Champion of Fire & Ice - Megan Derr Page 0,29

begin with.

"Whatever the reason," King Rorlen said begrudgingly, "a victory is a victory, if it is fairly and honorably won. As you are the first to return victorious, I name you the winner of the quest challenge and award the full fifty points."

That meant even when Grayne completed his own quest, he could not earn more than forty points, even if he did exceedingly well. It wasn't much of a lead, especially as this was only the first of three, but it was something.

Applause filled the hall, bouncing off the walls and making the noise near-deafening.

When it finally quieted, Princess Korena said, "You went above and beyond in this matter, Sir Cimar. No one in history has bested a lindworm singlehandedly, not that anyone has recorded. It is my right to offer you a boon, and I do so. You may have what you wish, so long as it does not give you unfair advantage in the challenge or bring harm to others."

That earned Korena a glower from her father and sent whispers through the hall, but it was well within the rules. Moreover, the accomplishment was great enough King Rorlen himself should have granted a boon, and so could hardly argue when his own heir did so in his stead.

"My squire," Cimar replied, giving no sign of the stir all around him. "Whether I win or lose this challenge, he has already more than earned his spurs. He cannot be granted them during the challenge, of course, but at its conclusion, I would see him properly knighted. I would not have his honor or future besmirched by my actions, should the worst come to pass."

Korena smiled, faint but true, every bit the stately queen she would soon be as she replied, "The boon is granted, Sir Cimar. Pending formalities aside, congratulations on your knighthood, Sir Leonine."

"T-thank you, Your Highness," Leonine said, eyes wide before he hastily bowed his head again.

More whispers rippled through the hall but were cut off as Rorlen abruptly stood—and seemed for a moment to sway on his feet, regaining his balance right as it looked as though Grayne or nearby bodyguards would have to lunge to catch him. "Dismissed," Rorlen said, the word not quite spoken in a snarl, and strode off unsteadily, vanishing through the door that led to his private suite.

Davrin caught Cimar's eye and gestured for Cimar to come see him once he had a chance. Cimar nodded, and with a slight bow to Korena, Davrin slipped from the over-crowded hall and made his way back to his chamber.

CHAPTER SIX

Cimar had never been so sick of people in his life. By the time he managed to escape the onslaught of grabby hands and grossly inappropriate questions, and not-remotely-subtle attempts to glean his shifted form, he was ready to take up life as a hermit.

Or nearly, anyway. More than anything, he wanted to see Davrin, and finally say—and do—all those things he'd held back, for one reason or another, most of which seemed stupid now. He would have never dishonored his wife, but they'd come to their arrangement a long time ago.

If the lindworm had done nothing else, it had reminded him life was short, and nothing was worse than dying with important things left unsaid.

First, however, he released Leonine to go find his lovers, who would no doubt be delighted to console him over their grisly mission and congratulate him on his knighthood.

Second, he headed down to the armory, where the men he'd hired had already delivered the skin to the royal smiths. Cimar wasn't remotely surprised to find every last one of them clustered around the enormous skin taking up a goodly portion of their yard.

The chief blacksmith, and master of the armory, Croy, spied him first. "Didn't expect to see you before tomorrow, if not the day after. Was sure they'd keep you busy in that hall all night and day."

Cimar laughed. "They tried, but I would like rest, not so much wine I make myself sick. They are welcome to drink my share."

The blacksmiths all laughed, and then Croy motioned to the skin. "Know what you want to be done with it, or still deciding? There's enough here for several suits of plate and more besides. Could damn near outfit a small army." As master of the armory, Croy focused on making weapons when he wasn't simply keeping the place in order, but he'd apprenticed first in armor and could hold his own with any armorer in the place.