Dragon Talker by Steve Anderson

They had been bringing in timber for two months now. No one asked why bracing was needed, at least not out loud.
    Lanner and Lamot had passed through the inner and outer baileys, bringing their load to the inner courtyard. Two years ago, they had helped bring in lumber for the construction of the hall in front of them. The hall itself was massive; three horse-and-carts could be lined up end to end for its width, and the length was twice that. A windlass and treadmill had taken up permanent residence in front of the hall to keep the large supplies moving into a large square opening made in the second floor wall. If it was level with the ground, the men could have brought their horses and wagon through with room to spare.
    All of this was taken for granted by the brothers, who had seen it all over a hundred times before.
    “Did you see Melanie this morning? The ribbons in her hair?” Lanner asked Lamot.
    “I really doubt, big brother, that it was her ribbons that you were looking at nor writing poetry about. Now grab that strap and help me off-load this timber, before his high and magic gets angry.”
    “Watch the high and you know what, little brother. This place has ears and I’ve heard even the mice report back what they have heard.” Lanner was sarcastic, but he also was a good judge of who he could be sarcastic around.
    “Right, seeing eyes and all-knowing.” Lamot’s smile left his face. “Let’s get this hoisted up to the third floor so we can leave this place.”
    “Eager to leave my humble abode, woodsman?” Perante’s tone was cool, but Lamot did not know how much he had heard.
    “No sir, only to get the work done so as not to impede your construction.” Lamot kept his eyes down, showing his respect.
    “Don’t lie to me woodsman. Nothing wrong with knowing your place.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Lanner attempted to take the attention from his brother, “This is fine lumber, sir, straight and true.”
    “It had better be…You look alike, siblings? That means brothers.”
    “Yes, sir.” Lanner bit the tip of his tongue to keep his reply short.
    Perante eyed his discomfort and decided to play with the hired help. “You are two young men in your prime. Tell me, who is the fairest in the village? Where do you cast your eyes and your calloused fingers?”
    “We spend too much time in the woods, sir, to really know.” Lanner attempted to dodge the question.
    “That’s right, sir,” Lamot answered, “we work from sun up to sun down most days.”
    “Now, now, if you take me for an imbecile, that means stupid, I will be insulted.”
    Not any more than I, with your damn vocabulary lessons , thought Lanner.
    “Who,” this time said with more force, “do you do you fancy among the young women of the village?”
    The brothers stood silent, not knowing what to say and unwilling to offer a name to the mage who would do who-knew-what with the information.
    “Ah,” Perante shook his head. “I have noble woodsmen, who having heard too many false tales thinks I may abuse this knowledge - take the woman for myself. Do terrible things to her in the boudoir. That’s bedroom. ”
    “No, sir, that’s not…” Lanner tried to answer.
    “Of course, I can do as I please. I made this town and that is only right, but do you cast aspersions on my character, you simpleton?”
    “Sir, my apologies. I meant nothing. We are simple…”
    “Shut…up. I was getting bored and now I believe I am getting angry. Who the dragon do you think you are? Were you really planning to explain yourself? As if you have some justification for what you do that isn’t based on what I command?”
    Lamot walked back towards their wagon, and his ax.
    “Walk away, fool, and I will have you spending the rest of your miserable life emptying my chamber pot while your brother decides to join my army. I can always use willing, strong men.”
    Lamot stopped two feet from the ax.
    “You may not be as dumb as you look.” Looking away from