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I'm not always sure what it is right away. Sooner or later it will come to me."
    "I see why Tristam gets bothered by you," Alto muttered.
    The wizard frowned. "Where did the inquisitive young man go? The boy who was eager to learn. Do you have all the answers now?"
    "I know enough."
    "Indeed, but enough for what?"
    "Enough to know what I have to do."
    Kar's bushy eyebrows rose and fell. He nodded before changing topics. "Cloistered amongst these fine people , I'm lacking my books and normal contacts. I've been able to do some research, though."
    Alto waited, hoping Kar had a point this time that didn't come back to question him.
    "The Order of the Silver Dragon is fairly new; few people have heard of it. It does bear a striking resemblance to sects that have sprung up throughout history, though. They called themselves some variant of the Order of the Dragon," Kar explained.
    Alto held up his hand to stop the wizard. "Beck called himself a Knight of the Silver Dragon."
    Kar raised his eyebrow. "On a first name basis with the enemy?"
    "Does it matter? He's dead."
    "It shows a familiarity beyond a single encounter," Kar surmised. When Alto didn't offer to explain it further , he went on, "Whatever the case, these groups are one and the same, I believe. They seem to rise up when a dragon becomes active."
    "Aren't they always active?"
    Kar shrugged. "It's theorized that dragons can sleep for dozens or even hundreds of years at a time. Some keep their predations on a small scale, feeding on animals or uncivilized creatures in remote regions. Some let others carry out their efforts and stay in their strongholds, reaping the rewards."
    "Like Sarya," Alto said.
    "So it would seem," the wizard agreed. "Do you know of the last time a dragon was seen in this area?"
    "I heard something about it being a long time ago ." Alto glanced at the stable again, anxious to be on his way. Kar wasn't giving him anything useful. Educational, perhaps, but it wasn't helpful.
    " More than three hundred years," the wizard went on. "Before these lands were civilized properly. Karthor's church put an end to that, though. They raised up an army and went after the dragon, led by a paladin, the highest of their order of knights. His name was Sir Gareth."
    Alto turned to look at Kar and focused on him as he asked, "This knight killed the dragon?"
    Kar shrugged. "The dragon killed him, but the church claims the dragon was wounded mortally and flew off into the mountains where it fell from the sky and died."
    Kar could see where the crafty wizard was leading him. "You don't think it died. You think that dragon was Sarya, the same dragon we're dealing with today."
    "The same dragon that demanded your capture and punishment."
    Alto stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
    "Patrina told me of the men who captured the two of you. She told me of the knight's interest in you. And I heard Caitlyn telling my son about what happened to her."
    "You have no right!" Alto hissed at him.
    Kar held up his hand. "Perhaps I do, perhaps I do not. But think on this: if I knew nothing of events that transpire because others did not want their pain shared, would I be able to provide such knowledge to Tristam or to you?"
    "You work for Tristam, not me," he seethed. "Is he bidding you to do this?"
    Kar sighed. "Calm yourself, boy! I'm not being bidden to do anything. I work for myself. As for Tristam and you, it's obvious who will lead the Blades when Tristam's time is over."
    Alto stared at Kar, confused by the man's revelation. "What do you mean? Tristam's not that old . Why would his time be over?"
    "I didn't say it was!" Kar snapped. He looked to the heavens and muttered a curse on the thick headedness of youth. "I said when it was over. He'd box my ears for saying it but I know he's saved away a small fortune over the years. Look at the way he's taken you under his wing. He means for you to take over when he's done. I can't help but wonder if he's thinking that's sooner, not