Land of the Silver Dragon by Alys Clare

Author:Alys Clare [Alys Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2013-03-11T16:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Thorfinn and I sat for some time, both of us deep in our thoughts. I guessed he was still lost in the Dragon’s tale, perhaps grateful that this kinsman of his had had such a timely rescue from the powerful object that was slowly stealing his soul. I had heard of such things. Gurdyman, who enlightened me, left me in no doubt as to their danger.

Even while I was thinking about Thorfinn, something was batting at the edge of my mind, trying to attract my attention. I did as I’ve been taught in such situations, deliberately slowing my breathing, relaxing my body and stilling my thoughts. Quite soon, I understood.

I understood a lot; it was as if a mist had cleared, revealing the sun shining on a bright image. I maintained my silence for a little longer while I worked out how best to tell Thorfinn what I now believed I knew.

‘It seems to me,’ I said quietly, ‘that the Dragon could not risk continued possession of his shining stone.’ I sensed Thorfinn stiffen as his attention flew back to me, but he did not speak. ‘He knew that it was too dangerous an object; for him, anyway. He realized that his only hope was to abandon it.’

‘Abandon is the wrong word.’ Thorfinn’s tone was harsh. ‘He could never have done that, for the stone was far too important to him. It was,’ he added heavily, ‘an heirloom, and it belonged to his line until the end of days.’ He paused, as if about to pursue that thought, but evidently changed his mind. He shook his head, muttered something, then turned back to me. ‘But yes, you are right. He understood that it was too powerful for him, and he had no option but to leave it in the safe keeping of another. Not for ever,’ he added urgently, as if I had protested, ‘but until such time as he should have a son, and that son would be ready to take possession of the stone. To try his own strength against it,’ he murmured, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Until he had a son, I repeated to myself. Yes, that would be the way of it. Already the stone had passed through the hands of four generations, and family tradition would no doubt insist that the Dragon’s son had his turn.

‘The Dragon left it with the little healer, didn’t he?’ I said. I suppose I was guessing, but I felt the confidence that comes when you’re right. ‘And ...’ Something else occurred to me, and it was all I could do not to yell in triumph. ‘And the long trading mission to familiar shores that you spoke of was to somewhere in the fens, wasn’t it?’ He didn’t answer, but I sensed an easing of tension in him, as if, for some reason, he was pleased I’d worked it out. ‘The healer lived somewhere near where I live, and she took the shining stone and hid it in a safe place.

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