We set up camp that night in the open country which was both interesting and terrifying. When I was on my own I would usually climb trees or try to find something large to hide in or around. Artos men were busily setting up tents and digging pits for fires. 

The men with the wagon that carried the food and gear were quickly setting up for dinner. It was amazing how quickly it all came together and I watched it in rapt fascination as I stayed close to Artos.

I found later that he normally would have helped set up and roamed the camp talking to his people but didn’t both because of me and because Lady El and Peter had both warned him to take on a more distant air and seem more aloof from his people. 

Artos found this to be hard to do of course. I can assure you that it’s as far from his nature to be that way as it is for a fish to live in a desert. 

We arrived at Aldford, the capitol of the Duchy of Highriver several days later, coming up over the hill leading to the town which overlooked the Ald river, the shimmering ribbon of the river winding it’s way past the town and off into the forest. 

I pulled my horse closer to Artos’ as I looked out on the town and it’s surroundings. I was curious and interested in what was there but at the same time nervous as it would mean more people and in this case people that Artos was not in control over.

Looking back I find it odd that both emotions were warring inside me for which would be supreme. Reading my own story I would have expected more fear and a desire to run rather than curiosity. I think it’s a sign of how much I trusted Artos to keep me safe as well as Ren and perhaps even Lady El. As I learned there would be more than time enough for fear later.

Artos turned to Lady El, “Alright, lets make a bit of an entrance.” 

Lady El nodded and drew up her hunters around her and Artos, their green leathers bright and cleaned from a previous nights scrubbing, all of the bright bits on them shined to a bright sheen. I must confess that the shininess of them did attract my eye. It is my understanding that dragons traditionally like to hoard gold and treasure and it would seem that I have an attraction to shiny things as well.

She gave a couple of quick blasts on her horn and the rest of the party lined up behind her, Artos personal guard riding ahead as we headed into the town at a trot. 

People had gathered to see who was arriving in such pomp and circumstance, watching curiously as we rode the through the gates. The soldiers on each side saluted as we rode past, evidently expecting the party to arrive. 

The horses hooves clattered against the cobblestone streets as we rose and I drew my horse as close to Artos as possible without running into him, not sure that I liked all the extra noise and certainly not liking the throngs of people that were staring at is.

“Easy, Dracius, it’s fine,” Artos said in a low voice.

“Yes, Artos.”

As we approached the central square of the town another group of guards rode towards us, lances held high, pinions with the green on brown color of Highriver snapping in the wind as they approached. I looked at Artos nervously then moved my horse back a little. He looked over and smiled at me and I settled.

“Greetings Lord Artos!” a short balding man said as he rode forward. “My name is Bernard and I serve as Duke Halard’s seneschal. I will escort you to your rooms.”

“Thank you, seneschal,” Artos said with a nod.

Bernard waved his hand and his men formed up around us making me even more nervous. I glanced at Artos who paid it no mind, then over at Lady El who’s face had grown more taut. Evidently she didn’t like them drawing up so close either.

We were lead through the town which seemed no different from any other town I had been in, granted that I paid little attention to any of it at that time. Artos later told me that the town was in rather poor shape, but again I get ahead of myself. 

We were lead to the keep and through it’s rather huge double doors and portcullis, both currently open and up. The stones of the keep were green with moss and the whole place had a damp feel to it. I knew that Lady Dawn would never approve of such things nor would Duke Grimal. For all his roughness and his faults, Duke Grimal was a stickler for keeping the keep clean and functioning as well as taking care of his staff so they didn’t mind putting out the extra effort.

Here the staff seemed sullen and wary, some even looking frightened. I was starting to pick up on the various scents of humans, how they smelled when afraid or nervous and it was very present here. I laid my ears back at the rather sour smell. I resolved to tell Artos of my discovery.

Bernard directed servants to take our party to their rooms and lead Artos and myself to his rooms. The man looked at me and I lowered my head to keep my features even more hidden. 

“We were unaware you had a personal servant, Lord Artos,” Bernard said in a somewhat flat voice.

Artos nodded. “Yes, he assists me in my duties.”

“We will have another room prepared for him in the servants quarters.”

I froze for a moment then nearly reached for Arto’s hand before I stopped myself. Arto shook his head.

“He stays with me.”

“But Lord Artos, we have servants already prepared for you and various entertainments,” Bernard said trying to sound inviting.

Artos shook his head once more “Thank you for the consideration, but he stays with me.” Bernard took in a breath to speak and Artos raised his hand. “Please, I would rather start my visit here on a good note. This is not something that is up for discussion. My servant will stay with me as he always has and none shall interfere with him during our stay.”

Bernard’s mouth shut with a near audible clack of teeth. “Yes, Lord Artos.”

“Thank you,” Artos said with a smile. “When will the Duke see us?”

“This evening at dinner, Lord Artos.”

“Very good then. I will rest from our long journey and freshen up before dinner. If you would be so good as to send El and Peter, the commander of my guard, to see me at their earliest connivence.”

The man bowed slightly. “Yes, Lord Artos. At once.”

Artos nodded and opened the door and walked into the room and I hurried in after him, studiously ignoring Bernard’s glare.