Dragon's Treasure (26 page)

Olav said, "We can do it."

Hawk frowned. Shem was weary, and Juni's thin face still had little color. "I don't want to risk it. Where can we stay the night?"

"Castria?" suggested Olav. "There'll be room in the guardhouse."

"Too far. The horses are tired."

"The Halleck steading," Finle said. "There's always room in that house, and I'm cousin to the Hallecks, on my mother's side, so they'll not give us an argument, and anyway we're on Dragon's business."

The snow started as they left the ridge. By the time they reached the Halleck steading, it was falling steadily, big thick flakes, and Juni was pale again, and swaying like a reed in his saddle. The house was large and filled with people, most of them Hallecks, but there was always room for more, and visitors from the Keep were always welcome, so Miri Halleck said as she led her guests to a chamber.

"Finle Haraldsen, I'd have known you anywhere. You look just like your uncle Sulien, and he was a handsome man, though with scarcely the wit to milk a goat. I hope your wits are better. You had the sense to come here at least, instead of trying to ride to the Keep in this weather, which is what this big ox out of Serrenhold would have tried to do." Olav grinned. "And you are the lady archer of whom my grandson Rowan speaks." Rowan was a newcomer at the Keep; he had come in the spring levy. "They call you the Hawk, and aye, you have the hawk-sister look to you. And this is Shem, grandson to Serret of Sleeth, whose dog Turtle likes to steal hen's eggs! You see, I know all of you. Save this one." She poked a finger lightly at Juni. "What's your name, lad?"

The heat in the house had revived him. He bowed extravagantly.

"Juni Talvela, my lady."

Her fine pink cheeks reddened. "My lady, is it? Ah, I like that. But it's nonsense, I'm no lady. Call me Mother Halleck if you must. But you are far from home, Talvela's son." She cocked her head. "Na, look not so anxious, I'll not question what's none of my business anyway. Take your boots off and warm yourselves. Supper'll be ready soon."

Supper was ample, though plain; turnip-and-potato stew, cheese, and beer, served by a host of Halleck women, the younger ones giggly at the presence of Dragon Keep soldiers, the older ones brisk of manner, and sharp of tongue.

After the meal, Hawk sent Shem to bed. It took a while; he had found himself a litter of kittens to play with. Yawning, Juni went with him.

"The young mend swiftly," Miri commented, "and despite that he's not so broad as this big yellow one, the lad looks like he's got some strength in him. Have some more ale." Alf passed the decanter across the table. The three from the Keep filled their mugs. It was only courtesy; to drink, and share whatever news from outside they had with folk who might not have heard it. So they spoke of the wedding, and Cirion Imorin, and the competitions, and Lemininkai's red marble palace. The Hallecks spoke of the harvest, and the hunting, and which of their beasts had survived the winter, and their hopes for spring.

* * *

Breakfast, too, was plain, but ample: porridge, with bits of meat in it, but served with bread over which the last of the honey had been spread. Outside, in the new dawn, snow was falling. After the meal, Finle and Olav went to make ready the horses.

"Mother Halleck, the Keep is grateful for your hospitality," Hawk said formally.

"Dragon knows the Halleck land stands ready to serve him," the old woman said. "And tell him to take care of that boy. Something's troubling him. He's got a valiant heart, but someone's been hard on him, too hard for his nature."

As often happened in March, the snow ceased to fall soon after dawn. By midday it was gone from the fields. The sky blazed blue as fire. On their right, the serrated peaks of the mountains gleamed like spearpoints. Juni stared at them.

"They are beautiful," he said.

"Aye, they are," Olav said. "Though not when you are trying to get through them, and you don't know the way, and it's snowing so that you can't see where you are, or even if you are going up or down or in circles..."

"Yes," Juni said. "I know."

Hawk said, "Where were you when the snow started?"

"Galva."

Finle frowned.

"It's near Serrenhold," Hawk said. "That shouldn't have been so difficult. From Galva to Derrenhold is a straight line. From Derrenhold you head northeast until you reach Dragon Keep. Only maybe you didn't know that."

Juni said quietly, "I knew it. But I had to leave the road. I was being chased, and if I had stayed on the road they would have caught me. I was on foot, and they were horsed. So I went north. I thought they would not follow me if I could only go high enough. I was right. They dropped back when I went over the pass. But I went farther east than I meant to, and when I finally found the way back, I was tired, and cold, and my food was gone. I tried to hunt, but the game was thin."

"How long had you been wandering?"

"I'm not sure," Juni said. He took a deep breath. "If you had not come, I probably would have died. I owe you my life."

Then they were at the Keep. As they approached the great granite castle, Juni Talvela's eyes widened.

He said, "Gods, it's big. I had not known it was so big."

"Is it bigger than Talvela Manor?" Finle asked.

"Much bigger. Bigger than Serrenhold, too."

"It's Dragon's house. It's where I live," Shem said happily.

* * *

They went in through the little gate. The boys took their horses. Turtle trotted out of the stable and stood waiting, head cocked. Shem's eyes lit. He slid down Lily's side. Boy and dog tumbled over each other.

Dragon was in the tower. "Wait here," Hawk said to Juni. She went up the outer stair. As she neared the tower chamber, she heard Azil Aumson's voice through the open doorway.

Let love be all and there shall be no weeping;

In every spring, sap rises in the tree;

Sweet summer calls; cold winter lies a-sleeping;

Let all be love when you return to me.

The room was warm, and smelled of wine. Azil sat in his usual place, harp across his knees. Karadur sat hipshot on the scarred table that served as his desk.

"Well, my hunter? What did you find in the wild?"

She said, "My lord, you have a guest. Juni Talvela."

He slid from the desktop. "Juni? The young archer from Ujo? Tell me."

Succinctly she made her report. When she finished, he said, "It's a month's journey from Galva to Dragon Keep, on foot, in winter. He said he was being pursued? By whom?"

"He didn't say."

"Where is he?"

"In the ward."

"Torik!" Torik stuck his head around the door. "There's a young man in the ward somewhere; his name is Juni Talvela. Mind your manners, he's a lord's son. Find him, and bring him here. Hunter, you stay." He seated himself in the chair behind the table. In a little while, Juni appeared. He hesitated on the threshold. He looked very young.

"Juni Talvela," Karadur said curtly, "you have put my soldiers to some trouble. Get in here."

Juni dropped to one knee. "My lord, I ask pardon for my trespass," he said.

Karadur looked him over silently. Then he said, "Get up. Sit over there." He pointed to a stool. Juni obeyed. He was trembling slightly. It was not easy to face the Dragon of Chingura in his own house.

Karadur said, "My soldiers tell me that you came over the mountains to escape pursuit."

"Yes, my lord," Juni said.

"Tell me where you came from, and who was chasing you."

"I came from Serrenhold, my lord. Bork Hal's soldiers were chasing me."

"Why?"

"I left his domain without permission."

"You ran away," Karadur said curtly.

Juni swallowed. "Yes," he said. "I ran away."

"When did your father send you to Serrenhold?"

"In August."

"How long were you meant to stay there?"

"I don't know," Juni said. "My brother Koiiva was there three years."

Karadur said, "I was Erin diMako's cavalry captain for two years. It was excellent training. Erin diMako is a good soldier, and a good man. I still count him as my friend and counselor."

Juni looked at the floor.

"Serrenhold is a harsh climate, and the lords of Serrenhold are not much celebrated for their kindness."

Still Juni did not speak.

Karadur said, "Look at me." Juni looked up. "So you left Serrenhold and went north to escape your pursuers, which was a stupid thing to do, though effective. Then you turned south and could not find a way out of the hills. How old are you?

"Fourteen, my lord."

"Still a boy. Ydo Talvela is a lord of Issho. Two years ago, when I needed them, he sent me horses. Tell me," Karadur said, "why I should not bind you, set you on a horse, and send you under guard back to your father?"

The color leached from Juni's face. "If you do, he will send me back to Serrenhold."

"And so?"

Juni looked at his hands, and then, directly, at Karadur. "I will not stay there. I will find a way to escape, my lord. If necessary, I will go outlaw." He shut his teeth. There were tears on his cheeks. He took a deep, ragged breath, and another.

Rising, the dragon-lord walked to the low table beside Azil's chair. It held a decanter, and glasses. He poured wine from the decanter into a glass and handed it to Juni.

"Drink," he said. Juni drank. Karadur gave him a moment to regain his composure. Then he said, more gently, "Why did you come to Dragon Keep? You could have gone to Derrenhold, or Mirrinhold, or Ragnar. You could have gone to Voiana; the hawk-sisters owe allegiance to no one. You could have changed your name and found work in some nameless village somewhere in the Blue Hills. Why come to me?

Juni looked at his hands. Then he said, "The music."

Karadur's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Is there no music in Issho?"

Juni said, "Not for the son of Ydo Talvela."

Azil plucked a harp string. It chimed like a bell. He said to Juni, "Do you sing?"

Juni said, "No. I harp. Not very well."

The singer played the refrain from "Dorian's Ride."
There are riders at the gate! Seven riders at the gate!

Karadur said, "You are the younger son. Is your brother incompetent?"

"My brother is everything my father wishes him to be," Juni said.

"I see," Karadur said. "Difficult for you." He leaned against the desk. "I think perhaps you are suffering from a high fever."

"My lord?"

"A high fever that has led you to do some extraordinarily foolish things, such as leave Serrenhold without permission. I believe you are still suffering from it, and that given your condition it would be folly on my part to send you anywhere. You will recover, of course, though it may take some months." Hope burgeoned in Juni's face. "Meanwhile, I will send a courier to your father with a letter, suggesting to him that you join my archers. The caliber of the Atani war band is known through Ryoka. I think Ydo Talvela will be happy for his younger son to receive his military training at Dragon Keep. Get up."

Juni knocked the stool to the floor in his haste.

"Lorimir Ness is captain of Dragon Keep's forces and first of the swordsmen's wing. Orm Jensen is first of the archers. You will obey them and all Dragon Keep's officers as you would obey me. Torik! Escort our newest recruit to the barracks." Juni opened his mouth.

"Out," Karadur said.

The door closed behind the youths. As they thundered down the stairs, the harp spoke again, a trill of laughter.

Karadur, echoing it, reached for the decanter. "Imarru, what a tangle! Azil, you'll have to help me with that letter."

Azil said, "I can do that."

"Hunter, let Orm Jensen know he has a new archer in his wing. And keep your eye on the lad. Was it indeed Shem who led you to him?"

"Indeed it was."

"I should give the cub a gift. What do you think he would most like?"

"A pony."

"He shall have one." Rising, he poured wine into Azil's cup. The singer laid the harp beneath his chair. "How is he—Shem, I mean? Is it well with him?"

"I think so, my lord."

"Keep your eye on him, too. I would not have any hurt befall him. For his father's sake, and for his own, he is precious to me."

"And to me," she said.

She went to the barracks, to let Orm know that Juni Talvela, son of Ydo Talvela of Issho, would be training in Dragon Keep, and that Dragon had assigned him to the archers' wing. Juni was already there, with Finle. He jumped up as she came in.

She braced herself for elaborate thanks. He said, quite simply, "Thank you for coming to find me."

She smiled at him; she couldn't help it. He was so young.