Page 101 of Ale Storm

“You have proven a strong ally to the Avandar family, and you are surprisingly well-connected to royals around the realms. Further, you are gaining a reputation in Tranquility as a respectable citizen as well as an excellent chef.” Father looked at Rylana.

“How was your meeting with King Ekton?” she asked him with a smirk.

He snorted.

“A dragon is always a strong and worthy ally.” Jildarin gazed frankly at him. “Few humans have ever known the honor of being offered such an association.”

“I do understand that.” Father did not appear offended by Jildarin letting him know how honored he should feel. “My hesitation to give my blessing for you to court my daughter has been because dragons and humans do not marry and have offspring, and I desire for her to have children.”

“I haven’t decided yet if I want children,” Rylana said, though the memory of Rolf’s unruly herd came to mind with more fondness than was perhaps logical. She almost added that Father had also hesitated because he’d wanted to take advantage of Jildarin, but she’d already accused him of that and didn’t want to be contrary. Besides, it seemed like he might have come to give his permission. She hoped that was what had brought him but glanced at the kerchief, wondering if he merely wanted another favor.

“I have faith that you will realize the importance of that and eventually seek out a mate compatible for the purpose.” Father nodded to her. “Regardless, I will not object to you and your… business partner having a romantic fling.”

Jildarin’s brow furrowed. No, this wasn’t the same as her father giving his blessing. But he wasn’t forbidding a relationship either. Would that be enough for Jildarin? To satisfy the guidance he’d received from that book?

“Further, I thank you for the favors you’ve done for me,” Father added and lifted the kerchief-wrapped object. “I brought this for you, in case it has any importance to your kind. Oddly, it was in the chest that you delivered. The bars of gold and gems inside were exactly as I expected—I still had a copy of the manifest from that shipment in my records. But this wasn’t mentioned.”

Jildarin nodded, not appearing surprised. “I sensed magic inside of that chest.”

“And do you sense magic in this?” Father raised his eyebrows.

“I do.”

“Huh. Well, all I can assume is that it also came from the mines near Agajen’s Contested Colonies, the same as the precious metals and gems, but if there was an explanation tucked into the chest, the paper long ago eroded at the bottom of the sea.”

“Will there be an unveiling soon?” Rylana waved at the kerchief.

Her father snorted again and handed the item to Jildarin.

He unwrapped it to reveal a piece of jade carved into the shape of a dragon perched on a log with its wings spread, as if it was about to spring into the air for flight.

“It was in an insulated golden box so I didn’t have to clean it off much,” Father said. “It was quite protected from the elements. Striking, isn’t it? Frodin wanted it for his collection.”

“Interesting.” Jildarin lifted the dragon up to view in the daylight of the nearest window. “I cannot tell from its magic what it does, but it is dragon magic, so it wasn’t imbued by one of the lesser species, though perhaps one of them was responsible for the carving. My kind have no need to make magical gewgaws, nor do we attempt to use our fangs or talons to chisel items from stone or gem. If we are to engage in an art form, it usually involves using fire to create images or statuary.”

Rylana looked at the thin wooden lamp shades around the diner, Jildarin’s signature dragon burned into each one.

“Since you were instrumental in retrieving the chest, it seems fair to give it to you.” Father spoke to Jildarin, but he also gave Rylana a significant look.

What did that mean? Was this supposed to be a peace offering? An apology for not being able to give Jildarin exactly what he wanted? Or what he thought he wanted? Rylana knew Jildarin didn’t want to marry her. He just wanted to do what was appropriate, according to a centuries-old book.

“I will accept it.” Jildarin nodded and set it on the counter behind the plaque.

Rylana had a feeling the plaque was much more important to him. Who would he try to woo to the diner next so that he could inscribe another name under those of the elven queen and the dwarven king? Was there an emperor somewhere who might wish to visit Tranquility?

“Good.” Father brushed imaginary dust or water droplets off his cloak and headed for the door, but he paused to look back. “Should there actually be a way for dragons and humans to have offspring…”

“You’d give your heartfelt blessing then?” Rylana asked, her eyebrows raising. “Because it would be handy to have a powerful grandchild who could chase off pirates?”

“That would be handy. And the family would surely go down in the history books.” Father rested a hand on his chest and looked longingly toward the ceiling.

“That being the most important thing here, of course.” Rylana glanced at Jildarin, feeling the need to apologize to him.

“Offspring are an important thing. Many offspring. To increase the likelihood of having an heir eager to take on the family business.” Father gave her another significant look. Before walking out and shutting the door, he added, “Were it possible for you two to have offspring, I would not only give my full blessing for such a union, but I would pay for the wedding. We could have it on the lawn at the estate in the spring when all the flowers are in bloom.”

Thankfully, he departed before Rylana could throw the jade dragon at him. He would have deserved being pelted, but she didn’t know what its magic did—or if it was breakable. Hurling it would be unwise.

“I can envision your aunt, mother, and other female dragons of your clan flying down to incinerate me and everyone else if we tried to get married,” Rylana said.