Lisutaris shakes her head. "Help me up." #51 | | |
I take hold of Lisutaris by her shoulders and drag her to her feet, then help her along to the main guest room where she collapses on a couch. #52 | | |
"You know, smoking all this thazis isn't helping," I say. #53 | | |
"I'm the Head of the Sorcerers Guild. I'll smoke whatever I want." #54 | | |
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"In the gardens, breaking things with her axe." #56 | | |
Lisutaris yawns, then closes her eyes. I gaze at her, wondering if it's really such a great idea to have this woman lead our armies against the Orcs. Lasat might be a fool but at least he’s conscious most of the time. Actually, he probably isn’t, not with his dwa habit. Damn these Sorcerers. Can’t they stay sober for five minutes? #57 | | |
I take my illuminated staff out into the gardens. A familiar smells fills my nostrils. I frown, and follow the aroma till I find Makri, prostrate on the grass. The dragon is curled up beside her, sleeping. On the ground beside Makri there's a cheap tin box with a hole on top, blackened by flames. It's the sort of device you use to burn and inhale dwa. I'm appalled at the discovery. I've no idea where she might have procured the drug. It's unbelievably foolish behaviour. Apart from the inherent dangers, it would probably mean execution if the authorities learned of it. If the King doesn't like thazis, that's nothing to what he thinks about the much more powerful dwa. #58 | | |
I bend down and pick Makri up. The dragon stirs, but doesn't waken. I take her indoors and along to the guest room where I lay her on another couch, next to Lisutaris. #59 | | |
"This is all going to end badly," I mutter. #60 | | |
The nights aren't yet warm. I take the thick, embroidered cloth that hangs on the back of each couch and cover both of the slumbering figures. Still carrying my illuminated staff, I head down to the cellars. A brief examination reveals a side of roast beef, a half-round of goat's cheese, and a cask of ale. #61 | | |
"I'm surrounded by fools," I say, as I open the cask. "Dragging me down, as always." I get busy on the beef, the cheese, and the ale, meanwhile cursing my misfortune at being saddled with such useless companions. #62 | | |
