Page 13 of Lady Dragon
The better to know their one-time enemy.
So if a human were to enter now, they might only find Kirek speaking at the wall, and not hear the silent voice emanating from the crystal.
My daughter, what have you found?
There was no asking about Kirek’s welfare or comfort or health like humans did. The words cut straight to the bone. She didn’t expect any different. This was only the second time they’d spoken, the first being when she arrived and tested the initial connection between the Songstones. There was a chance the stones could have failed since her mother had been here fourscore years prior, but they were still functional. Good thing, as the key to creating or even repairing such things had been lost, not only to humans but to dragons, and Kirek wouldn’t have had the first clue as to how to fix it. She would have been utterly isolated here.
“Mother,” Kirek responded quietly. She doubted any human could be listening, but she was ever cautious. “There is…unrest among the men here.” She hesitated, prompting the dragon queen to prod:
Which men?
Kirek hesitated again, inexplicably not wanting to expose this weakness so soon. Perhaps because it was premature and not as much of a vulnerability as she might think, making her seem hastily imprudent—something your opponent could take advantage of in turn.
Or perhaps it was out of consideration for someone who was entirely too vulnerable, too easily rent with her claws if she wasn’t careful. But Kirek wasn’t here to protect anyone, no matter how much certain people seemed to need it. She was here to learn. And report back.
So she forced herself to say, “At least one man among those with the most power in Andrath—the queen’s son, Branon, elder brother of the heir.”
Interesting, the Queen Mother responded.Does he have support?
“Possibly. He spoke brazenly to me in front of his queen and the daughter heir, so much that he either didn’t fear death, or was confident he wasn’t risking his life. And then he tried to use a sharp blade against the princess when it should have been dull, during one of these ridiculous practice fights of theirs, but I fought him instead.”
Dig deeper into any possible support he might have. What were his intentions toward you?
Kirek felt her jaw clench with the remembered desire tobite. “He held back his strength, allowing me to beat him easily. I imagine that he would likeoursupport, not our resistance tohis potential rule. That he would like peace between men and dragons.”
And if he doesn’t receive our support, would he still act against his sister?her mother asked.
“I’m not certain. Perhaps. Though I have no proof, only instinct.”
Trust your instinct when it comes to men.There was a pause.This is interesting, indeed. If he were to more forcefully argue his point with the might of men behind him, he would be breaking the Treaty. Or…
Kirek waited. Only belatedly did she realize she was holding her breath.
We could suggest anewtreaty, the dragon queen finished.
Kirek’s words came in a rush. “But if, as you say, men can’t be trusted, why would we allow their schemes to advance?”
Abruptly, her mother changed the topic.How do you find the daughter heir?
“She’s…” Again, Kirek hesitated. “Soft and weak, of course, as all humans are, even men. But she’s not entirely undeserving of the title.”
As soon as the statement was out of her mouth, she wasn’t certain she believed it. So why did she say it?
Are you gaining her trust?her mother asked.
“Perhaps. I’ve defended her against her brother, in word and in battle. I won herfavor, such that it is.”
That wasn’t the only reason Kirek had defended her, though she wasn’t entirely sure what her other motive had been. The dragon girl still felt the whisper of the princess’s lips against her cheek and felt herself touching the kerchief tied around her arm, the silk soft between her fingers.
How was something so yielding so surprising?
Good, her mother said.Keep her favor and continue gaining her trust.
Kirek shivered as if against a sudden chill, and yet there was nothing cold around her except the dragon queen’s voice in her head.
5
SAMANSA
