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“They used it as a toilet pit,” Halaflora said. “Just a little water and scrubbing. Hardly worth mentioning.”
“Are you well, dear?” he asked his mate.
“Better than ever, my lord. You know, I think all this stimulation agrees with me. I almost feel as though I could fly, if I found a high enough ledge and caught a good updraft.”
“Let’s put the Uphold back in order before dropping you off any cliffs, shall we?” he said.
“How were things with Tyr SiDrakkon?”
“War always seems to put him in better spirits. He sent three dragons with me and promised more, and a grand commander of the Drakwatch.”
“Grand commander? I didn’t know there were as many in the Drakwatch as that anymore. So few of the drakes from the better families volunteer. You must tell me all the news of my sisters and brother.”
“Let’s save politics and family news until I’ve eaten.”
“I’ve been saving a fat calf the kern king offered just for you. Would you care for the liver, Nilrasha?”
The Firemaid yawned. “Very kind of you, lady. Yes, I could do with some dinner.”
“Fourfang,” the Copper said, “see about feeding the dragons who came with me. Where’s Rhea? I’m caked with grit.”
“Wonderful news, my lord. She and that clever man of yours are mated! She’s going to issue, or whatever they call it!”
“Whelp?” Nilrasha asked.
“I think it’s give birth,” the Copper said. “All the more reason for a dinner. We should send her some stewed brains and the tongue. I’ve heard that’s good for brooding.”
“Oh, I’m saving those for me, my love.”
“You don’t think—”
“We may have hatchlings. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“That could be dangerous for you. Your mother told me—”
“Oh, forget my mother. She’s always looking at the dark side of things. I’ll wager she’s back in the Lavadome now, foretelling a loss in the war against these riders and lamenting the weaknesses of dragons these days. Our cause is just, so we are sure to triumph, are we not, my lord?”
Perhaps that is why Tighlia mated us, the Copper thought. We both have what she called the simpleton’s faith.
Dinner passed in a more jovial mood than the Copper would have expected with destruction all around. Thanks to the guard overhead and outside, they ventured to the upper level and ate upon the feasting floor. Nilrasha made jokes, and Halaflora ate with unusual enthusiasm.
Or perhaps her expectations were forcing her appetite.
“A griffaran comes!” the watchdragon aloft outside bellowed. “He makes the signal-wing of bearing important news for the Upholder, from the Tyr himself.”
“A message? But you just got here,” Halaflora said. “Whatever could it mean?”
“I’d better see to that,” the Copper said, rising and taking the exit that would bring him to the stairs.
The griffaran alighted on one of the globes-atop-squares flanking the long staircase down the mountainside.
“Yark! Upholder RuGaard?”
“Yes,” the Copper said. Fourfang trotted up with a torch.
“Written message. Sent yesterday.” The bird detached a tube from some sort of hook in its tail feathers and passed it to him.
“You must have flown straight here without a break. Have you eaten? Fourfang, go down to the pool and see if there are any fish there.”
