The dragons gold, p.71
The Dragon's Gold,
p.71
Practically the same words Aefric had used, during his explanation of why he was so angry, just before banishing her.
Not exactly enough to merit forgiveness. Especially since she still seemed to be missing the point.
But perhaps she’d been tuning him out as well…
“But even without factoring in their importance as vassals,” she continued, “I still should not have done what I did.”
She shook her head, lips a tight line, but gained a haughtier look as she continued.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that Byrhta Ol’Caran may be the most beautiful woman walking the surface of Qorunn,” Zoleen said. “And yet, the fact remains that she is the daughter of your grace’s own vassal. She has no title of her own, nor a powerful family supporting her. She lacks even an impressive dowry to recommend her to your grace for anything more than the bliss moment.
“I, on the other hand,” she continued, “am a Fryenn. Sister to the Duchess of Merrek. Sister to the Queen of Armyr. I have the family and position to make a good match for your grace. And while my beauty does not compare to that of Byrhta Ol’Caran, your grace has demonstrated quite amply that he appreciates both my beauty and my company.”
The carriage rolled to a stop.
“I should have trusted in my own appeal,” Zoleen said, “rather than trying to remove unworthy competition.”
Aefric sighed.
“Your grace,” Ser Arras called into the carriage. “We’ve arrived.”
“Zoleen,” Aefric said, “while I confess I don’t care for your characterization of Byrhta, you’ve missed the most important point.”
Zoleen frowned, with a slight pout that Aefric suspected was deliberate.
“I have?” she asked.
“Think back to what I told you before I sent you away. Assuming you didn’t tune me out as you do Ashling.” He moved toward the door. “Thank you for the ride.”
Zoleen still hadn’t spoken again when he stepped out of the carriage.
Aefric wondered what it said about her that she’d missed the most important point.
Right now, Aefric couldn’t trust her.
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About the Author
Stefon Mears has role-played Ge’rek under a different name. Stefon has more than thirty books to his credit, and he never stops writing. He earned his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from N.I.L.A., and his B.A. in Religious Studies (double emphasis in Ritual and Mythology) from U.C. Berkeley. He’s a lifelong gamer and fantasy fan. Stefon lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and three cats.
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Also by Stefon Mears
Jumpstart Duchy
Into the Torn Kingdoms
The Dragon’s Gold
The Gift Castle
The Deadly Feast
The King’s Test
Triumph in the Torn Kingdoms
* * *
Cavan Oltblood Series
Half a Wizard
The Ice Dagger
Spells of Undeath
* * *
Spells for Hire
Devil’s Shoestring
Zombie Powder
Spirit Trap
Dragon’s Blood
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The Rise of Magic
Magician’s Choice
Sleight of Mind
Lunar Alchemy
Three Fae Monte
The Sphinx Principle
Double Backed Magic
Mercury Fold (coming soon!)
* * *
The Telepath Trilogy
Surviving Telepathy
Immoral Telepathy
Targeting Telepathy
* * *
Edge of Humanity
Caught Between Monsters
Hunting Monsters
* * *
Power City Tales
Not Quite Bulletproof
No Money in Heroism
* * *
Sects and the City
Prince of a Thousand Worlds
Twisted Timelines
Spell Slingers
Longhairs and Short Tales: A Collection of Cat Stories
Devil’s Night
Portal-Land, Oregon
With a Broken Sword
Twice Against the Dragon
The House on Cedar Street
Stealing from Pirates
Fade to Gold
Sudden Death
On the Edge of Faerie
Confronting Legends (Spells & Swords Vol. 1)
Uncle Stone Teeth and Other Macabre Poems
The Patreon Collection Vols. 1-8 (Vol. 9 coming soon)
The 30-Day Novel and Beyond!
Published by Thousand Faces Publishing, Portland, Oregon
http://1kfaces.com
Copyright © 2022 by Stefon Mears
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The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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Stefon Mears, The Dragon's Gold
