Free DragonLight by Donita K. Paul Page A

enjoy.”
    “That’s not a principle.”
    “Ah, but it is, an underlying principle that shows itself in many of the more formal wordings.”
    She felt him stiffen. “What is it?”
    “I see evidence of Tieto’s concern.”
    Kale’s head swiveled so that she could look all around them. “I don’t see anything.”
    “Our kimen friends are dancing freely among us, but there are those that they never circle, never come close to. I surmise that these are the folks that Tieto has identified as having an odd aura.”
    “Oh, dear.” Kale sighed. “Things are never perfect, are they?”

          9          
    E ARLY M ORNING C ONFLICT
    Bardon slipped out of bed, dressed, strapped on his sword, and left his wizard wife for his rendezvous with Sir Dar, Lee Ark, Lord Brunstetter, and Wizard Cam. Mikkai came along to provide directions to the exercise field. Tieto chirred his displeasure over such a short night’s sleep. He refused to fly, remained perched on Bardon’s shoulder, and grumbled at being required to keep an eye out for tainted auras. He claimed all were skewed after so little sleep.
    Bardon’s footsteps echoed in the great hallways. He passed only a few people, mostly servants. They nodded in deference to a guest, but he grinned at their drooping eyelids and slow, shuffling steps. Most likely, no one eagerly jumped out of their beds this morning.
    Sunshine greeted him as he stepped out onto a lawn that stretched over a rolling hill and ended at the base of a cliff. Those who had managed to rise that morning sparred in pairs or did forms in a line. Bardon unbuckled his belt, removed his outer jacket and boots, and laid them on a bench with Tieto and Mikkai standing watch over his possessions. He joined a group of men and two ladies who performed slow, dance-like stretches.
    Bardon’s body responded to the movements as if he had never burned with the fever of stakes. He breathed deeply and felt energy flow from his core to his fingertips. With the next measured lift of his right leg, he swung it easily to the side and down. A burst of vigor made it hard not to speed up beyond the required slow motion into a more energetic expression of pleasure. Perhaps this time the kimens’ treatment would last forever. Perhaps he wouldn’t return to that stiff condition that had almost paralyzed him.
    He located Lee Ark with a group of men who were further along in the routine exercises. Sir Dar and Wizard Cam ambled onto the field a few minutes later. Bardon became engrossed in his forms and laughed at himself later when he saw that the giant urohm Brunstetter had somehow slipped into the activities unnoticed.
    When Bardon finished his regimen, he joined Lee Ark to wait for the others. The men sat on benches along the castle wall. Servants brought them towels to wipe away the perspiration and tankards of cool well water.
    “Ah,” said Bardon as he took a slow draft and wiped his lips on the back of his sleeve. “Wizard Namee has a sweet supply.”
    “He does, indeed,” answered Lee Ark. With military directness, he continued. “I’m anxious to talk over this matter of Followers with our comrades. My number of new soldiers has dropped in the past few months, and upon investigation, I find the young people are being lured away to improve their minds and souls.”
    “According to the Tomes, defending the old, young, and weak, providing stability in life, and assuring the land’s ability to support us have always been a part of improving minds and souls.”
    Lee Ark crossed his legs so that one ankle rested on the other knee and leaned back against the bricks of the castle wall. “Apparently, that is no longer true.”
    Bardon snickered. “Someone has written another volume of the Tomes? I hadn’t heard so.”
    “I’ve heard these people speak myself. At first I was impressed. They explained the principles with more wisdom and understanding than any teacher I’ve ever heard.”
    Bardon widened