Page 55 of Fox of Fox Hall

Fox finished his tea to keep himself quiet.There were broken bones; he would bet on it. Perhaps slashes andstabbings. Some cracked ribs and concussions, or old injuries hurtanew.

Domvoda studied Byr Rolfi for a few momentslonger, probably as doubtful of his word as Fox was, but finallyturned to Byr Drashnal.

Those who had not been to the capital wouldnever know how Domvoda terrorized the byr of his court from howwarmly he spoke of Byr Drashnal’s stamina and skill.

“The true honorable behavior of a knight,” hecontinued after a slew of compliments, possibly a comment onConall’s bit of trickery. “You’ve truly earned your prize and aplace at my table during the feast tonight.” Both war-leadersreceived a prize, entirely separate from the overall purse eachknight had been hoping to earn this year. “But of course, if youwould rather make merry with your friends and enemies, there willbe wine and food aplenty all through Saravar tonight, as well astomorrow after the prizes are given out.”

For the first time, Fox wondered how manyknights were able to even stay awake the night after the battle toenjoy the festivities. He would guess most did not make it tomidnight.

“Conall,” Domvoda turned to day’s champion,forgoing the ‘byr’ honorific and startling Fox by smiling. “Yourfamily would be proud.Foxlikeindeed.” Several peopleglanced to Fox at those words and Fox fought not to sink down. Hehad nothing to do with Conall’s family name but naturally peoplewould connect it to him once reminded of it. “Our Dragonslayer.”Domvoda’s smile faded although this made the crowd cheer again.

Conall bowed his head respectfully.

“He has done well,” Falnya observed in awhisper.

“Yes.” The pride in Fox’s voice wasunmistakable. He hoped it didn’t travel far, because he couldn’ttake his eyes off Conall, which was obvious enough.

“I have consulted with my advisors,” Domvodacarried on, performing his part exactly as his people expected ofhim. He indicated the knights beside him, the knights Fox nowrealized had been there to offer their knowledge so Domvoda couldmake his judgments. “You have outdone yourself this year and Icould hand over this tournament’s grand purse to no one else.” Hehad to pause there for more cheering, but to his credit, didn’t asmuch as twitch his tail to indicate this annoyed him. “But evenwith that, I have another honor to offer you.”

Fox straightened. Conall raised his head with anexpression somehow both blank and curious.

Domvoda extended one hand in a graceful gesture.“The Warden of the King’s Knights intends to spend the sunset ofhis life with his family away from the capital. I would like you tostay in the capital and take his place overseeing the knightsthere.” He meant the knights who protected the king and his family.Those knights were considered the best in the kingdom, althoughonce committed to their duties around the king, they were forbiddenfrom risking injury in tournaments. That lack of opportunity wasbalanced out by their new position being at court, which meant theycould rise in power and influence as other knights could not.

It was not a small offer and it made sense forConall. If Fox had known Byr Forian was leaving his position, hewould have assumed the job was Conall’s without being told. Underother circumstances, Conall might have even wanted it.

Conall was openly surprised, as if the one whohad planned that foxy maneuver on the battlefield had notanticipated being rewarded for it.

That was likely true. He had firmly decided onhis dream and his plan to achieve it, so staying in the capitalwould not have occurred to him as something to strive for. But hewas thinking of it now, Fox could tell. The honor, the power itoffered, the increased pay, the comfort. He might not want it, butthe offer would have tempted anyone. Even Domvoda’s tantrums mighthave been worth such a life. A position like that would stillenable Conall to help his family and the other knights, though lessdirectly, so he might wonder if it was worth the loss of his dream.Or maybe he was simply dead tired and formulating some sort ofpolite refusal was taking more effort than it should.

Maybe, Fox thought. Then Conall glancedto him, as ifFoxwere one of the points being talliedbehind Conall’s eyes and one sign from Fox meant Conall would takethe position and stay.

Ridiculous. Yet Fox’s stomach churned despitethe tea.

Conall looked back at Domvoda and licked hislips before parting them to speak. He was going to say yes, or saymaybe, and that maybe would become a yes, and then he’d be at courtfor years more, dealing with Domvoda’s moods. For what, for the fewweeks or months before he grew tired of Fox? And what of theknights behind him, his friends looking to him for their futures?He dreamed of his estate restored to what it should be, with a new,built family around him.

A home. He deserved that.

Fox lifted his chin. Coolly, as if speaking toDomvoda but clear enough for the line of weary knights and possiblysome spectators to hear, he asked, “How many years are even left inhim?” Falnya’s indrawn breath could not stop him. Fox held the cupso tightly it should have shattered. “He ought to take the purseand keep his dignity.”

Conall’s head snapped back.

The line of knights stirred. Domvoda turned toFox with amazement in his wide eyes because that had been crueleven for the Fox.

Conall moved his gaze to Domvoda and kept itthere. “The Clever Fox is perhaps right,” he said quiet and eventhe way he was for the king at his worst, “as he often is.”

“The Clever Fox…” Domvoda began, only to look toFox again, skipping Fox’s pink face to find his tail, sweeping thefloor of the box in agitation. Then he faced Conall. “You do nothave to decide now,” he declared generously. “In the meantime,there are rivers of wine waiting for you all.”

“And rest to be had,” Rolfi muttered as all ofthe exhausted knights bowed their heads and moved to leave as thecrowd chanted and sang them off.

The byr around Fox rose to their feet, ready tojoin the crowd or return to Saravar to prepare for the feast. Noone spoke to Fox, not even Falnya. It was Domvoda who waited byFox’s chair and finally said, “Come along, my Fox,” and put Fox inhis carriage with him for the ride back to the castle.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The feast to celebrate the mock-battle, like thebattle itself, was endless. Fox kept to himself as much as anyonecould at the king’s table, which was where Domvoda had instructedhim to sit. It might have been because the Lorilofts had chosen tosit elsewhere, having apparently decided that even the king wasbeneath them. It might also have been because Conall did not makean appearance to take his seat and Byr Drashnal had not been up formuch conversation. The young knight had stayed for perhaps an hour,his eyes glazing over by the end.

But Fox thought he was at the king’s tablebecause he had pleased Domvoda today. He could think of no otherreason why Domvoda would wave Fox to a seat not far from his own.Folding him back under his wing, Fox could not help butthink with Falnya’s description of Domvoda on his mind. It wasn’tan uncomfortable place to be, if Fox didn’t think about how easy itwas for the dragon to drop him.

He wondered if Conall had felt that way in theclutches of an actual dragon, then decided to avoid thinking ofConall. Byr Drashnal had informed him that Conall was not seriouslyinjured when Fox had asked, but that was all he had told Fox; apolitely unhelpful wall. Fox had sat in silence since then. ByrFalnya had not appeared at the feast either, sending apologies withthe excuse of feeling unwell after the long, hot day. Fox suspectedhe was somewhere fussing over Shine. He hoped he was. The otherpossibility was that Falnya also had no more desire to conversewith the Fox.

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