The Return of the Dragonhawk

Chapter 18 -- The Staff and the Crown

"The honour of the Azure Dragon must be preserved! Else, we are nothing." Duidd Faraight's sharp-edged voice echoed in the castle corridor like metal scraping over rocks. Rhoz lingered outside the door of the council chamber, steeling herself for the ordeal to come. Once the High Duidd had begun one of his prophetic rants, there was no telling how long he would continue. This meeting of the Great Chapter could drag out until sunset or later.

Ghugo Faraight, High Duidd of Dys, was the last survivor of the ancient fellowship of celibate spiritual leaders who had once dominated Dys with their magical prowess and political acumen. At the time of Muktar's annexation of Dys, only a handful remained. They all perished except Ghugo Faraight, who took refuge in a cave at the highest point of the Amethyst Mountains, taking with him the cult's most sacred scripture: the Great Saga of the Azure Dragon. When Alyx re-occupied Draklunys, the Duidd Faraight descended from his aerie with his dramatically coiffed mane transmuted from raven black to prophetic silver, claiming to have spoken directly with the Azure Dragon. Many supposed him mad, but none dared oppose him directly, in case even a trace of the ancient power remained. When Duidd Faraight intoned his daily office in full regalia, he looked every inch of the mystic seer he claimed to be. Alyx remained unimpressed, but declined to contest the self-styled High Duidd's claims, allowing him to come and go wherever he wished.

Rhoz had learned to expect no quarter from the duidd, who burned with vengeful hatred for anyone even remotely associated with Akynadar. Rhoz' presence at the Great Chapter table offended him beyond endurance, and he was not shy about making his views known.

Two days before, Rhoz had pleaded fatigue and illness and taken refuge in her darkened chamber, refusing to see anyone, wishing that she could disappear from the face of the earth. This day's dawn had found her more bleak and hopeless than ever, and she prayed that her tears would not betray her. She had not seen Alyx face to face since her disastrous birthday celebration. Alyn had invaded her seclusion twice, but their conversations had been strained, with closed mind and heart. No matter what it cost her breaking heart, Rhoz was determined never to speak, or even think, her secret longings in Alyn's presence. Nothing, not even true love, must be allowed to hinder a union which promised to strengthen the wounded alliance between Dys and Peregret. The Great Council's summons to Helion was providential, providing Rhoz with the pretext she needed to remove herself from a situation that had become intolerable.

The conversation of the council died abruptly when Rhoz pushed the door open. She proceeded toward her place beside Alyx with as much pretense of confident dignity as she could muster. Lord Amech, the Vacina Calchis, and Alyn were already seated around the great round table emblazoned with the Azure Dragon Rampant, the official emblem of Dys. The Vacina Calchis' translator stood behind her, poised to interpret the proceedings. The High Duidd had abandoned his seat and  was pacing back and forth, tapping his staff heavily on the floor at every step. Alyx and a half dozen of his most trusted advisors sat facing the diplomatic delegation, flanked by two scribes to record the deliberations and draw up any contracts required.

Duidd Faraight glared at Rhoz as he always did, but today his face was a bloated thundercloud primed to split earth and heaven with bolts of fire.

"You must leave us, Mistress Rhoz," he declared before she had a chance to seat herself. "These are heavy matters of state, and you share the bloodline of our most deadly foe."

Rhoz countered his glare with a show of cool indifference. "My bloodline is of no consequence, great duidd. I am with Dys now."

The High Duidd's great mane shook from side to side, revealing a fleeting glimpse of dark roots. "No, you are not. You are a spy, conniving to bring Dys back under the heel of the house of Muktar."