Dragons of War Read Online Free PDF Page A

when he overheard Swane's whispered comment.
    When, at last, he came to Relkin and Bazil, he spent a considerable time going over every piece of kit. He even asked Relkin to open his pack, an almost unheard of request. With a grim face Relkin complied, and the dragon leader fished through his things.
    Relkin wondered if Turrent was looking for his Legion Star, the great medal he'd won for his part in the fall of Tummuz Orgmeen. Relkin kept the thing in the legion bank, in a locked box.
    Turrent pawed around for a while and finished by setting aside Relkin's comb, a souvenir from Ourdh.
    "This is a nonregulationary item, Dragoneer. Where is the comb that was given you by the good taxpayers of Marneri? Why are you using this piece of foreign apparatus instead?"
    Relkin flushed. The comb had been given him by Miranswa Zudeina, who had given him a lot of other things besides, but mostly an education in the arts of love.
    I lost the other one last year in Ourdh, sir. Due to circumstances beyond my control, we lost several pieces of our kit while we were campaigning."
    Turrent did not like references to previous campaigns. Turrent was painfully aware of his own unfortunate shortage of combat experience. He had but a single combat star, and be knew some of these boys had two, three, or even five. He fastened his eyes on Relkin.
    "Well now, Dragoneer, you understand that the regulations exist for a good reason. We cannot allow nonregulationary items to be displayed. We might start with discreet little Ourdhi combs, but we'd end up with no uniforms at all and poor morale."
    Relkin had learned that the only way to handle these attacks was to stay calm and not to protest in any way. Protestations only made the dragon leader more excited, more determined to find fault.
    "Now I know, and the general knows, indeed the whole world knows what a special dragonboy you are, Dragoneer Relkin, with your Legion Star and all. And, of course, we realize how privileged we are to have you."
    Relkin heard a real loathing behind Turrent's words. Relkin kept the coveted Legion Star discreetly hidden. He wore it only for full regimental parades and never for a simple unit parade. Why did the dragon leader hate him so?
    "But, Dragoneer Relkin," Turrent was leaning over him breathing into his face. "Despite all that, it does not mean that we want to sit around watching you comb your darling locks with this fanciful nonregulationary comb. Despite all that, Dragoneer Relkin, we want to see you use the proper regulationary item as prescribed."
    "Yes, sir," mumbled Relkin.
    "What?"
    "Yes, sir!"
    "So, Dragoneer Relkin, how shall we solve this little problem? Shall I perhaps confiscate this nonregulationary item?"
    Relkin steeled himself to show no emotion.
    Turrent gazed at him for a few seconds, gauging his response. Finally he sniffed.
    "Now, I would confiscate the item, Dragoneer, and thus spare you any agony of decision, but I'm sure you treasure this keepsake, so I want to give you the chance to rectify your error. By next unit parade you will have replaced the item with the proper, regulationary item, which you will obtain from the quartermaster store. Am I understood?"
    "Yes, sir, perfectly."
    Turrent gave him a brief, triumphant smile. "Right then, Dragoneer, carry on."
    Turrent strode past to examine Mono and Chektor. Relkin's eyes followed him with frank hatred.
    The parade ended at last, and the dragons ambled back into the Dragon House. Some were to prepare for combats in the ring. Others were going to exercise in the yard and practice sword drills.
    Bazil Broketail would rest that day, following on the hard bout of the day before. In the late afternoon he would exercise, doing a few routine movements with weights and sword at the butts.
    Once the dragon was sound asleep, Relkin went to the north entrance of the river gate. On the second floor was the legionaries' bank where Relkin kept a small locked box. He signed the chit for it and opened it with