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these winsome creatures?
A cheer. Kale felt sick.
Fourth, Sir Kemry and Kale Allerion will be the ambassadors to collect the dragons, train them, and
present a mighty fighting force behind which the populace will rally.
And fifth! Namee paused. Harrumph! Was there a fifth? Hmm? Perhaps not. Oh well, and fifth, we
offer good wishes as the old Dragon Keeper and the new Dragon Keeper seek to save all of Amara.
Kale found her father s arm supporting her. She leaned heavily against him and gazed up at his face. He
looked out over the cheering crowd with his other arm raised in salute. His countenance glowed with
enthusiasm. Her mother appeared at her other side and also offered an arm around her waist to keep her
from falling.
Mother, Kale pleaded, tell me I am dreaming.
Her mother s words came out between lips frozen in a smile. Hardly, dear, and do something with that
face of yours. I swear a blind illiterate could read it like a book.
The people around them started up a chant. A quest! A quest!
Kale tried to relax the muscles around her mouth, but she could not muster a smile. She leaned toward
her mother s ear.
Are you coming as well?
What did you say, Kale? Mindspeak, dear, it s the only way.
I said, Are you coming as well?
Oh no! It s your father s turn to have some fun.
14
FIGHT!
Kale held Paladin s hand as they sat together on the balcony outside his chambers. The early morning sun
sparkled on the dew-covered hills beyond the castle walls. Quartz embedded the white stone of the
palace, glistening as rays of golden light struck the edifice. Cool, fresh air put color in Paladin s cheeks,
and Gymn scampered over him, leaping from the invalid chair to the balustrades and back to Paladin s
shoulders. Metta perched on Kale s shoulder and sang in harmony with the birds heralding the sunrise.
Paladin s eyes twinkled at Kale as he patted her hand. So tell me what troubles you.
I shouldn t bother you with my troubles. You ve been ill.
He threw back his head and laughed, and although it wasn t as hearty as she knew his laughter could be,
the merry sound made her smile.
I m glad you re better, sir, but why are you better? Will you get well now?
The o rant leader scooped Gymn into his hand and rubbed a finger over the sensitive spot behind the
minor dragon s neck frill. Gymn closed his eyes and stretched, enjoying the caress.
My health ebbs and flows as our citizens invest their lives in Wulder. He lifted his hand to the sky, and
a songbird dived from a parapet to land on his finger. Kale expected him to say something wise,
something she would have to puzzle over to get more than the surface meaning. But Paladin listened to
the bird s notes blend with Metta s for a moment and then shooed the feathered creature off to its more
natural perch.
He cocked an eyebrow at his young visitor. I think you avoided my question, Kale. Tell me what these
plans are that so distress you.
Bardon, Regidor, Gilda, Mother, and Dar are to lead a force against the armies of Pretender.
They will be in danger, and of course, this is alarming.
That s not it! She shook her dainty handkerchief and then deliberately placed both hands in her lap.
She couldn t help but lean forward to deliver her plea. Bardon and I have practiced together for three
years. We re really exceptional, Paladin. She drew in a steadying breath. Together we re almost
unbeatable. We fight as one. It s the training and the special bond we have.
Even though she couldn t bring herself to voice her defiant demand, she knew Paladin would grasp the
underlying message. One of the unique traits about him was his ability to pick up on subtleties. She could
count on Paladin to rectify this awful situation. Everyone listened to him. She almost let out a sigh of relief
when she saw him nod.
Your concern for your husband is understandable, but he can fight without you, and Regidor and the
others are just as capable.
Oh, you re missing the point. She dropped his hand, stood up, and at once sat down again. I don t
want to go look for dragon eggs, to hatch them and build a fighting force. My father can do that. He s the
original Dragon Keeper. I want to go to the front with the others. I want to be where I can do some
good.
Paladin tapped his lips with one finger as he considered her words.
Kale waited, holding her breath and wondering if this would be the time Paladin lost patience with her.
As far as she knew, she was the only one who had the audacity to complain and make an objection to
their exalted leader. His eyes narrowed just before he spoke, and she thought it looked as if he winced
against the pain of having to rebuke her.
Kale, you have been chosen to do a job. If there were someone else who could assume that duty, I
would excuse you.
I already have six eggs to tend, and my father
Paladin held up a hand to stop her protestation. By all means, quicken the eggs in your possession. But
neither you nor your father could accomplish this task alone. If the task is unpleasant for you, my
suggestion is that you put your heart into the gathering of these eggs and work with your father to train the
dragons that hatch with due speed.
Kale s eyes widened as she listened to the stern tone of Paladin s voice. Now she bobbed her head.
Yes sir.
She left Metta and Gymn with Paladin. The farther away she walked from his room, the more her feelings
surfaced. It seemed no one understood her position. She stormed through the palace to find her husband.
He d been asleep when she returned from the wizards conclave just before dawn. She d gone to stand
on their balcony, and there she had heard Paladin s summons.
Now she hurried down the corridor, away from Paladin, who could, but would not, change the orders.
She sent her thoughts ahead and discovered her parents having breakfast with Bardon in the suite of
rooms between their bedchambers.
Did they tell you? She mindspoke to her husband to let him know she was coming and intending to
inform him of Paladin s stubborn decree.
Yes. A good plan.
A good plan? Kale felt Bardon take a step backward from her outrage if only in his mind. You don t see
that we will be separated? Perhaps for years?
Well&
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