“Among other things, I am known for that,” Kindan agreed, inclining his head politely and giving her a

slight smile. He knew what she’d started to say, and wondered if he would ever live down the stigma of

the fire in the Harper Hall’s Archive rooms. He hadn’t been solely responsible, after all, and he’d fought

the hardest to put the blaze out, preserving countless other Records . . .

“Kindan!”

Before he could even react to the sound of his name, the speaker pummeled into him, clutching him

tightly about the waist and trying her best to squeeze the breath out of him. Brilliant sea-blue eyes looked

out from behind a lock of rebellious honey-blond hair as the youngster turned her head and called back

accusingly to the well-dressed Lord Holder behind her, “You didn’t tell me he’d be here!”

Bemin of Fort Hold smiled indulgently at his daughter. “There are such things as surprises, Fiona,” he

said with a wink.

“Oh, Kindan, it’s so good to see you!” Fiona exclaimed, burying her face once more in Kindan’s

chest.

“It’s good to see you, too,” Kindan replied. He held out a hand to Fort Hold’s Lord Holder. The

older man, face lined with age and sad memories, took it in his own and gripped it tightly.

“Good to see you again, lad,” Bemin said. He looked up the stairs. “I think we’d better get up there or

the dragons will all have hatched.”

Fiona turned toward the steps, firmly locking her arms around Kindan’s elbow. “Harper Kindan,” she

said, sounding every inch a Lord Holder’s daughter, “would you do me the honor of escorting me?”

“It would be my pleasure, Lady Fiona,” Kindan replied with equal aplomb. A bronze fire-lizard darted

down from the heights, alighted for a moment on Kindan’s shoulder, chirped happily to him, then rose

again in the air.

Lord Bemin chuckled. “I see that Valla followed you.”

“I can’t keep him away from a Hatching,” Kindan confessed. He craned his neck up and scanned the

swarm of fire-lizards overhead. “Where are Jokester and Fire?”

“We left them behind,” Bemin said. “I doubt either of them is as well-trained as yours.”

“Well, they’ve barely two Turns out of the shell,” Kindan allowed. “Give them time.”

“Like all youngsters, they are impetuous and brash,” Bemin agreed with a twinkle in his eyes. “Why,

you would not believe where I found my daughter—”

“Father!” Fiona protested, a warm blush highlighting her freckles. Bemin laughed.

“Chasing tunnel snakes again?” Kindan asked her in a voice pitched for her ears alone.

He was not successful, as Bemin snorted, saying, “I cannot teach her any decorum at all!” He

continued, “She was hours in the bath and I’m sure there’s still dirt on her.”

Kindan felt Fiona grab him tighter and heard her groan, but when he glanced down he saw the smile in

her eyes.