Backyard Dragons by Lee French

Author:Lee French [French, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944334024
Published: 2016-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Claire

“That sounds a little paranoid, mate.”

“Is that a dragon?”

“Give her a chance to calm down and explain.”

Claire couldn’t stop bawling. She wanted to tell them everything, but no matter how hard she tried, every word came out unintelligible, broken by hiccups and sobs. Enion tried to help, but none of the other Knights could understand him. Panic from Djembe’s grip on her locket made everything a thousand times worse.

The Knights parted as Elder Yun shuffled forward. “Don’t be hasty.” He gestured for everyone to calm down. “Either lock her up or let her leave while we investigate. Pick one and get on with it. Standing around here changes nothing.”

Djembe let go of the pendant. “Lock her up, then.”

Yun prodded Rondy’s body with his staff. “Violence didn’t kill him. On what grounds should we lock her up?”

Djembe grabbed Claire by the neck and held her up. “Look at her.”

Yun peered at her. “Yes, she looks like Iulia. What of it? I look like Lo Pan. That doesn’t make me an evil, immortal sorcerer.” He tapped men in the shins with his staff. “You, escort her back to her room. If she wants to leave the Palace, fine. You, find her mentor. You, set a watch on her door. When she’s ready to talk, bring her to me, and I’ll listen. Until then, we trust the judgment of the Palace Heart that she’s a Knight.”

Strong arms picked up Claire and carried her to her room. Someone set her on her feet in front of her door. She slipped inside and huddled in the corner, hugging her knees and sobbing. At least she had her dagger now, tucked into the waistband of her skirt once more.

Much later, when her tears subsided, she stayed curled in a ball, trying to understand what had happened.

It should have been enough. Between her and Rondy, Caius should have seen how much it mattered. She pulled her locket out of her shirt and rubbed it against her cheek. Why couldn’t he see how much danger the pendant put the Knights in? How did she lose her dagger there without losing it here, and what did Caius mean? Why did failing have to carry a penalty of death?

Enion stayed quiet, wrapped around her hand, while she pondered these questions. Finally, he let go and jumped down to stretch on the floor in front of her. The way he moved reminded her of a cat until he unfurled his wings as far as they could go.

Watching him made Claire think about moving. She straightened her legs and leaned against the wall. “None of that was fair.”

“No,” Enion said.

“How am I ever supposed to do any of that by myself?”

“With me.”

She sighed. “Yes, with you. I mean, how are you and I supposed to be better than you and I with Rondy?”

“What if…” Enion sat and curled his tail around his body. He hung his head. “What if Rondy was good enough?”

“Making it our fault he died.” Claire’s face felt tight and grubby and she had no more tears to shed for now.

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