“It is a great deal of work,” Cerridwen sighed. “We burnt away most of the rock, but it is very bare inside.”
Quickthorn said, “It will take time. But it will be ours.”
Perhaps if she worded it carefully, she might venture a question. “When we first came here, do you remember how upset the Nest was about allowing a dragon companion from another Nest to stay on their territory, even for a few months? They wanted me to break my bond to you and to chase you away! Having a new Nest here must be somehow different. Or will you all still be part of the Dark Peak Nest, too?”
Quickthorn jumped in before Cerridwen could answer. “That is a question for dragons, not mortals,” she snapped.
Elizabeth inclined her head. “My apologies, Honored Quickthorn.”
Then Cerridwen's voice spoke in her head.Ask Companion Frederica, if you wish to know.
“I am so very glad you asked!” Frederica said. “I was not supposed to tell you unless you did, and I wanted to tell you so badly! It was Rana Akshaya's idea. I traded my negotiating skills for Roderick's healing, and she called in the debt. Only part of it, she was clear to say, since she still has some other plan in mind for me. Why she thought any mortal would be the best diplomat between two groups of dragons is beyond me. It may just have been that her other choices were worse, since the Eldest at Dark Peak is notangry at me, unlike all our rebellious dragons. But she is a crafty one, Rana Akshaya is! I had no idea.”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked, fascinated. If the secretive dragon from India had more depth than a resentment of all things British, she yet to show it to Elizabeth.
“Do you know what Rana means?”
“Is it not her name?”
“No, her title. It means king.”
“Not queen?”
“No, king. Dragons can be kings in India. She was the primary ruler of her country for over five centuries. There were mortal sultans, too, but she was the power behind their thrones. And her Nest - or should I say Nests? Over four hundred dragons! No wonder we seem so provincial to her. In any case, she was quite the politician, apparently. So she gave me my marching orders and sent me off to the Dark Peak Nest. It was fairly easy from there.”
“After all the trouble they gave me over having Cerridwen stay here, simply because she was from a different Nest? How infuriating!” Elizabeth fumed.
Frederica shrugged. “I presented it as being in their best interest. Not only will the new Nest remove the rebel youngsters from their midst, but it will also provide a first line of defense and distraction. Since Nests do not usually share territory, who will go looking foranotherNest after they have found the obvious one? Her only condition was that Quickthorn and Cerridwen must be considered members of both Nests. Losing both of her companioned dragons would be difficult. Juniper, one of the senior dragons of Dark Peak, is also joining the new Nest. Apparently that is something of a coup.”
“And this Nest will be obvious?” Elizabeth asked faintly. Just what they needed, another target on Pemberley's back. Or at least nearby. Kympton was but a few miles away.
“More obvious than the Dark Peak, especially since our dragons will be scouting out defensive positions. And - this part was my idea - thePemberley Nest will serve as an embassy between dragons and mortals.” She beamed as if particularly proud of this idea. “Many humans want to talk to dragons. This will be the place where they can present themselves.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Do you truly think Rana Akshaya would be a good ambassador?”
Frederica laughed gaily. “Precisely her reaction, that she had no desire to speak to Englishmen, especially ones who wanted to take even more from her. I expect it will be Juniper for the most part. He thinks it is past time to end the Great Concealment. And perhaps, sometimes, Quickthorn and I will help.”
“What of Rowan?” The gentle red dragon was definitely ambassadorial material.
Frederica stiffened. “He is joining the Nest in Gwynedd.” There was an edge of something sharp in her voice. Was it the reminder that Roderick would soon be leaving?
Elizabeth's heart ached for her friend's pain, especially since nothing would convince Frederica to speak of it. Perhaps she could distract her a little, though. “I am glad it will not fall to Cerridwen. She seems to be carrying more weight than she can bear already. I have been worried for her.”
“Do you know what Rana Akshaya said? That foresight is both a gift and a curse. A gift for the Nest, since Seers offer them protection that no others can, and a curse for the Seer, because their foresight is often a burden. But she also said that Cerridwen’s name will forever be remembered among dragons throughout the world as the one who saved them from the mad dragon.” Suddenly she shook off the somber mood that had overtaken her and laughed. “I think she was a bit cross about it, that Cerridwen will get all the credit.”
“That I can easily believe!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
As the servants laid out the dishes in the first course of dinner, Darcy looked around the dining room table with satisfaction. All of them were there for once – Georgiana, Frederica, Jasper, Roderick, and of course Elizabeth. With so much to do, it was rare that all of them would take the two hours for a full formal dinner. It was good to have this moment of normalcy, a reminder of what life could be like once again if they managed to defeat their enemies.
And earlier, Jenny had smiled at him. Elizabeth and Nelly had noticed the new development a few days ago, but this was the first time he had seen it. What a smile it was! Wide and as brilliant as her mother’s, with an innocent joy beyond his imagining. He had a hard time tearing himself from the nursery after that, even once she fell asleep in his arms.
Cook had made his favorite dish, too. Darcy helped himself to a heaping serving of the ragout, inhaling the rich aroma. Was there something new in the spicing? Cook sometimes experimented with the recipe.
His mouth watering, he lifted a forkful. Before he could take a bite, though, it was knocked out of his hand and sent flying across the dining room. Then the entire dish of ragout lifted into the air, seemingly of itself, and lofted its way back to the sideboard.
“What fae mischief is this?” Darcy exclaimed, annoyed. A man should be allowed to eat his dinner unmolested.
Instead of an answer, something plucked at Frederica’s sleeve. A squeaky voice cried, “No, lady, you must not touch! It is bad, it is bad!”
