Thraxas and the Ice Dragon by Martin Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

that she managed to obtain the drug from the mathematician so quickly. Presumably, he wouldn't have been that keen to hand it over, but here she is, digging into his supply already. Arichdamis is talking quite intently to Makri.
    "Yes, I've calculated pi to a value between three and one-seventh, and three and ten seventy-firsts."
    Makri looks excited. "Really? That's so accurate! Can I see your calculations?"
    I leave them to it, and take a seat on the grass beside Lisutaris. I hold out my hand. She hands over a small fragment of thazis.
    "Nice grounds," I mutter. They are extensive, given that the house itself isn't large. They stretch a long way back, ending in a wooded slope that rises into the mountains. Lisutaris grunts, a sound I interpret to mean she doesn't care if the grounds are nice or not. I roll myself a small thazis stick and light it from hers. It's peaceful here in the garden; probably the first time we've been at peace since our city fell. We sit in silence for a long time. A few rays of sunlight penetrate the clouds overhead. It will soon be spring.
    "Plants will start growing," I mutter.
    "Yes," says Lisutaris.
    "And we'll be marching off to war."
    "True."
    "I wonder how many times I've marched off to war?"
    "There's a small dragon walking down the hill," says Lisutaris.
    This seems like an odd reply. "Eh… I'm not much good on symbolism. Does the small dragon represent us or the Orcs?"
    "It doesn't represent anything. There really is a small dragon walking down the hill."
    I glance round, and immediately leap to my feet in alarm. As accurately reported by Lisutaris, a small dragon is ambling down the hill towards us. It's white, about the size of a very large dog, and it has a lot of teeth and talons. It makes straight for Makri and Arichdamis. I shout a warning. Makri catches sight of it and flies into action. She draws her twin swords, sinks into her fighting crouch and gets ready to defend herself. It takes me only a few seconds to reach her and I draw my own sword, ready to fight off the beast.
    The dragon draws near to Makri, rolls on its back, then sort of wriggles towards her and starts licking her ankles. Makri looks down at it suspiciously.
    "What is this vile beast?" she demands. "And why is it licking my ankles?"
    "It's the King's baby ice dragon," says Arichdamis. "I'm looking after it."
    "Why?"
    "It's a scientific project. They've hardly ever been raised in captivity."
    "All right. But what about the ankle licking?"
    "Maybe it thinks you're its mother?" I suggest.
    Makri scowls. "I think I'm going to stab it." She raises her sword.
    "No!" yells Arichdamis. "This dragon is very important to the King! It mustn't be harmed!"
    Although Arichdamis is keen to protect the young dragon, it doesn't actually seem that keen on him. When he puts his hands on its tail, attempting to drag it away from Makri, it turns its head towards him and growls, quite ferociously, before once more returning to Makri's ankles.
    Arichdamis looks puzzled. "I've never seen this behaviour before. Tell me, Makri, have you experience in looking after dragons?"
    "Certainly not."
    "It's odd. He certainly seems to take to you."
    Makri is not looking pleased, and keeps trying to back away from the beast, which, however, doesn't want to let her go.
    "Could you try this?" asks Arichdamis. He reaches down and attempts to stroke the dragon's head. The dragon lets out a fierce roar and bares its teeth. Makri sheathes one of her swords and reaches down. She gives the baby dragon a brief pat on the head. The dragon lets out a noise which, while not exactly pleasant, might be described as purring. Arichdamis looks delighted.
    "This is splendid! You've no idea the trouble we've had keeping him happy. It's been almost impossible to get him to eat. I've been worried he might just die, and I can't tell you how much trouble that would cause me. But now you've come along, everything will be different."
    Not liking the way this conversation is