A Dragon for William by Julie E. Czerneda

Author:Julie E. Czerneda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DAW
Published: 2019-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Emon kept a cot in the workshop, not for naps, but to think while resting his leg. He sat on it, Semyn beside him, going through the notebook page by page.

There was no name on it. In the latter pages, words were printed in haste, often misspelled. Werfol had a smooth cursive hand—both boys did—and excellent spelling, but he’d no doubt of the author. The words used, the anger—

“It’s Weed’s,” Semyn said, too quietly. “You know it is.”

“Yes.” What Emon knew was growing in bounds, thanks to “A Dragon for William.” The title had been neatly written, as were the earliest passages, and if he’d harbored any hope their youngest son had been spared worry or fear these past weeks? Been kept safe from the poisonous tongue of their late cook?

That was long gone. “Your brother hasn’t been happy, has he. Not since coming home.”

“Not since becoming a truthseer,” Semyn corrected.

“Yes. Of course. I wish I’d been here.” Instead of Mellynne, playing politics.

“It wouldn’t have mattered, Poppa. Weed only told me,” his son replied. “Momma didn’t know either and that’s why—Momma said what Werfol could see wasn’t true, and he was upset.”

More than upset, Emon guessed. It had taken Bannan and Jenn to discover Werfol’s secret. Now, how to help him live with it? He put his arm around Semyn and pressed a kiss to his head. “Thank you for keeping your brother safe.”

“I’ve tried.” Hazel eyes met his. Not those of a truthseer, but insightful. “Poppa, do you know where Weed got the idea of dragons? We haven’t any books with them. Not since Master Issan came.”

A tutor who hadn’t approved of the fantastic; a liability well gone, in Emon’s estimation, given the expanded state of their world.

Because dragons were real. The things existed outside of books, if not—thankfully—in their world. Lila truedreamed the beasts, amongst other inexplicable things, whenever she used her gift to watch over her brother in Marrowdell. It might, Emon thought ruefully, have been premature to promise Bannan she’d do so less often.

Both boys had met and befriended a dragon, an altogether remarkable creature that, according to Lila, treated Bannan like a cranky older uncle and could fly through the ground as easily as air. It made perfect sense that Werfol, forbidden to speak such an astonishing truth, would channel his memories and longings into a secret story.

Semyn waited patiently, expecting an answer. Deserving of one. Ancestors Cursed and Crushed, what could he say that wasn’t another betrayal?

He’d dealt with a similar situation before, albeit ignorant then of the cause. Channen’s Shadow District was like Marrowdell; those who visited it came away with different memories of the experience. He’d selected his closest guard and staff from those who remembered as he did, which helped Semyn not in the least.

Emon vowed they’d find a recourse. If magic caused it, surely there’d be a remedy, magical or other, to cure it.

Meanwhile, he’d Semyn’s earnest concern to ease. “Your brother has a vivid imagination,” he told the boy, wincing inside.

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