DragonKnight Read Online Free Page B

to be more cautious of the high races. “To the wise one, a prick on the finger avoids a hole in the heart.”
    Greer snorted and shook his head.
    Yes, I know I don’t need to quote Wulder to you. It’s habit. For three years, I’ve had to back up every action of the day to Scribe Moran at the evening vespers. The girder exercise, you know? An act of will must be consciously chosen with principles to support the deed, and ramifications accounted.
    The dragon stretched his wings, caught a thermal, and circled. Bardon knew Greer found the tedious girder ritual boring. But the young squire knew it was necessary. The practice forced novices to order their lives, and the exercise prevented chaos. But Greer would not prolong any conversation dealing with girdering.
    Yes, I know you have rescued me twice in one day. Pardon me for not expressing my gratitude more promptly…Of course I’m aware that your loyalty is a blessing of great practical value.
    The dragon continued to circle, rising higher. Bardon felt the chill as they climbed. With Greer’s droll comments still registering in the back of his mind, the squire turned his attention to Wulder. After years of study in The Hall and under Sir Dar, he still didn’t have a grasp of what to expect from his Creator.
    You’ve sent me on sabbatical, Wulder. I know You order my days. What is the purpose of a writher snake, a hungry cat, and these women?
    Oh, Greer, give it a rest. Let’s return to these two women and find out just what their quest is. Maybe they only need an escort down to the valley to market.
    Three? Three! Three women?

          4          
    B IG S URPRISES
    The aromas of baked bread and fried fish wafting from the cabin did much to improve Bardon’s temper. He slid off Greer’s back and strode toward the open door. Getting rid of three females shouldn’t be much harder than dispensing with two.
    I’ll find out what this quest of theirs is, then offer to escort them to the nearest town where they can find appropriate help.
    He paused.
    Greer can’t carry three women and me. That means a hike down the mountain. Three days. Bintuppi is the closest town. A walk across the foothills. Best to follow the Gilpen River. Two days. Time consuming, but doable.
    He veered off to the well and pumped a bucket of water. A bar of soap sat in an earthen bowl, and a towel hung on the stone siding. Bardon washed his hands and face. He wanted to change his damp clothing, but the meal smelled as though it was ready to serve.
    Bardon smoothed his hair over his ears, rebuttoned his tunic, and walked through the door with a smile on his face.
    On the kitchen table sat a brown loaf of bread, a platter of fried fish, a bowl of wild greens…and a tiny table. In the chair beside the fist-sized table sat a gray, furry creature wearing a cape. The material oddly resembled the dress N’Rae now wore. A belt woven from thin strips of brightly colored cloth encircled the creature’s waist. A long tail wrapped around the carved wooden chair she sat upon.
    A plump figure covered with fur, the creature appeared to be more beast than intelligent race. But her tiny black eyes studied him warily, and her face carried an expression of consideration. Between round, stand-up ears sat a bleached mobcap, white, frilly, and completely incongruous. The maids at the castle wore such hats, and Bardon had never figured out why. The head covering did not keep the sun off, hide unruly hair, or look becoming. On the funny little person, the prissy, starched cap looked comical.
    Bardon’s eyes shifted to Granny Kye, then N’Rae.
    Careful, young Squire.
He could almost hear Sir Dar’s voice in his ear.
Many a test of your ability to be a knight is not in how you tackle grand endeavors, but how you treat a small circumstance.
    Bardon took several steps into the room and bowed before the tiny woman on the table. “I would like to be presented, Mistress.”
    N’Rae rushed to the table,