Page 151 of Dragon Outcast (Age of Fire 3)

“Do you like kern?”

“Not much. It fills one up, I suppose.”

“That’s how I feel as well. There are two varieties, yellow and orange, as you’ve probably seen when it’s mashed. The orange variety is rarer. But there’s something in kern—it keeps dragons who live long underground healthy. Without kern, scale doesn’t grow right, the teeth loosen, eyesight fades. Why, I’ve even seen an old darkwhittled dragon or two missing claws and teeth. These days it’s often overlooked, because we either eat it directly as mash or get it through livestock, but in my own grandsire’s generation darkwhittle was a very plague.”

“I’ll be sure to pay more attention to my ration,” the Copper said.

“And it’s quite cleansing. I think half SiDrakkon’s problem is that he doesn’t eat his unless it’s in a chicken’s stomach, and he’s always blocked up. So the pressure builds and he explodes out the other end.”

“I know it’s a long road to Anaea. Will I have a guide?”

“Yes, the Drakwatch is in charge of patrolling the road, and there are Firemaidens at a couple of key points as well. We’ll get you a guide.”

“What am I to do there? I hope the supply isn’t threatened.”

“Oh, no, no, nothing like that. It’s just that old FeLissarath and his mate deserve more help than they get, and I’d like to relieve some of their burdens. They’ve done their bit. Responsibility wears after a while. And they are cut off from society at the end of that long, dark road. They deserve to start taking an honored place in society here if they wish.”

The Copper bowed. “I’ll do my best, Tyr. Nothing shall threaten the supply of kern.”

“Then my mind shall be at ease. Let me tell you one more thing, Rugaard. I just said this to Nivom, by the way, so I apologize if it sounds practiced. The great dragons…well, they’re fine warriors and all that, but it’s the dragon that can handle the problems of peace that keeps an empire going. The greatest warrior fights least and all that. Do you understand?”

“I’m not sure that I do.”

“You will. In time. Now, no hurry about your departure. You have a good rest. Another mouthful of silver and gold before you leave this room, as well. Can’t be too careful where your scale is concerned. If you have any needs for thralls or anything, just see NoSohoth; he’ll attend to it.”

“Thank you, Tyr.”

“Oh, one other question. About the fighting in Bant. How much did you see of it?”

“I was there for the attack on the tower under construction. I missed much of the first attack on the city on the Black River, but I was there for the rest of it.”

“You know, it’s odd. SiDrakkon was in the thick of battle, from his reports—battle that cost the lives of four dragons. Yet there’s not a scar on him. Three engagements with heavy fighting would leave most dragons’ wings in tatters, yet he’s hardly holed. Did he lead his dragons against the Ghi men the whole time?”

The Copper wondered just how he could shade the truth. “He struck fast and hard. His attack on the first tower was brilliant. I saw him personally burn war machines on the first attempt to take the fortress. Even though we were thrown back, the campaign ended successfully. He deserves his share of the glory.”

“I don’t like dragons taking credit for the courage of others, you know. Don’t like it at all. Anything to add? Just between the two of us. If you’re worried about my mate, I don’t tell her everything, you know.” He winked.

“No, Tyr, nothing to add.”

“I won’t press you. Visit anytime, officially or unofficially. I enjoy the presence of virtuous young drakes. We need more of your sort.”

The Copper left and saw NoSohoth in the outer room, organizing the visitors to the Tyr.

As he descended into the rock, he became lost in his thoughts. He should pay a visit to the Anklenes and learn about the conditions on the road to Anaea. Find out what he could about the kern trade. He had a vague idea that it came in on pack animals. It wouldn’t hurt to ask a little of the history of Anaea as well—he wondered how somewhere so far away even became an Uphold.

Fourfang was waiting at the outer entrance to his cave. The blighter almost danced with anxiety.

“Bad! Bad news! Drakwatch came, took Rhea! Took Rhea to SiDrakkon, your honor. I think he eat her!”

Chapter 19

The Copper had been to the outer chambers of SiDrakkon’s cave only a few times to deliver routine messages concerning the younger Drakwatch trainees. He occupied one of the highest levels, practically a whole sublevel of his own, on the well-watered eastern spur of the Imperial Resort.

SiDrakkon’s doorwarden thrall, a rather fleshy human with a shaved skull, begged him to wait and disappeared inside.

SiDrakkon’s mate, an almost gruesomely thin dame with tired golden eyes, greeted him. “I cry welcome. You’ll find my mate in his wet grotto. He’s in one of his moods.” The Copper had no idea what her name was, so he simply bowed.

“I’d be grateful to be shown where that is, honored dame.”

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