Drakenfeld Read Online Free Page B

profile, her elegant narrow nose and strong jawline, her skin the colour of rosewood, and her compact, muscular body
would have gone down with these people. Presumably, being by the gates, they must have seen people from all corners of the world, yet they still eyed her warily.
    ‘May we ask,’ the censor said, ‘about your business in the city?’
    I informed them of my father’s death, and that I was a member of the Sun Chamber.
    ‘You are the son of Calludian Drakenfeld?’ the priest asked, surprised.
    ‘I am.’
    ‘His death was a shock to us. There was not a man or woman of quality in this city who did not know of his name or his deeds.’
    I felt again that same annoyance: that I could probably never be my own man in this city, along with a pang of regret that I would never see my father again. This conversation was happening too
soon, so my short answers and sense of urgency saw to it that we were permitted through quickly.
    A few steps later and we were inside Tryum. The wide, well-kept stone road led in a straight line through the centre of the city. Carts rocked through these immediate poorer districts, while
further along livestock was being driven along the road, barging people out of the way.
    All along the side streets, people lived in squalor: women sat outside houses, homeless men lay in the shade with bowls in front of them, and dogs nosed the legs of passers-by. Ragged bits of
cloth were strung between walls.
    ‘I thought you said this was different from Venyn City?’ Leana asked. ‘Could be the same place.’
    ‘No city is without problems,’ I replied. Though I never recalled Tryum’s problems being quite as bad as this.

New Luxuries

    The family residence was located in one of the ancient parts of Tryum. The walls of the house were made of thick stone, in the old style – a blessing in any season. But
even more fortuitous was how the old buildings blunted the sound of hammering by the local smiths in the streets beyond. Set further away from the streets were the main living quarters, a simple,
classy affair, with chequered stone tiles, rich red drapes, pleasant seats and rustic tables. On the walls were paintings of great battle scenes and of gods.
    All of which was a step up in the world from our hovel in Venyn City.
    Outside the front gates was the splendid architecture that had echoed in my dreams for so long: the colonnades, fountains, market gardens, statues, frescoes, and the bowed or domed rooftops so
typical of the Polyum and Regallum quarters. In the street, two children were practising their spelling by scratching low down on the pale walls, as I used to do myself. From here the view that
presented itself was of the hill leading towards Regallum, filled with temple roofs and, just beyond that, the mighty royal residence and centrepiece of that district, Optryx.
    Leana had been on a brief tour of the house, investigating all the little nooks and crannies. There was a new cook who lived here also, a different one from when I lived here, and she had not
left when my father died.
    Her name was Bellona, named after a Maristanian goddess of food, which I took as a good portent. Older than me, she stood a shade shorter than Leana. Her nose was broad, her lips thin, her eyes
gentle and intelligent – her pale, sweaty face had a welcoming demeanour. With a deep voice and a local accent, she spoke affectionately about my father and told me how handsome I looked.
    I could get used to that.
    After I confirmed I would of course keep her in my employment, she unceremoniously rushed forward to bow at my feet. Leana’s gaze was one of amusement, and I must admit to feeling rather
uncomfortable. I helped Bellona up again and asked, if it wasn’t too much trouble, to prepare a little dinner before dusk.
    ‘Of course, master,’ she replied, before tentatively adding, ‘though we need some coin to replenish provisions.’
    ‘Oh, right.’ I reached into my pocket and handed over a