Chapter 12: Plans

We went into the warmth of the biggest cabin and Purslane pounced on us.

“Well. Did it go well?”

“More or less. We left the Queen back in full charge with all her old councillors about her. And we now have a pretty good idea what all this has been about.”

She snarled at him. “Specifics please.”

I found myself laughing. “Feed him and he’ll talk.”

She relaxed a little and a dozen or so of us sat down to bread and cheese, while Mandrake talked—with his mouth full. I listened with half an ear while most of my mind was occupied with thoughts of the next day.

When the draconic swearing had died down I put my hand in Mandrake’s.

“What, love?”

“Tomorrow. There are things about the Legislature you need to know.”

Purslane leaned towards me. “Talk to us.”

“Okay. Firstly, no lycanthrope can Change inside the building, and you are only allowed to enter in human form.”

“How? Why?” Purslane asked.

“Nobody knows how, but why is more straightforward. When the place was built, it was the practice to sort out quarrels with a duel. But that wasn’t practical if, say, a bear had a beef with a rat. The inability to make the change evened out the odds.”

“I see that. What else do we need to know?”

“Only token bearers are allowed into the chamber. Which means Mandrake and me.”

“You?”

“Oh yes. I am the representative of true shifters—as well as being the only one left alive.” There was an irony on that someplace, but it wasn’t something I was ever going to waste any time thinking about.

“Anything else?”

“Yes. Weapons are not allowed in the Legislature. Although I’m sure there will be a few smuggled items.

Purslane frowned. “Sounds to me as if we are stuffed then.”

“So our enemies may think, but we have certain advantages.”

“And they are?”

“First of all, my sword, Death Day can conceal herself from any search.”

The dragon called Stinkwort pushed out his lower lip. “Is it the sword that drinks magic?”

“She does.”

“Then that is indeed an advantage, lady.”

“What else will aid us?” It was a muscular female who asked.

“Mandrake. They will not know him as a true fire lizard, so his ability to flame while in human form is of almost inestimable value.”

The female nodded. “Our erstwhile wing leader must hunt in the morning, then. If his dragon hungers he will not flame well.”

“I had not thought of that. Thank you Burdock.” Mandrake bumped fists with her.

I smiled at the assembled company. “The final advantage we have is you lot.”

“How so, if we cannot come inside?”

I showed them my teeth in my fiercest grin. “If—no, when—the shit hits the fan then it’s a case of bugger the restrictions.”

The dragons raised a ragged cheer.

“Shut up you lot and listen. My master told me that the only noise that can pass through the stones of the Legislature building is dragon whistling. About two hundred years ago I had occasion to test his theory. He was right. So. We can whistle up aid…”

“That’s all well and good,” Purslane said slowly, “but by the time we have fought our way through the guard, you could be done for.”

“I’m not suggesting you come in through the door. Behind the Law-Maker’s seat there is a huge window, made of hundreds of panes of glass. Held together with lead.”

The dragons got it almost at once. Lead melts very easily and they could be through the window in no time.

“Where is this window?” Purslane asked tautly.

You will be sent to wait in the Great Courtyard, where there are dragon stalls, and if you look up at the building the window is right in front of you.

Burdock nodded. “I have seen this. It is shaped as a pointed arch is it not?”

I nodded. “It is.”

Mandrake had obviously been thinking too. “The biggest problem I can see is if our enemies have fighters of their own awaiting summons into the chamber.”

“Yes. We need more dragons. Concealed in the woods. There before us. How may we get them in time?”

A hulking male at the end of the table showed his fangs. “I will go. I am a fast flier. If I leave now there is time, and my dragon fed only this morning.”

Purslane nodded. “Fly well, Hogweed.”

He bowed to us all and left.

She looked around the table at her trusted lieutenants. “I don’t think there is much left to decide. Those whose dragons did not feed today should gather for a dawn hunt. Otherwise there is little to be done except rest and husband our energies.”

Each got up and left the table, saluting their Wing Mistress as they went.

When we were alone, she gave us a straight look from beneath her brows. “So. Apart from half a hundred variables, including treachery and sorcery, we’re all set. Do try not to get yourselves killed.”

She got up and left us in the warm firelit room.

“We are,” I said, “as prepared as it is possible for us to be.”

“Save only one thing.”

“What is that?” I was sure I had forgotten nothing.

Mandrake laughed and stood up lifting me high against his chest. “I would like to experience making love with my soulmate.”

For a moment I couldn’t understand how this was any different from our other times together, but then I understood. There would be no Mothwing in this mating. For the first time in my life I would be intimate with a single soul. It might have been intimidating if it was anyone but Mandrake. But it wasn’t. It was exciting. I lifted my face for his kiss.

A long time later, I lay in his arms, and he made a draconic noise deep in his chest.

“What?”

“I’m wondering if you missed Mothwing, and not quite daring to ask.”

“On some level I can’t draw a breath without missing the person who has been my boon companion for all of my life. But if you are asking whether I missed her in our lovemaking, I did not.”

“Good. Because much though I love her it is you who are my soul.”

I had no answer for that, except to rub my face in his neck, and he was wise enough not to push it.

I fell asleep on his chest and the sound of his heartbeat kept me company in the dark vaults of sleep. I woke when he stirred and knew it to be approaching dawn.

“Stay in bed, love. I’m for the hunt.”

“No. I think I need to get up and do some meditation. I feel that I am going to need all my mental strength this afternoon.”

I looked into his loved face and saw a shadow of trouble. To my great shame I knew I had put it there because I had not been able to reply to his declaration of love.

I touched his cheek. “I will be waiting for you, heart of my heart.” Then I took my courage in both hands. “You are the very life of me, Mandrake. I love you.”

The shadow left his face, and he went joyfully about his business.

When the hunt returned, we bathed in the heat of the bathhouse and Mandrake brushed my hair until it dried as smooth as silk. While he brushed he spoke very softly.

“I am ashamed, dear one.”

“Why?”

“Because I said things that it made you think I wished you would deny your love for Mothwing.” I made no reply, and he continued with his long, rhythmical brush strokes. He spoke again. “That wasn’t what I wanted really. I love her too. It was just that I needed to know you can love me as well as her.”

“Or as much?”

He nodded.

“You my darling dragon are many times a fool,” I said lovingly. “Do you think I would have fought for you like I did out there in the snow if you were not the beat of my heart?”

He came around in front of me and knelt down, pressing his face into my midriff. “Thank you, loved one,” he murmured, and I stroked his hair.

Once we got ourselves together it was time to make ready.

I dressed in my own soft leather riding suit, with my sword belted at my hip and the evilly sharp Dagger of Death in my boot top. I bound my hair tightly and put the bag with my velvet overdress in it beside the door.

There was soup for those of us who had not hunted, and I made myself eat a little bit.