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“There’s going to be trouble tomorrow or the next day. I can feel it. Epinonia, Alhala, and Ouistrela are all ready to lay. Starlight’s doing, I expect. Ouistrela’s fought the rest off, but she’s scared of Starlight’s bite. She submitted.”
“I must go—,” AuRon said, breaking contact and rolling his watchful eye.
Eliam Dragonblade stood in the shadows of the tunnel, picking at a fingernail with a dagger. It had sawtoothed edges and narrowed near the hilt. The dagger looked to AuRon like the one Varl showed him. Two more of the Dragonguard stood behind.
“I’m sorry to wake you, but I have news.” Something that would have been a smile on another crawled across his face like an insect.
“We all do what we can. Those who can’t make news deliver it. Another victory across the sea while you stayed here, cutting the throats of bound dragonelles?”
“Two pieces of news,” he said, ignoring the taunt. “Three riders have been sent to Maganar, to get to the bottom of the deception taking place. They’ll be back within the week, NooShoahk.” He placed the tiniest emphasis on the name.
“Wise of His Supremacy to act quickly,” AuRon said.
“Treason is dealt with swiftly among our kind. We’ll soon find out who the deceiver is.”
“I’m happy to hear it. The second piece of news?”
“Three drakes have begun to fly. There will be more trials soon. Even Starlight will be involved this time, as well as you.”
“Why not Shadowstalk?”
“His turn in the dragonelle cave.”
“So it is. I look forward to flying against Starlight.”
“He looks forward to meeting you in battle.” Eliam tossed the dagger in the air. It spun as a blur, but he snatched it by the hilt as if by magic.
“How can he be so sure of facing me? Isn’t the idea to face the younger dragons and give them a chance to prove themselves?”
“You two are the swiftest. You’ll be sure to face each other at the end of the trials.”
“So be it.” AuRon said. “You’re quick with that dagger. Have you ever faced a real dragon in single combat, as your father did?”
“Many times. I have the ears to prove it. Four times my father’s tally, and I’m only half the age he was when he was killed.”
“I wonder.”
Eliam spun his dagger again, but missed the hilt when it came down. It bounced toward AuRon, but the Dragonblade stepped out and caught it with the blade pointed at AuRon. The motion turned into a lunge at AuRon’s flank.
AuRon, keyed up though he was, resisted the urge to lash back. He stood there, quivering, as the blade halted a claw’s width from his rib cage.
“You don’t react,” Eliam said. “Is it wisdom or fear, I wonder. Men, you’ll say—”
“NooShoahk, NooShoahk!” AuRon heard Varl’s voice calling. The keeper appeared around the bend of the cavern, his wild hair streaming. He halted. “What passes here?”
“Nothing of consequence,” Eliam said, sheathing his dagger. “What’s your business?”
“A fishing boat just got in. Her hull is full of tuna the size of dolphins, they say. I was wondering if NooShoahk would care for fresh fish for a change, before it gets chopped into hatchling-meal.”
Eliam shrugged, the black scales at his shoulders shifting and glittering in the candlelight. “My business here is done. Enjoy your fish, NooShoahk.” He burst out laughing. “Gar, you deserve a good meal before the trials.”
The Dragonblade and his armored shadows left.
“I was wondering what he was up to here,” Varl said.
“Bearding a dragon in his den, I’d call it,” AuRon said. “I’m glad you arrived when you did. They say fish is good for the mind and I need to use mine, like I’ve never used it before. Let’s feast.”
Varl feasted, but AuRon just nibbled, Mother’s words about gluttonous dragons running through his mind. The tuna were enormous; Varl had not been making that up.
