“Indeed.” His words weren’t wrong, but it was unlike him to be so curious about others—particularly an unproven young man. Though I remembered he’d shown similar interest in Ruin, and a few others. Individuals who’d shown courage and aptitude young.
I wondered if the royal’s childless state—a fact neither of them spoke about—spurred this curiosity.
“If you think the boy has the gumption, move ahead. And if he’s to represent our Kingdom, take him to Dorn, my Master of the House. The royal servants can give him some training. If he’s that young, and working with the herds, some roughness at the edges will be forgiven, but he should understand basic etiquette if he’s to be received in the Palace.”
“Thank you, Sire. That’s very generous.”
Alexi waved me off,humphing and turning back to his papers. “I’ll speak with Dorn and make certain he assesses the boy. I want nothing in the way of this, Donavyn. When do you fly?”
I tried to keep my expression indifferent. “The mission has my entire focus. We will fly the moment we’re ready. But if you truly want no barriers, we have to handle this as we would any political journey. I’ve arranged for Barak to send herd assessment. The Fyrehold Furymaster would find it strange if we arrived to negotiate dragonfuries without sending them ahead.”
Alexi frowned. “Then, why didn’t we send them earlier?” he growled.
“Until we had a confirmed agreement to trade, I didn’t want to raise suspicions—and with everything that’s been happening with Draeventhall, I didn’t want the Fyrehold Furyknights to grow suspicious that we were attempting to infiltrate. They’re on their way now, and it’s far better this way. We can’t have more than a handful of Furyknights across their borders at a time, and only two battle dragons. If we’d needed to fly urgently, wecouldn’t have afforded to wait for them to return. Now, we know where we stand. Trust me, Sire. I’m doing everything I can to give this mission credibility.”
I didn’t mention that I’d also dragged my feet, hoping we wouldn’t need to enter Fyrehold at all.
Alexi sighed. “Very well. But get it done! I want boots on the ground. I want the girl in their court. And I want everyone’s eyes on the dragons!”
“That’s precisely what I’m working to achieve.”
Alexi stared at me a moment, then turned away, shaking his head. “Do you know, Donavyn, that there are times I envy you?”
I stifled a jerk. “I… what?”
“You’re a man of action,” Alexi growled, pushing to his feet and walking to the window that looked out over the courtyard below. “So much of my life these days is stuck within these walls, maneuvering those who will take the steps on my behalf.I consider what’s to come, and find myself envious of you, and the boy—his life is about to change. I may be the man who opens the horizon for him. But you’re the one whose footsteps he’ll follow. There are days I wonder…” he trailed off, then shook his head and turned back to the room.
I was stunned. Alexi wasn’t a sentimental man. If anything, he could be callous.
“Well, Sire, I would say that I’m humbled by your regard, but truly, action is dirty, and bloody, and tiring. It is a gift to be on dragonback, I don’t deny it. Yet, the job can be a curse as well. I think your valuable mind is best protected here—”
“Oh, don’t give me the bullshit, man,” he growled, returning to his seat, flipping his coattails back behind him as he sat. “I’m not suggesting that I fly with you. I’m merely acknowledging that life has become constrained. I wish I could speak with dragons, or fly on their backs. Sometimes, I yearn to return to my youth and all the promise it held.”
“I would say you’ve achieved much of that promise, Sire. Perhaps more?”
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry, Donavyn, I’m only musing. I don’t need you to soothe my aging restlessness. Go. Prepare the boy. Prepare the girl. Prepare the mission. I want you on the move!”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I bowed quickly, then turned for the door, grateful that he hadn’t questioned my choice to wait until now for the herd assessment, and eager to get out of there before the queen appeared.
And besides, Ididhave a mission to prepare. Albeit, reluctantly.
So, I hurried from the room and out of the palace, back to the dragon Keep.
An hour later, I stood in the dim light of the aisle outside Kgosi’s stable, Benji staring at me, wide-eyed.
“Truly, Sir?”
“Truly, Benji. The Furymaster says the dragons have mentioned you. That’s a great honor.”
“I know!” he breathed, his weedy fists clenched at his sides, even as his chest swelled. “I spoke to Kgosi once and—”
I was so stunned, I looked up, over the boy’s shoulder and into my dragon’s stable.
‘You spoke to him? And didn’t tell me?’I sent to Kgosi.
Kgosi, who rested in the straw, fluttered his wings and pinned me with a gaze.‘Clearly, an oversight,’he drawled in the bond.‘Do you also wish for me to report on my bowel movements?’
I glared at him.‘Linking with another human being is of far greater note than your scat schedule. Don’t pretend—’
