Regent

"Thank you all for coming here to present me with this prize," Sinjin finally said. His face still burned and a tremble crept into his voice, but he kept from showing his fear. "If you will excuse me, there are matters that require my attention."

"I had hoped for at least a brief tour," Master Edling said. His eyes took in the details as he sca

"Perhaps another time, Master Edling."

A long silence allowed the tension to rise as Master Edling attempted to silently compel Sinjin.

"Perhaps you could have your steward contact me, and we can arrange for a proper tour," Millie said from behind Sinjin, who gave no indication that he would speak again.

"Uh, yes. I suppose that would be best."

Sinjin knew it would be a long climb back down the wooden stairs that led to the valley floor below and that it would most likely be dark by the time Master Edling's party reached the bottom. Insulting Master Edling was a risky thing to do, and Sinjin was in no mood for taking more risks, but he definitely didn't want Master Edling to know that his parents were incapacitated. If Edling wanted to launch an attack on Dragonhold, this would certainly be the time to do it.

Edling left without another word, his party hurrying in his wake.

"If I weren't so angry with you, I do believe I'd be right proud about now," Millie said.

Sinjin turned to see her smiling, and the weight on his soul was just a little lighter. "Thanks, Millie. I'm sorry about all the trouble I caused."

"I don't suppose you'll be making that mistake again, now will you?"

"No, ma'am."

"It wasn't all your fault, now. There're darker forces at work here, and you've just got to be more careful. If they were to have killed you. . why, I don't know what I'd have done." There was a catch in her voice.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now you run to the kitchens and get something in your belly. Can't have you falling over too."

Sinjin's stomach agreed with Millie, and he jogged toward the kitchens. Leaving the cool air behind, he descended to the great forge. Rhythmic ringing echoed through the tu

The smell of baking bread overtook the earthy fragrance of the smithy and smelting room, and more savory aromas drifted in from the kitchens. Sinjin charged past the bakery and slowed to a respectful speed when he reached the main kitchen. He couldn't count the number of times Miss Mariss had told him to slow down in her kitchens, and as he'd gotten older, he'd begun listening to her-most of the time. Several smacks on the back of the head with a wooden spoon had helped motivate him.

When he entered, an u

Miss Mariss had been fa

Sinjin walked alongside Miss Mariss as she talked. Absently she grabbed a wooden bowl and a slate. Into the bowl went red sausage, smoked bacon, salt-cured ham, eggs, and walnuts, Sinjin's and Prios's favorite breakfast. Onto the slate went a small loaf of dark bread that had been cut open and stuffed with soft cheese and honey.

"Go," Miss Mariss said, not giving herself or anyone else the chance to ask him questions she knew he did not want to answer.

Sinjin left without looking anyone else in the eye, but when he turned the corner, he literally ran into the last person in the world he wanted to see. Kendra looked down at the honey that now stained her smock, which was snug and seemed to demand that Sinjin stare at it, and she cast Sinjin one of her least pleasant looks. "You oaf!"

"Kendra! You apologize this instant!" ordered Kendra's mother, Khe

"It was my fault. I wasn't looking," Sinjin said, and he tried to slide by both of them, but Khe

"This won't do. Kendra, say you're sorry."

"I won't because I'm not sorry. He thinks he's better than everyone else and he's not!"

"Forgive her, Lord Volker," Khe

"If he's a lord, then I'm a horse's-"

Kendra's words were cut short, and Sinjin did not look back. The less he did to provoke Kendra, the better. It was not that he feared her, but a battle with her was one he could not win; this he knew from experience. Khe

"Some champion," Kendra said as Sinjin retreated.

Watching his food grow colder, Sinjin quickened his step. It was then that he realized there was nowhere he wanted to eat. Normally he would eat with Durin's family since his mother usually ate in her workroom and his father often ate by walking through the kitchens and grabbing whatever attracted him-a habit that drove Miss Mariss to distraction. Sinjin remembered the pain in Durin's parents' eyes when the news of his friend's condition had been delivered, and he could not face that pain again, especially not when it was his fault. As he neared the barracks, he considered eating with the guards, but the heated shouts from within the barracks caused him to keep going. It seemed the entire hold was in turmoil as a result of his thoughtlessness. As he neared the halls where he and Durin had played as children, he remembered a nearly dark alcove where they used to hide; perhaps he'd not completely outgrown the spot.

Behind the statue of some ancient king, Sinjin crouched. Beside him a glowing rune chased the darkness. Carved into the stone were delicate yet cavernous sigils. The narrow, fine lines cut deep enough to allow light from the central fire to shine through. The sigils had caused quite a stir after the lighting of the great hearth. When they began to glow, people feared some ancient magic had awakened. Sinjin thought that perhaps it had.