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I looked around the room, ears rising and falling as I strained to hear any noise that would indicate trouble, even darting my tongue out to take in the scents of the room. I made my way over to the bed and sat down on it, giving myself a shake, then looked over at Artos worriedly.

He was looking around the room, checking over the furnishings and the like. The room, or rather rooms there were three of them, consisted of a bedroom, a sitting room I think it is called, and a bathing room. Artos peered in and sighed.

“Well, they don't have running water indoors like we do at the keep. I suppose we'll have to ask for hot water to be sent up for a bath. The water closet is more a garderobe; I only hope it discharges far enough out to block the smell!"

He turned and walked back over to me. “How are you feeling, Dracius?"

“Fear. That man did not want me," I said.

Artos shook his head. “No, he didn't. I'm not sure why that is either. Perhaps he wanted his own servants here to act as spies."

I cocked my head “I am servant?"

Artos shook his head again. “Oh no, Dracius, you'll never be a servant! You're my friend!"

“You call me servant?"

“Well, yes, but that was just to provide a reason for you to be in here," he said and sighed. “I suppose it's as good a cover as any, but just thinking on it I really should give you some sort of official position."

I shook my head, not understanding what he was saying and he grinned. “I mean a job, Dracius. Something that you do for me that gives you a reason to be here, something that gives you an official status."

I looked down. What was I to do? All I really did was take up Artos time, time that was likely better spent on the duchy, and cause problems for him. I really had no talents for anything that I knew of. He already had plenty of people at the keep to take care of him and to take care of it. My ears drooped.

“Hey, none of that! What's wrong?"

I shook my head. “No job. I…do nothing."

“Well, you're my friend and that's something! But that's why we need to give you some sort of a job."

“But I do nothing!"

“What do you mean, Dracius? We're going to get you something to do."

I hissed softly, frustrated again by my lack of language. “I…I do not clean, do not cook, do not guard. What do I do? What can I do?"

“Oh! Well," he said and rubbed his chin in thought. “I suppose I could make up something. I suppose until then we can keep referring to you as my personal servant or valet. Not that I would ever treat you that way!"

I cocked my head. “What do?"

“Oh, well, usually they help get the person dressed, pack his clothes for trips, take care of his room, run errands that sort of thing. But you don't need to do any of that. I've dressed myself for years now and I'm certainly not sending you out on errands!"

“I…help?"

Artos patted me on the head. “I'm sure you'll be of more help as time goes on, Dracius. Just be patient. I'll try to give you things to do if I think of them but remember you're not some servant."

“Yes, Artos."

There was a knock at the door and I hissed reflexively. Artos reached down and ran his hand over my head. “Easy, Artos. It's just El and Peter I'm sure."

He went to the door and opened to find them both standing there. “Come in," he said as he stepped aside. Lady El and Peter walked into the room, Lady El glancing over at me and Peter ignoring me to the point that it shouted out that he wanted to stare.

“I don't like this set up, Lord Artos," Lady El said without preamble. “They've got us placed a goodly distance from you and there's no direct path up here if something should go amiss."

“So you're expecting trouble?"

“The duchy has never been known for it's hospitality but this seems a bit more tense than even that," Peter remarked. “The common guard from what I've seen of them are somewhat slovenly and inattentive. That's never a good sign."

“Hmm," Artos said rubbing his chin. “I did note that there seems to be a bit of tension here. Bernard didn't want Dracius staying here with me, saying that he had servants and 'entertainments' arranged for me."

Lady El shook her head. “Don't trust them, Lord Artos. Like Peter said I wasn't expecting a grand welcome but didn't expect this level of tension either."

“Perhaps it's just the stress of having us visit?"

I quietly walked over to Artos and he looked down at me and smiled briefly. “Artos," I said quietly not looking over at the other two.

“What is it, Dracius?"

“The servants are scared."

“Well, it's not abnormal for servants to be nervous around nobility especially nobility they're not familiar with."

I shook my head. “Not the same."

“How do you know, Dracius?" Lady El asked me and I flinched.

“I smell them. They're scared."

She stared at me for a moment then looked at Artos. “I wouldn't put that beyond his abilities, Lord Artos. Dogs and other animals can smell and sense fear and I could see him being able to do the same."

“He's not an animal, El!"

“That's not what I'm saying, Lord Artos. He's not human, either, and it stands to reason he has a better sense of smell than we do and quite probably eyesight as well. You may want to have Phaegus test that when we return."

Peter nodded. “I could see that as well and my gut says there's something amiss here as well."

Artos rubbed my back a little as he thought. “We should be on our guard then. Duke Halard isn't known for being generous but he is fair and honors his word. Still, lets keep a close eye on things."

“Should I have a guard posted?" Peter asked.

Artos considered. “Not yet. Let's keep things friendly for now, but have some of your men ready to get up here quickly. El, if you could have some of your hunters look around a bit…"

“Understood, Lord Artos," Lady El said and gave a short bow. “By your leave?"

“Of course!"

Peter bowed as well and the two of them left. I breathed out a sigh of relief when they had gone and Artos crouched down to rub my back more firmly. “Nicely done, Dracius! You being able to tell the servants were scared as well helped a lot."

I looked at him, ears perked. “I help?"

“Yes, Dracius, you certainly helped! Now I don't know about you but I'm a bit tired and would like to nap for awhile before dinner. Would you like to sleep next to me?"

I nodded, yawning at the thought. “Yes, Artos."

Artos removed his sword belt and hung it on the bedpost and lay down. After he got comfortable he patted the bed beside him and I climbed up and settled in next to him, yawning once more. I fell asleep to Artos rubbing my back, thrumming quietly in contentment the entire time.

We awoke and I found Artos staring at me, frowning slightly. I flinched, wondering what it was I had done and Artos shook his head.

“You've done nothing wrong, Dracius, I'm just wondering at taking you to dinner is all."

“Alone?" I said, my stomach sinking.

“I can't see how to hide you, Dracius. The cloak and cowl cover you up well enough but it doesn't really hide the outline of your wings and tail. Plus it would be hard to eat with your face covered up so much."

“Alone!"

“It wouldn't be for very long, Dracius, and you've been alone before," Artos said, trying to calm me.

“Do not know this place! Other people!"

“I can have a guard station outside the door if it would make you feel better, or even have Ren come and keep you company."

I huffed and slid off the bed and started to pace. “I…" I trailed off and looked at Artos. “Trust?"

“The guards and Ren? Of course!"

“Guards know about me?"

“All of those traveling with us do and know not to stare at you or talk about you."

I paced some more and finally stopped with a huge sigh. “Yes, Artos."

“I'm sorry Dracius, I'd take you with me if I could; you know that."

“Yes, Artos."

He motioned for me to come over and knelt down to put his arms around me. “You'll be just fine, Dracius. Just stay in here and read over some of the scrolls I brought with or just nap. I'll be back before you know it."

I trembled. “Yes, Artos."

Artos summoned Peter and had him place two guards at the door to the room. The pair looked at me, looked at the room and nodded. “We'll keep him safe, Lord Artos," one said.

“Thank you; I really appreciate it," Artos said.

The servants came to escort Artos to dinner a little while later. I was quite honestly scared that he was leaving even with the guards outside the door. What if something happened to him? What if they overpowered the guards to get to me? What would they do?

Artos knelt down once more and looked me in the eyes. “Easy, Dracius. I'll be fine and you'll be fine. I"ll be back before you know it."

“Y-yes, Artos," I said."

He ran his hand over my head. “Hey, none of that now. You'll be fine like I said," he said in a gentle voice.

I nodded and he stood up and, with one final pat, followed the servants out the door.