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“He’s right,” Master Rodrick conceded. “The one the prince brought back from Eskira and this one. No one knows how it found its way over here. Of course, there was a time they were common. Native to Myntra they once were.”
“Well, then. Considering there are only two in your entire kingdom, I’d have thought you’d be putting this one to better use,” I pointed out.
“The Prince’s Paramour makes a good point, doesn’t she?” Crescent said, tilting his head to one side. “Why, the prince himself plans on using the female as a battle mount if all goes well.”
“A foolhardy plan,” Master Rodrick grumbled. “I’ve said as much.”
“Yes, you and Prince Kairos have never gotten on well, have you?” Crescent murmured. He raised his voice a little. “Nevertheless, I believe there is historical precedent for it. “Why, Hawl was telling me the other day...”
“Hawl?” The menagerie keeper glowered at Crescent. “The bloody Bearkin? You talk to that...thing?”
For a man who was supposed to be a caregiver to animals, Master Rodrick did not seem to be a particularly enthusiastic admirer of the rich plethora of beings in Arcaenum.
“Why, yes. They’re a wealth of information, I’ve found, as Hawl spends a great deal of time in the library,” Crescent answered. “In any case, Hawl mentioned that exmoors used to make up an entire contingent in the Siabran army–similar to the cavalry. This must have been when they were still native to Myntra and no longer only found in Eskira.”
“Fascinating.” My eyes were on the exmoor. Nightclaw surveyed me with a keen awareness. I could tell the creature was listening to every word we said. From behind his formidable jaws, sharp fangs gleamed, reminding me of the feline's predatory prowess. Even now, there was a beauty to the exmoor's dulled features, the delicate curve of his ears, the pointed whiskers.
As I watched, a low growl rolled from the exmoor's throat. To me it seemed as if it were a rumbling lament of discontent and frustration.
The creature was trapped. Trapped as I had recently been.
The beast drew a breath and abruptly I saw how labored the effort was as its chest rose and fell.
“It’s a proud and noble creature with incredible intelligence and look at what you’ve done to it.” I was unable to contain myself any longer. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Open the cage.”
“What? Absolutely not,” Master Rodrick retorted.
Crescent cleared his throat. “You would refuse a command from the Prince’s Paramour?”
“The Prince’s Paramour is a bloody fool of a woman if she thinks that creature won’t rip her throat out the second I open that cage,” Master Rodrick said angrily.
“It might ripyourthroat out, Rodrick,” I said softly, meeting the keeper’s gaze. “But I don’t think Crescent or I have anything to worry about.” I glanced at the exmoor. “Do we, Nightclaw?”
“Now she’s talking to the thing,” Rodrick muttered. “Spare me from foolish women.”
“You’ll keep a civil tongue in your mouth when you speak to the Prince’s Paramour, Rodrick,” Crescent said with surprising sharpness.
Rodrick ground his teeth and glared at me. “I won’t do it. The beast deserves to die in that cell.”
“He won’t be dying in there,” I said crisply. “But you might, if you don’t open the gate. Or do I have to summon the prince?”
Or melt the bars of the cage to molten metal. That was... tempting.
But I thought the threat of summoning Draven would be enough. And I wasn’t wrong.
Master Rodrick narrowed his eyes. “I’ve warned her. You heard me, Crescent. Her blood be on your hands if the creature slays her. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, yes, we all hear you,” Crescent said soothingly. “You’re simply doing what the Prince’s Paramour has instructed. I am your witness to that.”
“Open it,” I commanded again. “I don’t want him spending another day in that horrible cage.”
Master Rodrick stared. “You’re not planning to put him back in again? Just where do you plan to keep him? There’s no way this beast can be housed in the royal stables. Why, he’d eat the horses. He’s untamable. Unmanageable. Completely savage. I tell you, I won’t be responsible for this idiocy.”
Despite my best efforts to ignore his hyperbole, Master Rodrick’ negativity was starting to get to me a little.
“I...” I paused. “We’ll put him...” I had absolutely no idea. I hardly knew the palace at all. But I meant what I said. “He’ll be put somewhere I can begin training him immediately.”
If Draven could do it, so could I.
