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‘She is most likely dead.’ His mother spoke bluntly.

‘Reyn. You tease your fancy with nursery tales. How long was that log there, even before we discovered this place? Whatever was within it has perished long ago, and left only the echoes of its longing for light and air. You know the properties of wizardwood. A log, broken free of its contents, becomes free to take on the memories and thoughts of those in daily contact with it. That does not mean the wood is alive. You put your hands on it, and you listen to the trapped memories of a dead creature from another time. That is all they are.’

‘If you are so sure of that, why do not we test your theory? Let us expose this log to light and air. If no dragon queen hatches from within it, then I shall concede I was wrong. I will no longer oppose it being cut into timber to build a great ship for the Khuprus family.’

Jani Khuprus heaved a great sigh. Then she spoke softly.

‘It makes no difference, Reyn, whether you oppose it or not. You are my youngest son, not my eldest. When the time comes, you will not be the one to decide what is done with the last wizardwood log.’ At her son’s downcast face, she felt she might have spoken too harshly.

As stubborn as he was, he was also oddly sensitive.

That came from his father, she thought, and feared.

She tried to make him see her reasoning.

‘To do what you propose would divert workmen and time from the tasks they must do if we are to keep money flowing into our household. The log is too big. The entrance they used to bring it here collapsed long ago. It is too long to wend it down the corridors to get it outside. The only alternative would be for workmen to clear the forest above us and then dig away the soil. We would have to break away the crystal dome and hoist it out with tripods and pulleys. It would be a monumental task.’

‘If I am correct, it would be worth it.’

‘Would it? Let us pretend you are correct, and we have exposed this log to light and something has hatched from it. Then what? What assurances do you have that such a creature will feel kindly toward us, or regard us at all? You have read more of the scrolls and tablets of the Elderkind than any other man alive has. You yourself say that the dragons that shared their cities were arrogant and aggressive creatures, prone to take whatever they desired. Would you free such a creature to walk among us? Worse, what if it resented us, or even hated us, for what we unknowingly did to her kin in the other logs? Look at the size of that log, Reyn. It would be a formidable enemy you had loosed upon your own kind, simply to satisfy your curiosity.’

‘Curiosity!’ Reyn sputtered. ‘It is not solely curiosity, Mother. I feel pity for the trapped creature. Yes, and I feel guilt for those others we so thoughtlessly destroyed over the years. Remorse and atonement can drive one as strongly as curiosity.’

Jani knotted her fists. ‘Reyn. I am not going to discuss this any further with you. If you want to speak of it to me again, then you must do so in my sitting room, not in this damp cave with that…thing swaying your every thought. And that is final.’

Reyn straightened slowly and crossed his arms on his chest. She could not see his face; she did not need to. She knew his mouth was set and his jaw clenched tight. Stubborn lad. Why did he have to be so stubborn?

She did not look at him as she made her peace offering.

‘Son, after you have helped the work crew in the west corridor, I thought we might sit down and plan your trip to Bingtown. Although I have promised the Vestrits that you will not turn Malta’s head with presents, it is still fitting that you take gifts for her mother and grandmother.

Those must be selected, as well as garments for your journey.

We have not yet discussed how you will present yourself.

You have always dressed so soberly. Yet, a man who goes courting should have plumage like a peacock.

You must, of course, remain veiled. But how heavily veiled I will leave up to you. ’

Her gambit succeeded. His stance softened; she could sense his smile. ‘Veiled impenetrably, but not for the reason you think. I think Malta is a woman who enjoys mystery and intrigue. I think it is what first attracted her to me.’

Jani began to walk slowly towards the chamber entrance. As she had hoped, Reyn trailed after her. ‘Her mother and grandmother seemed to think her very much a child still, but you refer to her as a woman.’

‘She is certainly a woman.’ Reyn’s tone left no room for doubt.

He took pride in his declaration. Jani found herself marvelling at the change in her son.

Never before had he expressed such an interest in a woman, though there had been no lack of them vying for his attention.

Among the Rain Wild families, any of the Khuprus sons or daughters would be a good catch.

Only once had they attempted to arrange a marriage on his behalf.

His adamant refusal had been socially awkward.

There had been a few alliance offers from Bingtown Trader families as well, but Reyn had disdained them.

No, disdained was too strong a word for overtures he had scarcely acknowledged.

Perhaps Malta Vestrit could save her son from this obsession of his.

She smiled over her shoulder at Reyn as she led him from the room.

‘I confess, I am intrigued by this woman-child Malta. Her family speaks of her one way, and you quite another…I look forward to meeting her.’

‘I hope that shall happen soon. I plan to invite her and her kin to come for a visit, Mother. If that is all right with you, of course.’

‘You know I have no objections. The Vestrit family is well thought of among the Rain Wild Traders, despite their decision to forebear trading with us. With the alliance of our families in marriage, that will surely end. They have the liveship that is needed to trade up the Rain Wild River…and they will own it free of encumbrances once the wedding is celebrated. You and Malta have the prospect of prosperity before you.’

‘Prosperity.’ Reyn said the word with an overtone of amusement. ‘Malta and I have far better prospects than mere prosperity. Of that, Mother, I assure you.’

They came to a divergence in the corridor. Jani paused there. ‘You will go to the west corridor and open the new door.’ Her tone stopped just short of making it a question.

‘I will,’ Reyn replied, almost absently.

‘Good. When you are finished there, come to me in my drawing room. I will have a selection of appropriate gifts from which you may choose. Shall I have the tailors come and bring their newest cloths with them?’

‘Yes. Certainly.’ He frowned in distracted thought. ‘Mother, you promised I would not turn Malta’s head with costly gifts. Am I permitted to bring the simple tokens that any young man may offer a maiden? Fruit and flowers and sweets?’

‘I cannot see how they could object to such things as those.’

‘Good.’ He nodded to himself. ‘Could you have baskets prepared for me that I could offer each day of my visit?’ He smiled to himself.

‘The baskets could be trimmed with ribbons and soft scarves in bright colours. And a bottle or two of excellent wine in each…I do not think that would be going too far.’

His mother smiled wryly to herself. ‘You may wish to proceed cautiously, my son. Ronica Vestrit will tell you plainly enough if you overstep the boundaries she has set. I do not think you should hasten to cross wills with her.’

Reyn was already walking away from her. He glanced back, a quick flash of copper eyes.

‘I shall not hasten to cross her, Mother. But neither shall I hasten to avoid it.’ He continued walking away from her as he spoke.

‘I’m going to marry Malta. The sooner they get used to me, the easier it will be for all of us. ’

Behind him, in the darkness, Jani folded her arms. Obviously, he had never met Ronica Vestrit. A glint of amusement came into her eyes as she wondered if her son’s stubbornness would not find its equal in that of the Bingtown Trader.

Reyn paused. ‘Have you sent a bird to tell Sterb of my courtship?’

Jani nodded, pleased that he had asked. Reyn did not always get along with his stepfather.

‘He wishes you well. Little Kys says you must not marry until winter, when they return to Trehaug. And Mando says you owe him a bottle of Durjan brandy. Something about a bet you made, long ago, that your brothers would marry before you.’

Reyn was already striding away. ‘A wager I am pleased to lose,’ he called back over his shoulder.

Jani smiled after him.