Free Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) by Jean Lamb Page A

said.
    "I know, lad. The old cook just heard the story wrong."
    Randor was probably right. Tam learned in the next few days that most of the servants here had died or moved off since his birth. He was also a little disappointed to hear that the girl he'd seen gossiping with the cook was said to be involved with the night-groom.
    When Tameron asked Stine about the apparent mystery about his mother. the commander didn't know anything, or at least claimed she didn't. He finally requested a private audience with the Guardian. After all, she'd been there.
    At first his aunt sounded hesitant to answer any questions, till he blurted out what he wanted to know. Then her voice gained confidence. "I was there when it happened. Your brothers and sisters were breaking the magical barrier around the Empty Throne when Wendar, the youngest boy, weakened. Lady Aliana tried to help him, and that wrecked the Balance. The explosion killed them all--all but your mother, of course. She was horribly disfigured.
    "She didn't allow anyone but your father and I to see her afterwards. My brother was terrified for her safety, especially after she knew she was pregnant. He made her a haven on Neyarmie Isle. No evil magic would dare come that close to the Earth Giant. Once she knew you were all right, she just--just gave up," the Guardian said softly. "Your father has done the best he could in her memory."
    "He disliked me even before I found out I wouldn't have any magic," Tam said. "I've always thought it was because he blamed me for her death."
    "Oh, no. At most he's tried to seem indifferent so his enemies would not threaten you to get at him. In a way the rumors are right. Most of her died when the others did, and the rest at your birth. Your father found great joy with Coris Mimn, though, and his heart didn't take long to heal." She sounded sad.
    Had his father loved his mother at all? Or did they have only their Duty to bind them? If only the Guardian were right about his father just pretending to neglect him! Tameron remembered their last meeting w hen nobody else had been around, though. The Protector had been more than kind to him then. He bowed his head. "I hope it doesn't take as long for me to find someone I care for as it did him," he said.
    "A handsome young man like you? The girls will be lining up at Festival, even the ones who don't know who you are," The Guardian said, forced gaiety in her voice.
    "Like that girl in Lochil?" he said bitterly. He was certain his father would choose his partners, at least for now. Most likely they would be mage-gifted and told to lie with him by the College. He couldn't really expect them to like him the way he wanted them to.
    The Guardian sighed. "Don't give up so easily," she said.
    Tam bowed his head, going over the scene in his mind. He'd been so eager to take what the girl had pretended to offer, he'd never thought what might hide behind it. "Wait," he said. "I remember where I saw that white fletching on the arrows before. Did Stine tell you about it? Some of the soldiers attacking us fell after, after we started to ride away." He wanted to keep Lorin's name out of it, now that he saw a connection between his friend's shrill cry during the struggle and the arrows. "The bandits that I saw last spring used the same kind, and their leader wore a dragon patch on his cloak. I saw a puppet show earlier that day where they talked about bringing the dragons back to life. Is there a connection?" Perhaps this way he could find out if Lorin was right or not. The dragon-worshippers and the rebels in the hills might be the same, though his friend was so loyal that he doubted it.
    Lady Sigaldo sat up straight. "Your father should have told you already. It's said that Wizardwall will hold until the dragons fly again. You know how likely that is! However, many commoners believe that a child born on Neyarmie Isle at Midwinter will give life to the statues and set them free. That may be one reason why my brother's