The Eyes of the Dragon

85

When Arlen came back, Peyna said quietly: “We have plans to make, Arlen, but perhaps you’ll draw us a drop of wine. It would be well to wait until the boy is asleep.”

“My Lord, he was asleep before his head touched the hay he had gathered for his pillow.”

“Very well. But draw us a drop of wine anyway.”

“A drop is all there is to draw, “Arlen said.

“Good. Then we’ll not have to set out with big heads to-morrow, will we?”

“My Lord?”

“Aden, we leave here tomorrow, the three of us, for the north. I know it, you know it. Dennis says there’s grippe in Delain-and so there is; one who would grip us if he could, anyway. We go for our health.”

Arlen nodded slowly.

“It would be a crime to leave that good wine behind us for the tax man. So we’ll drink it… and then take ourselves off to bed.”

“As you say, my Lord.”

Peyna’s eyes glinted. “But before you go to bed, you’ll mount to the attic and get the blanket you left with the boy, against my strict and specific instructions.”

Arlen gaped at Peyna. Peyna mocked his gape with uncanny aptness. And for the first and last time in his service as Peyna’s butler, Arlen laughed out loud.