Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) (23 page)

Tameron leaned out the door and saw another guard turn the corner into the hall.

So did Lorin, apparently. "Tell you more later," his friend murmured, and walked away.

Tam
closed the door and set the tray down on his study-table. What had the guards been told? They must not think he was particularly dangerous with only a single watcher on duty. What was Lorin trying to tell him? He remembered when they had been friends at drill, and Stine's opinion of their sloppy swordsmanship was far more important than Tameron's birth. Now Lorin's voice was hushed and full of awe, as if a gulf had grown between them wider and higher than the Wall itself.

The sky darkened and the glow-lights in his room came on. Tam ate the food on the tray before it became cold. He opened a small jar and sniffed it. His nose wrinkled at the smell; this was certainly nothing
he'd
care to put on his bread. Then he noticed a bit of paper that had fallen out onto the table when he opened the jar. He unfolded it, and read "for your leg" in tiny script that looked like the Guardian's handwriting. The pot contained only a small amount, but even that little brought comforting warmth to the half-healed scars when he put it on.

Then he
lay down to rest, so used to early hours by now that sitting up later made him weary. Besides, he ought to sleep as much as he could when given the chance. He shouldn't forget he was at his father's disposal at any time. The Protector often worked late at night, and might wish to speak to him. He ought to use this time to recover his strength.

He fell asleep surprisingly fast on a bed softer than he was used to, but was haunted by an odd dream of a crowned skeleton on a throne
croaking warnings of doom. He woke with an aching head, and shook with fear. Tam rose from the bed, turned on one of the glow-lights, and visited the privy. He limped around his quarters, not knowing why he was so upset by the dream. No doubt the old dream and Lorin's terrified rumor had combined in this vision. He tried to open a window for a breath of fresh air, only to find it was locked shut.

Then h
e noticed a small tray left inside the door by the hallway. Tameron eagerly picked up the flagon full of water and the buttered bread, wrapped to keep it fresh. Just before he drank, he stopped and carefully tasted one drop.
Surely nothing can happen here the way it did in Kelemath
.
If my own father wants me dead or drugged there's not much I can do about it. But…if one guard can be bought, so can another.
Both the water and the bread smelled and tasted wholesome, so he devoured both without hesitation. "I'm so tired of being afraid," he said quietly to himself. Now he remembered why he'd wanted a day to himself so badly. At least in Dorena's cabin, the enemies he had were out in the open. Hunger was easier to fight than the possibility of hidden poison, while one angry fire-mage was less fearful than a Council full of them.

Tameron
lay back down, not really expecting to sleep, but didn't wake till a guard knocked on the door with breakfast. He fell into a routine for the next few days of eating, loosening the muscles of his leg, exercising, and reading more of the law-book. Every evening tray brought him another small jar of ointment for the scars, whose redness faded.

He
had trouble concentrating one day when he felt more energetic than usual. His dream the night before had all been of Marysa, only this time she'd stayed with him in the cabin instead of running out the door to her former lover. His body ached with longing despite the release such visions always brought him.

After trying to pay attention to the words on the page that morning, and failing totally, he
stood up and gazed out the window. All he saw was the courtyard and the lake beyond. The clouds were gray today, not white, and so heavy with moisture they appeared to crawl over the mountains and slide down into the hollow created by Kadramas Lake. Then he looked at the dragon statues that projected from the walls of the palace. He'd never understood why his room had one so close--it wasn't as if
he
was a mage. Close up, the stone figure seemed to be struggling to free himself from the mortar around him. "I know how you feel," he whispered to his dragon. After all, even outside his room he was forever a prisoner of the Wall.

So was everyone else in this land
with no magical powers. It was his duty to give them hope that their sacrifices weren't in vain. He sighed and turned away, back towards his books. Perhaps somewhere in them he'd find the key out of here.

Tameron
had just picked up another volume of law when someone rapped on the door of his room. He stood and said, "Come in." Stine came in, silently bowed, and gestured for Tam to follow her.

He smiled. "What a silly game this is. I hope everyone knows I'm not an assassin in disguise by now."
He
hoped he wasn't one, either. He put on his boots, which he'd left off for the past few days as nobody called for his presence. Their pinch reminded him of all the obstacles he needed to overcome before he could do much good. "Oh, I know you're not supposed to talk to me till I'm sent back to drill. You'll have plenty to say then!" It felt strange to speak knowing he'd get no reply, but had decided not to stop talking at all. He was tired of meekly obeying until he understood what was going on. At Dorena's cabin, he'd been considered a man, even by Aylar and Jarrett, once he'd killed those wolves. Here they persisted in treating him like a child. Watching the commander just look at him without saying a word reminded him of another horrible dream before he'd taken off, the one where Stine had killed him when he'd tried to escape.

Tameron let her lead him down the stairs to the Guardian's small chamber next to the audience room. He nearly kicked himself.
All this time I could have been listening in to what was going on below through the grill in the floor, instead of sitting with my nose in a book. What a fool I've been!

Both of them bowed before the Guardian, who sat alone near the hearth in the anteroom.
No doubt my father has more important things to do. After all, Lady Kiliane needs so much training, probably to replace me. The Protector could always tell them that I've been so changed by his enemies that I'm no good to him.  That would keep the Council happy

"You may be seated, Tam," his aunt said in a gentle voice.

He didn't mind, as he'd forgotten how painful his boots could really be. "Thank you, my lady," he said, happy that someone was finally
talking
to him. "My lady, is your examination complete?"

"Yes. I am glad to tell you that nothing happened to you beyond falling off your horse. Aylar found you shortly after--in fact, he may have heard your cry of pain. He certainly saw the rump of your mare heading away. His family was remarkably kind to you under their hard circumstances, and will be handsomely rewarded. His wife is still worried about you, though I was able to reassure her on that count. I do hope the salve has helped the marks on your leg."

"Yes, Lady Guardian. My calf doesn't hurt nearly as much."

"Good. I saw you walking awkwardly and I wondered."

"My boots are too small now, my lady. Nothing important." At least for now.

"I'm amazed you managed to grow on such short rations," she replied. "As for the others, I had to
go quite deep into young Marysa's mind because she was in contact with another mage much of the time you were there. A pity her mother watched her so closely. Your father would be pleased with a grandchild, though you're a little young for such affairs."

"It was her choice," Tam said, knowing that nothing would have stopped Marysa if she'd really wanted him.

"And you did well to respect it," his aunt said. "You may have some questions about the girl, which I can now answer."

Tameron wanted to crawl under a chair from embarrassment when he heard that, especially w
ith the commander standing nearby. "No!" he said. "I don't want to know anything!"

"As you wish," the Guardian said with a sigh. "Yet there have always been men and women who don't wait till Festival. If it's any consolation, she never gave herself for money. In fact, Tigran was an
gry because she hated him no matter what he made her do."

He
covered his face in pain. Why was his aunt telling him all this?

"Lord Tameron, look at me," his aunt commanded, though her voice was still soft. "You did nothing wrong. She
did care for you, if only a little. Part of her reluctance to marry you came from knowing what kind of woman she was. Oh, she'll lead Jarrett a merry dance, but I don't blame her a bit. It may take a few years, but she'll be the one who rules in that marriage. You're really better off without her."

"I loved--I still love her, Lady Guardian! You promised that I could have the one I cared for at my side!"

"But she doesn't love you," she said, her voice now holding sorrow. "I'm afraid you know that part already. At least, she doesn't love you the way she does Jarrett, despite his flaws. I must commend you for acting so honorably when she was trying to find out what you were really like, by the way. Someday you
will
love someone who'll run to you the way she ran to Jarrett, as she said. As fast as you're growing, it probably won't be as long as you think. You're only fifteen. You have plenty of time."

Plenty of time? How long did she think he was going to have to wait? Tameron bowed his head. "As you wish, Lady Guardian."

"That's more like it. I'm just glad my subjects were so cooperative. Your father had no trouble with Aylar, but the other man resisted examination. I fear my brother had to press harder than he usually does to gain the information he wanted."

Tam forgot his own humiliation. Some people never recovered from the spell that let an air mage see through another's eyes. It was less natural in some respects than using the powers of water or earth on a living being, or so he'd heard--especially if mental barriers had to be broken. "I promised him that I'd keep his secrets," he said, hoarse with anger. "He saved my life!"

"He'll recover in time," she said soothingly. "The Protector told me what he found. Fortunately he was able to place the Silence spell about Outside properly, as should have been done in the first place, so Jarrett won't suffer any other consequences. In fact, my brother is prepared to overlook what the fellow did up in the hills before he gained enough sense to leave, though Stine will find his information useful."

The commander nodded, and let a little smile crease the wrinkles on her face.

"But most importantly, we were all happy to learn that no one meddled with your mind. Everything you told us is quite true. You can't imagine what a difference that makes!" The Guardian sounded relieved.

And what price will Jarrett pay for saving for my life?
Will he ever really recover, or will he miss what my father took from him till the end of his days? Or perhaps my father has been thoughtful enough to make sure Jarrett feels grateful for the attention.
Tam didn't know which would be worse. "Why didn't you just dig all this out of my own head, instead of making them regret they didn't just bury me out in the forest?"

"The shields that protect you prevent us from doing that," his aunt said. "Yes, the whole family was quite upset, though I hope their r
eward will help. It had to be done, Tam. You can't imagine what it was like when you were gone. It's incredible that you were so close all this time. You already know how far your father's enemies will go to strike at him through you. In just the last few months, you've barely escaped death not once, but several times. Of course we suspected the worst!" Her voice shook.

"And it's not like they
were mages with family connections you had to worry about!"

"I don't blame you for being angry. I want to punish Tigran, too, though I suspect the reward the Protector is giving the family will go far towards taking care of
that
. But my main concern is your welfare. You have no idea how precious you are to us. I know it was hard to be shut up in your room as soon as you got here, but it was the best way I knew to allay any suspicions about you and let you have time for your leg to heal."

She stood up.
Tam did too, out of courtesy to her. Then the Guardian led him to a table in a shadowy corner of the small room and took off the cloth that covered it. His sword and dagger were there on a splendid new belt. "I am pleased to return these to you, Lord Tameron. Wear these blades with pride," she said. "You have earned them."

He put them on, and felt better with them back. They were a symbol of the trust his father had once placed in him, and then withdrawn. His hands trembled with anger, though, thinking about the price Aylar and his family had paid. They undoubtedly wished they'd never seen him.
Aylar probably thinks I broke my promise and that I'm just like all the rest, while Jarrett likely regrets he'd ever opened his mouth around me. All he was trying to do was to make me feel better, and now look at what's happened to him!
Perhaps Dorena was just sad, but Tameron could only guess how Marysa felt about someone rummaging through all her secrets. His only consolation was that no one had done it to him--yet.

"It truly isn't that bad," the Guardian said, walking up to him. "I can see how angry you are. But they'll feel better sooner than you think. Their reward, you see, is to receive the same rank as Lord Honnold and to succeed him when he dies. I suspect Tigran will not find his position as delightful as he used to."

"An eminence they would have had anyway because of Jorry," Tameron said sharply. "Oh, they will be overwhelmed with my father's generosity!"

"But now it can't be taken away from them, which is something, too," his aunt said. "And I have yet to send them
my
reward for their care of you, which they may find somewhat more substantial. I'm sorry you're taking this so hard. Do you want to go back and rest? Your father would rather see you at the mid-day meal today, but I can tell him you need an hour or so to yourself before being formally presented."

He
forced himself to seem calm. "No, my lady. I am ready now."
Go back into that room? How long will they keep me there this time?
Once he was out in public again, it'd be harder for them to keep him captive. He could fight for his rights, now that he had some inkling of what they were. The law-books had often spoken of how much power a Protector's heir really had, should he wish to exercise it. Oh, Lord and Lady, if only he weren't so young!

Tameron
followed his escort to the great dining hall. Tam had to stop and catch his breath when he entered the double doors. Just a few months ago he'd been used to the long tables heaped with food on shining dishes. It wasn't quite like his dreams--now that he looked at it, the ceiling wasn't arched or vaulted--but he knew with sadness that Marysa would never sit with him here.
Blessed Lord and Lady, there's enough here to keep Dorena's family for a whole winter!

He
fell back into the graceful stride he'd been taught to use in public and sat at the high table, at his father's left hand. Lady Kiliane was on the right. The Guardian had probably exercised her prerogative to eat in private today, since she hadn't followed him here.

Just before the high table was served, the Protector motioned for everyone to be silent. "Let us welcome my son! We all rejoice at his return!" he cried, with a joyous smile on his face.

Tam hoped his father really felt that way. Something about the man rang false, the way Marysa's smile had when she was testing him.

All the people in the hall dutifully cheered.
He rose and bowed to them, though he quickly scanned the crowd for a glimpse of Randor. The old man was nowhere to be seen. All this last week he'd longed for his servant and a real welcome home. The least his father could have done was to let him say good-bye.

The dinner was an ordeal. He wasn't used to so many people watching his every move. Despite the presence of all his favorite dishes, he had little appetite. His father barely spoke to him and conversed with Lady Kiliane instead. The young woman was attentive to the Protector's words, but obviously preferred to speak with Mauric, who was on her other side. Tam wished his father had adopted the girl and let him go. He wouldn't be worth anything as a pawn or hostage to his family's enemies that way.
I promised Aylar to do my best,
he grimly reminded himself
. I still wish I'd taken one of the horses and looked for that merchant in Warding on my own. It'd certainly be better than this!
He'd never felt so alone in his life, even when confined in his room with nothing but books for company.

Then again, Dorena and her family would have been blamed for his disappearance if he'd run away after he'd been discovered. Given the way they were treated for saving his life, Tam didn't want to know wou
ld have happened to them if he had disappeared again. He sighed, and stared down at his plate. Those who had no voice could only have one through him. He was a man now. It was time to act like one.

With that in mind, he ate well no matter how he was ignored by those around him. He refused the wine after one well-watered cup. One morning after the night before was enough
.

He was still only
part of the way done when the Protector, accompanied by Lady Kiliane, departed from the hall. Tameron lifted his spoon in the gesture that meant everyone could stay and eat till they were done. His father sometimes forgot that others had more appetite than he did. It didn't hurt to remind people that he was still the heir and had the right to make a decision about etiquette, however minor.

Mauric turned towards him with a look of gratitude. He'd clearly enjoyed his dinner more than Tam had. "Thank you, lord prince," the young man said, and lifted his eating-knife in emphasis. "This is such good food, I hate to leave it behind."

Tam nodded. "Thank you for bringing me back," he said. "I'm sorry the journey was so hard on you. I'm glad Lady Kiliane was able to help you afterwards."

Mauric glanced wistfully towards the direction where she and the Lord Protector had gone. "It was like lifting cold stone," he said, but smiled.

Maybe this isn't going to be so bad after all,
Tameron thought. "Must be my big feet," he said. "I know I've outgrown my old boots."

"Could be," the young man said, an impish look in his eyes. "You certainly have the tightest shields I've ever seen." He slid over to Kiliane's empty chair. "I've had an easier time with people twice your size, actually. See, it's usually not too bad transporting peo
ple or anything that's alive, because then I can draw on their energy. But I couldn't feel anything from you. Your father must have trained you well not to drop those shields for anybody. Considering what someone tried to do to you when you were at Council last fall, I don't blame you."

"Something like that," Tam said. Mauric had to have heard
the rumors that he had no powers at all if he'd been at Council, but still wanted to talk to him. Maybe he
could
be friends with a mage, without letting politics get in the way.

"Was someone keeping you hidden because of what happened?" Mauric asked. "Or were you really kidnapped? I've entered the Protector's service now, instead of the Sandega family's, so you can tell me."

His father hadn't bothered to tell him what story he should present to the world, so Tameron forged ahead with the truth. "I was out riding by myself, without my guards, but I was headed back towards the gates when the storm hit. I was lost in the forest nearby and hit my head when I fell from my horse. Aylar found me when he was out trapping, and his family took care of me. I still couldn't contact anyone," Tam said. "Then the wolves attacked Aylar's cattle, and I helped fight them off."

"I saw some of the hides hanging in back. We circled around before riding up to the place, just to make sure everything was all right. There must have been a lot of them!"

"I think at least half a dozen," Tameron said, "but I'm not sure. My leg was hurt and Jarrett helped me back to the cabin. Aylar did the skinning, I expect." No need to explain about his loss of memory. His father's enemies were undoubtedly still kicking themselves over their lost opportunity. Who knew what they might learn from Mauric, despite his pledges? He still felt proud about his fight against the wolves, even though it had brought back his memory. He smiled, thinking about other predators that could stand the same treatment.