Free Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton Page A

have understood the Exalt Benandi,but as yet he knew very little of Felin. This seemed to him all it was necessary to say, and he was nearing the end of the page, so he reminded her again that he hoped to be with her for dinner in two days’ time, that is the fourth day of the first week of the month of Leafturn. He added his best wishes to her and to the children. Then, feeling quite pleased with himself, he sealed the letter, directed it, and had Amer take it down to add to the mail that would be collected from Agornin Station that evening.
     
13. PENN AND SELENDRA LEAVE
    Illustrious Daverak flew to Agornin the next morning, as had been arranged. His intention was to take formal possession of the demesne and to escort Haner home with him to Daverak. He arrived not long after the family had breakfasted, a melancholy affair, for now that parting was so close the two sisters were inclined to weep whenever they caught sight of one another. They all gathered on the ledge when they had finished eating, and although the clouds were low, they soon caught sight of Daverak beating steadily towards them.
    “I wonder that he has not brought Berend with him,” Selendra said. “It would give more of an air of legitimacy to this whole affair.”
    Penn turned on her angrily.
    “Unlike the division of his body, this
is
what our father wished,” Avan interposed before his brother could speak.
    “I know,” Selendra said, bowing her head submissively. “I won’t be rude to him, and didn’t mean to be now, it’s just everything’s so different and I feel like crying all the time.” Haner put a wing around her sister and the brothers left the pair to weep together until Daverak landed.
    “Good day, brother,” Penn greeted him. “Did you have a good flight?”
    “The winds were quite strong, but they will be with us going back,” Daverak said. It was a flight of a little more than an hour to Daverak, perhaps twenty miles if distances might be measured in the air.
    “Did Berend not want to struggle with the winds both ways?” Haner asked.
    “No, she didn’t,” Daverak smiled and looked away in the direction of his distant demesne. “She has just discovered that she is in a delicate condition, and did not want to leave home at this time.”
    “With egg already?” burst out Selendra, unable to hide her astonishment.
    “Yes, thanks be to Veld,” Daverak said, nodding politely towards Penn as he mentioned the god, as if acknowledging that he was infringing a little upon the other dragon’s territory and graciously asking permission.
    Barely four years had passed since Berend’s first clutch of three. Even Penn who, as a parson, had to preach that increase was Veld’s blessing, felt a little taken aback at this news and the evident satisfaction which Daverak took in it.
    “You will have your caves full of dragonets,” Haner said, brightly, feeling the pause in the conversation grow too long.
    “We certainly hope so,” Daverak inclined his head. He had never paid much attention to his wife’s sisters, but he was glad now that it was Haner he was taking into his establishment. Though he had not shown it, he had not liked Selendra’s outburst at all.
    “Is Berend well?” Avan asked.
    “Thriving so far,” Daverak said. “Making sure to eat all the right things, of course, as you would expect. She feels quite experienced now, of course, not nervous like last time.”
    Although she was their sister, none of them liked to ask if she had already laid the first egg, nor did Daverak volunteer the information. It was also impossible for any of them to accuse him of risking the life of their sister by forcing her to produce another clutch so soon after the first, though this was in all their thoughts.
    “Well, we should be going if we are to catch our train,” Penn said, breaking another awkward pause. It was as yet far too early for the train, but it provided an excuse for Selendra to depart to gather her belongings,