeding if they had no dragons to begin with? Were they hoping to gain some of ours first?
“Sir! Sir! Furymaster, Sir!”
We all turned as one of the young, lanky boys from the castle, wearing the king’s colors, came trotting, mincing in his high-heeled shoes, trying to keep them clear of the mud and muck here.
“What is it?” Rayv said quickly. Did I imagine relief in his tone?
“Sir, the king asks your attendance,” the boy said, eyes wide when he saw me. “He said only take time to change your boots, otherwise come immediately.”
“Yes, of course,” Rayv said, sending the boy off, and giving me another apologetic look. “I’m very sorry, Donavyn. I’mlooking forward to our chance to catch up and exchange ideas. But you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course,” I ground out.
As Ravy trotted away, I turned to Bren, who watched him run with a frown.
“What the fuck is going on here?” she whispered.
“My thoughts exactly,” I growled. “Do you get the feeling that we’re being distracted?”
She nodded. “But that makes no sense. Why would they invite you here for the dragons if they don’t have any?”
“Oh, they have dragons,” I said gruffly, remembering the wings I’d seen circling the peaks on every side of Fyrehold. “But there’s clearlysomethinghappening that they don’t want to tell us.”
“What could it be?”
“That’s the problem. I don’t have a fucking clue. We take no hand in other kingdoms’ herds.”
Uneasiness settled in my guts like a stone on the bottom of the lake.‘Kgosi?’
‘I am baffled, Donavyn.’
‘The Primarch isn’t here, he said. Does that give you more freedom to speak to some of their dragons?’
