"That isss good to hear."

The king of Penacles bristled, but it was not due to anything the Dragon King had said. "I will not let Toos die in vain. He wanted peace more than I did. I will do anything I have to to see that peace succeed." He closed, then reopened his eyes, visibly trying to keep himself calm. "But you desire something. How may I help?"

Cabe quickly described the situation, emphasizing his need to hunt down Darkhorse before any more time had pa.s.sed. As much as he tried not to think about it, the fear that it was already too late to save the shadow steed nagged at him. The warlock was aware of how many times in the past he had underestimated Darkhorse, for in truth the eternal was more powerful than he, but knowing the shadow steed and how willing he was to go charging into the fray, Cabe could not help but worry that each time Darkhorse vanished would be the last any would see of him. Darkhorse had the capability of living forever-as long as he was not destroyed.

The Gryphon wasted no time once his friend had explained. He quickly summoned one of the general's aides and ordered him to lead the drakes to the caravan.

"I will go with them and arrange their departure," suggested the Dragon King. "When I am through, with your permission, I will depart for my own realm. It may very well be that through my own methods, we shall overcome Toma'sss plotting yet."

"You think that Toma did this?"

The drake's eyes burned red. "I do."

"I wouldn't have expected him to use such methods. He is more likely to move behind the scenes."

"Then, if it isss not him, I may also discover that." The Green Dragon bowed to both Cabe and the Gryphon, then joined the draconian soldiers. "Rest a.s.sured, I, too, want this peace to succeed."

As the drakes followed the aide, the monarch of Penacles rubbed his beak. "An odd farewell, but then, I've never completely understood drakes."

"I think that they have the same problem with us."

"Yesss. . . . Cabe, where will you search?"

The warlock kept his face neutral. It was too early to tell anyone of his suspicions. "I have a few places in mind. I knew where Darkhorse planned to be at certain times after he last departed the Manor. I'll check them first."

"He may be dead . . . like Toos."

"Then I'll find the one who did it."

The Gryphon's unsettling eyes seemed to twinkle. "You had best find him-or them-before I do if you hope to have anything left." He toyed with his talons, extending them to their full lengths. "I do not intend to hold back this time."

Recalling how hard it had been for the lionbird to "hold back" when he had been tracking the murderers of his firstborn son, Cabe shuddered. He hoped that it would not come to that. If the Gryphon lost control, there was no telling what he might do.

Evidently, the lord of Penacles was thinking much the same thing. He almost glared at the warlock, but managed to prevent himself. Instead, he simply turned a little away, his eyes shifting to nothing in particular, and said, "The sooner you leave, the more chance you have of saving him."

Cabe did not need another hint. He bowed to the former and present ruler of the City of Knowledge, then vanished.

VALEA WAS WITH Ursa and Aurim when her mother returned with Kyl and the others. The trio, along with a nervous Ssarekai, had finally abandoned the underground chamber, a.s.suming that it might be some time before their parents returned. Aurim was the first to see the newcomers as they materialized in the front hall of the Manor.

"They're back!" he pointed out to the others. "But Father's not there and . . . and Kyl and Grath are!"

They hurried to meet the returning party, Valea with conflicting emotions. Fear stemming from the knowledge that something had happened in Penacles intertwined with relief that Kyl was safe. She started to greet him, but the expression on his handsome visage made her pause. It was both cruel and confused. Even Grath showed signs of anger, although he hid them much better than his brother. Scholar Traske revealed nothing.

"What is it? What happened in Penacles?" asked Aurim, his own problem not even a concern to him at this point. "Where's Father?"

"Your father is all right," Lady Bedlam replied quickly, so as to relieve some of her family's fears. "He searches for Darkhorse, who's missing." Her face grew more somber. "You should all know . . . Toos the Regent was killed during an a.s.sa.s.sination attempt on Kyl."

"G.o.ds!" The young warlock shook his head.

Ssarekai swore an oath by the mythical Dragon of the Depths. Valea could scarcely believe what she was hearing. Her relief at finding Kyl safe gave way to her grief for the towering old soldier. He had been like the grandfather she had never had-and who would have wanted Azran anyway?-giving her presents and tolerating her questions about the war years.

In the midst of their grief, Kyl suddenly snapped, "If he had not died, it would have been me, inssstead!" He straightened his clothing and tried to look unruffled. "If you will excussse me, Lady Bedlam, I desssire greatly to return to my roomsss."

"I quite understand, Kyl."

The drake had not even waited for her response. Already turning, he snapped his fingers at Grath and his bodyguards. "Come with me!"

With the dragon heir in the lead, the drakes departed the still-stunned group. Valea found herself just a bit put out by Kyl's att.i.tude, although, admittedly, he had been through much today.

"How do you feel, Aurim?" Benjin Traske asked suddenly. His question first struck the novice sorceress as incongruous to the situation at hand, but then she recalled that the ma.s.sive tutor had been in Penacles. He would know more about the events that had taken place there than the progress, or lack thereof, of the Bedlams' attempts to free the minds of her brother and Ssarekai.

"The same," her brother remarked halfheartedly. It was clear the news about dear Toos was far more important to the young Bedlam.

"I see." Traske turned to Valea's mother. "My lady, perhaps it might be good if I left your company for now. This is a matter for you and your family, and I can perhaps be of better use to Lord Kyl. I do not doubt that he is going through a conflict of his own."

"I should go to him-" the enchantress began.

"You are suffering also, madam. Your family knew the regent better than I. I mourn his death, true, but not near as much as you. I think that you should explain things to the young here. I will do what I can for my former pupil."

"Thank you. In truth," responded Gwendolyn Bedlam, "he probably would listen to you more than he would either Cabe or myself."

An uncharacteristic smile spread across the scholar's bearded countenance. "It pleases me to hear you say so." He performed a bow. "My lady . . ."

Ursa suddenly looked anxious. "Scholar, may I go with you? He isss my brother."

He hesitated. "At this point, young lady, it might be better if you waited. Let me do what I can. Too many new voices might drive the emperor-to-be to further distress. He needs a guiding hand at the moment."

Valea thought she knew the true reason why Benjin Traske did not want Ursa along. Ursa did not really get along with Kyl. One of Kyl's greatest faults, subconscious or not, was that he saw the females of his race as inferior creatures. The courtesy he freely gave to Valea, the young drake only forcibly gave to his own sibling. It was a strange double standard that she would never understand. Valea had tried to question Kyl about it, but it was one subject he refused to discuss.

Her mother looked as if she wanted to speak in Ursa's defense, but Valea's friend acquiesced before she could do so. "You are right, of course, Scholar Tra.s.sske. Will you let me know how he is?"

"As you desire." The tutor bowed again, this time taking his leave immediately after. Valea wondered if other households were as abrupt as hers. Throughout her life it had always seemed as if people were in a hurry. Everyone was always rushing someplace.

She, too, wanted to be there when the scholar told Ursa how Kyl was faring. It was purely for selfish motives, she knew, but she was aware that the kind of tragedy he had faced could change him permanently. Valea feared that those changes would put them farther apart from one another.

Her mind returned to poor Toos. She felt guilty that she should be so concerned about Kyl when the regent had died saving his life. I wonder how the Gryphon is taking it? They were good, good friends. . . .

Lady Bedlam was doing her best to maintain control. She said, "Why don't we go to the drawing room? I think it would be wise to be as comfortable as possible while we talk. This situation is hardly over. We are going to have to be wary for some time."

They all understood what she was saying. Valea knew that where there had been one a.s.sa.s.sination attempt, there might be others.

The enchantress began to lead them away, then paused when she realized that there was still another member of the party. The drake Ssarekai had remained behind after the others had left. Valea liked him; he hardly seemed like a dragon at all. How left out he must feel right now!

"Ssarekai? You are welcome to join us, you know. Don't think that you aren't family after all these years. You've gone farther than many toward making cooperation between our races work."

The stable master had been staring down the hallway Benjin Traske, Kyl, and the drakes had used. With effort, he shifted his gaze to the sorceress. "I thank you deeply for thossse wordsss, my lady, but I have let too much time pa.s.s. There are dutiesss that I realize I must see to before it isss too late."

"Very well. We have not given up on the spells that bind you and Aurim. I want you to know that they are still priorities with us."

The drake shrugged. "I have had it this long; I think that if Master Aurim can wait, then so can I."

Valea's mother swore an oath, so upset was she. "There's always too much happening at the same time! These spells should be removed as quickly as possible!"

"They don't seem to be harming us, Mother. I can wait, too." Aurim's face was pale. "Besides . . . I need to hear what happened. I need to hear about Toos. How did Toma sneak a.s.sa.s.sins into Penacles? How does he find his way into everywhere?"

For some reason, this made their mother pause. At last the fire-tressed sorceress admitted, "Your father thinks it might have been someone else who plotted the a.s.sa.s.sination. He hopes to find out more. . . ." She hugged herself, obviously worried. "I pray that he doesn't find out more than he planned."

The others nodded, Valea making her own private wish concerning her father's safety . . . and the rescue of Darkhorse. At least, she thought, the a.s.sa.s.sins had failed in their goal; Kyl was alive and well.

She would have to see him at first opportunity. He would certainly not turn her away. As selfish as she knew it was for her to think so, Valea could not help wondering if perhaps this tragic event would be what finally brought them together. She would be good for him, especially now. Kyl would not have to fear for her; Valea had the power not only to protect herself but to further augment the heir's own magic. Between them, no a.s.sa.s.sin, however well armed, would stand the slightest chance of success.

Not even Toma, she decided.

GRATH HAD A great desire to slap his brother's face again and again until the idiot calmed down and thought properly once more, but he knew that such action would only see him dismissed from Kyl's side. That would ruin everything that had been planned.

The death of General Toos had been a tragic loss, both politically and emotionally, but Grath had long ago learned to put the worst aside, leaving his mind clear for thought. He would miss the regent, miss him much more than his mentor would, of course, but overall the human's death had been worth the price. After all, if not for Toos, Kyl would be dead and Grath would be forced to take his place. It was much too soon for that. Perhaps later, once it was clear that the power of the Dragon Emperor was secure.

Of course, first he had to free his brother from the shock and paranoia Kyl now suffered.

"They tried to kill me, Grath! Thossse missserable humans! I should overrun them all when I am emperor! They cannot be trusssted, the furry ssscavengers . . . but . . ." Kyl's face twisted into an expression of extreme uncertainty. "The regent gave hisss own life to sssave mine! I would have been murdered but for him!"

Faras and Ssgayn exchanged glances that Grath noted out of the edge of his eye. They were beginning to question both their emperor-to-be's sanity and his bravery.

He put a brotherly hand on Kyl's shoulder. "Now isss not the time to think about all of this, Kyl. The best thing to do right now is rest. You need rest. In only a few days, the Blue Dragon, representing the other Dragon Kings as well, will arrive in the Dagora Forest. He will want to question you. This will be your moment."

To his astonishment, Kyl pushed him away. "I don't care about the drake lord! If they cannot accept me a.s.ss emperor already, then I will make them come to me on bent knee!" A frightening glint came into the drake's eyes. "Could it be that Blue or one of the other hesssitant onesss sssent thossse killers? They do all have their human agentsss, do they not, Grath?"

The last thing he wanted to encourage was a fear that the recalcitrant Dragon Kings might be trying to kill Kyl. True, it was a possibility that he had considered-only minutes before, in fact-but that was something that could be dealt with once Kyl and he gained the power of the Dragon Throne. The drake lords would be less inclined to attempt the a.s.sa.s.sination once his brother was officially their master.

Grath exhaled, trying to gather his thoughts together enough to give Kyl some sort of rea.s.suring answer. The chaos in the arena had not been nearly so draining as trying to keep his brother in line. And he is to be the emperor?

He was still trying to decide what to do when there came a heavy knock upon the door. Faras stalked toward the door, weapon at the ready. Kyl, Grath was ashamed to see, actually drew back into his chair.

The guards tensed. Faras opened the door.

Relief washed over Grath as he saw who it was who had dared to join them.

Kyl looked up at the newcomer, still wary. "Ssscholar Tra.s.sske. You desssire something of me? I am rather busssy at the moment."

"So I see," remarked the tutor with obvious sarcasm. Grath knew that his brother had never heard the figure before him speak with such impudence. "Busy falling prey to your fears when you should be using them to strengthen you. A ruler must learn to control his weaknesses and make them work for him."

"I don't have time for your sss-"

Grath allowed himself a brief smile as Kyl broke off at the look on the ma.s.sive figure's face. At last there was someone who could make his brother see sense . . . and who else was better suited?

Benjin Traske ceased glaring at the heir to the dragon throne just long enough to deal with Kyl's bodyguards. "Leave us."

To Kyl's astonishment-but not to Grath's-Faras and Ssgayn bowed and hastily retreated from the chamber.

The dragon heir rose, intending to command the two to return, but Traske stepped directly in front of him. Kyl, trying to back away, fell into the chair.

"Things are moving much too swiftly now, but we can compensate. The death of the regent, while unexpected, does nothing to change the fact that you will be emperor in only a very short time. You survived the a.s.sa.s.sination, and now it will be almost impossible for whoever was responsible to attempt something else. I will see to a.s.suring that."

"You will see to that?"

"In whatever way is open to me, of course," Traske corrected. "What is more important is to consider the next step you must take on the road to the throne. If I may suggest-"

This made Kyl laugh harshly. "Teacher, you are a human I admire, I freely admit that. Your advice I would generally find good, but you could not possssibly underssstand what I am going through. You do not underssstand the challenges, the myriad pitfalls, that I face in a.s.ssuming the throne of my kind."

"Perhaps I understand more than you imagine. . . ."

"You would have to live through it yourssself. There isss no other way to underssstand it ssso well."

Benjin Traske started to speak, then paused in consideration. At last, he simply said, "I can see that for now I am wasting my time here."

He was leaving. Grath could not believe that. Here was the one being able to drag Kyl back to his feet and he was leaving without having even tried. "Teacher-"

Benjin Traske shook his head. "No, Grath. I will waste no time here. I can see that Kyl needs time to let his thoughts cool." The huge figure loomed over the heir. "Then, Kyl, you and I will talk again. Much longer, this time."

The heir had already slipped deeper into his chair. "I have no desire to do so."

"You will." Traske's tone was such that Kyl could not help but straighten. It was the voice that had kept both drakes highly attentive throughout their lessons. It was a voice that brooked no disagreement, one that Grath knew his brother had not yet learned to control completely and probably never would.

Benjin Traske turned to leave, the issue of Kyl's permission negligible under the circ.u.mstances, but then paused. He glanced first at Grath, then at Kyl, to whom he added, "You will be emperor. You will be strong. We will see to that."

The dragon heir glanced up. His gaze did not leave the figure of the scholar until Traske had closed the door behind him. Then, Kyl simply turned to stare at one of the walls. Grath remained where he was, silent as the night. When Faras and Ssgayn returned, he indicated silence, then pointed where he wanted them positioned. They obeyed him without a sound.

Kyl continued to stare at the wall, but from where Grath stood, it was possible for the younger drake to see the look on his elder brother's visage. Still brooding, but now Kyl was at least thinking. It was the first stage to recovery.

"Grath? What do you think of our esssteemed tutor?"

How to phrase it best? Grath hesitated, then responded, "He came here to see you made emperor, brother. He is not the kind to let years of work go for naught. When he says that you will be emperor, he means it."

"Ssso I felt." The dragon heir hissed. "I sssometimesss wish that Toma had sssucceeded our sssire after all. He would have brooked no threat from a.s.ssa.s.ssin or king, human or drake."

"There isss much to admire in Toma," Grath ventured. "He was loyal to our sire."

"Ssso I was thinking."

The young drake smiled at such a response, but only because his brother could not clearly see his face. Faras and Ssgayn could, but they were of no consequence; they knew their places.

"Perhaps, when you are emperor, you will be able to arrange to talk with him."

The notion made Kyl blink. "I could do that, couldn't I?"

"As emperor, who would stop you?"

"Who, indeed?"