Great, I thought.
I should note here that Bastille’s mother – Draulin – is by no means as stiff and boring a person as she might at first seem. I have it on good authority that once, about ten years ago, she was heard to laugh, though some still claim it was a particularly nasty sneeze. She has also been known to blink occasionally, though only on her lunch break.
‘Squire Bastille has not executed her duty in a manner befitting one who carried the title Knight of Crystallia,’ Draulin continued. ‘She performed in a sloppy, embarrassing manner that endangered not one, but both Oculators under her protection. She allowed herself to be captured. She allowed a member of the Conclave to Kings to be tortured by a Dark Oculator. And, on top of all of that, she lost her bonded Crystin sword.’
I glanced at Bastille, who still stared straight ahead, jaw clenched tightly. I felt anger rise in me.
‘None of that was her fault,’ I said, looking back at Draulin. ‘You can’t punish her for it! I’m the one who broke her sword.’
‘It isn’t fault that is punished,’ Draulin said, ‘but failure. This is the decision of the Crystin leaders, Lord Smedry, and I was sent to deliver it. The judgment will stand. As you know, the Crystin are outside the jurisdiction of any kingdom or royal line.’
Actually, I didn’t know that. I didn’t know a whole lot about Crystallia in the first place. I’d barely even gotten used to being called ‘Lord Smedry.’ I had come to understand that Smedries are held in great respect by most Free Kingdomers, and figured that my title was something of a term of affection for them.
There was, of course, a lot more to it than that. But, there always is, isn’t there?
I glanced back at Bastille, where she stood at the back of the cockpit, face red. I need to talk to my grandfather, I decided. He can help sort this out.
I sat down in the chair beside Australia. ‘All right, where’s my grandfather?’
Australia glanced at me, then blushed. ‘We’re not exactly sure. We got a note from him this morning – delivered via Transcriber’s Lenses. It told us what to do. I can show you the note, if you want.’
‘Please,’ I said.
Australia fished in her tunic for a moment, searching through pockets. Finally, she found a wrinkled-up piece of paper and handed it over to me.
Australia, it read.
I don’t know if I’ll be there at the pickup point. Something has come up that requires my attention. Kindly fetch my grandson for me, as planned, and take him to Nalhalla. I will meet up with you when I can.
Leavenworth Smedry
Outside, we rose into the clouds. The vehicle really seemed to be picking up speed.
‘So, we’re going to Nalhalla?’ I asked, glancing back at Bastille’s mother.
‘As long as that’s what you command,’ the woman said. Her tone implied it was really the only choice.
‘I guess it is, then,’ I said, feeling a slight disappointment, the reason for which I couldn’t pin down.
‘You should go to your quarters, Lord Smedry,’ Draulin said. ‘You can rest there; it will take several hours to journey across the ocean to Nalhalla.’
‘Very well,’ I said, rising.
‘I will lead you,’ Draulin said.
‘Nonsense,’ I said, glancing at Bastille. ‘Have the squire do it.’
‘As you command,’ the knight said, nodding her head at Bastille. I walked from the cockpit, Bastille trailing behind, then waited until the door slid closed. Though its glass, I could see Draulin turn and stand, still at parade rest, facing out the eyeball of the dragon.
I turned to Bastille. ‘What’s that all about?’
She flushed. ‘Just what she said, Smedry. Come on. I’ll take you to your room.’
‘Oh, don’t get like that with me,’ I said, rushing to catch up. ‘You lose one sword, and they bust you back to squire? That doesn’t make any sense.’
Bastille flushed even more deeply. ‘My mother is a very brave and well-respected Knight of Crystallia. She always does what is best for the order and never acts without careful thought.’
‘That doesn’t answer my question.’