DragonFire - DragonKeeper Chronicles 04 by Donita K. Paul

Author:Donita K. Paul [Paul, Donita K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-04-24T08:48:04+00:00

“And ropmas?” Bardon asked, knowing that studying the different races fascinated his meech friend.

Regidor smiled and stood up. His head almost brushed the tent’s roof. “Ropmas are like big speaking dogs. They can be intensely loyal, but they can’t reason out whether their actions will hinder or help in the long run. They are guided easily and have an unpredictable stubborn streak.”

He crossed to the tent flap and held it open as the cook and two boys came in with trays of delicacies.

Regidor sniffed, smiled, and turned a knowing eye on Bardon. “Oh my, you are roughing it, aren’t you?

Is that pâté sot grunmere I smell?”

“If you mean that ground-up meat that Leemiz spreads on bits of bread, yes.”

“I’m starved,” said Gilda. She pulled off her gloves and motioned for the servants to place the teapot near her. “I’ll pour.”

“Thank you, Leemiz,” said Bardon. “Thank you, boys.”

Gilda did not acknowledge their departure, but Regidor tapped each lad on top of his head and gave them the coins he “found” there.

“Wheezers! Thank you, sir,” said the older boy.

Regidor reached in his pocket and tipped the cook with a larger coin. He smiled, bowed, and followed his young workers through the tent flap.

Gilda offered a cup of tea to Bardon. “This is refreshing. We’ve eaten in poor country inns since we started our journey to join you.” She took a bite of a daggart. “Mmm. Delicious!”

“I agree,” said Lady Lyll from the entrance to the tent, “but I, for one, want to sit in a real chair, at a real table.” She advanced into the small headquarters and gave Gilda a peck on the cheek and Regidor a warm hug.

Lady Lyll leaned back from the tall meech dragon and patted his leathery cheek. “In celebration of your arrival, I suggest we go into town and eat a real meal, complete with napkins and a tablecloth.” She smiled at Gilda. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, dear?”

“Yes, and if there is a decent inn, I prefer to sleep in town as well.” Regidor bowed to the women.

“Consider it done, sweet ladies.”

Late that afternoon, Dar returned from his most recent sojourn among the people of Trese and agreed to a trip to the nearest settlement. The seaport of Grail had three taverns and four inns to choose from. Dar knew which one had the most elegant dining hall and delectable cuisine.

Bardon had to admit that even sitting in the crowded room didn’t dampen his enjoyment of the dinner.

He leaned back, sipped his drink of mulled cider, and listened to the others talk of fashion, modish places to visit, bazaars, and excursion trips. He longed for Kale to be with him and could imagine her animated face as she asked questions and laughed at their sillier tales.

Always, though, their stories had a tinge of regret. The places that used to give so much enjoyment now seemed to have fallen under the tawdry influence of an immoral world. They could think of no place in Amara that had remained untouched.

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