Elizabeth Ann Scarborough Songs From The Seashell Archives

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"Had it not been for me, you wouldn't have been in such a condition. Of course I forgive you. Worthy . . ." and they went on in that vein for some time, until they too finally stopped to watch the long, passionate clench that Davey and Zorah were indulging in, much to the general edification of the crew of the Bane, who had filled up the rest of the inn and were cheering and laughing and taking bets on how long the couple could hold out without coming up for air.
Finally they did, however, and Davey, handing Zorah the empty prism that had once imprisoned the best part of him. sighed. "Ah. Zorah, darling. And to think I didn't know I cared!" ft was altogether an extremely long night. If matters had been left strictly up to the initial participants in the situation, everyone would have retired early. But the crew of the Bane had seized the occasion as one suitable for celebration and a great deal of drinking, singing, and lying ensued on the part of all and sundry.
At one point in the festivities, Colin returned to the Bane to pick up his kit, guitar, and Obtruncator, plus the soggy remnants of his beloved fiddle, rescued by Neddy from the rock. He returned the sword to Rowan. "I thank you for its use, sir, but it didn't suit me like my fiddle did. That's ruined now, but I can make merry enough with my guitar, if Neddy and his hornpipe and Tom on the concertina give a hand."
"Suit yourself, lad," said Rowan. "But I have a wish that you'd hold on to Obtruncator a spell longer. I'd the feeling there was something following us in the wood almost until we approached the Bay."
Colin groaned, as he had had more adventure than he expected ever to want to see again. "Of course you needn't go back with us," Rowan said quickly. "The captain tells me he'll be delighted to have you on the Snake's Bane. Say the word, and I'll ask him to 'prentice you as an officer trainee so that you can accept an admiralty I'd like to offer you in the King's Navy-if I'm the king, that is."
Colin nodded, but said. "That's kind of you, my Lord, but I'm afraid my new friends might be put off a little at such grand promotions not obtained-er-in the line of duty. I'll see you safely to the castle, and perhaps you could use my services till you're ready to return to Queenston for the election? I've never been to court before, other than as a student. Perhaps then I might wait there till the Bane returns, to sail with her next time around."
No sooner had the Bane put to sea than the gypsy band came tumbling into the town. Rowan was saddling his horse when iSPrince Worthyman and Davey came to tell him that they wouldn't going along back to Castle Rowan after all. "I've decided not to return to Albemarle for now," the prince explained. "I want to spend some time with Xenobia and my son here, and now that I'm not in a cage I rather enjoy the gypsy life."
"Will you let your brother know you're alive then. Highness?" asked Rowan.
"Only if he gives you any trouble when you take over rule of Argonia. Perhaps then I could be a bargaining point ..."
"Spoken like a born statesman, Prince." Rowan's huge hands engulfed Worthyman's as he said goodbye. "I hope I may count on you for advice, in case I'm elected."
The coming of the gypsies to Dragon Bay was not to be the last event that morning to ruffle the town's composure. People were screaming in an orgy of frenzied terror as Grizel and Grimley flew low over the streets, as though they were looking for someone.
"Eeeeeek!" shrieked the innkeeper's wife. "Tis the sorcerer's revenge! They've returned to murder us all in our beds!"
"You're not in your bed," pointed out his lordship, "But Mistress Maggie and her cat are. I suggest you fetch them here." A tangle-haired Maggie was rubbing the sleep from her eyes she came downstairs, and Ching had to pause to wash a paw, having yet to complete his toilet. After good-morning-did-you-sleep-wells all around. Rowan told her what he had in mind. "You talk to the cat, lass, do you not?"
She yawned and nodded.
"Do you think he'd serve as me recruitment officer for a moment or two?"
When Maggie had secured Ching's agreement, he walked out a short way from them, and in one or two flips of his tail he was joined by both dragons, right there in the middle of the comer at Bayshore and Second Avenue.
In a moment he came sauntering back to Maggie and Rowan. "You can tell him," Ching said, "that the dragons will be happy to move out to his place in exchange for their own sheep and cattle herds and all the enemy bandits they can eat. I think they'd go for anything that involves eating and flying about, but Grizel says they were thinking of moving to a better neighborhood anyway, with more room, as there may be little dragonets along in another year or two."
Maggie told Rowan, who gave the dragons the universal sign for victory. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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