The Dragons of Silent Mountain by Dawn Brotherton

Author:Dawn Brotherton [Brotherton, Dawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781939696724
Publisher: Blue Dragon Publishing, LLC
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Nikolai stood, pulling the belt on his robe tightly. The woman in his bed rolled over and placed a pillow over her ears to block out the men’s voices.

Bayard patiently waited for the chancellor to accept the hot drink he offered on a tray.

“What is first for today?” Taking the cup, he looked at the sleeping lump on the mattress with disdain. “Or should I say second?”

“You wanted to see the master scholar, sir. She awaits you downstairs.”

“Fetch my clothes.”

Bayard nodded and moved to do his bidding.

“What of my nephew? My brother said he expected him back today. Have we heard anything?”

“Nothing, sir. But the men in the foothills have seen no signs of him either. Maybe something afoul has happened.”

Nikolai froze as he considered. “Not yet. For now, he’s a better heir than that simpleton brother of mine. Until one of these wenches you bring me is with child, I need him alive.”

Bayard finished buttoning Nikolai’s jacket, then walked to the door. With one loud rap, the doors opened, and the guards stood aside at attention as Nikolai passed to meet with Master Gena.

When he entered the throne room, he found her standing patiently with her hands clasped behind her back, no signs of discomfort at having been left waiting for so long without a seat. He noted her lack of nervousness and that she didn’t snap to attention. He’d have to remedy that.

He took his seat without acknowledging her.

“Chancellor, you asked to see me,” Master Gena said politely.

He crossed his legs and draped his arms over the side of the throne.

Finally he turned his gaze on her. “What do you know of the dragons?”

“Chancellor?”

“You are the master scholar. You’re supposed to be the teacher. So tell me what you know about the beasts Galileo and his ilk go on and on about.”

She folded her hands in front of her and spoke in a slow, rhythmic tone. “Legend has it that reptiles of enormous proportion once came from the depths of the Silent Lake and grew wings from what used to be their fins. As the creatures grew larger, they began eating livestock and attacking citizens. It wasn’t until the Cabot reign that Olmerta was freed from the oppression.”

“Yes, yes.” Nikolai made a circular motion with his hands. “I know all of that. Tell me what you learned in the vaults.”

She spread her arms, palms up. “We found nothing of interest. We looked through many of the books, but they were boring records.”

“I saw your scribbles. Looked like the writing of a juvenile. What was noteworthy?”

Looking at a spot over the chancellor’s right shoulder, the master scholar envisioned her notes. “Well, we found some references to eggshells retrieved on the banks of the lake. There were lists of offenses and the reparation paid by the city coffers.”

“The damned fools almost bankrupted the city before the Cabots were able to set it to rights,” Nikolai muttered.

“The fools?”

Nikolai glared at her. “The advisors to my ancestors. What else?”

“The dragons were oft about Olmerta, then they were gone,” Master Gena finished.

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