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"You ht," Varl said "We castrate the losers"

Chapter 23

Breeding stock lived under different conditions fro stock In soes

There was the smell of females AuRon’s alcove was dim and cozy, off a tunnel that led to the main entry cavern in one direction and to the quarters of the fe the fourstock, each male was allowed to mix with the females for seven days; then the next in order took over Each had a separate tunnel leading to his sleeping cave Gates with bars separated the males from the fe s up the corridors It was like Mother’s, in that it was a rich, satisfying s in a way that was new, like the smell of human females, only a hundred tirateful for the ti the Wyr spells, who could be knocked froic faded This wizard had constructed a syste it down

AuRon felt alone and a little ashaons for the first time since NooMoahk’s death, he was burdened by fear and secrecy Before he has lived speaking the truth, dealing cleanly with those around him; here he chose even a false name to on was his voice, roaring fair challenge to foes, speaking plainly to friends, singing of brave deeds to his mate If his current path wasn’t an act of treachery, then nothing was How could he put this experience in his song? Would it be worse to put it in, or co it out?

In the other ear, however, there was the pa AuRon could compare it to was his days with the dwarves and their caravan The handlers plied him with more food than he could ever eat, of a quality and variety he had never before experienced: laoat, mutton, beef, red fish, white fish, various sorts of shelled creatures froht to crack apart and sample!--cheeses, breads rich with butter and honey, even wine and ale This Wyrons could appreciate wine AuRon grew to look forward to a nightly bottle at night’s meal, corked and sealed with so touch before he settled into a dreae ed for like horses did bits of fruit, but for which AuRon had no appetite

The only unsettling part of his existence was the Dragonguard, the erous element of this wizard’s systeroups at tunnel mouths and cave junctions Varl told hiiants of h AuRon wondered why they seereen, the color of fearb They helped handle the younger, pre-trial dragons still being trained Eliaonblade, was their chief despite his youth There werestock than the easier-to-handle fighting stock When they wanted a dragon’s attention, say to clear a passageway for a cart, they blew a peeping whistle from behind their helmet and pointed, a practice AuRon found detestable

But they didn’t atteuard was enough to keep order, as AuRon was soon to learn

He had a foron of breeding stock Or so Varl said when he led AuRon into the Highhall

It was a wooden lodge, with doors the size of those on a barn and balconies projecting fro to the port There was no landing beneath, only a waterfall cut right through the Highhall’s foundations before plunging a good six dragon-lengths into the sea below Visitors had to land at the port, then use sturdy reeted AuRon as he and Varl finished their long walk froap As they climbed the outer stone staircase to the hall, Varl offered hiree hat the Wyrmmaster says ‘Yes, Supremacy’ is best There are embassies from the nations of men at court now--they’re about to leave before winter comes The Wyrmmaster wants them impressed You speak well--everyone has noticed it"

"I speak well, but it’s best if I just say, ‘Yes, Supree that"

Varl opened the great doors to let AuRon go through; though he was slender enough, his razed the doorfraer, and we’ll have to build a larger hall," the Wyr bealed roof, well joined, and two iron chandeliers hung fro in most, and at the far end a lectern that could be reached by cli stood at the far end by tables laden with food and drink

In the balcony above, stoutfrom AuRon to the Wyron out of the south named NooShoahk He’s a flier the likes of which we’ve never seen here on the Ice Isle We’re proud to have him join our cause"

The Wyrmmaster introduced AuRon to the barbarously titled sound, and Khon Gi-Gesh and many others that AuRon lost track of as they approached and were introduced, all important men in the barbarian tribes they represented They patted AuRon experimentally, or shifted their heads so they could peer under his lips at his fangs The thing he liked least about ons better than e hi it before hinored it