The Dragon Keeper by Jessie Pinkham

Author:Jessie Pinkham [Pinkham, Jessie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

All the clan’s dragons returned in the morning, and it did not escape Aldric’s notice that Lito was nearly as pleased as he himself and Esan. Once again, the artist positioned himself outside the fence to sketch and accustom the dragons to his presence.

“How long does he intend to sit there?” asked Esan as they set about repairing the portion of fence one of the juveniles had damaged in its excitement the previous day. “I hadn’t realized artists required so much research.”

Aldric answered, “He will remain until the dragons permit him to move inside the fence.”

“You’re allowing that?”

“He earned the right.” Aldric didn’t want just anyone inside the dragons’ fence, as the results could be disastrous if the clan didn’t like an individual or the person failed to respect the dragons’ boundaries. He felt that Lito had a good chance of successfully integrating himself into the dragons’ world, and a man who betrayed his own king to save dragons ought to be allowed the attempt.

“He did earn it,” agreed Esan. “And he is staying with you?”

“Until other arrangements can be made. I believe His Majesty’s reward will allow Lito to live where he chooses.”

“Undoubtedly. I don’t think he informed you for the reward, however. He seems truly enamored of dragons.”

“He is.” The artist knew more about dragons now, having spent the previous evening asking Aldric questions about them and perusing Melletic’s book. He was an intelligent man. Aldric had always been of the opinion that flowery language disguised poor intelligence, but Lito forced him to reconsider. It didn’t seem the case that the artist used many words to conceal how little he knew.

“How is his company?”

Aldric knew where this was going. Esan’s wife fancied herself a matchmaker and her sway was clear. “I’ll thank you to concern yourself less with the company I keep.”

He had been too strident, which his assistant correctly interpreted. “So you do enjoy his company.”

The answer was yes. Lito was pleasant company, but it was none of Esan’s business. Esan’s wife was a bad influence on him in matters of other people’s personal affairs. Aldric did not say this because he believed that nothing good resulted from criticizing a man’s wife.

Instead he said, “I must attend a meeting with the steward. You will receive and pay for the sheep.”

Esan respected the change of subject. “Your plan worked well. I hope the troops have had comparable success in finding the conspirators.”

“I will know more after meeting with the steward.”

“The dragons will be pleased to eat sheep indefinitely.”

That was true, but dragons didn’t concern themselves with matters of finance. “The treasury will not be pleased to pay for sheep indefinitely. The longer we must provide sheep for the dragons, the more we will be forced to pay for them.”

“Sending the price of mutton up.”

“It could also increase the price of wool.”

Esan frowned. “How long do you think we will need to feed the dragons sheep?”

“At least three days more.” That long would not damage the economy according to the steward.

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