Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 23

      "No I plan on keeping the plains from erupting into tribe wars again," I retort. "Your sister is helping me so it shouldn't take too much longer."

     "I'll go meet with my councilors, there plans are a lot less intimidating," Evergreen teases.

     "I'm sure they are throwing the prettiest of women at you, in hopes one will catch your eye," I retort wickedly.

     "I find many of them nice to look at, it is just they are lacking in some areas," Evergreen baits me.

     "You mean they aren't the best at intellectual conversations or the best weapons to use in close combat verses free range, or hunting," I say returning the baiting.

     "You wouldn't happen to want to meet them?" he teases.

     "Oh sure that sounds like a delightful way to spend my morning," I say sarcastically.

     "Oh good I thought you'd say no," Evergreen says mischievously and then plops me into the chair-cart contraption. He arranges a blanket across my legs to hide my breeches and then begins to wheel me down to the study.

     "Wait I'd like food before I am to be tortured," I protest only to hear Rose laughing.

    "There will be plenty of food in there for you to eat and keep your strength," she says taking over my chair and steering me through the doors that Evergreen is graciously holding open so that the chair-cart may pass through. I notice that the conversations cease upon our entrance. I put on my most gracious smile and look at these obviously dragon born women. The bravest rises from her chair and offers me a curtsey.

     "Thank you for restoring power to the rightful King," she says gravely.

     "It was a pleasure to fight beside the Princess," I say just to see the reactions I get. Many of the women visibly pale. A few look like they might faint from the thought alone of a woman fighting.

     "She teases," Evergreen says saving them from further embarrassment. "She simply means that it was a pleasure to guard my sister during the fight." That statement seems to ease some fear that spread through the room unseen. I am parked next to the chair that Rose has decided to occupy. Evergreen seems to have decided to use me and the chair I am in like a shield keeping the women a good distance from him.

     "What is it like growing up on the plains?" a brunette asks.

     "It is a life or death struggle everyday," I retort.

     "What do you mean?" she asks innocently.

     "If the herds are bad, we can't trade and many starve. If there is drought throughout the year many starve. If we have a good year we have to be extra cautious for savage raiders of other tribes looking to steal. If we get into a fight people die. I guess growing up the way I did gets you used to death at a young age." I watch the stupid brunette rush off to a different room. I think she might actually be sick from the thought and my smile widens. Evergreen moves slightly and I look up at him just in time to see him hide his smile as the councilors enter the room. Empty conversations start as the different councilors work to get their favorite women near Evergreen. Rose catches my eyes and rolls her eyes at this obvious stupidity. A particularly annoying councilor attempts conversation with me.