Chapter 20 Prepare the Boy
~ DONAVYN ~
Now that we were under readiness mandate, I was required to report to the king daily. After visiting the Eeyrie with Bren, she returned to training, while I hurried to the castle where Alexi received me in his personal office.
He hunched at his desk, dressed in the full finery of a court audience, reviewing papers. He looked up as the guards ushered me in, but waved them off and returned to the papers. I was relieved to find him alone.
“Report quickly, Donavyn. Progress. I need progress.”
“Yes, Sire. The best news is that our Furymaster believes we have a potential Speaker among the stableboys. A young man he’d intended to bring into his sphere in a year or two, when he’d grown.
But under the circumstances, he’s suggested we take the boy with us.
If you approve, they’ll give him the broad strokes, test him a little over the next few days, and he’ll come with us—utterly unaware of the political conflicts brewing.
He’ll believe he’s merely being sent as a test for his future role.
“We’ll use him to speak with the unbonded dragons in the herd. Which will establish the credibility of our mission, but also offer insight into the Fyrehold ranks. It’s both a practical solution to tempting dragons to join us, and a useful tool in the event of conflicts.”
The king looked up from his papers, brows high. “A boy? Who can speak to the dragons? But I thought any riders could do so?”
“We can all speak with our bonded dragons. And yes, the dragonfuries will link with anyone in the event of emergency. But there are some people with a gift—like Barak, our Furymaster. He believes Benji possesses the gift also, and Kgosi affirms him. He’s still a child—fifteen, though he looks twelve.
But if our dragons have accepted him already, I believe he’d be an asset in the field with strange dragons. ”
“Fifteen? And he shows this aptitude already? Fascinating. Are you certain he won’t be a Furyknight?”
“He may well be Chosen at some point—but that won’t stop him working with the herd.”
“And you think he has the fortitude for this kind of mission?”
I smirked, remembering Benji’s question on the day Bren was Chosen.
“The boy speaks boldly, and asks the questions everyone is thinking. I think he could be useful to us—and perhaps more importantly, this is an opportunity to hone him. I believe he’ll be an asset. And he won’t know enough to betray us.”
To my surprise, Alexi dropped his papers to the desk and sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin. “An incredible time in a young man’s life, when he goes about his humble business only to be plucked from among the numbers for a truly great purpose.”
“Indeed.” His words weren’t wrong, but it was unlike him to be so curious about others—particularly an unproven young man. Though I remembered he’d shown similar interest in Ruin, and a few others. Individuals who’d shown courage and aptitude young.
I wondered if the royal’s childless state—a fact neither of them spoke about—spurred this curiosity.
“If you think the boy has the gumption, move ahead. And if he’s to represent our Kingdom, take him to Dorn, my Master of the House.
The royal servants can give him some training.
If he’s that young, and working with the herds, some roughness at the edges will be forgiven, but he should understand basic etiquette if he’s to be received in the Palace. ”
“Thank you, Sire. That’s very generous.”
Alexi waved me off, humphing and turning back to his papers. “I’ll speak with Dorn and make certain he assesses the boy. I want nothing in the way of this, Donavyn. When do you fly?”
I tried to keep my expression indifferent.
“The mission has my entire focus. We will fly the moment we’re ready.
But if you truly want no barriers, we have to handle this as we would any political journey.
I’ve arranged for Barak to send herd assessment.
The Fyrehold Furymaster would find it strange if we arrived to negotiate dragonfuries without sending them ahead. ”
Alexi frowned. “Then, why didn’t we send them earlier?” he growled.
“Until we had a confirmed agreement to trade, I didn’t want to raise suspicions—and with everything that’s been happening with Draeventhall, I didn’t want the Fyrehold Furyknights to grow suspicious that we were attempting to infiltrate.
They’re on their way now, and it’s far better this way.
We can’t have more than a handful of Furyknights across their borders at a time, and only two battle dragons.
If we’d needed to fly urgently, we couldn’t have afforded to wait for them to return.
Now, we know where we stand. Trust me, Sire.
I’m doing everything I can to give this mission credibility. ”
I didn’t mention that I’d also dragged my feet, hoping we wouldn’t need to enter Fyrehold at all.
Alexi sighed. “Very well. But get it done! I want boots on the ground. I want the girl in their court. And I want everyone’s eyes on the dragons!”
“That’s precisely what I’m working to achieve.”
Alexi stared at me a moment, then turned away, shaking his head. “Do you know, Donavyn, that there are times I envy you?”
I stifled a jerk. “I… what?”
“You’re a man of action,” Alexi growled, pushing to his feet and walking to the window that looked out over the courtyard below.
“So much of my life these days is stuck within these walls, maneuvering those who will take the steps on my behalf. I consider what’s to come, and find myself envious of you, and the boy—his life is about to change.
I may be the man who opens the horizon for him.
But you’re the one whose footsteps he’ll follow.
There are days I wonder…” he trailed off, then shook his head and turned back to the room.
I was stunned. Alexi wasn’t a sentimental man. If anything, he could be callous.
“Well, Sire, I would say that I’m humbled by your regard, but truly, action is dirty, and bloody, and tiring. It is a gift to be on dragonback, I don’t deny it. Yet, the job can be a curse as well. I think your valuable mind is best protected here—”
“Oh, don’t give me the bullshit, man,” he growled, returning to his seat, flipping his coattails back behind him as he sat.
“I’m not suggesting that I fly with you.
I’m merely acknowledging that life has become constrained.
I wish I could speak with dragons, or fly on their backs.
Sometimes, I yearn to return to my youth and all the promise it held. ”
“I would say you’ve achieved much of that promise, Sire. Perhaps more?”
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry, Donavyn, I’m only musing. I don’t need you to soothe my aging restlessness. Go. Prepare the boy. Prepare the girl. Prepare the mission. I want you on the move!”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I bowed quickly, then turned for the door, grateful that he hadn’t questioned my choice to wait until now for the herd assessment, and eager to get out of there before the queen appeared.
And besides, I did have a mission to prepare. Albeit, reluctantly.
So, I hurried from the room and out of the palace, back to the dragon Keep.
An hour later, I stood in the dim light of the aisle outside Kgosi’s stable, Benji staring at me, wide-eyed.
“Truly, Sir?”
“Truly, Benji. The Furymaster says the dragons have mentioned you. That’s a great honor.”
“I know!” he breathed, his weedy fists clenched at his sides, even as his chest swelled. “I spoke to Kgosi once and—”
I was so stunned, I looked up, over the boy’s shoulder and into my dragon’s stable.
‘You spoke to him? And didn’t tell me?’ I sent to Kgosi.
Kgosi, who rested in the straw, fluttered his wings and pinned me with a gaze. ‘Clearly, an oversight,’ he drawled in the bond. ‘Do you also wish for me to report on my bowel movements?’
I glared at him. ‘Linking with another human being is of far greater note than your scat schedule. Don’t pretend—’
‘The boy was practicing, and didn’t truly believe I’d hear him. He almost wet himself when I responded. It was quite amusing.’
‘Keg… why didn’t you tell me you’d spoken to him?’
Tendrils of smoke and vapor curled from my dragon’s nostrils.
‘Because, at the time, you were rather consumed with your mate. But if, in the future, you’d like me to interrupt your evening reunions to report that I chided a child for his presumption, but also bolstered his courage, I would be happy to do so. ’
“…didn’t think they could all hear me. Is that what this means? Can I talk to all of them now?”
I’d forgotten the boy was still speaking, and had to quickly focus. “You can, of course, speak with any dragon who willingly receives you. But it’s important you approach them with respect and humility,” I warned him. “If they’re reluctant, don’t push.”
Benji nodded quickly, but I could see the eagerness quivering in him.
“If you’re willing to leave the Keep with us—it may be a trying time, and you’ll miss your home—you will be given an opportunity to work with the dragons in a much deeper way.
But, if you handle yourself with discipline and patience, this will end in promotion for you.
If you do well in the field with us, and work as you’re instructed, when we return, you’ll no longer be a stablehand. ”
His eyes went round. “Do I… can I get a dragon of my own?” he whispered.
“That’s entirely up to them,” I said honestly.
“But whether you’re Chosen or not, serving your King and our herd in this way will offer you a new life.
And a very satisfying one. But there is no room for pride, or childish outbursts.
If you join us, you join us as a young man.
Any sign of petulance or arrogance, and I will send you back to Vosgaarde on foot. Do you understand?”
Benji raised his chin and rolled his shoulders back. For a moment I thought he’d mimic the Furyknights and salute. “Yes sir!”
I stifled a smile. “Very well. Report to the Furymaster as soon as you can locate him—the dragons should help you. And when he’s given you his assignment, tell him that the king ordered for you to report to the palace Master of the House.”
“I… what?!”
I nodded solemnly. “The king believes it would benefit us if you were trained in the basic etiquette of a noble house, in case you’re asked into the Fyrehold castle.
The Master and his assistants will teach you.
Those lessons will be far less exciting than those with the dragons, but a grown man would treat them with precisely the same commitment, do you understand? ”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“Good. Then go. Barak awaits you.”
The joy and delight that broke on the boy’s face actually lifted my heart. I couldn’t help but smile and clap him on the back as he turned and sprinted down the aisle.
God go with you, Son, I thought, then sent up a prayer for protection on him. Pleading with God that we were successful in this mission. And that he was able to walk through it without ever learning of the political currents that could suck him under at any step.
Let him come back here whole, and strong, and with a new purpose. Please…