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She heard Paladin s voice, strong and vibrant, unlike the wheezy tones of his sickbed.
What do you see, Kale?
A colorful kite dancing in the sky, reaching higher and higher.
What do you hear?
She listened. The sound of a breeze rustling in the tall grass, crickets, birds. I hear life all around me.
What do you smell?
She took a moment to sort out the fragrances. Flowers, moist earth, the sun-heated, green plants.
What is the kite telling you?
This was harder. She pondered what he could mean, but as she watched the bright bit of paper and
slender sticks bob and sway against the backdrop of blue, she understood.
It tells me which way the wind blows and how strong the wind is.
And if a storm should approach, what would you do with your kite?
I d wind up the string. I d bring it down. I d hold it close and run for shelter.
Black clouds gathered over her head, and Kale fought to pull the fragile kite from the sky. When she had
it in her hand, she pressed it against her chest and raced to a gully. Her feet tangled in the cloth strip that
served as the kite s tail. Stumbling forward, she managed to twist and land on her back in a depression in
the hillside. Large, icy raindrops pelted her face.
The kite sprang from her arms, expanded, and changed from sodden paper to a tough, slick material that
repelled water. It snapped and crackled above her, then stretched taut over sturdy poles that must have
been the cross-supports of the kite moments before. The colorful cloth, now a tent, sheltered her from
the storm.
The sound of a raging river reached her ears. She crawled to the opening of her tent and peeked out a
flap. A torrent of water roared down the gully she had intended to use as a safe haven. Debris tumbled
past and disappeared.
She caught her breath and whispered, Thank you, Wulder.
Her ears popped as the scene around her flashed into oblivion, and she refocused on another field. This
time she saw Paladin walking hand in hand with a young boy. Slowly, Paladin s form changed into a
diamond shape, his arm stretched and narrowed until it appeared as a string. Paladin became a kite flown
by a small child.
The boy ran and laughed, tugging on the kite, watching the looping antics in the air and enjoying his day in
the sun. But a rabbit hopped by, and the boy turned his attention to the small, furry creature. He chased
his prey, still pulling the kite along. Keeping hold of the string encumbered his pursuit of the rabbit. After
he had missed catching the small animal a couple of times, the boy let the kite go. Into the heights of the
heavens, the graceful bit of paper soared away, unnoticed by the rabbit chaser.
Paladin s rasping voice brought Kale back to the bedchamber. You see, my dear Dragon Keeper,
Amara has let go of the string.
10
AN EVENING DIVERSION
Kale left Paladin s quarters as the sun dipped behind the nearby hills. A maid escorted her to chambers
where Bardon sat reading a book. He jumped to his feet as soon as the door opened, and she was in his
arms before it closed again.
Was he able to speak to you?
She nodded against his chest.
Bardon hugged her, and all the impressions of the meeting flowed from her mind to his. When her
thoughts slowed and trailed off, he kissed her forehead.
Wulder, he whispered against her skin. Kale, you must latch on to Wulder, not Paladin. We must see
past our dependence on Paladin for leadership to Wulder, who provides wisdom to us all.
Kale pushed him away. You sound like you don t care if Paladin dies.
That s not it at all, and you know it. He walked over to the window and stood with his hands on his
hips, looking out at the crimson sunset. Your mother and father are here.
Kale s countenance brightened. Did you see them? Did you speak to them?
Your father. Bardon gave a perfunctory nod. I spoke to your father. We will sit with them at dinner
tonight.
Oh good. I haven t had a nice talk with Mother since they visited last spring. I wonder what they ve
been doing all summer.
Bardon shrugged and turned to face her. His eyelids drooped as if he were too weary to look wide-eyed
upon the world around him. My father is here as well.
Oh, Bardon. She wondered what she could say. What question was appropriate under the
circumstances? But he answered one that hadn t come to her mind.
No, I didn t have a chance to talk with him. He was occupied, comparing notes with other knights.
Amara is in a perilous state. The cry of the people has changed from Don t do anything to call attention
to us to Why haven t you done something to prevent this calamity?
And your father?
Is angry. What else? The conclave tomorrow night is to involve only the wizards, and you know how he
feels about wizards.
Her shoulders drooped in spite of her determination to be encouraging to her husband. Oh yes. I know
how he feels about wizards and dragons and magic.
I m sorry, Kale. He came back to embrace her.
She leaned against him. I m sorry, too. I know you care whether Paladin recovers or not. I also know
you always look at a bigger picture than I do.
She felt him nod as his chin touched the top of her head. His deep voice rumbled under her ear.
It would be hard without Paladin, but it would be impossible without Wulder. If we manage to remain
true to Wulder, then He will raise up another Paladin to guide us.
He gave her a squeeze. Now, change into something beautiful. We sup tonight in the dining hall of
Paladin s palace. A very grand place, indeed. He tilted her chin up with one finger and winked at her.
And I m sure your mother is most anxious to see you.
Sir Kemry and Lady Lyll Allerion met Kale and Bardon in the reception room before the doors swung
open to the dining hall. As the young couple approached the older, Kale mindspoke to her husband.
She s so young-looking and striking. I wonder what I will look like at her age. So far, when I am
idle, nothing much happens.
I find leaves on you all the time.
Only because you hide them on me to tease me. I know I don t produce those flowers, and twigs,
or even the ladybugs you pretend to find in my hair.
You are the bog wizard.
An inherited title from Fenworth. He was no blood relation. I could be anything. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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She heard Paladin s voice, strong and vibrant, unlike the wheezy tones of his sickbed.
What do you see, Kale?
A colorful kite dancing in the sky, reaching higher and higher.
What do you hear?
She listened. The sound of a breeze rustling in the tall grass, crickets, birds. I hear life all around me.
What do you smell?
She took a moment to sort out the fragrances. Flowers, moist earth, the sun-heated, green plants.
What is the kite telling you?
This was harder. She pondered what he could mean, but as she watched the bright bit of paper and
slender sticks bob and sway against the backdrop of blue, she understood.
It tells me which way the wind blows and how strong the wind is.
And if a storm should approach, what would you do with your kite?
I d wind up the string. I d bring it down. I d hold it close and run for shelter.
Black clouds gathered over her head, and Kale fought to pull the fragile kite from the sky. When she had
it in her hand, she pressed it against her chest and raced to a gully. Her feet tangled in the cloth strip that
served as the kite s tail. Stumbling forward, she managed to twist and land on her back in a depression in
the hillside. Large, icy raindrops pelted her face.
The kite sprang from her arms, expanded, and changed from sodden paper to a tough, slick material that
repelled water. It snapped and crackled above her, then stretched taut over sturdy poles that must have
been the cross-supports of the kite moments before. The colorful cloth, now a tent, sheltered her from
the storm.
The sound of a raging river reached her ears. She crawled to the opening of her tent and peeked out a
flap. A torrent of water roared down the gully she had intended to use as a safe haven. Debris tumbled
past and disappeared.
She caught her breath and whispered, Thank you, Wulder.
Her ears popped as the scene around her flashed into oblivion, and she refocused on another field. This
time she saw Paladin walking hand in hand with a young boy. Slowly, Paladin s form changed into a
diamond shape, his arm stretched and narrowed until it appeared as a string. Paladin became a kite flown
by a small child.
The boy ran and laughed, tugging on the kite, watching the looping antics in the air and enjoying his day in
the sun. But a rabbit hopped by, and the boy turned his attention to the small, furry creature. He chased
his prey, still pulling the kite along. Keeping hold of the string encumbered his pursuit of the rabbit. After
he had missed catching the small animal a couple of times, the boy let the kite go. Into the heights of the
heavens, the graceful bit of paper soared away, unnoticed by the rabbit chaser.
Paladin s rasping voice brought Kale back to the bedchamber. You see, my dear Dragon Keeper,
Amara has let go of the string.
10
AN EVENING DIVERSION
Kale left Paladin s quarters as the sun dipped behind the nearby hills. A maid escorted her to chambers
where Bardon sat reading a book. He jumped to his feet as soon as the door opened, and she was in his
arms before it closed again.
Was he able to speak to you?
She nodded against his chest.
Bardon hugged her, and all the impressions of the meeting flowed from her mind to his. When her
thoughts slowed and trailed off, he kissed her forehead.
Wulder, he whispered against her skin. Kale, you must latch on to Wulder, not Paladin. We must see
past our dependence on Paladin for leadership to Wulder, who provides wisdom to us all.
Kale pushed him away. You sound like you don t care if Paladin dies.
That s not it at all, and you know it. He walked over to the window and stood with his hands on his
hips, looking out at the crimson sunset. Your mother and father are here.
Kale s countenance brightened. Did you see them? Did you speak to them?
Your father. Bardon gave a perfunctory nod. I spoke to your father. We will sit with them at dinner
tonight.
Oh good. I haven t had a nice talk with Mother since they visited last spring. I wonder what they ve
been doing all summer.
Bardon shrugged and turned to face her. His eyelids drooped as if he were too weary to look wide-eyed
upon the world around him. My father is here as well.
Oh, Bardon. She wondered what she could say. What question was appropriate under the
circumstances? But he answered one that hadn t come to her mind.
No, I didn t have a chance to talk with him. He was occupied, comparing notes with other knights.
Amara is in a perilous state. The cry of the people has changed from Don t do anything to call attention
to us to Why haven t you done something to prevent this calamity?
And your father?
Is angry. What else? The conclave tomorrow night is to involve only the wizards, and you know how he
feels about wizards.
Her shoulders drooped in spite of her determination to be encouraging to her husband. Oh yes. I know
how he feels about wizards and dragons and magic.
I m sorry, Kale. He came back to embrace her.
She leaned against him. I m sorry, too. I know you care whether Paladin recovers or not. I also know
you always look at a bigger picture than I do.
She felt him nod as his chin touched the top of her head. His deep voice rumbled under her ear.
It would be hard without Paladin, but it would be impossible without Wulder. If we manage to remain
true to Wulder, then He will raise up another Paladin to guide us.
He gave her a squeeze. Now, change into something beautiful. We sup tonight in the dining hall of
Paladin s palace. A very grand place, indeed. He tilted her chin up with one finger and winked at her.
And I m sure your mother is most anxious to see you.
Sir Kemry and Lady Lyll Allerion met Kale and Bardon in the reception room before the doors swung
open to the dining hall. As the young couple approached the older, Kale mindspoke to her husband.
She s so young-looking and striking. I wonder what I will look like at her age. So far, when I am
idle, nothing much happens.
I find leaves on you all the time.
Only because you hide them on me to tease me. I know I don t produce those flowers, and twigs,
or even the ladybugs you pretend to find in my hair.
You are the bog wizard.
An inherited title from Fenworth. He was no blood relation. I could be anything. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]