Dragon Venom (Obsidian Chronicles Book 3) (33 page)

Or perhaps he feared for his soul, and wanted to ensure that when his time came to die he would not feed the hideous appetite of a dragon.

"Dragonhearts are forbidden admission to Manfort, lest they sabo-tage the defenses," Black continued. "Lady Opal has been expelled. A limited number of untainted ambassadors and representatives are permitted inside the walls, but kept under close watch. Your old friend Lord Rolinor serves as a go-between; the Duke and Lord Zaner prefer not to speak directly to any agent of what they consider the powers of darkness. Restrictions on dragonhearts outside the walls have been lifted, however—not that the Duke was ever able to enforce them effectively in any case."

"Had he been, matters would have gone rather differently," Arlian commented.

"Indeed."

"Then the Dragon Society's members have been restored to full control of their properties and enterprises, and the Lands of Alan once again unified?"

Black snorted. "Not at all," he said. "The Dragon Society has openly established their own government in Sarkan-Mendoth, and dropped all pretense of allegiance to the old order. They claim the Duke has gone mad—but they will not fight him openly, save to defend themselves."

"They're waiting for him to die," Brook said. "He has no heir, after all; the line of Duke Roioch ends with him. His wife is still barren, despite Asaf's attempts at treatment."

"I had thought there was a nephew . . . ?"

"There was," Black said. "Lord Balorac. Murdered a year ago by an assassin, a young woman—like his uncle, he had a weakness for a pretty face."

"Though this one was masked," Brook added.

"Lady Tiria?" Arlian suggested.

"Perhaps; she was sought, but not found. To the best of our knowledge Tiria is no longer in Manfort."

Arlian nodded thoughtfully.

He had assumed that he would not find himself welcome in the

Citadel, that the Duke and the Dragon Society would have made a real peace that would have cast him as a pariah for his slaughter of so many dragons. From Black's account, though, his position was far better than he had expected—Zaner and the Duke were still defying the dragons as best they could, and would presumably accept him as an ally.

And if he could find some way to bind the land's magic in something other than a dragon, something less powerful, less dangerous . . .

"There are experiments I must conduct," he said.

"Experiments?" Brook asked. She glanced at Black.

"More diabolic machinery?" Black asked. "We have catapults now, Ari—probably far more than we need."

"Not catapults," Arlian said. "Nor sorcery, nor obsidian, nor anything else I have experimented with in the past. I intend to experiment with magic."

Brook said, "True magic cannot be made in Manfort, I thought."

"Southern magic cannot be made here, but sorcery, while subtle, is still magic, and likewise dragons are magic, and all the inhuman traits of the dragonhearts."

"But you said it would not be sorcery," Brook persisted.

"Nor will it be. I intend to experiment with the magic of the dragons themselves."

"And just how did you intend to accomplish this remarkable feat?"

Black asked.

"With their venom," Arlian replied. "I will need a considerable supply." He smiled crookedly. "And yes, I am aware of the irony in this, given how much of that foul stuff I have deliberately burned over the past several years. As we all know, Fate is fond of these little jokes."

"I hardly think this is a fit subject for jokes," Brook replied—but before she could say anything more Dirinan awoke and began crying, delaying further conversation.

29

The Disposition of the Household

The Disposition of the Household

Arlian's brief explanation of his intentions was interrupted by Brook's departure to attend to Dirinan's needs, but when she had wheeled herself away Arlian finished outlining what he would need.

Black immediately refused to aid in Arlian's attempts to acquire a supply of dragon venom. "The whole enterprise is mad," he said.

"You think all my enterprises mad," Arlian retorted.

"Indeed, and this one is madder than most, and I'll have no part in it."

"As you please, then," Arlian said. "Will you at least be so kind as to acquire the other materials I require, then? Traps, cages, livestock, and a husbandman to attend them?"

"I can hardly object to that," Black said. "I will endeavor to have everything prepared for your return."

Arlian blinked at him, and said mildly, "Return? Am I going somewhere?"

"Are you not?"

"I was not aware of any such intention."

"Then how do you propose to obtain dragon venom? I had assumed you would find another lair from your list, and dispose of its occupants."

"Permit me to remind you that His Grace has asked me to refrain from any further killing of dragons until further notice. He may rescind that order when next we speak, but I have no reason to expect that."

" B u t . . . very well, then, how do you propose to obtain your venom?"

"I had thought to purchase it, here in Manfort; it was my understanding that a thriving black market exists."

For a moment Black was silent; at last he said, "Oh."

"Does this alter your decision to refuse me aid?"

"No," Black said.

"Very well, then. Please obtain my experimental subjects, then, and I will see if I can manage the venom without you." Arlian rose, and started toward the door.

"Ari," Black said.

He paused. "Yes?"

"Where are you going? The Duke has outlawed all trade in dragon venom, and you have been two years away; how do you propose to contact the black market?"

"I thought you wanted nothing to do with it."

" I . . . Black stopped. Then he began again. "Ari," he said, "we have spent most of the past twenty years together. I am your employee, yes, but I like to believe I am also your friend. In either role, friend or servant, I am concerned for your welfare. I know very well your skill with a blade, your knack for improvisation, your determination, and your sheer luck. Nonetheless, you are neither infallible nor invulnerable, and you have just announced your intention of committing a capital crime in a city with which you are no longer entirely familiar. I have refused to aid you in perpetrating this lunatic act, yes—but I can still offer advice on not getting yourself killed in the process, and warn you away from the most obvious threats."

Arlian smiled. "I appreciate your concern, Beron—and yes, I do consider you my friend first, and my steward only incidentally. Likewise, I acknowledge that I have often been reckless. In this instance, however, I assure you I do not plan to take any great risk. I am not entirely a fool—and you are not my only employee, nor the only one who I might expect to have some knowledge of Manfort's criminal element. I am on my way not to the gate, nor the stable, but to the kitchens, to speak with Stammer in regard to both our supper, and whether she might be able to supply the venom I seek."

"Oh," Black hesitated, then admitted, "That would seem sensible enough." Both men were well aware that Stammer had once lived among Manfort's thieves and beggars, and still maintained an extensive network of contacts among her old friends in that unsavory community.

In the ordinary course of events she drew on those contacts only to gather news and gossip, but neither Black nor Arlian doubted that she could put them to other uses.

"I am gratified by your reassurance," Arlian said dryly.

Black hesitated again, then said, "My lord, I request permission to remove myself and my family from the Grey House for a time."

Arlian glanced toward the exit Brook had taken. "You are concerned for your children's safety? Perhaps you have a point. In fact, perhaps I should find somewhere else to conduct my experiments."

"No, I . . . " Black stopped.

Arlian looked at him thoughtfully. "I would not want to leave Manfort," he said. "If these experiments succeed in creating an alternative—

well, I think the dragons themselves might take an interest, and His Grace has conveniently guarded Manfort against the dragons as thoroughly as I can imagine possible. Nor would I care to operate on anyone's premises but my own, and I own only two parcels here—the Grey House and the grounds that once held the Old Palace."

"Another could be bought."

"Oh, I hardly think it worth that much effort and expense," Arlian said. "No, I think it better after all to follow your own suggestion, and ask the staff to vacate the Grey House temporarily."

"Thank you, my lord."

Arlian studied Black; it was obvious from the formal address that something remained between them.

"I can hardly use the grounds of the Old Palace," he said. "Lord Obsidian's guests make it impossible. To evict them now, after all these years—well, it can't be done without great upset and turmoil."

"Ari—it's not the danger that concerned me," Black admitted. "I hadn't even thought of that at first."

"Are you that appalled, then, that I dare to handle the venom at all?"

"Not appalled, Ari. Tempted."

That had not occurred to Arlian, but now he felt foolish that it had not. Certainly, Black had mentioned the subject often enough in the past.

"You need not recite the litany again," Black said, before Arlian could regain his composure. "I know well enough that you consider the heart of the dragon more curse than blessing, and I have heard Lady Rime and Lord Zaner speak at length of how they have been freed from soul-deadening bondage, how they have regained their ability to love and their joy in life. I know the elixir would rob me of much I value—

but time itself will do the same, and far sooner than I like. I am fifteen years older than you, Ari, and in any case you are a dragonheart—you do not feel the cold winds of age chilling your blood, as I do. The prospect of a thousand years of life, even the sort of bitter life you say you lead, is far more appealing than the spectre of death. I can resist that temptation when it is distant and difficult, but if you bring it into my home and ask me to live with it but a few steps away .. "

"I understand," Arlian said. "You need say no more. You and Brook and the children are welcome to make your home at the Old Palace, or at any of my holdings outside the city, until the temptation has been removed."

Black bowed. "Thank you," he said.

"One last thing, before you begin your preparations for departure,"

Arlian said.

"Yes?"

"Send a messenger to the Citadel, and inform His Grace of my return and my eagerness for an audience at his earliest convenience."

"Of course." He bowed again.

Arlian nodded an acknowledgment, then turned and headed for the kitchens, where his arrival precipitated much excitement among the servants there. They hurried to make him welcome and assure him that the household was in good condition and that his supper would be ready on schedule, in perhaps another half-hour; he could hardly object to these attentions, after a two-year absence, but he hastened matters as best he could, and finally arranged to speak to Stammer alone in one of the pantries.

"I t h i . . . t h i . . . think you'll find everything in order, my lord," she said. "I have always n o . . . notified your steward promptly about any problems."

"I'm sure you have," Arlian said. "I'm not here to discuss the kitchen staff."

Stammer stared at him silently; he knew she would have asked for an explanation of why he was there had she been able to do so without stammering. Rather than prolong her discomfort, he quickly explained what he wanted.

"It's ex . . . expensive," she said.

She did not ask why he wanted dragon venom, he noticed. He was not entirely sure whether this was because she trusted him, or because she wanted to avoid a prolonged discussion.

It was odd, he thought, how bad her stammer was when speaking to him; she barely stammered at all when talking to the rest of the staff, instructing them in their duties or choosing the day's menu.

"I'll provide the money," he said. "That's no problem at all."

"It may t . . . take a few days," she said.

"Of course," he said. "As soon as you can manage it will be fine."

She curtsied.

And with that out of the way, he turned his attention to the preparations for the evening meal.

Deceptions in Court and Street

30

Deceptions in Court and Street

The morning after his return Arlian received word that the Duke requested his presence that very afternoon; he cut short his review of his finances and devoted himself to his appearance, as it would not do to go before the Duke with his hair unruly or his beard un-trimmed. His coach had stood unused for years and was discovered to have rotted beyond easy repair, so he was unable to ride to the Citadel in appropriate style, but when he walked up the hill he wore his best boots and a new hat, purchased in haste that morning, and thought himself suitably turned out.

He waited slightly over an hour in a small salon before being shown into the audience chamber, where the Duke, looking rather the worse for wear, sat slumped on his throne, his fine blue jacket hideously wrinkled. Lord Zaner stood at the Duke's right hand, and Lord Spider at his left.

There were fewer courtiers than Arlian remembered from previous occasions, and no one in the room was masked—that unwelcome fashion appeared to have finally ended, though whether of natural causes or ducal edict Arlian did not know. He saw no one he recognized as either a member or hireling of the Dragon Society—not Lady Opal, nor Lady Tiria, nor Ferret, nor Wing, nor Lord Rolinor.

He had scarcely finished his formal obeisance when the Duke said,

"Lord Obsidian—what news do you bring?"

"No news of great importance. Your Grace, save that I have returned safely from the Borderlands and am once again at your service."

"Your message expressed eagerness for an audience,"