It does seem a shame if he wasn’t recognized. No tart delivery?
Not tarts, but there was a large delivery of coffee beans to the house with a thank-you note from Angulus with wishes that Phelistoth would enjoy the variety of exotic blends from other continents. You know that you and your lieutenant are the main reason that coffee made it to Iskandian shores. Given how many people drink the stuff, you probably should have received a second medal for that deed.
Once Shulina Arya had finished the tarts and sufficiently licked the tray, she sprang into the air with her medal around her neck and twirled and twisted impressively. Trip didn’t know if she was intentionally putting on a show for those below or merely expressing her pleasure and appreciation of her treats, but ooohs and ahhhhs came from the crowd as she gyrated in the air, defying gravity. He sensed a palpable wave of disappointment when she disappeared from view, flying back to that rooftop to wait for Rysha to finish.
The king thanked everyone for coming and invited them to enjoy snacks and drinks that would be brought out shortly—presumably, it had been deemed wise to wait for the dragon to leave before serving the refreshments intended for human guests.
“Is she as pleased as she seemed?” Trip asked when Rysha came to stand next to him.
The formal rows had broken up as soon as the king left the dais, his bodyguards surrounding him to keep him from being flocked by onlookers. Trip doubted anyone aside from the sword wielders had weapons or presented a danger to him, but the bodyguards were likely also there to keep people from pestering him about wedding details. He did walk straight over to join Major Kaika. After head nods and polite murmurs of “Sire,” Therrik and Zirkander stepped away from her side.
“Very pleased,” Rysha said. “She kept me up late last night asking how the ceremony would go. I had no experience receiving awards—unless one counts the medals I won in sports, math, and spelling competitions as a youth—so I couldn’t tell her. I did relay stories of historical medal ceremonies for prominent heroes throughout the ages, though I couldn’t remember any tales of kings giving awards to dragons.”
“I imagine it happened occasionally in the First Dragon Era.”
“You would think so. I find it hard to believe that Shulina Arya is the first dragon delighted by such things. I believe it’s now a proven fact that sweets are the way to their hearts. But if Shulina Arya wants to believe she’s the first dragon to have been so honored by a human king, I see nothing wrong with that.”
Trip nodded. “Seems reasonable to me. Do you think his comment about the army being your destiny will change your parents’ opinions of your career? I noticed he looked their way.”
“We’ll see. I’m more concerned about changing their opinions of you.” Rysha clasped his hand. “Why don’t we go to them and see if they’re affected by how dapper and dashing you are? And flower-adorned.”
“I’m willing. And my grandparents are here too. They’ll be pleased to see you again, I’m sure.”
“That’s them at the buffet table, isn’t it?”
“Yes, they’ve never been to the castle. I’m sure they’re eager to enjoy the offerings. Though my grandmother is probably already commenting on the food and remarking how her recipes are superior.”
“Perhaps you can distract her by asking her about the empty lot they recently purchased.” Rysha’s eyes twinkled.
It took Trip a moment to understand what she was implying—and to realize why she’d been acting like she knew something that he didn’t earlier.
“I understand your grandmother has already had a long chat with Sardelle—she’s interested in helping out with your siblings—and that your grandfather has ordered lumber to start building soon.”
“How did you know all this before I did?” Trip wondered if his grandparents had sent a letter and he had missed it. He couldn’t remember the last time he had checked the mail room at the barracks.
Her eyes twinkled even more. “I haven’t been spending all my time at Bhrava Saruth’s temple, building weapons and cleaning latrines.”
“Huh.”
Telryn, Azarwrath said as Trip and Rysha walked hand-in-hand toward the crowd, I do believe you should visit your grandparents first. They’re far more pleasant than Rysha’s parents, and it’s been longer since you’ve seen them.
You just want me to go to the buffet table and try the king’s food, don’t you?
I have been observing the offerings as they’ve been brought out. The lobster is dripping with butter, there’s chilled caviar, and oh goodness, what are those slender steaks with some kind of jam on them? You must try everything, Telryn.
“Are you all right?” Rysha asked, watching his face.
“Yes, it’s just that my sword wants to fatten me up.”
“Perhaps if you learn to shape-shift and fly, you’ll have the metabolism of a dragon and be able to eat whatever you want.”
“Is it the flying that allows that or their size?”
“I don’t know. That would be an interesting scientific study. I wonder if Shulina Arya would lend herself to it.”
“Her parents would be interested, I imagine.”
“It’s too bad they didn’t come to the ceremony,” Rysha said, “though I imagine there’s a limit to how many dragons can fit in the king’s gardens.”
“Not really.” Trip pointed to a couple of familiar men at the buffet table dressed in professorial attire.
Rysha laughed. “Oh good. I didn’t see them before.”
Hurry, Telryn, or those shape-shifted dragons will eat all the food.
Epilogue
Rysha strolled arm-in-arm with Trip through the castle hallway toward the gardens, this time for a wedding rather than an awards ceremony. She would stand next to Kaika as one of her two chosen kin watchers, Major Blazer being the second. As kin watchers, they were responsible for ensuring the groom was sufficiently healthy and able to care for his bride. The duty amused Rysha vastly, given that Kaika was the last person who needed anyone to care for her… and Angulus surely qualified in any regard. But it was tradition. Fortunately, until the ceremony began, she was free to mingle and grope Trip’s arm.