Striking Chains by Kris Schnee

Author:Kris Schnee [Schnee, Kris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2019-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

13. Awakened To Valor

Duke Cecil gave a feast this time, the night after the battle. "I half expected you to run back to the Citizen's arms for a hug, like little girls!"

Dominic took out his annoyance on a roasted pig. "I committed to your cause, and I meant it."

Jakob said, "The dolphins were amazing! How bright are they?"

Sir Marion said, "Better than the other beasts we've trained up. They take to the spell better. Can't really talk, but they understand."

"Have you tried some other way to communicate?"

Marion fell into happy technical chatter with him while everyone else ate and listened. The Duke looked hesitant, but didn't object to Marion spilling the details this time.

After a minute Perrin bit into a corncob and said, "I killed a man."

The Duke gave a tight-lipped smile. "A hard skill for a young man to have to learn. Not the killing itself, but what it does to you after."

"He deserved it. He was with the people who enslaved me, and who'd do the same to you. Or your son." Perrin nodded toward a teenaged boy who'd been listening to all the talk of battle.

"Aye." The Duke hesitated, shook his head, then took a drink and spoke to Rose instead. "Miss Rose, the League Council will hear of how you risked yourself twice, now, to beat back our enemies. We can give you some sort of medal and other gifts, at the very least."

His son said, "Maybe an estate?"

A courtier told the boy, "Sir, with all due respect..."

The Duke said, "Actually, why not? We've been at peace with her people for decades."

Rose's tail bristled and her ears flicked high. "Thank you, your lordship. I... will have to think about that."

Dominic offered her his hand across the table. "We've still barely met. Thanks for your help this morning. So you're a farmer, not a soldier?"

She shook it, trying not to scratch Dominic's hand with her little claws. "I was sent at the Forest Lord's request to see his old stomping grounds." She saw Dominic's puzzled look and gave him a buck-toothed grin. "Before He became a god, He wandered the world, including your country. Said He wanted someone to see how the place was doing after the last century-plus."

Dominic went wide-eyed, making the connection at last between "Velesians" and a story from Temple Island's records. There'd been a court mage named Veles who'd served the Boundless One -- the man, before the crystal. "But he ran off! How is he still alive? Or is it an inherited title?"

"He figured out how to get lots and lots of really powerful familiars who'd help sustain Him." She posed vainly, tail high and one hand on her chest. "So, Mister Mask, I still need an escort if I'm going to do that. Also, I want a rematch."

Dominic laughed at being challenged by a rodent. "What's our next move, then, Duke... I suppose I should say, my Duke? I should ask, am I formally yours now?"

The Duke had someone else quiz Dominic and translate again, to make sure he understood.

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