The Birthday Dragon
Page 33
“He was kissing her in temple?” I said, shocked.
“Aye, more than kissing, anyway, they eventually found the tree the man was in, where you said it would be, but we can’t prove Perry was lying about direction. He said that’s what he thought, he saw someone. It’s one of the problems with witnesses, even the ones telling the truth will give you stories that differ majorly on important details.” I had a sinking feeling.
“So now what?” I said.
“So,” said Fenric, ticking the point off on his fingers, “Theo is at least pretending to be satisfied, Azrael is obviously furious, and Young Perry is terribly sorry if he misdirected anyone as it wasn’t his intention.” He sneered. “You could see the brat smirking, with Cida giving him cow-eyes. I did point out the lass wasn’t a credible witness, her bedding the prince, and you should have seen her face, she was suddenly frightened. If the king wasn’t there I’d have got the truth out of them.”
“Gods,” I said, “where does this leave me?” The big man shrugged. I saw the corners of his mouth twitch.
“You may find it hard to get people to stand next to you in the open.”
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Instead I would find it hard to be alone. When I wasn’t with Azrael, who always had guards, there was at least one of Azrael’s guards with me, unofficially but always. They were casual about it, but firm.
At Fenric’s request, I no longer rode alone. At least, unlike Azrael, I was permitted to risk my life with long rides outside the city walls. The bodyguards all lived and worked hard but liked to have fun. I could have had worse nursemaids.
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I remembered asking Theo about Father so wrote a note to the king asking if he’d managed to track him down. Theo himself came in reply. It seemed they were keeping Azrael extra-safe, but they couldn’t stop the king doing as he liked.
Theo brought excellent mindweed and servants carrying trays of afternoon tea. I was lying down, having just said goodbye to Simon, and Theo said not to move. The servants laid out the tea then withdrew.
“I’ve received a report,” the king said, and a secretary handed over a folder, which Theo put next to me on the bed then shooed everyone else out. I was most honoured. Theo was rarely alone for anyone. “Your father’s up north in a place called Redditch,” he said, “seems his uncle was dying, he went up to pay his respects. Surprisingly, your father is well and your great uncle has made a recovery.” I savoured a smoked salmon parcel, wrapped around some cream cheese.
“Uncle Rob that must be,” I said, “Grandpa Shawcross’s brother. Well, that’s good, him being alright. Was Father still womanising and drinking?” The king was snaffling one of the smoked salmon parcels too. Theo looked unwell, too red in the face and he’d put on some weight. He took a good slug of liquor in his coffee, which wasn’t a good sign this early in the afternoon.
“By all accounts, your father was sober when he got on the coach,” said the king, taking a sip of his doctored coffee with no apparent notion of the irony. “He had been since the letter about your uncle dying reached him. According to someone who was there, it was as if he’d had some kind of epiphany, said he was a changed man. Sounds like it might be good news if he pulls himself together.” I couldn’t help but agree, and nodded.
“I didn’t know Uncle Rob was still alive,” I said, “we haven’t spoken to that side of the family for a long time. Since we visited when I was about five. Father got very drunk and argued with Uncle Rob. Then he stormed out in the middle of the night, dragging us with him.”
“Families,” said the king, “they’re all the same. I got a letter from your grandmother Daeva Casterton, by the way. Asking for confirmation of the veracity of letters she’d received from you and the Princess Royal.” That sounded like Grandmama Daeva, both the word veracity and going to the top to check her facts. Theo smiled. “I was happy to give it,” he said, I sighed with relief.
“Thanks Theo, it’s appreciated.”
“I’m in debt to you, Polo, the kingdom is.” He looked solemn. “I’ve decided to ennoble you,” he said. I raised my eyebrows. I’d forgotten about that. “I happen to have a duchy with no heir,” Theo went on, ignoring me gaping at him, “in the north. You’ve heard of Starshore? It’s where Port Azrael is.” I managed to close my mouth and nod.
“I kn-know of it,” I stammered, sounding squeaky. When I was much younger I went through there a few times on the way north. Next to the Crown Estate, Starshore was one of the two largest duchies in the kingdom, and the richest. At least so the Half Aunt had told me, her being a tireless promoter of her home duchy.
I took a breath, sure the king would say suddenly he was joking or that I’d misheard. He wasn’t really giving me a fortune and a title, making me into the most powerful person in the kingdom aside from himself.
“Theo, sire, I don’t know what to say. Are you sure? A whole duchy?” He laughed.
“Aye, it’s all arranged. The Crown has a steward in charge until you’re eighteen but you’ll have the title of Lord of Starshore until then, and the income.” I had never heard such a wonderful title, and sat there grinning like an idiot, trying not to tear up, saying thank you over and over. He smiled.
“We’ll do the investiture once you’re of age, and you’ll be duke properly, but we’ll make you officially heir once you’re up and about. I expect you to make me proud, mind,” he said, and clapped me on my good shoulder, “but you’re a responsible lad.”
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Bernard told me the details when he dropped in with my new stationery, with Lord of Starshore embossed prettily on it. Mine was not a life peerage, like those given to a Royal Whatsit or the Half Aunt, who were lords and ladies of Peterhaven but whose titles didn’t pass to their heirs. Mine was hereditary, so any descendants of mine would forever bear the title.
For the first time I considered having children. I still didn’t like the idea and there was no hurry, but I was realistic. Like Azrael, I now needed an heir. For now, I’d focus on recovery, and my education. And possibly a certain amount of sexual adventure.
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END
To Be Continued in Polo Shawcross: Dragon Soldier
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About the Author
In real life, I’m Australian and currently live on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
This book and the next one Polo Shawcross: Dragon Soldier are free, the second pair (Polo Shawcross: Dragon Skin and Polo Shawcross: Dragon Outlaw - the last 2 in the quartet) are not. But they’re still cheap. I’m raising money towards a printed version and working on some other books that have been waiting their turn while I finished this quartet.
Thanks for reading, it means a lot to me
Lee
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Also By Lee Abrey
Polo Shawcross: The Birthday Dragon
Polo Shawcross: Dragon Soldier
Polo Shawcross: Dragon Skin
Polo Shawcross: Dragon Outlaw
You can read more or contact me at:
- Twitter @stinginthetail twitter.com/stinginthetail
- email at lee_abrey@bigpond.com
- I also blog at https://stinginthetail.wordpress.com/
My author page at Smashwords is at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/shawcross
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