Love And War by Various Read Free Book Online Page A

him.
     There was nothing for Kyra here. He lifted her onto his back and then gently took wing.
    Tosch watched a female brass dragon sailing in small, lazy circles overhead. Without
     thinking, he turned his good profile in her direction.
    “I don't think I ever told you, but I do like Palanthas,” Kyra announced from her seat on
     a nearby tree stump.
    Tosch nodded absently, glancing down at the blue, yellow, and orange clothes Kyra was
     sewing together for him. “When will my new cape be finished?” he asked.
    “I told you it would take six months,” she said. “It's only been four.”
    “You know only humans count time,” he replied with a shrug of his gigantic shoulders. “Has
     it really been four months?”
    “I can't quite believe it, either,” she said in an aching, hollow voice.
    “Ah, you seem so ... lonely, Kyra. Perhaps you should marry again.”
    “No!” she said emphatically. A moment later, a sad smile washed over her face. “I know you
     mean well,” she said, “but I could never love another man after Seron. We were best
     friends as well as lovers. We finished each other's thoughts, laughed at each other's
     jokes.” She closed her eyes. “I can't sleep without him. I reach for him at night,” she
     softly admitted, and then rubbed her eyes open. “I saw you preening for that female up
     there,” she gestured with a wan smile on her face, “and my first thought was that I wanted
     to tell Seron that you hadn't changed a bit.”
    “Please don't point,” he said, embarrassed. “She'll know that we're talking about her.”
    Kyra lowered her hand. “Sorry,” she said. “Apology accepted,” he said indulgently. She
     reached out and stroked his head the way she used to back in the old days. He smiled.
    Kyra had spent all her waking hours - and many of her sleeping hours, as well - reliving
     her life with Seron. Over and over again, every conversation, every hug, every night of
     passion played in her mind. She remembered he had always wanted her to do something more
     with her life. He had said she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to. The only
     thing she had set her mind to, though, was loving him. Shouldn't that have been enough?
    He had tried so hard for her. He never brought home a pocketful of money, but he always
     brought home kindness, laughter, and a sweetness of spirit. If he had wanted her to
     accomplish more with her life, why couldn't she try to do that for him now?
    She laughed at herself. He would have said, 'Don't do it for ME, do it for YOU!"
    Was it too late now to do it for either of them?
    She glanced down at her hands. Tentatively, she allowed herself to ask the question, If I
     can do anything I set my mind to, what should I do?
    Her mind was blank.
    “So, what do you think of the way I'm wearing my scales?” asked Tosch, interrupting her
     reverie.
    “What?”
    “My scales ... on my back,” said the dragon, turning to give her a better look. “I've
     forced the edges up just a bit. Pretty stylish, huh?”
    “It looks very modem. You might start a trend.” “You think so?” “If anyone can,” she
     laughed, “it's you.” “Well, the only way I can start a trend is if I am seen by everyone,“ Tosch said thoughtfully. ”So I guess I'd better be on my way.”
    He flapped his wings and slowly rose off the ground. “I'll be back soon to pick up my new
     cape. Bye, now.”
    She went back to the only trade she knew - serving ale. She worked long hours at a new
     tavern where the owner favoured her and the customers appreciated her diligence. But the
     years of hard work and scraping by had taken a toll on her. Now, the younger barmaids had
     to fend off the pinches and the propositions, and only the regulars took notice of the
     pale, disheveled Kyra. She did not care - she did not care about much.
    Six years passed before Tosch returned. Kyra understood that to a brass dragon, six years
     was hardly more