King's Dragon: Book 2 Teaser Preview

Chapter 1, Part 3: Conversation and Contemplation

Part 3

The commandant’s residence stood on a bluff overlooking the shore of the Circular Sea west of the campus. On its opposite side, the academy’s sprawling training grounds stretched away in ordered, green geometry. Unlike the brick and stone architecture of the campus, the residence was a homey cottage of dressed logs stained dark with pitch and years. An Academy steward answered the door and showed Dax in.

Inside, the residence was more welcoming than the last time he had visited. A container of spring flowers sat on the entry table, and the furniture had been rearranged. Treyhorn must be spending more time at the academy these days. She and Renshau had a casual, on-and-off relationship which seemed to satisfy them both.

Treyhorn met him at the entry to the great room, and welcomed him with a hug. She was a rangy woman hardened by her years outdoors, but she had a maternal side as well. He hugged her back with a smile. As far as Dax knew, she was his closest living relative, and she gave him the unquestioned acceptance of family. He took a deep breath and relaxed another notch. With both Renshau and Treyhorn present, Dax did feel at home.

They ate in a comfortably informal room with windows overlooking the water. Over supper they exchanged news, gossip, and rumors of the academy, the kingdom, and the world at large. Once the food was gone, Renshau stood up. “All right, drinks on the deck. The sun will be setting soon.”

He opened a cabinet near the doorway leading to the outside and took out a bottle two-thirds full of brown liquid. Holding it to the light, he examined it. “Thrice malted grains roasted brown. Brewed, then aged twenty-five years. I save this for special occasions with other dragon-bound.”

“And for no more than dragon-bound can drink, it would be a cheap treat at twice the price.” Treyhorn observed archly.

Renshau smiled at Dax and winked. “Ah, but if you can only drink a little, why waste it on anything but the best?” He poured a small amount into three glasses and handed them around. The rich, redolent aroma made Dax’s mouth water, and he followed Renshau out onto the platform. The deck had a commanding view of the water. Off to the right the sun hung just above the ring of mountains surrounding the large, inland sea. They each picked one of the large chairs and dragged it around to give them a view to the west. Just above the horizon ragged with the tops of craggy bluffs, a puffy cloud tinted pinkish orange at its edges divided the sun’s light into three large crepuscular rays that boldly lanced into the darkening sky. The air was still warm enough to be comfortable, but puffs of cooler air off the sea held a reminder that it was not yet summer.

Reclining on the seat, Dax swirled his drink and inhaled again to savor the aroma. He decided this was the time to tell them his decision. However, before he could say anything, Renshau spoke up. “You really should be doing something more productive than chasing cattle rustling Mencadi around the countryside.”

For a moment Dax was defensive. He had been going to say he wanted a more substantial assignment, but now it felt like Renshau had implied he had been avoiding useful work. He started to speak up, but Renshau gestured for him to wait. “You’ve had more than enough experience, but lately there hasn’t been anything of real importance.” The older man smiled. “Now, however, I think there’s something coming along that may interest you.”

Dax shook his head. “I’m not really interested in getting involved in the Vonander civil war. I don’t really want another command.”

“Well of course you don’t,” Renshau replied. “I’m not talking about leading troops into battle, but something much bloodier.” He smiled broadly. “Politics.”

Surprised, Dax looked at the man. “Politics?”

Renshau nodded. “You have more than enough qualifications to take a position as a political advisor. That last special seminar you led for graduate officers on Command Implications of Supervisory Organizational Structures showed a fine understanding of the business.” He paused to take a small sip of his drink. “Besides,” he winked, “you might say, it’s in your blood.”