now it is content?”
Paladin shook his head sadly. He stopped walking and turned her to face him. “It will never be content until it finds the full glory of what Wulder created it to be.” He held up a finger. “Once more the bird sleeps deeply and awakes with colors as beautiful as Beccaroon’s plumage. The bird is light and can soar through the heavens. Its song is sweet, and it feels joy as it vocalizes.”
“Now? Now is the bird happy?”
“What do you think?”
She took time to consider. “Caterpillars do not change into birds.”
“That’s right.”
“So?”
“So the bird takes stock of its life and knows it should not be distressed. But still there is that something inside that dampens its pleasure. Something that says, ‘Not yet.’ ”
“So it has to change again.”
“One more time. And this time, at the end of its season of rest, it emerges as a butterfly.”
“I think I know what you’re telling me.”
He lifted an eyebrow and waited.
“The caterpillar wanted to change. Something inside told it to seek something different.”
Paladin nodded.
“But it kept emerging as the wrong thing. Not necessarily a bad thing, but not the right thing.”
He nodded again.
“And until it became the form that Wulder intended, it didn’t feel … peace?”
“That’s right. And even though it gave up its beautiful voice and flights high in the sky, it was content.” He gently hugged her. “WhenI became the paladin, I knew Wulder was pleased. I am content to be the one who shares His love with people.”
Tipper smiled. “I know what you’ve told me and maybe a bit of what it means. But I think I shall have to do some thinking before I know
why
you told me of this misguided caterpillar.”
“Don’t forget to bring Wulder into your musing. The life cycle of His caterpillar is only a symbol of what He wants for you.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll see you and Rayn in the morning.”
He released her and walked away. She stood for a moment, stroking the tiny dragon with a fingertip. When she looked down, her eyes widened with surprise. Rayn’s color had changed to gold, and he glowed with a soft radiance as he slept.
13
Tavern
The slim possibility of walking into a tavern and not being noticed rankled him. Sir Beccaroon did not often wish to be of another species, but spying and his unmistakable identity did not go well together. He sat at a corner table and asked for a bowl of water and the specialty bread of the Round Baker Inn.
“My pleasure,” said the serving girl, who could not keep the awe out of her voice or expressive face. Obviously grand parrots did not visit the small town of Selkskin.
He nodded and cut off any further questions by turning his head to examine the other patrons of the inn. Most of the customers stared back with undisguised curiosity. Some ducked their heads when his gaze locked with theirs. Hopefully his appearance would cause such a distraction that no one would notice Verrin Schope and Lady Peg. Verrin Schope was intent on gathering information.
The couple sat on the other side of the room, enjoying a plain meal of traveler stew and round bread. Verrin Schope had engaged one of the locals in a conversation. Sir Beccaroon nodded to the young lady who served him and sniffed the savory bread. The aroma stirred his appetite, and the first bite reassured him that the stop at the tavern had been an excellent idea.
He had lowered his beak to the water bowl when everyone in the room ceased talking. He straightened and saw the cause for alarm. Three bisonbecks and a seven-foot creature of unknown origin stood inside the front door. The burly men surveyed the room with a cocky arrogance that causedthe grand parrot to snap his beak. The beast leaned against the doorjamb, looking bored.
The marione owner of the establishment hurried to confront the new customers. Young and strong, he didn’t look like the round baker on the sign that hung outside.
Paladin shook his head sadly. He stopped walking and turned her to face him. “It will never be content until it finds the full glory of what Wulder created it to be.” He held up a finger. “Once more the bird sleeps deeply and awakes with colors as beautiful as Beccaroon’s plumage. The bird is light and can soar through the heavens. Its song is sweet, and it feels joy as it vocalizes.”
“Now? Now is the bird happy?”
“What do you think?”
She took time to consider. “Caterpillars do not change into birds.”
“That’s right.”
“So?”
“So the bird takes stock of its life and knows it should not be distressed. But still there is that something inside that dampens its pleasure. Something that says, ‘Not yet.’ ”
“So it has to change again.”
“One more time. And this time, at the end of its season of rest, it emerges as a butterfly.”
“I think I know what you’re telling me.”
He lifted an eyebrow and waited.
“The caterpillar wanted to change. Something inside told it to seek something different.”
Paladin nodded.
“But it kept emerging as the wrong thing. Not necessarily a bad thing, but not the right thing.”
He nodded again.
“And until it became the form that Wulder intended, it didn’t feel … peace?”
“That’s right. And even though it gave up its beautiful voice and flights high in the sky, it was content.” He gently hugged her. “WhenI became the paladin, I knew Wulder was pleased. I am content to be the one who shares His love with people.”
Tipper smiled. “I know what you’ve told me and maybe a bit of what it means. But I think I shall have to do some thinking before I know
why
you told me of this misguided caterpillar.”
“Don’t forget to bring Wulder into your musing. The life cycle of His caterpillar is only a symbol of what He wants for you.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll see you and Rayn in the morning.”
He released her and walked away. She stood for a moment, stroking the tiny dragon with a fingertip. When she looked down, her eyes widened with surprise. Rayn’s color had changed to gold, and he glowed with a soft radiance as he slept.
13
Tavern
The slim possibility of walking into a tavern and not being noticed rankled him. Sir Beccaroon did not often wish to be of another species, but spying and his unmistakable identity did not go well together. He sat at a corner table and asked for a bowl of water and the specialty bread of the Round Baker Inn.
“My pleasure,” said the serving girl, who could not keep the awe out of her voice or expressive face. Obviously grand parrots did not visit the small town of Selkskin.
He nodded and cut off any further questions by turning his head to examine the other patrons of the inn. Most of the customers stared back with undisguised curiosity. Some ducked their heads when his gaze locked with theirs. Hopefully his appearance would cause such a distraction that no one would notice Verrin Schope and Lady Peg. Verrin Schope was intent on gathering information.
The couple sat on the other side of the room, enjoying a plain meal of traveler stew and round bread. Verrin Schope had engaged one of the locals in a conversation. Sir Beccaroon nodded to the young lady who served him and sniffed the savory bread. The aroma stirred his appetite, and the first bite reassured him that the stop at the tavern had been an excellent idea.
He had lowered his beak to the water bowl when everyone in the room ceased talking. He straightened and saw the cause for alarm. Three bisonbecks and a seven-foot creature of unknown origin stood inside the front door. The burly men surveyed the room with a cocky arrogance that causedthe grand parrot to snap his beak. The beast leaned against the doorjamb, looking bored.
The marione owner of the establishment hurried to confront the new customers. Young and strong, he didn’t look like the round baker on the sign that hung outside.
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