Dragon's Breath (7 page)

Nine

The flight back to the castle was nothing like our trip to the island. After I told the carpet, "home," it rotated until it faced the right direction and took off at a smooth and steady pace into the darkening sky. Eadric and I were tense at first, waiting for the ride to become bumpy or the carpet to suddenly go limp. When the flight remained uneventful, we both began to relax.

"You didn't ask me if I wanted to go," said Eadric, "but I really want to help you find those things for Grassina. She helped us break the spell and gave me back my life. I owe her, so I'm honor-bound to do whatever it takes to get her and Haywood together again. Anything less would be unworthy of a prince."

"I don't see how—"

"Anyway, I've been thinking about the things we have to find. Grassina said that her friend will help us locate the gossamer hair, and even I've heard of magic beans, so they can't be that hard to get. The feather of an aged horse might be tricky. I've never seen a horse with feathers, so I don't know how we'll handle that one. Your aunt will probably know what to do when she comes home. You were wrong about the dragons, though. It isn't going to be quick and easy, as you seem to think. 'The breath of a dragon green.'" Eadric shook his head. "It's too bad we don't have the vial I lugged around when I was a frog. That dragon's breath had lots of colors in it, and one of them must have been green. You don't suppose we could go find the swamp fairy and ask if we can have it back?"

"Even if we could find that fairy, and even if she agreed to give it back, there's no guarantee that the dragon who breathed into that vial was green. Breath of a dragon green isn't the same as green breath of a dragon. I think we're going to have to find a green dragon and get its breath somehow."

"I've had a few run-ins with dragons," said Eadric, "and they all have nasty tempers. Even when we find one, we can't just ask it to breathe into a vial. I'm going to need a new sword. I lost my old one in the swamp when that witch turned me into a frog. All I've got now is my dagger, and that's not nearly enough if I'm going to face a dragon. I've been thinking about that, too. Killing a dragon isn't so hard, but collecting its breath while it's still alive ..." Eadric tapped his chin. "I suppose I could do it if the beast was asleep."

"Then that's our solution. I'll have a sleeping spell

ready when—"

Eadric scowled. "I thought we'd get a sleeping potion."

"What would you do, toss the dragon meat laced with your potion and hope it eats the meat before it eats your

"I'd sooner do that than depend on your magic!" Eadric said. "For all I know, you'd put
us
to sleep instead of the dragon!"

"I'll have you know that my magic is getting better!"

"Oh, really? You already turned me into an old man with your magic, remember? I'll take my chances with a potion, if you don't mind. I'd rather you didn't come up with any more spells for a while. I think we'd both be better off without them."

"I didn't know you felt that way!"

"I didn't know you could be so stubborn!"

Eadric was right in a way. My magic wasn't very good yet, and it did complicate things. I didn't seem to be having any problems with the spells I read, only the ones I came up with myself. Grassina had told me to keep working on my magic, but maybe I should have just concentrated on learning the established spells. I seemed to have a good memory for spells, even though I'd never been very adept at remembering other things, like the social niceties my mother wanted me to learn.

The rest of the trip was spent in cold, miserable silence. I dozed for a time, coming fully awake as dawn was breaking behind the Purple Mountains. Although shrouded in mist, they were a lovely and welcome sight. Eadric woke when the carpet entered the tower window; the funny popping sound it made when the window widened was loud enough to wake the ghosts in the dungeon. The straps came undone as soon as we landed, slipping off us like an insult off an ogre. It felt good to have solid footing, and I bent and stretched, trying to work the kinks out of my legs and back.

Still refusing to talk to me, Eadric headed straight for the castle kitchen, but I wanted to say hello to Li'l first. I found her in the storage room, hanging from a rafter.

"So, there you are!" she said, sounding delighted to see me. "I heard you come in. Quick, tell me everything that happened."

I did, and I finished with the list of items we needed to transform Haywood. As it was Wednesday morning, we didn't have much time, so we'd have to go see Grassina's friend Coral as soon as we could. "And Grassina said that I should find a gift for the sea witch. Do you have any ideas?"

Li'l tilted her head and looked thoughtful. "I'd be happy to help, but I'm going to need time to think. Why don't you get something to eat before you scare everybody in the castle? Your stomach sounds like a dragon having a bad dream."

As I was leaving Grassina's apartment, I nearly ran into Eadric. He was juggling a tottering platter heaped high with cold roast duck, boiled partridge eggs, thick slices of dark bread and chunks of yellow cheese. "Hey!"

he said. "What's the hurry?"

"I was heading to the kitchen."

He eyed the pile of food. "Good, then get me a couple more—"

Someone must have opened the door at the bottom of the steps, for suddenly the stairwell was flooded with noise. Because of the way the castle was constructed, anyone standing on the stairs could hear even the faintest sounds in the Great Hall when the connecting door was open. It sounded as if a large crowd had gathered and everyone was talking at once. Since one of the more distinctive voices was my mother's, I knew I probably couldn't avoid running into her if I went to the kitchen. I took my time going down the stairs while I thought about what I would say, scarcely noticing Eadric as he continued the list of food he wanted me to bring him.

Reaching the bottom of the steps, I saw that the Great Hall was bustiing with servants, soldiers and courtiers. When I stepped into the room, I spotted my mother speaking with the castle steward. A short distance away, my father stood listening to the captain of the guard, who excused himself when he noticed me approaching.

"Father!" I said, pleased to see him. I would have liked it if he had opened his arms to me for a hug, but that was not his way. Skirting a trio of ladies-in-waiting, I bobbed my head to my mother, then hurried past her to my father's side. His smile was genuine, but the circles under his eyes and the weary stoop to his shoulders concerned me. My father was tall, with broad shoulders and blond hair turning to gray. A strong man, he feared little, so when I saw him looking worried, I worried as well.

"Your mother told me what happened to you," he said. "You must learn to be more careful."

"Of course, Father." I decided to postpone telling him about my latest adventures.

"Where is Grassina?" my mother asked, coming up from behind me. "I have to speak to her right away. Is she still upstairs?" Mother glanced toward the stairwell as if expecting my aunt to come down at any moment.

I shook my head. "She's not here. It was awful! When we asked Grandmother to help us, she refused, then banished Haywood to the wilderness. Grassina's gone to look for him. She said that you shouldn't worry."

Mother looked upset. "Of course I'll worry. Everything has gone wrong since she left. Limelyn, tell Emeralda about the spies."

The creases in my father's brow deepened. "All we learned was that King Beltran had sent them to watch our family."

"Isn't King Beltran Prince Jorge's father?" I asked.

"Yes, unfortunately," said my mother. "I thought that if we made an alliance between our two countries, Beltran would leave us alone. He's coveted our western land for years. Your aunt Grassina's reputation for magic is the only reason he hasn't tried to take it by force."

My father nodded. "After we discovered Beltran's spies, I sent my own to his kingdom. I've just received their report. Jorge learned about your disappearance and thought that you had run away so you wouldn't have to marry him. When you returned with Prince Eadric, Jorge was convinced that he was right and swears that he no longer wants to marry you. Despite his son's wishes, Beltran plans to force the wedding. He's telling everyone that you and Jorge were officially betrothed and that you signed all the documents. I'm to give him half my western lands as your dowry."

"But that's ridiculous!" I exclaimed. "I never signed any documents, and there was no betrothal ceremony! And to demand that you give up land—"

"That's all he really wants. The rest is just an excuse," Mother said through clenched teeth. "I wouldn't let you marry that horrible man's son now for all the dust in East Aridia!"

"Beltran knows that the only way he'd get our land is through force. He's called his men to arms," Father continued. "His spies have told him that Grassina is away, so he may well believe he has the opening he needs."

"This is the worst possible time for her to be running around in the wilderness," said my mother. "Greater Greensward has been at peace for centuries, although that could change if your aunt isn't here to use her magic. War can do horrible things to a kingdom."

I was puzzled. "How could Beltran's spies have told him about Grassina so quickly? She's been gone only a day."

"From the way they escaped, we think that at least one of the spies was a wizard," said my father. "They turned into birds and flew away."

My mother frowned. "That's why we need your aunt back here now. Your father is perfectly capable of dealing with any ordinary army. However, if Beltran has magic at his disposal, we need magic of our own."

"What can I do?"

"There really isn't anything—" Mother started.

"Please, Mother, there must be some way I can help. You've always said that I should take more interest in my duties as a princess."

"Very well, then. See if you can get Grassina home and focused on her work. She can't waste any more time on Haywood when she has a job to do here."

"I'll see what I can do. I already know what she needs to turn Haywood back. Eadric and I are going to collect the items and—"

"Is he still here?" asked my mother. "Doesn't that boy have a home? It's bad enough that he ruined your reputation. Now we can't get rid of him. My steward has been complaining about him, too. It seems your Prince Eadric eats more than three knights."

"He's already been a big help—" I began.

My mother laughed. "I can't imagine how."

"And I'd be able to help Grassina better if Eadric was helping me."

Mother sighed. "I suppose he may stay, but only as long as he's being helpful."

"Has the young man given you any indication regarding his intentions toward you?" asked my father.

"He says he wants to marry me." I really hadn't wanted to tell my parents until I'd made up my mind, but I didn't want to lie about it, either.

"Perhaps it's his sense of chivalry that is making him say that," said my mother. "He must know that he's sullied your good name."

"I don't think that's it at all. I'm sure—"

My mother snorted, making a most unladylike sound. "You can't believe that he offered because he has feelings for you, Emeralda. You're too willful to make a good wife, and you're neither dainty nor delicate, as a princess should be. Heaven knows I've done what I could with you, but even I could only do so much. Since he's made an offer, however, my hard work must have had some effect."

If I didn't do something to stop her, my mother would be making wedding plans before I was even engaged. "I didn't accept his offer," I said.

Mother gasped. "What? I didn't realize that you were this foolish! His offer may be the only one you'll receive!"

"I didn't turn Eadric down; I just didn't say yes. I told

him I'd have to think about it."

My mother's face was turning red. "This is preposterous. You should have jumped at the chance to ..." She caught herself, and a slow smile softened her mouth. "No, wait, perhaps you're wiser than I realized. Sometimes playing hard to get—"

"I wasn't playing hard to get. I just don't know if I want to marry him."

"And that's exactly why you need your father and me, young lady," said my mother. "Without our guidance, you'd end up a pitiful old spinster like your aunt Grassina, and we would end up giving the country to relatives we don't even like."

I bit back the angry reply that burned in my throat. My aunt was far from pitiful and was only a few years older than my mother. Trying to look meeker than I felt, I thanked my parents for their advice and hurried to the kitchen, collected a hunk of bread and some cheese and left through the back door.

Eadric was still eating when I reached Grassina's rooms. He smiled at me, and I could tell that having food in his stomach had put him in a better mood, although he seemed a bit disappointed that I hadn't brought him more. While he nibbled a piece of duck, I told him about King Beltran and how he wanted to force me to marry Jorge.

Eadric's eyebrows shot up. "That's terrible!" he said. "He can't do that. You're going to marry me!"