Dragonlord of the Savage Empire

Helmuth had an answer. "Pavilions," he said. "Lord Wulfston thought of it, my lord. He sent a wagon full of blue, white, and black silk. The women wanted to make dresses of it, but I recognized Aradia's and Lilith's colors, and I assume Lord Wulfston has rather appropriately adopted black."

"Where would Wulfston get all that silk?" "He has a seaport, my lord. Merchants call there all the time. Tis a good thing you're allies. You can negotiate free passage between Zendi and the sea."

Lenardo sighed. "Always more plotting. Pavilions?^' ' 'When a Lord Adept makes a progress through his own land-not a march to battle but for some other purpose- he often sets up a silk pavilion as his quarters. Your guests will be appropriately housed. We can put the pavilions in the forum, and the Lords Adept can use their own travel goods inside them. Arkus and Josa will be busy, but we have others now who will see that rain does not spoil anyone's comfort."

"Very well, Helmuth. I leave it in your hands."

"As you should, my lord. Now, what about your own color, for banners? And your symbol?"

"You, too? The seamstress was in here this morning, pestering me about formal attire. I am a Master Reader, and so I shall wear scarlet robes. There was enough material in the supplies we brought with us. Perhaps scarlet banners-"

"No," said Helmuth, "white banners with the scarlet dragon."

"Not the dragon," Lenardo insisted. "That-was Drakonius's symbol."

"The black dragon, on gold banners-and you've not seen a single one left in your land, have you? All burnt, the moment people knew Drakonius was dead."

"Precisely why I should choose another symbol."

"But you carry the red dragon on your arm, my lord- always. People take it as a sign."

"Helmuth, everyone knows it's nothing but the brand of an Aventine Exile."

"No, my lord. People say you were born with the mark, born to defeat Drakonius, to change the black dragon of terror to the red dragon of good fortune."

"What utter nonsense."

"No, it is not nonsense. Your people believe that their destiny and yours are bound up together. You should encourage such beliefs, for who is to say they are wrong? There is an old saying: In the day of the white wolf and the red dragon, there shall be peace throughout the world. Aradia is the white wolf. You are the red dragon, the thing that cannot be, a Reader Lord in a land of Adepts. You are marked with the sign, my lord. Do not deny it."

Wulfston was the first of Lenardo's guests to arrive. He came in style, at the head of his army, dressed in rich brown velvet embroidered in gold, riding a fine bay stallion. His banners bore the wolf's head, but in black on a white field. Lenardo was waiting for him in the forum, with Julia at his side. The girl still had some trouble visualizing what she Read. When Wulfston first came in sight, she gave a start.

//I've never seen a man all black like that before. Aren't you frightened, Master Lenardo?//

//Of course not. Lord Wulfston is our friend.//

//But I can't Read him!//

//Lords Adept cannot be Read, Julia. Considering your propensity for mischief, that is probably a very good thing.//

He stepped forward as Wulfston dismounted, and they exchanged formal greetings for the benefit of the gathered crowd. Julia managed a rather shaky curtsy, watching Wulfston warily. The fact that this was the first person she'd met whom she could not Read bothered her far more than his appearance.

Wulfston walked with Lenardo and Julia back to their house, maintaining formality for the staring crowds. Once they were inside, though, Lenardo found himself caught up in a bear hug.

"My, but I'm glad to see you," Wulfston exclaimed. "I missed you almost as much as Aradia." He held Lenardo at arm's length, looking him up and down. "But you look wonderful. Ruling agrees with you, eh? And your people. I don't have to Read to tell how they love you already."

"They'd respond favorably to anyone after Drakonius."

Wulfston laughed. "I won't frighten you with all the mistakes you could have made, but you've had good luck, too. Especially in finding an apprentice Reader." When he turned to Julia, she stepped back hesitantly, and Wulfston said, "What's this? Surely you're not afraid of me? From what Lenardo told me, I didn't think you'd fear the ghost-king himself!"

He had instinctively taken the right tack. Julia bridled. "I'm not afraid of anyone."

"Then come and greet me properly, child." When he held out his arms to her, she launched herself into his embrace and was picked up easily, corning to rest astride his hip, her head on his shoulder, blissfully at home.

Wulfston hugged her and continued to carry her effortlessly as they walked through the house to Lenardo's room. "What a joy this child must be to you, Lenardo. I can remember Nerius carrying me just this way. I always felt completely safe."

"Master Lenardo doesn't like to hold me," Julia informed him.

Wulfston cast a puzzled glance at Lenardo, who said, "Julia is a Reader. I've explained to you-"