The Dragon of Despair (109 page)

Later that evening, Derian discovered just how successfully he could communicate even with his limited New Kelvinese, for the spice vendor had only a few words of Pellish, but a considerable amount she wanted him to learn.

Derian couldn’t say he was sorry to leave Dragon’s Breath when the time came. Indeed, he was eager to tell his family more than he could ever remember to put into letters. Still, it was hard to leave Citrine and Peace behind—even though he was assured that he would see them both again. The spice vendor hinted that she might visit Eagle’s Nest someday, and made him promise to call on her if he came back to Dragon’s Breath.

With an escort provided by the Healed One and captained by Brotius—though Derian wasn’t certain whether this was a reward or a punishment for the man whose sense of duty had given them so much trouble—their small party made good time. Grateful Peace had taken charge of their budding business, saying that it really wouldn’t be a bad idea for House Kestrel and House Archer to set up trade—and that now he was no longer in government, he needed a new venture.

They reached the Gateway to Enchantment and, leaving Brotius and his guard company behind, crossed into Stilled. There the innkeeper at the Long Tail Winding had heard rumors and wanted facts. They provided them willingly, having decided that secrecy would serve no one, themselves least of all.

On a stretch of road between Stilled and the Kestrel estate, Firekeeper suddenly spoke, raising her voice so that everyone could hear her clearly.

“Here we leave you,” she said, taking a small pack down from one of the mules.

“Leave?” Derian said.

“I say, leave?” Edlin echoed.

“I’m going home,” Firekeeper said. “Too much has happened. I want to see my pack—my parents. I want to learn if they think I have been right in what I did.”

Her posture left no room for argument, but Elise tried.

“You know you did, Firekeeper. Come back with us, share the celebration.”

Firekeeper shook her head.

“You eat my share. I…we…want to go home. The weather will be kind for a time. The deer fat. There is a litter of pups that will hardly know us.”

She paused and Derian thought of the other things she would want to see: the gatehouse going up at the gap through the Iron Mountains, proof that New Bardenville was indeed gone. It was one thing to be told, another to see. And she would want to tell her parents, those impossible wolves he still hardly believed in, about everything she had been through.

“And I think,” Firekeeper added, almost as if she had been reading his thoughts, “that I want to ask the Ones about dragons.”

His voice sounding rusty even to his own ears, Derian said, “Tell Elation hello for me.”

Firekeeper smiled.

“I will, and I think that if life stays with me I will come see you all again.”

She held up one foot, showing Derian that she still wore boots—a necessity, for the skin had not yet toughened after the obsidian cuts had healed.

“I have learned many good things.”

With the same rambunctious spirit that she had heretofore reserved for her romps with Blind Seer, Firekeeper gave everyone hugs and planted enthusiastic kisses on both Derian’s and Edlin’s cheeks.

Blind Seer wagged his entire body with such energy that Derian knew without translation that the wolf, too, was saying good-bye and wishing them all the best.

Then wolf and woman ran ahead down the road a short distance, before darting into the forest. Even the sound of their feet vanished after a few paces, but a high clear howl, two voices raised as one, called back a final farewell.

Glossary of Characters
¹

Agneta Norwood:
(Lady, H.H.) daughter of Norvin Norwood and Luella Stanbrook; sister of Edlin, Tait, and Lillis Norwood; adopted sister of Blysse Norwood (Firekeeper).

Aksel Trueheart:
(Lord, H.H.) scholar of Hawk Haven; spouse of Zorana Archer; father of Purcel, Nydia, Deste, and Kenre Trueheart.
²

Alben Eagle:
(H.H.) son of Princess Marras and Lorimer Stanbrook. In keeping with principles of Zorana I, he was given no title, as he died in infancy.

Alin Brave:
(H.H.) husband of Grace Trueheart; father of Baxter Trueheart.

Allister I:
(King, B.B.) called King Allister of the Pledge, sometimes the Pledge Child; formerly Allister Seagleam. Son of Tavis Seagleam (B.B.) and Caryl Eagle (H.H.); spouse of Pearl Oyster; father of Shad, Tavis, Anemone, and Minnow.

Alt Rosen:
(Opulence, Waterland) ambassador to Bright Bay.

Amery Pelican:
(King, B.B.) spouse of Gustin II; father of Basil, Seastar, and Tavis Seagleam. Deceased.

Anemone:
(Princess, B.B.) formerly Anemone Oyster. Daughter of Allister I and Pearl Oyster; sister of Shad and Tavis; twin of Minnow.

Apheros:
(Dragon Speaker, N.K.) long-time elected official of New Kelvin, effectively head of government.

Aurella Wellward:
(Lady, H.H.) confidant of Queen Elexa; spouse of Ivon Archer; mother of Elise Archer.

Barden Eagle:
(Prince, H.H.) third son of Tedric I and Elexa Wellward. Disowned. Spouse of Eirene Norwood; father of Blysse Eagle. Presumed deceased.

Basil Seagleam:
see Gustin III.

Baxter Trueheart:
(Earl, H.H.) infant son of Grace Trueheart and Alin Brave. Technically not a title holder until he has safely survived his first two years.

Bee Biter:
Royal Kestrel; guide and messenger.

Bevan Seal:
see Calico.

Blind Seer:
Royal Wolf; companion to Firekeeper.

Blysse Eagle:
(Lady, H.H.) daughter of Prince Barden and Eirene Kestrel.

Blysse Norwood:
see Firekeeper.

Bold:
Royal Crow; eastern agent; sometime companion to Firekeeper.

Brina Dolphin:
(Lady or Queen, B.B.) first spouse of Gustin III, divorced as barren.

Brock Carter:
(H.H.) son of Colby and Vernita Carter; brother of Derian and Damita Carter.

Brotius:
(Captain, N.K.) soldier in New Kelvin.

Calico:
(B.B.) proper name, Bevan Seal. Confidential secretary to Allister I. Member of a cadet branch of House Seal.

Caryl Eagle:
(Princess, H.H.) daughter of King Chalmer I; married to Prince Tavis Seagleam; mother of Allister Seagleam. Deceased.

Ceece Dolphin:
(Lady, B.B.) sister to current Duke Dolphin.

Chalmer I:
(King, H.H.) born Chalmer Elkwood; son of Queen Zorana the Great; spouse of Rose Rosewood; father of Marras, Tedric, Caryl, Gadman, and Rosene Eagle. Deceased.

Chalmer Eagle:
(Crown Prince, H.H.) son of Tedric Eagle and Elexa Wellward. Deceased.

Chutia:
(N.K.) Illuminator. Wife of Grateful Peace. Deceased.

Citrine Shield:
(H.H.) daughter of Melina Shield and Rolfston Redbriar; sister of Sapphire, Jet, Opal, and Ruby Shield; aka Rios.

Colby Carter:
(H.H.) livery stable owner and carter; spouse of Vernita Carter; father of Derian, Damita, and Brock Carter.

Columi:
(N.K.) retired Prime of the Sodality of Lapidaries.

Culver Pelican:
(Lord, B.B.): son of Seastar Seagleam; brother of Dillon Pelican. Merchant ship captain.

Daisy:
(H.H.) steward of West Keep, in employ of Earl Kestrel.

Damita Carter:
(H.H.) daughter of Colby and Vernita Carter; sister of Derian and Brock Carter.

Dawn Brooks:
(H.H.) wife of Ewen Brooks, mother of several small children.

Dayle:
(H.H.) steward for the Archer manse in Eagle’s Nest.

Derian Carter:
(H.H.) also called Derian Counselor; assistant to Norvin Norwood; son of Colby and Vernita Carter; brother of Damita and Brock Carter.

Deste Trueheart:
(H.H.) daughter of Aksel Trueheart and Zorana Archer; sister of Purcel, Nydia, and Kenre Trueheart.

Dia Trueheart:
see Nydia Trueheart.

Dillon Pelican:
(Lord, B.B.) son of Seastar Seagleam; brother of Culver Pelican.

Dimiria:
(N.K.) Prime, Sodality of Stargazers.

Dirkin Eastbranch:
(knight, H.H.) King Tedric’s personal bodyguard.

Donal Hunter:
(H.H.) member of Barden Eagle’s expedition; spouse of Sarena; father of Tamara. Deceased.

Edlin Norwood:
(Lord, H.H.) son of Norvin Norwood and Luella Kite; brother of Tait, Lillis, and Agneta Norwood; adopted brother of Blysse Norwood (Firekeeper).

Eirene Norwood:
(Lady, H.H.) spouse of Barden Eagle; mother of Blysse Eagle; sister of Norvin Norwood. Presumed deceased.

Elation:
Royal Falcon, companion to Firekeeper.

Elexa Wellward:
(Queen, H.H.) spouse of Tedric I; mother of Chalmer, Lovella, and Barden Eagle.

Elise Archer:
(Lady, H.H.) daughter of Ivon Archer and Aurella Wellward; heir to Archer Grant.

Evaglayn:
(N.K.) senior apprentice in the Beast Lore sodality.

Evie Cook:
(H.H.) servant in the Carter household.

Ewen Brooks:
(N.K.) spouse of Dawn Brooks, father of several children.

Faelene Lobster:
(Duchess, B.B.) head of House Lobster; sister of Marek, Duke of Half-Moon Island; aunt of King Harwill.

Farand Briarcott:
(Lady, H.H.) assistant to Tedric I, former military commander.

Fess Bones:
a pirate with some medical skills.

Firekeeper:
(Lady, H.H.) feral child raised by wolves, adopted by Norvin Norwood and given the name Blysse Norwood.

Fleet Herald:
a pirate messenger.

Fox Driver:
(H.H.) given name, Orin. Skilled driver in the employ of Waln Endbrook. Deceased.

Gadman Eagle:
(Grand Duke, H.H.) fourth child of King Chalmer and Queen Rose; brother to Marras, Caryl, Tedric, and Rosene; spouse of Riki Redbriar; father of Rolfston and Nydia Redbriar.

Garrik Carpenter:
(H.H.) a skilled woodworker.

Gayl Minter:
See Gayl Seagleam.

Gayl Seagleam:
(Queen, B.B.) spouse of Gustin I; first queen of Bright Bay; mother of Gustin, Merry (later Gustin II), and Lyra. Note: Gayl was the only queen to assume the name “Seagleam.” Later tradition paralleled that of Hawk Haven, where the name of the birth house was retained even after marriage to the monarch. Deceased.

Glynn:
(H.H.) a soldier.

Grace Trueheart:
(Duchess Merlin, H.H.) military commander; spouse of Alin Brave; mother of Baxter Trueheart.

Grateful Peace:
(Dragon’s Eye, N.K.) also, Trausholo. Illuminator; Prime of New Kelvin; member of the Dragon’s Three. A very influential person. Husband to Chutia; brother of Idalia; uncle of Varcasiol, Kistlio, Linatha, and others; aka Jalarios.

Gustin I:
(King, B.B.) born Gustin Sailor, assumed the name Seagleam upon his coronation; first monarch of Bright Bay; spouse of Gayl Minter, later Gayl Seagleam; father of Gustin, Merry, and Lyra Seagleam. Deceased.

Gustin II:
(Queen, B.B.) born Merry Seagleam, assumed the name Gustin upon her coronation; second monarch of Bright Bay; spouse of Amery Pelican; mother of Basil, Seastar, and Tavis Seagleam. Deceased.

Gustin III:
(King, B.B.) born Basil Seagleam, assumed the name Gustin upon his coronation; third monarch of Bright Bay; spouse of Brina Dolphin, later of Viona Seal; father of Valora Seagleam. Deceased.

Gustin IV:
(Queen, B.B.) see Valora I.

Gustin Sailor:
see Gustin I.

Hart:
(H.H.) a young hunter.

Harwill Lobster:
(King, the Isles) spouse of Valora I; during her reign as Gustin IV, also king of Bright Bay. Son of Marek.

Hasamemorri:
(N.K.) a landlady.

Hazel Healer:
(H.H.) apothecary, herbalist, perfumer, resident in the town of Hope.

Heather Baker:
(H.H.) baker in Eagle’s Nest; former sweetheart of Derian Carter.

Holly Gardener:
(H.H.) former Master Gardener for Eagle’s Nest Castle, possessor of the Green Thumb, a talent for the growing of plants. Mother of Timin and Sarena.

Honey Endbrook:
(Isles) mother of Waln Endbrook.

Hya Grimsel:
(General, Stonehold) commander of Stonehold troops.

Idalia:
(N.K.) assistant to Melina. Sister of Grateful Peace; spouse of Pichero; mother of Kistlio, Varcasiol, Linatha, and others.

Indatius:
(N.K.) young member of the Sodality of Artificers.

Ivon Archer:
(Baron, H.H.) master of the Archer Grant; son of Purcel Archer and Rosene Eagle; brother of Zorana Archer; spouse of Aurella Wellward; father of Elise Archer.

Ivory Pelican:
(Lord, B.B.) Keeper of the Keys, an honored post in Bright Bay.

Jalarios:
see Grateful Peace.

Jared Surcliffe:
(knight, H.H.) knight of the Order of the White Eagle; possessor of the healing talent; distant cousin of Norvin Norwood, who serves as his patron. Widower, no children.

Jem:
(B.B.) deserter from Bright Bay’s army.

Jet Shield:
(H.H.) son of Melina Shield and Rolfston Redbriar; brother of Sapphire, Opal, Ruby, and Citrine Shield. Heir apparent to his parents’ properties upon the adoption of his sister Sapphire by Tedric I.

Joy Spinner:
(H.H.) scout in the service of Earle Kite. Deceased.

Kalvinia:
(Prime, N.K.) thaumaturge, Sodality of Sericulturalists.