Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) (28 page)

He
finally persuaded them to leave, after he pretended to feel much better. Once they were gone, he collapsed onto the bed.
I hope the noon meal lasts longer than usual today. Having Kiliane hate me like that all afternoon isn't going to be easy.

H
ow could he blame her? He wasn't like Tigran, but how would she know? She and Mauric were in love. Despite being raised to accept the Duty, it must be difficult to give one's body to a stranger.

Tam got back up and paced restlessly around the room.
It's not fair. I don't even like her, and I already know what she thinks of me!
  He still couldn't forget last night's dream. Her beauty made him long for her. She probably thought that he was all too willing to follow the Protector's command despite his protests. No wonder she was upset.

If only she wasn't so beautiful!
He stared out his window onto the courtyard.

W
hat of Mauric? What use was it to make friends with anyone if his father was always going to ruin it?
Maybe that's the point. Maybe a future Protector isn't supposed to have any friends, only subjects to command.
That couldn't be right either. His father had Mimn by his side.

Will I ever have anyone who cares
for me that way?
Even Marysa said he deserved a girl who'd run to him the way she had to Jarrett. Tam sighed, bathed his face with cold water again, and changed his shirt. He was tempted once more to abandon these horrible boots and use the formal-looking slippers. If only he could be sure he wouldn't 'lose' them once he left them behind. He was surprised the boots hadn't been taken away and the slippers substituted while he was at drill. Of course, then he'd have the perfect excuse to hang onto a practice pair which fit him much better.

Tameron sat down and rubbed his feet, which were becoming more
painful each day, despite the hours he spent in only his stockings. How long was he going to be trapped in a mold that no longer fit? How much of his trouble did he bring on himself by insisting on doing things his way?

All too soon his escort came to fetch him. He'd better follow them. It was his right and privilege as the Protector's heir to be at his father's side. If he refused this duty, he might end up with nothing. He'd been weak earlier today, and had forgotten how important it was for him to maintain the appearance of strength even when he felt horrible inside. Those like Aylar would never have a voice if he gave up so easily.

The Protector pretended everything was fine. Tameron was thankful. He ignored Lady Kiliane as much as possible, though the scent of her perfume and the sound of her soft, clear voice reached him anyway. He fiercely reminded himself that he hadn't gone after Mauric or Jarrett when he'd had the opportunity. He
wasn't
a beast, no matter how badly he behaved in his dreams.

The afternoo
n dragged on forever. Tameron's stomach finally settled down and he became hungry. If he turned his head too quickly, he felt dizzy and light-headed.
A good thing I insisted on a chair from the very beginning. I'd be in real trouble if I had to stand all this time.

Tam forced hims
elf to concentrate on each case. He didn’t want to give his father or Lady Kiliane any excuse to think him incompetent. The Guardian herself had thought him able enough, at least with her help. If only the Protector could see it too!

Every time he shifted his feet they hurt. His toes
were the worst. Trying to think of a proper judgment for each petitioner distracted him from the pain. At least today most of the cases were interesting, which helped. He asked a few questions of his own to clarify points he didn't understand. The Protector looked annoyed, but Tameron kept at it. How else was he supposed to learn? Admittedly, he was rather pleased when his questions occasionally brought answers that had a bearing on the problem.

At last
today's session was done. Tam stood up too quickly and swayed on his feet, and then grasped the edge of his father's chair before he fell. "Pardon me," he said. Such presumption might anger the Protector, and he removed his hand as soon as he regained his balance. Lord Sidian frowned slightly, but didn't seem upset.

"Why don't you retire early after supper tonight?" his father asked. "I fear I'm asking too much of you lately. You had a hard life this winter, and I see you're not fully recovered."

Tameron bit his lips to avoid saying he'd rather be back in Dorena's cabin than any place else in the world. "I'll be fine, sir. My feet hurt a bit."

"Then stop wearing those boots, if they don't fit any more. You're only hurting yourself by being so stubborn."

Tam bowed his head.
Maybe Father is right, and I'm just seeing a threat where it doesn't exist. But why did he tell the boot maker to hold off on giving me a new pair?
"I'll think about it, sir," he said.

"Good. If you feel up to it, be here after the evening meal." He dismissed Tam with a gesture, but kept Lady Kiliane behind.

Tameron limped back to his rooms and gratefully took the boots off there.
Perhaps if I seem to cooperate, he'll be happier.
He still didn't understand what was going on. If his father wanted to change his mind about who ought to be his heir, the Council would agree with him in a moment.
Why am I being tested like this, over and over again? Is it because he still doesn't trust me? Maybe it's because I won't give in to what he thinks is right. Or maybe it's because I dared to speak against a corrupt mage!
If that was the case, he'd fight all the harder.
Someone has to care about the commoners. Kiliane won’t.

He
heard noise by his window. Lorin's face pressed against the glass. "How did you get here?" he asked as he opened it.

Hi
s friend climbed in with Tam's help. "Dragonback," Lorin said, waving towards the many statues that studded even the inner courtyard of the Guardian's palace.

"Don't the guards ever look up?"

"Why should they?" His friend sat down and caught his breath while Tam closed the window.

"You can't imagine how glad I am to see you here!"
he said in a low voice, once he was done. He hoped they weren't making too much noise. "I heard you outside my door the other night. Why would anybody be afraid of me?"

Lorin grimaced, as if it hurt him to talk. "Can't say much. The Protector...he sent for me."

Like Jarrett,
Tam thought. "Don't try to talk about it. If Father's put a silence spell on you, it'll hurt if you try to break it. It doesn't matter. I won't let you get into trouble." He hoped he had that much power if Lorin was caught here.

"Have to say something..." His friend's face went pale. "Fill the empty chair..." Then Lorin clutched at his chest and nearly fell.

Tameron helped the other boy over to the bed. "Not another word!" he hissed. He was amazed the other boy was able to say this much. Spells against speaking could sometimes kill if someone fought against them too hard. "Besides, it's ridiculous. I'm to sit on the Empty Throne and free the dragons, when I can't even get a pair of boots that fit?"

Lorin nodded, and
opened his mouth again. Tam hushed him. "Don't! It means a lot just to know someone still cares. I'll have to call for help if you get too sick, and Stine will roast us both over a spit."

"You beat her," Lorin whispered,
and smiled when nothing happened to him.

Tameron suddenly felt proud, something he'd been too upset to notice earlier. "Yes," he said, almost to himself. "So I did." Nobody was better than the commander, not even any of the mages who fancied themselves warriors. None of them had ever been able to win against her without using their powers, and even then she'd defeated most of them. Of course, he'd tricked her; but suc
h stratagems were allowed. He certainly hadn't been easy meat before faking a limp, unlike his other encounters. Tam gloried in his triumph for a few moments. Then reality set in. "Next time it won't be so easy," he said ruefully. "She'll be expecting me to try something like that. I'll probably fall flat on my face from the next trick she pulls on
me
!"

Lorin shrugged,
and slowly sat back up as he recovered his strength. Tameron fetched a box that held a game of Golden Path and they played quietly, tossing the dice onto the bed to keep the noise down. In some ways, it was the first truly peaceful time he'd had since he'd returned.

The knock for dinner came all too soon.
He said, "I'm so glad you came." Then he thought of something. He didn't mind looking as if he were obeying his father as long as he could hedge his bets. "Wait--before you leave, can you take these boots with you? They're too small for me, but if...if something happens, I'll need them back. I can't trust anyone else."

Lorin agreed, and
used the laces to tie the boots around his neck. As he left through the window, he said, "There's someone else you can trust here in Lochil."

"Who?" Tameron said. One of his guards knocked again.

Lorin grimaced in pain, but his lips made a silent word. He panted for breath as he held onto the stone dragon just outside Tam's room.

Hi
s heart leaped in his chest as he waved farewell to his friend and quickly put on the elaborate formal slippers. As he was escorted to dinner, hope gave him new appetite. For Lorin had mouthed a word that might have been
Randor
.

The evening meal went much better. Now he was hungry enough to ignore the stares, no matter how ill-intentioned. If his father wanted an heir who was strong enough to endure anything in order to do
the right thing, that's what he'd get!

Tam
had to admit it was much easier walking in the slippers. The Protector nodded his approval as Tameron came into the library. He bowed with respect he didn't feel to both his father and to Lady Kiliane, and joined them.

They discussed several cases they'd listened to that afternoon, including the one about the stolen che
ese the size of a cartwheel. He had doubts about one person's testimony on that one, but his father had already reminded him once that the threat of truthspell was usually enough. That was probably true. But had the girl who swore she'd hadn't seen it been telling
all
of the truth? He'd wanted to ask her if she had smelled it or otherwise had known where it'd been. Sometimes how you asked the question was just as important as the answer. He was tired of always being kept in the background. If he was going to be Protector someday, and not just a figurehead, he had to use the abilities he had and not grumble about those he didn't--and should be able to ask for help when he needed it.

All three of them spoke for a little while about a different judgment, one his father had given earlier in the day. Then the Protector stood up abruptly and walked to the door. "Please, remain seated," he said. "I've been called away for a few moments, and I'll return shortly."

Kiliane looked surprised after the Protector left. "I didn't hear any summons," she said.

"Perhaps he meant an appointment he suddenly remembered," Tam said. "Or maybe the Guardian sent her thoughts to him. Since she's his sister, the bond between them may hide their mind speech from any strangers."

She looked relieved. "I thought my own powers had failed me for a moment," she said. Then she bowed her face. "Or your father had shut me out so I'd know how you felt when we did it." The glowing light of the lamp on a small table nearby glittered on her long black eyelashes. "I--I must apologize for how I spoke to you, Lord Tameron. You can't help the way the Lord and Lady made you. I mean, half of Fiallyn Mor is like you, not having magic and all that. I wish I hadn't been so cruel to you. I just love Mauric so much!"

Tam
couldn't be angry with her now. "You're lucky. He loves you, too. He nearly spitted me at drill this morning because he thought I meant harm to you. He's quite good, you know," he said. It couldn't hurt to praise the young mage, though Mauric wasn't
that
skilled with a sword.

She lifted up her face and smiled a little at him.
He struggled with his feelings. He knew she loved Mauric, not him. He shouldn't even think about what the Protector had said about his Duty. If only Kiliane didn't hate the idea so much!
Mauric is my friend. I don't want him to hate me, too.

"Did you really mean it when you said you didn't want me?" she asked, now appearing to size him up.

"Of course not!" Tameron took a deep breath as warmth rushed into his face. He stood up and took a few steps away from her. "Lady Kiliane, I turned fifteen only a couple of months ago, but I'm not a child. I know what it's like to love someone who doesn't--doesn't care back." He remembered when Marysa had laid her head on his shoulder in the barn and wept after telling her story, but it hadn't been real. "You've made your feelings quite clear," he continued. "I know what you really think about ordinary people. Don't pretend." His voice cracked, and he wanted to die from embarrassment. He deliberately paced around the room to put some distance between him and the girl he couldn't have.

She rose to her feet. "I apologize to you again. Maybe after Mauric and I...when they finally allow us to have a child...maybe after that you and I can do what your father is asking. Most mages have to face up to the Duty with more than one partner eventually. Maybe I am being too narrow-minded."