“Oreg left just before the dragon appeared,” said Garranon suddenly. “I wondered where he was going. Is Oreg your dragon, Ward?”

I looked around and realized that he was the only one who didn’t know what Oreg was. Too many people were finding out, but there was nothing I could do about that now.

“A dragon and my friend, my brother,” I said. “But never my dragon.”

Garranon laughed abruptly. “No wonder you escaped from me so easily when I tried to hold you at Hurog after your father died.”

“Actually, that took Oregand Axiel” I explained at the same time that Oreg said, “He did that on his own.”

Tisala’s anxious focus on the open metal doors that led from our landing to stone steps rising to Callis proper recalled me to more important things.

“Best we set the past where it belongs and find out what caused Haverness so much distress that he would forget to welcome visiting royalty,” I said, but on the tail of my words, Haverness and a panting guardsman came through the entranceway.

“Lord Kellen,” he said smoothly. “Welcome to Callis. You must be Rosem, welcome sir. And you as well, Lord Duraugh. Garranon, it is good to see you again, my friend. And you, Lord Wardwick, Lord Tosten, and Oreg.” I was impressed that he’d remembered Oreg’s name after four years. “I’m sorry to be late, gentlemen—but you arrived on the heels of some other guests and it took me a moment to break away when my guard told me you were coming.”

He turned to his daughter. “Alizon tells me that you and the young Hurogmeten have decided to escalate our careful plans.”

She took his hands and held them tightly for a minute. “Father, it’s good to see you.” She stepped back and said formally, “Matters have escalated it for us, sir. As Alizon doubtless also told you.”

“Indeed,” he said, glancing at Kellen thoughtfully. “But now come and allow me to extend my hospitality. Time enough this evening for politics.”

I noted as we climbed that the passage here at Callis was rougher than the one leading to the Dwarven Way at Hurog. Did that make Hurog’s older?

CALLISWAS LARGER AND MORE LUXURIOUS THANHurog. Kellen and Rosem were given a large suite near the family apartments, of course. But I was given a room to myself—though it was small and spare. I realized with wry humor that I hadn’t had a private place since I’d left the King’s Asylum. The room came complete with a cold lunch set on a low table—the only furniture in the room aside from the bed.