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

enemies are trying to destroy you, using your lack of magic as an excuse."
    "Why do they feel threatened? I don’t have any powers like that!"
    The Guardian was silent for a moment. Tam knew she wasn't telling him everything.
    She finally spoke. "Once an ordinary person is on the Council and shows himself worthy, they'll have little excuse to keep others like you from taking a place there, too. If you were a fool, or weak, I doubt they'd object. They could use your example to discourage any others. Since you won’t be a bad example, you will create a disturbing precedent." Her voice shook.
    "Are...are you angry about it too?"
    "No. If mages went through the Ordeal as they did in times past, I would tell your father to adopt Lady Kiliane. As it is, commoners have much to fear these days. Many like Stine are still true to their oaths, but how long will that last? I wouldn't be surprised to see candles under my own dragon-statues someday." She shook her head. "Your presence will frighten the wizards who abuse their position, and that's good enough for me."
    Tameron bowed in courtesy and left. This legend easily explained why he had unexpected enemies--and friends. Even as he walked away, he knew there was a lot his aunt wasn't saying. Was he ever going to know the whole story?
    Perhaps he ought to visit Neyarmie Isle and pay his respects to his mother's grave. The Guardian had given him permission to go there whenever he wished, but he never had. Maybe he'd find more answers there.
    One night soon after, the clouds finally opened and showed the sky beyond. Tameron gazed out at the pole star, which blazed in solitary splendor at the center of the sky. Everyone was a child of the Lord and Lady, and thus had a star that belonged to them at birth. Since his had been at Midwinter under the light of the full moon, the gem of the north was his. That told him his fate already. Supposedly the star was compatible with all the constellations, but in the stories he knew it always stood for solitude, and for strength. Was that really so bad? If he expected nothing from anyone to begin with, then he wouldn't be disappointed.
    A few days later, Stine summoned him after drill. "We finally found the girl," she said. Tam followed her to the small audience chamber. The Guardian sat, while the girl stood with her hand in a bowl of water.
    Tameron recognized the truthspell, and the girl. He'd certainly dreamed of her often enough since the fight.
    "Who are you?" he blurted out.
She smiled at him, and said, "My name is Liselda. I'm glad you weren't hurt."
    The water stayed clear! He stepped forward.
    "Tell him the rest," the Guardian said dryly. Tameron halted, and bowed to his aunt.
    Liselda blushed and ducked her head. "Some man paid me to lean my head out and ask for the youngest when the castle guards came by. He didn't know when it would be, but paid me enough to be ready all month."
    "All month?" Stine asked.
    "Well, I can't work at my usual trade if I don't take childbane. The man said I'd get extra if I got pregnant, but only by the right one. I don't know where the other soldiers came from, or the ones who shot arrows from behind the wall. I didn't know anybody was going to get hurt!"
    Again the water stayed clear. "What were your instructions, then?" the Guardian asked.
    "I've already told you! The young gentleman was to stay with me, and I was to ask him to come back as often as he liked. I think I would have enjoyed that." The girl gazed steadily into Tameron's eyes.
    He felt his face going hot, even though the water turned pale gray at her words.
    "Did you recognize any of the castle guards?" Stine asked.
    "No, sir. I've never seen them with their uniforms on, anyway. I might be able to pick a few out if I saw them a bit closer, mind you."
    Stine laughed. "Which parts?" Then her face turned grim as she spoke to the Guardian. "My lady, have you been able to see the face of the man who paid her?"
    Lady Sigaldo shook her head. "No. My