Gordon R. Dickson - Dragon Knight 04 by Gordon R. Dickson

Author:Gordon R. Dickson
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Jim glanced at the sun. In the two years he had been on this world, he had picked up the medieval habit of estimating time from the position of the sun, almost as if he had been bom here.

“Counting twilight,” he said, “it looks like we’ve got about two hours to find our ship and get away. I’m not used to bargaining, and I imagine Brian may have more experience than I do.”

He glanced at Brian, who looked uncomfortable at being reminded of his poverty and his straits in keeping his Castle Smythe going, with only his tourney winnings and what little the estate provided in the way of self support; but, Brian nodded.

“And Dafydd. Dafydd,” said Jim, “you’re probably the best of us at driving a bargain. I’ll hope it’s you that comes up with the ship. But Brian and I’ll do what we can, working as a team. Secoh, you stay here and guard the horses and the goods.”

He glanced at the mere-dragon in his human form and noticed that aside from the eating knife at his belt, which the inn servant had bought him as part of his clothes, and which everybody carried, he was unarmed.

“Here,” he said to Secoh, “you can take my sword and poignard; that will keep them from thinking you’

re an easy mark to rob.”

He began to unbuckle the heavy belt around his waist that carried both weapons. Brian and Giles exclaimed immediately in protest.

“What are you thinking of, James!” said Brian. “A commoner to wear a knight’s belt? Someone who is not a gentleman masquerading as one?”

He dived at their possessions.

“Here!” he said, pulling out a spare sword and dagger. “We have extra arms. Here, Secoh, you can have these. But a knight’s belt-never!”

“Indeed, Sir,” stammered Secoh, “I had no thought to-perhaps even these-“

“Go on, take what Brian’s handing you, Secoh,” said Jim. “He and Giles are quite right. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Yes, m’Lord,” said Secoh, accepting the sword and dagger from Brian. Jim watched him with commiseration. He had forgotten one of the cardinal points of conduct in this medieval era. In fact, Secoh, with his own intense dragon-pride, had probably understood the reaction of Giles and Brian

better than Jim himself had.

“Sorry, gentlemen,” said Jim to Brian and Giles.

“It is no light matter, James,” said Giles, who evidently had also been shocked to the core by what Jim had proposed. “If common men started to wear the marks of gentlemen, let alone a knight’s belt, which is not earned lightly or easily, where would we be? An ordinary man could just as well be taken for one of coat armor!”

“Yes, I know,” said Jim, with absolute sincerity. He had been playing the part of a knight now, long enough to begin to understand how much had to be learned to become one. He glanced again at Secoh, who, in his human body, and holding the two weapons, still did not look very dangerous. He thought for a moment and wrote a quick incantation on his forehead, then beckoned Secoh aside and spoke to him in a low voice.

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