Thraxas and the Ice Dragon - By Martin Scott Page 0,18

ear and throw some meat at it. It can't be that hard."

"He tried to bit your hand off."

It's true. The creature did not take kindly to being stroked by me. I was fortunate to escape with my fingers still attached. It doesn't seem to like anyone except Makri. It's a strange phenomenon, though one I have encountered before. When we visited the Fairy Glade together, the centaurs, fairies, and assorted other magical creatures all seemed keen on Makri.

"What if its mother comes back?" says Makri.

We fall silent, thinking about the huge white dragon that flew overhead while we were sailing up the river. While we don't have any proof that it was our dragon's mother, it seems likely. According to Arichdamis, the baby dragon was found, as an egg, by a scientific expedition to the furthest reaches of the mountains in north. They handed it over to the King, who then gave it to Arichdamis with the instructions to rear it. Possibly he has some scheme to be the first western monarch to control dragons. It seems like a foolish endeavour to me. The King of Turai once had a dragon in his zoo, and that ended very badly.

"What's the idea of telling the King you're my manager?" continues Makri.

"I had to say that. I wasn't going to be left behind in this attic. Anyway, it's true enough. If you're entering the tournament you'll need someone to look after your affairs. I can do that. Which brings us to our first problem; money. There's the entrance fee, and you'll need weapons and armour, which aren't cheap. Lisutaris, can you help?"

The Sorceress shakes her head. She's still living on charity from Kublinos. "I can't ask him for any more."

"Why not?"

"It would be demeaning."

"So?"

"It's hardly going to increase my status if people know I've been begging money to buy armour for my bodyguard, is it?"

"I suppose not. Well, I'll have to think of something. There's the gambling to consider as well."

Lisutaris nods sagely. "Of course, we must bet on Makri. If only I could earn something. Would it affect my status if I took on some private work?"

"Yes it would," declares Makri. "You're Head of the Guild. You can't be casting horoscopes to raise cash. Thraxas, if you're betting on me I want a fair share of the winnings. And none of your outlandish, risk-filled gambles either. I want a solid, practical betting strategy."

I smile. As I said, Makri is nowhere near as averse to gambling as she pretends. "Have I ever let you down?"

"Almost continually."

It strikes me that I could probably earn money in Elath. "There has to be some crime going on here, with Barons, sword-fighters and assorted gamblers in town. Perhaps I could find something that needs investigating."

Lisutaris stands up and cranes her neck to examine herself in the tiny mirror on the attic wall. "There's something wrong with this dress," she mutters. "The clasp at the neck isn't fastening properly."

Makri stands behind Lisutaris and attempts to rectify the situation, but quickly becomes frustrated. "I can't close it. How does it work?'"

I raise my eyes to heaven. If you're having problems in the female costuming department, Makri is never going to be any help.

"Step aside and let a civilised Turanian look at it," I say, and brush Makri aside. "The clasp is jammed."

"We know that already," says Lisutaris.

"Let me try again," says Makri.

"What with? Your axe? Not every problem can be solved by violence."

I take hold of the clasp and give it a tug. Nothing happens. I pull it harder. The clasp rips right out of the dress which then flops down around Lisutaris's waist. Makri bursts out laughing. At this moment Kublinos walks into the room. Seeing Lisutaris, Mistress of the Sky, with her dress around her waist, he looks surprised.

"What is… eh…?"

"Come Makri, let's go to my room and see if we can repair the damage," says Lisutaris. They disappear. Kublinos looks at me very suspiciously.

"What was that all about?"

"Just a little clothing problem."

"Was it you who ripped Lisutaris's dress?"

"Accidentally."

His eyes narrow. "I have to say, Thraxas, your attempts to win the favour of Lisutaris are quite inappropriate. Apart from your unsuitable character, there's the difference in class to be considered."

Before I can protest, he rushes on.

"Just because you rescued Lisutaris - or claim to have - doesn't give you the right to inflict yourself on her. I've seen the way you operate and I don't like it at all."

Faced with an angry and apparently insane Sorcerer,