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We quickly returned to the rooms. I clambered onto the bed and sat their trembling, unable to stop it and even Ren looked shaken. He sat down in one of the chairs and took a deep breath and exhaled.

“That man was terrified of us, Dracius.”

I nodded. “See me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think he could see me?”

Ren shook his head. “No, that’s not likely. I think it has something to do with what’s going on here. None of the servants looked like they were very healthy or alert.”

“What do we do?”

“Well, tell Artos when he gets back, him and the others and see what they decide on.”

I nodded and slipped down to the floor to pace back and forth, thinking about what I had seen. Feed? What could that possibly have meant? Were they feeding the servants something to make them the way they were? And why would they do it?

I was mulling this over when Artos and Lady El came back into the room, Lady El looking furious.

“Artos, this is foolish!”

“El, I can’t see them doing anything to start a war. This is just a hunting party! It’s common practice.”

“And I’m telling you that there’s enough going wrong here that you should bow out!”

Artos turned, lifted a hand, and let it flop down on his thigh. “And how am I supposed to do that without raising suspicion?”

Lady El shook her head. “I’m not sure, Lord Artos, but we need to figure something out.”

I watched this byplay, looking back and forth between them, feeling stunned and scared. “Artos, danger?”

“No, Dracius. I’m n—”

“Yes, he is Dracius; a lot of danger,” Lady El interrupted. “There’s something wrong with Duke Hallard and that seneschal of his is up to no good, I can feel it. They want Lord Artos to go on a hunting expedition with their hunters and I have a strong feeling they plan on mischief.”

“El—”

“Don’t lie to him, Artos!” she said, turning to him. She shook her head. “I know, you don’t want him in danger but like I said, you should have left him at home.”

“Not go!” I said.

“Dracius, if I don’t go it will look suspicious!”

I looked over at Lady El helplessly. What was going on was far out of my depth of knowledge or experience. She shook her head. “No, Dracius, I don’t have a good solution either.”

Artos rubbed the back of his head, frowning in thought. “I think I’ll insist that you and a group of your hunters go along with us.”

“They’ll object to that,” Lady El said.

“They can object all they like. I’ll simply tell them you’d like to gain experience hunting the area.”

“I…I go with?” I said hesitantly.

Artos looked at me for a long moment. “I don’t know, Dracius. I think perhaps you’d be safer here and you could continue to look around.”

I laid my ears back and he walked over and ran his hand over my head a few times. “Things will be fine, Dracius.”

“Lord Artos?” Ren said quietly.

“Yes, Ren?”

“Dracius and I went to the servant quarters. They…something was wrong with them, Lord Artos. They seemed almost as if they were sleep walking, like zombies,” Ren said and shook his head. He described what the man had done and Lady El’s mouth drew into a terse frown and Artos shook his head.

“Damn,” he said quietly. “So you were right, Dracius. There is something going on with the servants.”

“I don’t like this, Lord Artos,” Lady El said.

“Neither do I, El.”

“What does it mean, feed?” I asked

Artos shook his head. “I’ve no idea, Dracius. Obviously the man was terrified of it whatever it was.” He walked over to the window and looked out, brooding for a moment, then turned back to us. “El, I’m going to have you and some of your hunters go with us. Pick your best people, whomever you think to be most useful.

“Dracius, I’m going to have you stay here with Ren and have you both do some more looking around. I don’t like it, but as El said you’re here and a part of this. Just both of you promise to be careful.”

“We will, Lord Artos,” Ren said and I nodded in agreement.

Lady El nodded. “As you wish, Lord Artos; I’ll go talk to my people.” She glanced at me. “If I may speak with you in the hall for a moment?”

“Of course, El.”

They went out the door and I lashed my tail in irritation. What was she saying to him about me and why didn’t she want me to hear? It both frustrated me and made me nervous at the same time.

Ren walked over and ran his hand over my head as he’d seen Artos do. “It’s nothing bad, Dracius. I’m sure of that.”

“Not hear!”

“I don’t know why either, but I’m sure it’s fine.”

I huffed and he ran his hand over my head again. Artos walked back into the room all smiles. “Alright, it’s all settled then. You two will continue to look around and I’ll go on the expedition.”

“Talk?” I said.

“It’s nothing to worry about, Dracius,” he responded.

I huffed. “Not hear.”

“Nothing to worry about,” he repeated.

I grumbled. “I want to know!”

Artos shook his head. “You don’t need to, Dracius. It’s nothing bad, alright?”

I looked at him, as frustrated as I’d ever been in my life and he chuckled quietly as he walked over and knelt down to give me a hug. “Sometimes little dragons don’t need to know everything that’s going on. You just need to explore and find out more if you can and leave the rest to us.”

I huffed once more and sighed. “Yes, Artos.”

He hugged me again. “Thank you, Dracius. It means a lot that you trust me.” I felt my ears perk, I couldn’t help it and he laughed.

“Alright, now how about some food? I’m starving!”

“Hungry!” I said with some enthusiasm and they both laughed.

The sound of birds chirping outside the window woke me and I yawned, stretching myself out, then looked over at Artos who was humming quietly to himself as he applied some sort of liquid to his hunting boots. I watched for a moment, curious as to what he was doing, then climbed out of the bed and padded over to him.

“Good morning, Dracius!”

I nodded and gestured at the liquid. “Why?”

“Oh, it’s to water proof the boots so my feet don’t get wet while out hunting.”

My ears went flat at the reminder and he reached out to pat me on the head. “I’ll be fine, Dracius. There’s something going on, yes, but I don’t think they’d risk and incident with father.”

“Yes, Artos.”

There was a knock at the door and I stepped back before I could stop myself. Artos stood and went to answer it to find a servant there. “Lord Artos, breakfast will be served in the hall momentarily,” the servant said.

“Alright. Kindly have some of the food sent up for my servant.”

The man looked wary. “I was told to come and get you, sir, nothing more.”

Artos sighed. “Fine, then I’ll tell them. I’ll be down shortly.”

“I was supposed to escort you, sir.”

“I’m certain I can find my own way.”

“Sir—”

“Dismissed!” Artos said, gesturing firmly and the man flinched and quickly walked down the hall.

Artos turned to me shaking his head. “Stubborn and unhelpful as well as a bit wary. Well, hopefully we will get to the bottom of this soon.” He walked over and ran his hand over my head. “Be careful out there with Ren, Dracius. I’ll check on you to make sure they delivered breakfast to you with no problems. The guards will be at the door.”

I nodded, keeping myself from trembling. “Yes, Artos.”

He smiled at me and hugged me briefly before leaving.

I paced about the room for a little while after he left, trying to collect my thoughts and keep my anxiety at bay. I was determined, perhaps more than ever, to do so. Artos trusted me to help and I would do everything I could.

I went over to the window and looked out on the courtyard to watch as the people went about their daily business. Even at this distance I could tell they were nervous, all except for the guards who strutted about like the colorful roosters that someone kept back at the keep.

I found this behavior to be just as puzzling as the servants, if not more so. Duke Grimal’s guard didn’t act this way at all. It was not uncommon to see them helping out or simply talking to people as they went past. These guards seemed to threaten everyone simply by being there.

I went to the pack that Artos brought in and pulled out one of my books and settled to read it while I waited for breakfast.

I was engrossed with reading when the door opened and one of the guards walked in with a tray of food. I perked my ears, smiling, not nearly as nervous about the man now.

“Here you go, Dracius,” the man said with a short bow after he had placed the food on the table. “Need anything else?”

I shook my head and he nodded. “We’re right outside the door if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly and the guard walked out.

I sat down to eat. Artos had complained about the food before but I really couldn’t tell you good from bad, at least not then. I’ve developed tastes for things now, but at the time so long as it was edible I was quite fine with it. There is an old saying that hunger is the best sauce and I would agree.

I washed myself in the small basin after finishing and Artos walked in as I was drying myself off. I walked over to him, looking at him carefully to make sure he was not injured in any way.

“I see they got your food to you,” he said. “It was good?” I nodded and he smiled. “Excellent. Well, we’re ready to go. Ren should be by here in a bit so you two can look around some more. Please, be careful Dracius!”

“I will, Artos,” I assured him keeping myself from trembling.

He smiled and put a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be back before you know it!”

“Yes, Artos.”

“Where do you think we should go, Dracius?” Ren asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

“Let’s visit the temple,” he suggested. “The local curate may have some idea about what’s happening.”

I nodded and followed Ren out into the hall.

We made our way to the castles chapel and quietly opened the door to the sanctuary. It was similar to Lady Dawn’s chapel though not nearly as ornate. The pews that lined the sides were made of some dark wood, well polished, and the floor was made of the same hardwood. Stained glass windows decorated one wall, each with a scene depicting some sort of even that was important to the religion.

The altar was made of marble and looked to be well used, the pulpit behind made of a much lighter wood, also well polished. The chapel was lit with oil lamps, mostly extinguished as natural light poured in through the windows.

We quietly walked in, looking around for the curator or one of the acolytes. Ren approached the altar and genuflected and I looked on, uncertain of what to do. I had never discussed the religion with Artos and was not at all familiar with it, or even understood the concept at that time.

“How may I help you boys?” an older man dressed in white robes said as he walked out of a side chamber.

Ren nodded respectfully. “We’re from Highkeep and wanted to see the chapel here and pay our respects.”

“Ah,” the man said, his eyes lighting up. “It’s unusual for someone so young to pay attention to such duties. It is heartening to see.”

“Most everyone at Highkeep attends service and Lady Dawn is well loved.”

He smiled. “Indeed she is. My name is Brother Amos.”

“I’m Ren and my friend is Dracius,” Ren said, nodding towards me. I nodded slightly, feeling a bit nervous.

“Dragon, in the old tongue. An interesting name,” Brother Amos observed, looking at me curiously and I took a small step back.

Ren patted me on the shoulder. “It’s a family name.”

Brother Amos nodded. “Would you care for some tea?”

“We’d be honored!”

“This way, then,” he said, leading us into his office.

The office was rather small and spartan, consisting of a simple wooden desk, a rather large padded chair for Brother Amos, two simple chairs for his guests, and a small bookshelf filled to overflowing with books and scrolls.

“Have a seat my friends,” Brother Amos said as he walked over to the teapot that was hanging over the small fireplace.

We took our seats and I glanced over at Ren nervously. The man knew what my name meant. Did he suspect what I was? Ren shook his head slightly and I turned back to watch Brother Amos prepare the tea.

He sat two cups in front of us, both steaming and smelling fragrant. I rather like the smell of tea myself. Ren nodded to him. “Thank you, Brother Amos.”

“You are most welcome, Ren,” he said as he took his seat, sipping at his own cup.

I carefully reached out for my cup and took a sip. The tea was rather hot, but that hardly bothered me. We discovered that I’m more tolerant of both hot and cold foods as compared to a human.

Brother Amos watched me drink and I sat the cup back on the desk, looking down, not caring for his eyes on me.

“Brother Amos, have you noticed anything…odd here? The servants seem strange somehow,” Ren said cautiously.

Brother Amos frowned and sighed. “I’m afraid so, yes. I fear I cannot tell you much about it for I know little myself. Attendance has been down for services and I get the feeling that I am distinctly unwelcome outside of here.”

“How long has this been happening?”

He considered. “About six months now. About the time the new seneschal arrived, him and that advisor.”

“Advisor?”

Brother Amos shook his head. “Tall, thin man. I’ve only seen him a few times. Something about him makes my blood run cold, but I am in no position to say much of anything. Duke Hallard has never been much for services or the advice of the Light.”

“Lord Artos says that Duke Hallard seems different somehow.”

The curator nodded. “He’s…changed, yes. Again, I am in no position to say anything and quite honestly it could well be dangerous for me to do so. You boys have come here at a poor time, I fear.”

I looked at Ren nervously and he patted my arm. “We came across a servant who was terrified of us. He said something about ‘feeding’. Do you know what he meant?”

Brother Amos closed his eyes for a moment in thought, then looked at us. “I’m afraid not.”

“How has the Duke changed?”

“More quiet and sullen. Very short tempered,” Brother Amos said and shook his head. “I really didn’t see more than that before being confined here.”

“They really won’t let you leave?”

“Not in the sense that there’s a guard at the door, no. Comments made by the Duke, his seneschal…just the feeling of it. I fear I’m not a very brave man and quite at a loss as to what to do.”

Ren was quiet for a moment. “I’ll tell Lord Artos what you’ve told us. Maybe he can come up with some sort of plan.”

“I would be grateful,” Brother Amos said then looked over at me curiously. “And how are you fairing, Dracius?”

I flinched back. “I am well.”

He continued to look at me and a frown slowly crawled across his face. I swallowed nervously and Ren looked over at me, then back at the curator. “Lord Artos will be expecting us back—” he started to say.

Brother Amos made a gesture and muttered something, then made a startled exclamation and bolted out of his chair, staggering back. I leapt out of my seat and took several steps back, whining through my nose.

“It..what is it? It really is a dragon! Oh, light protect me!” Brother Amos nearly moaned.

Ren stood between us. “It’s okay! Dracius won’t hurt you; he’s harmless.”

The man looked between the two of us. “What is he?”

“We’re not actually sure. No one has seen anyone like him before. We found him in the Great Southern Forest and Lord Artos has been taking care of him.”

Brother Amos slowly stood upright and shook his head as if to clear it. “Amazing,” he muttered and I looked over at Ren in consternation, unsure of what to do.

“Please don’t tell anyone else about him. Lord Artos doesn’t want the public to know about him as of yet,” Ren said.

Brother Amos shook his head. “I won’t. Lady Dawn knows?”

Ren nodded. “Yes, she’s quite fond of him actually.”

The man smiled. “Well, if she trusts him that’s more than good enough for me. I’m sorry to have startled you, Dracius.”

I nodded and looked towards the door, then back at Ren. “We need to go, Brother Amos,” Ren said. “I’ll inform Lord Artos, as I said.”

The curator nodded. “Go with the lights blessings.”