"Lord King!" cried Gantrell, struggling to regain his composure, "I merely object to hearing my name bandied about like this. I know nothing of this lady's capture or treatment. And Fredrick of Brevory, for whom I would normally have furnished legal assistance and support, has not seen fit to be present. His guilt or innocence is not my concern! But my name is!"
DRAGON COMPANION 307.
"You will have time to rebut, if you please," repeated the king. "Now we must continue hearing the testimony, in order to know what to look for in any testimony that may be offered by Brevory or his representatives. Do you understand. Lord Peter?"
"Perfectly, Your Majesty!" choked Peter, and he sat down, looking rather smug and sure of himself now.
The court called Clem and Tom to testify. Both confirmed the story and answered a few questions about the chase and the rescue. The audience hung on their every word.
"Had you previously ever met or had pointed out to you the man known to you as Fredrick of Brevory?" the king asked Clem.
"No, I never met him or saw him or heard of him before we captured him in Wall, Lord King!"
"So how did you learn who he was?"
"When we captured him he called himself by that name, as well as did those around him who had served him."
"But you have no way of knowing if he actually was Fredrick of Brevory, except that he claimed that was his name?"
"I had no reason to doubt it. Lord King," Clem pointed out. "But no, I cannot swear that he was actually the man he said he was."
"Ha!" snorted Gantrell loud enough for all to hear. When it was Tom's turn, the king asked much the same questions, including those about the kidnapper's identity. Tom had to admit that he just assumed the culprit had told the truth about his identity.
"For the record. Master Librarian, is it true that you are a human?"
Tom was surprised. The king and he had discussed his humanity at length and he knew it was common knowledge in the court and the city.
"I am a human, born of the world called Earth," he answered slowly. "I am not at all sure what that means here in Carolna. I find very few differences between most natives of this world and natives of my own home world."
"I know no reason myself why a human should be considered more or less than the rest of us," said the king. "I have looked at the laws handed down through fifty-four previous 308 Don Callander reigns and nowhere does it appear that a human, living in Carolna, gainfully employed, of good reputation and good behavior, should not be considered our subject and a citi-zen of this kingdom. You have accepted the professional contract from our Historian, Murdan of Overhall, to be his personal Librarian, I understand."
"Yes, Majesty," said Tom.
"And I challenge anyone to say you have not served Murdan well," the king said with satisfaction. "Thank you, Master Librarian. You may sit down."
For a long minute Eduard paused with his hand to his chin, thinking. Whispers and murmurs spread throughout the courtroom.
"This case pivots on the identity of one Fredrick of Brevory, the accused. We will attempt to establish the fact of his identity, first, and mayhap in doing so, clear up the question of his liege lord's responsibility in the matter."
He nodded in a friendly fashion, it seemed, at Gantrell, then said simply: "Bring in the accused!"
The side door swung wide. A very sober, shaken, and frightened Fredrick of Brevory entered and bowed deeply to the king. The whole assembly gasped. Not least in this were many influential men seated about Gantrell.
"You are Fredrick of Brevory, whose Achievement lies just fifteen miles west of here?" asked Eduard when order had been restored.
"Yes, sire. Majesty, I am he!"
"Is there anyone present who gainsays this man's identity?" the king asked. No one spoke. Brevory was well known.
"The court inquires if any disinterested party present can positively confirm this man's claim to be Brevory," said the king, looking out over the assemblage.
Several men raised their hands at once. The king pointed at one.
"You, Fillip Widemead. I believe you to be a man of integrity and honesty. Do you confirm this man's identity?"
"Aye, Your Majesty!" said the man singled out. "I've known Brevory for all his young life. His Achievement is athwart mine. He hunted and schooled with my sons. His mother is a distant cousin of mine. I confirm that he is who he says he is."
DRAGON COMPANION.
309.
"Very good, then. Sir Fillip. Anyone else?" Several other men present echoed Sir Fillip's words. Eduard asked, letting his eyes fall upon the glowering countenance of Peter of Gantrell. "You, Lord Peter?" "He is Fredrick of Brevory, buta" "Lord Peter! I have a question or two for the accused, and then we will hear what you have to say in the matter." Brevory had stood at attention all this time, with no expression on his face at all. The king gestured to him now.
"Fredrick of Brevory! You have sworn liege to Lord Peter of Gantrell?"
The accused was seen to take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"I was. Lord King. I am no longer! The bond between us has been severed."
Uproar in the hall. The king allowed it to run its course before continuing.
"Fredrick of Brevory! A bond of loyalty to one's liege lord is not easily broken. Why do you say you no longer owe Gantrell your service?"
"He sent three assassins to kill me, to prevent me from appearing at this trial," said Freddie. "Such an attack severs any bond of fealty ever entered into." This time the hall was stunned to silence. "So it does," agreed Eduard Ten with finality. "Will you now tell us your part in the kidnapping of Lady Rosemary of Ffallmar, and especially under whose orders you acted.
These events took place while you were still in Lord Peter's service, I take it?"
"Yes, Majesty, they did. I was ordered to waylay Lady Rosemary and her children in Summer Pass and carry them to Wall, where I was to take them aboard the flagship of the Gantrell fleet. I was ordered to do this by the Lord of Gantrell, personally, by word of mouth!" claimed Freddie, pointing at Peter a or at where Peter should have been.
"He's gone!" cried Manda.
"By magic!" said Beatrix. "For he was there but a short moment ago!"
^28^ Achievement Awards "BUT where is Peter?" Queen Beatrix asked worriedly.
They were sitting in the queen's music room. The snow was all but gone and the weather cool and crisp. The lindens along the waterfront were antique gold against a background of riffled blue water.
"Are you sure he's left Carolna?" asked the queen.
"Not yet. These things take time, ma'am," said the Historian.
"I'll not rest easy until we know where he is and what he's up to," murmured Beatrix, resuming her needlepoint work. "No, my dear princess, you've dropped a stitch, there."
"How do you see it so well?" cried Manda in exasperation. "You're ten feet away and can see a dropped stitch, and I'm right here and miss it!"
Session had ended with great ceremony and pomp. The king's last act had been to declare perpetual banishment against Peter of Gantrell and the sequestration of his properties, to be held by the crown until his enormous debts had been paid and his legal heir determined.
Tom and Clem left these deliberations to others and were watching Graham drill his men-at-arms in the courtyard of the Historian's town house when a Dragon dropped like a stone from the sky.
"Furbetrance!" Tom shouted. "Old friend! Welcome!"
"Warmest greetings!" cried Retruance's brother, waving a claw at Graham and the soldiers. "Hetabelle and our five kits are an hour behind me. I came ahead to make sure there's room for all these Dragon bodies in Lexor."
"There's always room for more Dragons in Murdan's house," said Tom. "Check with Mistress Grumble. That's her department."
DRAGON COMPANION 311.
"And my brother? Where is he?"
"Murdan had him watching outside during the trial of Freddie of Brevory," Clem told him. "When Peter whisked himself away by a magic spell of some sort, Retruance followed him. We haven't seen or heard from him for some days."
"The trial is over and Gantrell flown! I need some catching up, friends."
"Let's send for Murdan," suggested Tom, "and sit here in the sun and tell our tales." And they did.
"I was tiring ofstitchery and wedding talk, anyway," said the Historian, arriving somewhat out of breath but beaming to see the younger Constable. "You're just in time to see the procession and awards," he added to Furbetrance. "I hope Retruance will return in time. The parade's at high noon tomorrow."
"What can we do? For of course, Hetabelle and the kits will want to help."
"Walk just behind my carriage, one by one, and blow some fire and colored smoke. It'll make a brave show."
"I've got a better idea," suggested Tom. "All the Dragons can fly in formation over the parade. That'll be a splendid sight, especially if they show some fireworks at the same time."
"Marvelous!" exclaimed Murdan, who loved parades and fireworks as much as anyone. "Can you do that, Furbetrance?"
"Not until you bring me up to date on current events," bargained the Dragon.
They sat side by side in the autumn afternoon sun with their backs against a warm brick wall and told the younger Constable everything that had happened since he'd left them at Clem's cabin.
THE Grand Parade had evolved from a simple procession to a grand spectacle, traveling from Manda Palace to Session Hall, officially to close the Session. This one went off wonderfully well by everyone's standards.
Noble houses, wealthy knights, and merchants competed to put the most splendidly accoutred marchers in the line. Craft guilds poured a great deal of time and money into 312 Don Callander twelve-horse floats bedecked with rich fabrics and semi-precious jewels that told stories from the kingdom's col-orful past.
Ladies rode in ornate carriages, dressed in their most sumptuously elaborate gownsa--fortunately the weather was cool and clear for thema-and children walked the route in vast troops, singing and dancing, clad in brightly colored, homemade costumes.
Everyone agreed that the most spectacular display of all was the flying Constable family.
Retruance, Furbetrance, Hetabelle, and her five lively youngstersa-one boy and four girlsa-began the air show with a flashing flyover, roaring down the length of Grand Avenue at rooftop level at tremendous speed. Spectators craned their necks, and cried aloud in surprise and awe until they recognized the great scaled fliers, then they cheered lustily, for Dragons were very popular now.
When the Dragons returned over the parade route, Retruance led them in a series of breathtaking rolls, dives, inside and outside loops, and upside-down flying patterns in perfect order, releasing great streams of red, yellow, pink, black, and green smoke. The parade came to a halt to watch, and only resumed, amid wild applause, when Retruance led his brother and his family to a perch on the roof of Session Hall to watch the rest of the parade themselves.
THE king addressed the assemblage with the great doors flung wide and the windows all open, so that everyone could hear and see. He was interrupted constantly by thunderous applause from delegates within and spectators without.
He said: "Friends, countrymen, thralls, thanes, and clergy, even Dragons! [Applause.] Despite some very serious problems, this Fall Session has been brought to a successful conclusion.
"The royal succession is settled and agreed upon by all [applause and cheering] a I have every expectation of living and ruling yet for many years [wild applause]a but when I decide to abdicate, or if I should die [shouts of *No! No!'] .. . Well, we're all mortal, and these things must be considered, you know! If I leave the Trusslo throne DRAGON COMPANION 313.
for any reason, the crown will pass to my son, Ednoll. Beyond him, should he die without issue, the crown passes to his half sister, Alix Amanda [cheers, especially from the ladies] and to any issue of her line. If Princess Manda's line fails, the throne and the crown go back to Princess Royal Amelia, Ednoll's twin.
"If, by mischance, Ednoll is still a minor when I depart this life [*No! No!' again, louder]a his regent will be his half sister Alix Amanda, assisted by our Royal Historian, Murdan of Overhall [upwelling of applause for Murdan, much admired after the events of the past weeks]a.
"The crown declares the question of a regency for Princess Royal Alix Amanda, who is still a minor by but a year, is a dead issue. Manda is her own woman."
Eduard and his queen then brought their twin infants into public view for the very first time. Barely four weeks old, the two slept peacefully in their double cradle despite the uproar of cheers and applause from all sides. If there were some who doubted the fitness of Beatrix to be queen, their doubts were forgotten. Beatrix glowed beautifully with pride and happiness at their acceptance of her babesa-and herself.
"One last rite remains," resumed Eduard, holding up the Wand of Justice to still the crowd after the cradle had been carried off, "before we adjourn until spring.
"It is meet and right that the crown recognize, reward, and commend those who have rendered particularly valuable service to us, my family, and the people of Carolna."
The crowd fell silent, for the King's Medal awards were always kept very secret until the king announced them at this final sitting of Session, each fall.
"The honors list is even now being posted on the doors of Alix Amanda Palace," said the king, and sure enough, everyone could hear the distant sound of hammering. "It contains more than fifty names, from all walks of Carolnan life, all recognized for outstanding service.
"One young man on the list deserves special mention, in addition to his medal.
"For his bravery, intelligence, diligence, loyalty, and ready wit. For providing a model for young men everywhere. For his staunch, brave, and timely rescue of Lady Rosemary of Ffallmar, as well as his steady support of and 314 Don Callander good counsel to our daughter. Princess Royal Alix Amanda, I joyfully present the King's Medal and our special gratitude to Librarian Thomas Whitehead of Iowa and Overhall!"
Tom was pushed forward to stand before the dais, blushing furiously. The applause went on and on, until the king again raised the slender wand and the accolade at last subsided.
"In addition, I'm pleased to announce that Thomas of Iowa and Overhall has won the love of our daughter. Princess Manda. I now publish aloud their betrothal. In celebration of their marriage, I dub hima Knight of the Royal Household!"
The acclaim seemed unending. Tom grinned, bowed, and waved even though he felt a little foolish for doing so, until he caught a glimpse of the very dignified Constable family leaning over the edge of an open skylight in the roof above the throne, cheering with the best of them.
"And," resumed Eduard, waving the wand back and forth, "Sir Thomas, having no property other than his good strong arm and ready mind, and having been chosen consort by a princess of royal blood, we do hereby invest him with an Achievement, to be his, and his heirs' and their heirs', forever!"
This news stunned Tom, who had no idea that the king planned to make such a gift. Manda left the dais and ran to his side, hugging him and shedding tears of joy and smiles of love.
Queen Beatrix came down and led Tom and Manda up the steps to the throne, where the king embraced them both and beamed happily as they accepted the continued cheering and shrill whistles of the multitude.
"I DON'T deserve any of it," Tom protested when Session had been officially closed. They had retired to Alix Amanda Palace for tea and cake and friendly conversation where it was warm and quiet.
"Nonsense!" cried Eduard, who had gratefully shed his gold-braided, jeweled Robe of State, put aside the Wand of Justice, and sent the massive crown of the Trussloes back to the royal treasury. He'd slipped into a plain, comfortable everyday coat. "You've earned our love and gratitude, as well as Manda's."
DRAGON COMPANION 315.
"I've no hesitation about Manda," exclaimed the Librarian, "and I'm overwhelmed with pride to receive the King's Medal. The knighthood, too, is most welcome, although I've been treated like a belted knight ever since I arrived in Carolna."
"I take that as a compliment, then," laughed Murdan, "although I recall almost having you burned at the stake the day we first met."
"Uncle, no!" cried Manda in horror.
"Well, he was rather upset that day," Tom said in the Historian's defense.
"He was a Dragon Companion, already, too. There was no way I would have let Murdan bum him," said Retruance from the window through which he'd pushed his head.
"Well, I was just lucky," said Tom.
"It's much better to be good and lucky than just good,"