Crystal’s tail-feathers rippled as the Crown Prince finally
finished answering her list of questions. She remembered hearing that he only
had a level seven in understanding, so it wasn’t surprising that he hadn’t understood
some of her more complicated symbols. But he’d spoken aggravatingly slowly, it
had been all she could do to hold back from growling. But, kind-hearted or not,
growling at the Crown Prince would do Crystal no favors.
Obey, be patient. By pretending to become whatever it was
that he wanted, she’d get back home a lot sooner than if she continued to act
up. Rippling her ruff slightly to shake it out and lift it from the side of her
head, Crystal began to sign again, this time slowly to be sure he would understand.
Going through the movements for her final question, Crystal
made sure to avoid any overly advanced signs. She didn’t know them all herself, but
she had managed to make her way up to a level eight in speaking and nine in
understanding, whereas most servants were only able to get to a level six or
seven in both speaking and understanding by the time they were taken to the castle. Usually though, they were allowed to continue their lessons, so long as they behaved.
From what Crystal had picked up by eavesdropping, most Fire
dragons were unable to get beyond a level seven in speaking, simply because their
ears were only able to bend so far, whereas Ice dragons had their feathery
ruff. Though it was nestled closely behind the ear, the ruff wasn't connected.
Instead, the ruff was able to be moved separately and had a wider range of
movement.
Finally finishing her signs, having asked him in a rather
long and slow manner how exactly he planned for this to work, Crystal settled
back on all fours, folding her wings gently against her side as she waited for
a response.
The Fire dragon thought about it for a few minutes, and
Crystal once again resisted the urge to growl at him. Honestly, it was like he
was trying to annoy her. Rippling her tail with annoyance, Crystal began to
study her surroundings for the first time. She was in the back corner of the
room, but her chain was long enough that it should let her reach through the
whole room. She doubted it would let her leave though, servants were supposed
to stay in their master’s quarters until they had been dismissed, and then they
would be locked in a smaller room with a much shorter chain.
“My current plan is for you to act as though you have
surrendered when in public. When they begin to trust you, then I shall reveal
more. I do not wish to say too much, since servants are interrogated before
they are killed. It would not do me well for my father to learn of my plans.”
Ember finally replied.
Crystal forced her wings to remain still, although her ruff
flicked backwards in annoyance. What he’d just told her was a heavily
simplified version of her own plans. Act proper, stay alive, and then when the
time comes stage an accident for someone in a higher rank, fix it, get a higher
rank, and be relieved of duty, all before her twentieth-fifth year, which would
fall on the year that the Fire dragons of the castle purged the servants ranks
of any who were unfit to serve. She
couldn’t risk being caught up in that.
Crystal turned her head away, pretending to think about his
words. She had an inkling of a plan, but it would be quite risky. If she played
along with the prince’s plan, she would be able to rise quite quickly. Then, if
she could find a way to reveal all to the king, pretending to him to be a meek
servant who felt, like some Ice Dragons did, that she deserved to be a servant,
she just might be able to go home as a reward.
Refocusing on the prince, Crystal spread her wings and
lowered her neck and head. The sign for submitting, or in this case,
acknowledging. Resettling her feathers with a quick shake, Crystal pricked her
ruff upwards and looked at the Fire dragon across from her expectantly.
The crown prince nodded at her, and said “Alright, in order
to show them that you are obedient, or so they shall think, you are going to
have to do a few things.” Crystal barely managed to keep her eyes from rolling.
Typical Fire dragon, he may want to help her, but only if she first helped him.
Whatever, she only had to put up with it for a little while, long enough to use
him to get out of here.
Nodding briskly, Crystal lowered her ruff and waited for him
to get on with it. She was racing a deadly clock after all. Ember’s tail
twitched slightly and then he said, “Alright then, so first things first, how
much do you know about the duties you’ll be expected to preform?”
This time, Crystal couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling. What
kind of Selected would she be if she didn’t know her duties? Instead of saying
all that though, she just nodded. Ember nodded back, and then said, “Alright
then, so let me grab a new scroll and I’ll show you some names and places
you’ll need to be extra careful in, and some places you can be more relaxed
at.”
As Crystal nodded, Ember turned towards his desk. As he
selected a blank scroll Crystal took a deep breath as best she could through
the muzzle. Working for the prince was going to be infuriating, but she would
have to manage best she could.
