Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) by Jean Lamb Read Free Book Online Page B

the parquet floor was loose at one edge. Tam pried at it with his dagger, and it came out easily. A honeycombed grill of metal underneath caught the sound and funneled it to him. He held the tile to keep light from his room from going down into the hole and betraying his presence. A pity it wasn't under the bed. He was disappointed, of course, because it wasn't magical, but he wasn't about to stop listening.
    "Why can't you decide this now?" said an older man, his voice fearful.
    "The Protector's son is in residence and should be consulted. His rank must be respected. I will, of course, advise him." Tameron recognized the Guardian's voice.
    "I'm not worried. Even a child could understand this case!" said a much younger man, judging by how he sounded.
    He heard footsteps outside the door of his room. He quickly replaced the tile and scrambled to his bed.
    Randor stepped inside, holding another cup. His face brightened. "Finally awake, are you? I thought you were going to sleep forever."
    Tam yawned and shook his head. "I know it's late in the day," he said. "I feel a lot better, though." The gray exhaustion that had shadowed him ever since he'd sliced his wrists open was fading fast. He still wasn't strong, but something that had dragged at him before was gone.
    "You've been out for four days," Randor said. "I was worried, but the Guardian said it was all right, and that you needed the rest. She said you should drink this once a day till the next full moon. I thought her spells worked faster, but she's done you less harm than Mimn has."
    Tameron grimaced at the taste of liver as he drank the heavy brown liquid in the cup. At least it took the edge off his hunger. He dressed quickly, with only a little help, while the long sleeves of the tunic hid the scars on his wrists.
    He flexed his arms to test their strength. It didn't hurt to move his hands at all now. He'd have to try a little sword drill soon. He m ust be horribly out of practice. "Thank you, Randor. For everything," he said. "When's breakfast?" Or any meal. Even with the meaty soup the Guardian sent him, his appetite was sharp this morning.
    "As soon as you come downstairs. Don't push yourself too hard, lad. There's no need for it here. Your father did you a favor sending you away this time," Randor said. "Now, let's go. The Guardian herself will eat with us."
    That was a rare privilege. She normally ate and slept in complete privacy, as those were the only times she could remove the hood that concealed her face. It was an old custom, which allowed any Guardian to exercise justice even against mages without involving family connections. He supposed it was a symbol of the tradition that the person who lived before becoming an Anchor for Wizardwall no longer existed.
    Tam was grateful for such great hospitality. As he walked down the stairs, he suddenly felt dizzy and hung on to the rail. Randor supported him and whispered encouragement. "It's hard the first day up. Your color's better than it's been for weeks. Don't worry about it." He nodded. It was his fault anyway that he was still so weak.
    Once at the table, he greeted his aunt and eagerly looked at the plates heaped with food. The Guardian directed the table-servant to fill Tam's platter with roasted meat and stewed greens. He also wanted fried sliced hicki , a common thick root, preferably slathered with butter and salt, and devoured it all before helping himself to apple slices in honey and cream.
    The Lady Sigaldo kept her cowl on, of course, but managed to make her own meal disappear. Tameron appreciated her presence. The little time she didn't have to wear the hood probably meant a lot to her. She was kind to give it up today for his sake.
    She leaned back in the chair and sighed. "Tameron, two gentlemen came here three days ago seeking justice. Do you feel strong enough to listen to their pleas, or do you want to wait?"
    "My father has always said that justice delayed is justice denied," Tam said. "I don't