“No, I-”
” ‘Don’t meddle in the affairs of wizards,’ ” he said in lofty tones, ” ‘for they are subtle and quick to anger.’ A fellow sorcerer said that. Good at his job, knew a lot about jewelry. Not bad at fireworks, either. Wasn’t the snappy dresser Merlin was, though. Let’s see, what his name? Raist-no, that was the irritating young chap, kept hacking and spitting up blood all the time. Disgusting. The other’s name was Gand-something or other . . .”
I began laughing wildly, Pait! I couldn’t help it. I had no idea what he was yammering about. It was just all so ludicrous! I must be a truly wicked person.
“The dragon!” I grabbed the old man and shook him until his teeth rattled. “Stop him!”
“Ah, yes. It’s easy for you to say.” Zifnab gave me a hunted look. “You don’t have to live with him afterward!”
Heaving another sigh, he began to sing in that high-pitched quavery voice of his that goes right through your head. Just like before, the dragon jerked his head up, and stared at the old man. The creature’s eyes glazed over and pretty soon he was swaying in time to the music. Suddenly, the dragon’s eyes popped open wide and he stared at the old man in shock.
“Sir!” the creature thundered. “What are you doing out on the front lawn in your nighty? Have you no shame?”
The dragon’s head snaked across the lawn and loomed over poor Papa, who was huddled underneath the chaise lounge. The townspeople, seeing the creature distracted, began raising their weapons and creeping up on it.
“Forgive me. Master Quindiniar,” said the dragon in a deep, booming voice. “This is my fault entirely. I was not able to catch him before he left this morning.” The dragon’s head swiveled around to the old man. “Sir, I had laid out the mauve morning coat with the pin-striped pants and the yellow weskit-”
“Mauve morning coat?” screeched the old man. “Did you ever see Merlin strolling around Camelot, casting spells in a mauve morning coat? No, by hoppy toads, you didn’t! And you won’t catch me in one-”
I missed the rest of the conversation because I had to convince the townsfolk to go home. Not that I would have minded so much getting rid of the dragon, but it was perfectly obvious to me that their puny weapons couldn’t do it any serious harm and might only break the spell, it was shortly after this, by the way, around luncheon, that the mayor arrived with the petition.
Something seemed to snap inside Callie after that, Pait. Now she completely ignores the wizard and his dragon. She simply behaves as if they aren’t there. She won’t look at the old man; she won’t speak to him. She spends all her time either at the factory or locked up in her office. She’ll barely speak to poor Papa. Not that he notices. He’s too busy with his rockets.
Well, Pait, the barrage has ceased for the moment. I must close and go to bed. I’m taking tea with the dowager tomorrow. I believe I’ll switch cups with her, just in case she’s slipped a little poison in mine.
Oh, I almost forgot. Callie says to tell you that business has really picked up. Something about rumors of trouble coming out of the norinth. Sorry I wasn’t paying more attention, but you know how talking about business bores me. I guess it means more money, but, like the old man says, what does that matter?
Hurry home. Pait, and save me from this madhouse!
Your loving sister, Aleatha
CHAPTER 12
GRIFFITH, TERNCIA, THILLIA
INVOLVED IN HIS SISTER’S LETTER, PAITHAN WAS AWARE OF FOOTSTEPS
entering the tavern, but he didn’t pay any attention until the chair he was using for a footstool was kicked violently out from underneath his legs.
“About time!” said a voice, speaking human.
Paithan looked up. A human male stood staring down at him. The man was tall, muscular, well built, with long blond hair that he wore tied with a leather thong at the back of his head. His skin was deeply tanned, except where his clothes covered it, and then Paithan could see that it was white and fair as any elf’s. The blue eyes were frank and friendly, his lips curved in an ingratiating smile. He was dressed in the fringed leather breeches and sleeveless leather tunic popular among humans.