Dragon Shift by Clarissa Gosling

Author:Clarissa Gosling [Gosling, Clarissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prinsenhof Publications

Chapter 17

BIRGITH ARRIVED BACK at the floatship with two guards in tow.

“There you are, we’ve been wondering where you got to.” Drina had a different question in her eyes.

Birgith sighed. “I’m sorry, Drina. I need to go. I’m being escorted out of Castilion.”

Drina’s mouth dropped open.

Behind her, Haydn chuckled. “That’s a record. You visit three towns and in one you’re locked up and another you’re thrown out.”

Drina frowned at him. “Haydn. Be nice.” She turned to the guards. “I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding. Can’t we discuss this and come to a different arrangement?”

“Sorry, Lady Trader, but the Fox Leader has decreed it. I’m to take her from here to the gate and watch her walk away. There’s nothing I can do to change that.”

Haydn whistled. “The Fox Leader herself. What have you gotten up to this morning?”

“I went to see the dragon again,” Birgith mumbled, ashamed at herself for thinking she could get away with it, and ashamed that she was caught.

The guard looked at the sun in the sky. “Come on now, we haven’t got all day. You’re going to want to get going soon, if you want to make it to anywhere else before it gets dark.”

Drina nodded and pulled Birgith inside the wagon. “He’s right. Let’s get your things.”

Together they filled Birgith’s sacks, Haydn joined them with a selection of food from their stores. “Don’t wait too long before you eat these, as they’ll spoil.” He pressed them into her hands.

“I can’t take all of this.” Birgith tried to return them, but he refused.

“You’ll need it. We can get more.”

Birgith turned to Drina, expecting her to be annoyed at Haydn for giving away their food.

Instead, Drina held out a small sack of coins. “And take these in lieu of the second half of the payment to your village. They’re a mix of wolf and bear coins. Don’t spend them all at once, and they should get you back to your father. OK?”

Haydn put a hand on her shoulder. “And don’t make everyone aware of how much you have. You’ll be a target anyway on your own, so don’t add potential robbery to that.”

Birgith straightened. “I can look after myself.”

“Yes,” Drina reassured her. “But you need to sleep sometime. It’s harder for a woman alone, so take our advice. Split the coins up in different places around your person. Only keep enough in the obvious bag for what you think you’ll spend right then.”

That sounded like wise advice. Birgith nodded. “Thank you.” She opened the bag to do so, and stared at the number of coins in there.

“Don’t say anything, Birgith. Just accept our help. We have a responsibility to see you safe.”

Haydn nudged her shoulder. “Should have asked us to help today. I don’t know, sneaking around the Castilion, approaching a monster without guards there to control him. Who could refuse?”

“He’s not a monster. And the guards do nothing to control him.” Birgith bristled.

Haydn eyed her. “How do you know it’s a he?”

Birgith shrugged. “Guess?” She clamped her lips together before she could reveal anything else.

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