Page 49 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

“On that point. Yes, I am,” I said, trying not to laugh at how round his eyes became at the idea. “So, remember: No one walks through this world with everything they would wish for. Not even the dragons.”

He shrugged, but his countenance seemed lighter, so I started towards him, clapping his shoulder when I reached him—and noticing that he’d grown taller.

Boys were like puppies, they seemed to grow in spurts. Perhaps his tiredness was merely due to his body’s growth?

“Have you been eating a great deal lately, Benji?”

“I’ve been hungry, but nothing tastes good.”

I frowned. ‘Is he ill, Kgosi?’

‘His heart aches.’

‘Can you share—’

‘No. It is his story to tell. But he has a great deal of compassion, Donavyn. Don’t be too hard on him for his anger. It is the way he feels strong. I am familiar with this pattern in the males of your kind.’

I huffed, hearing the quiet chide in his words and half-amused by it. But also, a little offended. ‘I don’t just get angry to stop myself feeling weak.’

‘No. Not solely for that reason.’

I shot him another look over my shoulder, but he was heaving himself to his feet and missed it. I ushered Benji back to the stable to collect Kgosi’s harness.

“Are you ready to see the dragons again? We’ll have to circle and make sure it’s safe to land. But if they remain alone… we’ll take you to them.” I spoke quietly, though Kgosi assured me there was no one near the empty stable.

I expected a return of Benji’s eagerness, but instead he shrugged one shoulder. “I am, but I’m not sure they’ll want to see me.”

“Were they upset by your appearance?”

“No, they just don’t particularly like humans and… I don’t know if they’ll talk to me again.”

I frowned and reached for Kgosi again. ‘Is this a mistake? Are you willing to try?”

‘I am. I see no other way forward. But start with little Lionheart. I will not intervene until we’re certain they’re in danger.’

‘Keep an eye out for Carnage, then,’ I sent bitterly. ‘If Ruin wasn’t lying, they listen to him. I assume he must be near them regularly to keep that place in their minds. Perhaps Ruin hid him there.’

‘If Carnage is near, I will know,’ Kgosi said in a heavy tone. ‘But, I suspect if Carnage catches wind of me, he will make sure he is nowhere near.’

That perked my ears. ‘You think he’s avoiding you?’

‘I think he has no choice. He remains under my Primarcy. Which means, he answers to me. If his human is undertaking nefarious plans, he will not wish to share those with me—assuming he knows of them.’

‘You think he does?’

‘I truly do not know, Donavyn. The events of that group remain foggy. All I know is that my heart is not easy. And I do not yet know where to lay blame—be it with dragons or man, Furyknights, or kings. Or more than one.’

‘We need to find out if these dragons truly are communicating with Carnage—and if Ruin is the one actually giving orders. How would he keep them in such a small area? Why wouldn’t they move and fly?’

‘They must move and hunt to remain healthy, but it appears all other time is spent in that valley. It is a true puzzle. And I believe little Lionheart is your best chance to find those answers. For now.’

I was frustrated, again, by Kgosi’s insistence on the autonomy of the dragons. But I also understood it. Their hierarchy was earned, not through achievement, but by inner strength and intention. When a dragon was measured stronger than others, and followed, it was because he’d proven to increase the strength of others, not curb it.

Kgosi would not interfere with another herd until or unless the dragons were in danger, or dragons under his purvey were proven to have acted maliciously.

Then, God help whoever he disciplined.

I actually recoiled at the thought.