Mistress of Dragons by Margaret Weis Page B

wants by peaceful means.”
    Edward
tossed the chicken leg into the brush. “Unless your plan works and I can bring
back this Mistress of Dragons, my father-in-law will march in to ‘protect us’
and the people will line his route, cheering. Why do you ask?”
    “Because
we are being followed,” said Draconas.
    Edward
stared, astonished. “The devil we are! Followed? Are you sure?”
    “I’m
sure.”
    Edward
frowned. “I told those young hotheads that I must do this alone—”
    “I
don’t believe it is any of your knights. They would have raced after us and
caught us up by now.”
    “Some
fellow traveler then—”
    Draconas
shook his head. “You yourself said even the bandits had fled for fear of the
dragon. Whoever is following us is hanging back, keeping track of our
movements, stopping when we stop, riding when we ride.”
    Edward
peered down the road. “I’ve heard nothing, seen nothing.”
    “I
have,” said Draconas.
    “But
why?” Edward demanded. “Why would they follow us? Robbers would just attack.
They wouldn’t risk discovery trailing after us.” He frowned, recalling Draconas’s
questions. “You don’t think they’re ordinary footpads, do you?”
    Draconas
regarded the king intently. Edward was either an exceptionally good dissembler
or he honestly did not know why someone might want to send assassins after him.
    “No,
Your Majesty, I don’t.” Draconas washed off the grease from the capon in the
stream. “What is the lay of the land like ahead of us?”
    “Open,
like this, for several more miles, then we enter a thick woods along the
riverbank. After that, we cross the river and more open meadowland. This is
sheep country—”
    “The
woods, that’s what they’re waiting for,” said Draconas.
    Edward
finished off his capon. He removed the ale skin from the water, uncorked it,
swallowed deeply, and handed it to Draconas.
    “You
think they’ll attack us once we’re in the woods.”
    “They
haven’t attacked us yet. They’re waiting for something. Cover for their deed is
the most obvious explanation.”
    “Why
would they need cover? There’s no one around for miles and miles. No one except
the dragon,” Edward added with a wry smile.
    Draconas
had to admit that the king had a point. Why not attack them here and now? Why
wait? They were two alone, only one of them carrying a sword, and there were
five of them, all undoubtedly heavily armed.
    “And
you’re certain they mean to kill us?” Edward asked.
    “I’m
not certain of anything,” Draconas admitted.
    Edward
shrugged. “I find it very puzzling.”
    He
took another pull at the ale skin, squinted up at the heavens. “It’s noon or
thereabouts. I believe I will take a nap. I didn’t get much sleep last night.
Ermintrude wasn’t thrilled at the idea of my making this journey. I’m afraid if
I keep going, I’ll fall asleep in the saddle.”
    Draconas
nodded. “I’ll keep watch.”
    Edward
removed his sword, laid it beside him, and flung himself down on the ground
beneath a tree. He pulled his hat over his eyes to block out the sun, relaxed,
and gave a deep, contented sigh. “Wake me if we’re attacked,” he said,
grinning.
    Draconas
regarded the king with a frown. Assassins hot on his trail and he takes a nap,
leaving me—a perfect stranger— to keep watch. Is he a dolt? I’m beginning to
wonder if I picked the right man for the job.
    Leaving
the slumbering king, Draconas walked out to the road. He saw nothing. He heard
nothing, yet he felt their pursuers out there.
    Draconas
returned and sat down beside the stream. Judging by his relaxed posture and
even breathing, the king slept soundly. The horses flicked at flies with their
tails and nibbled on the long grass. Draconas amused himself by using a chicken
bone to catch crayfish. He found his mind going back to the matter of their
pursuers again and again, which meant that he wasn’t as sure of his assumptions
as he tried to convince himself. He ended up