| |
––––––––
“First those trolls set up camp nearby in the hills.” Wyndham’s fists clenched as he shook one in Lotari’s face. “The stench is most unbearable!”
“You get used to it. Eventually.” Lotari turned away from his former sire. Through the thick ivy growing over Wyndham’s hovel, he watched the youngsters dancing around the bonfire. Flute music, played by a couple of satyrs, filled the night air. Only a few of the Wilderland creatures, such as the centaurs and fauns who’d traveled with him to Denovo were allowed in Wyndham’s camp. The dwarves had taken up residence in Many Rivers with the humans, and the few trolls and ogres who remained loyal to Lotari found shelter in the higher elevations amongst the hilly cliffs to the south. Only on exceptionally warm days could anyone smell their presence.
Wyndham’s hooves clattered over the hard-packed earth of his dwelling. “Now I hear rumors that dragons will soon join us. Dragons! What has this world come to?” He threw up his hands in exasperation and paced in a circle, his long ebony tail swishing behind him. His coat was an umber color like ancient oaks, and his skin was the color of the rich earth where they grew their crops. He had to be nearly four hundred years old, if not more, Lotari estimated and was as wise as he was stubborn. Unfortunately, with his age came a settling of ways that, when challenged, brought the worst out in the River Clan’s leader.
“We are coming to a day of reckoning.” Lotari glanced up at the night sky wondering why the dragons would gather here in Many Rivers. Surely Denovo was where the army was being assembled. Perhaps he should write Jerin for an update on his progress. At least the townsfolk weren’t throwing a tantrum over the newcomers like his clan leader was. “Issah is preparing to advance on Racah.”
Lotari turned to his sire, their gazes locking. “Wyndham, how long will you ignore that summons from King Shaydon? He is seeking your counsel and your promise of allegiance. Will you turn your back on the Kingdom?”
If he did, Lotari would have no choice but to move away from the clan and set up his station in another location. He had considered moving down into the river valley where there was more room, though they’d not have the benefit of the thick forest to hide in. The open valley was filled with farms and orchards.
Wyndham snorted. “Who told you about the summons?” He waved his hands in dismissal. “Does not matter. I cannot leave my clan in such times. They need my guidance, my....”
Lotari glowered at him. “So you have decided to—”
“I’ve decided nothing. Such insubordination. You have become quite brash during your wandering years. If I didn’t know better, I might think that you were trying to take over my—”
“Don’t you dare accuse me of such a thing!” Lotari stomped closer to Wyndham, fury building to a dangerous point. “My only interest is in forwarding Shaydon’s plan to free this land of that tyrant.”
He stopped himself before saying something he’d regret. Wyndham had cloistered himself for too long in these woods. He’d been the same at one time. Suspicious of outsiders, humans, even if he was intrigued by their ways. Issah had changed all that. Wyndham needed to respond to the summons.
“Sir, please let’s not do this. Please? I’m encouraging you to go see the King because he will be able to answer your questions. He seeks your advice. He will want to hear your thoughts on this matter.”
“I cannot leave my people.” Wyndham insisted, his voice growing darker and more resolved.
“Appoint someone to stand in your stead. You can travel through the portals. A Logorian guard guards the portal beside the Healer’s cottage. You’ll return before the moon wanes.”
Wyndham folded his bulky arms across his massive chest. “I suppose you think you should be set in charge?”
Lotari’s fingers wrapped around a strand of ivy, his furious grip crushing the delicate leaves. “No. I have no time to be stuck with that job. Besides, I’ll be moving my family down into the valley in the morning. You’ll not have to worry about me threatening your... position... sir. I can conduct the task Issah has given me from another location.”
“What?” The breath seemed to leave Wyndham’s lungs with his exclamation. “You will not be safe down there. With those humans. In the open. What are you thinking?”
“I will not stay here and be falsely accused. You’ve been suspicious of my intentions ever since I returned when we were traveling to Denovo. I have only come to help, to train those who wish to follow Issah. Not to usurp your authority. Wyndham, you’re my sire, and I’ve always respected you, even if I sometimes don’t agree with you. But these accusations are too much. In the morning, I’ll take those who came with me, and we’ll move down into the valley. The dragons will have more room there, anyway, for indeed, they are coming.”
Before Wyndham could say another word, Lotari bolted out of the shelter. He soon found his wife, Esdra, sitting beside the cook fire, peeling roots for a stew several of the mares were preparing for the morning meal.
“I need a word.” Glancing around at the other females, including his mother, he added, “In private, if you please.”
She slowly stood, her horse legs wobbly from her time of repose. Grasping her elbow to help steady her, he led her deeper into the woods and away from their camp. She walked beside him quietly, so unlike her usual boisterous disposition.
“How are you?” He asked, taking her hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. He hated how despondent she’d become over the last couple of months. “Has Marya’s tonic helped at all?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Her statement didn’t match the somber expression on her face. “Maybe I suffer homesickness.” She didn’t meet his gaze which troubled him.
“Would you like to return to Wilderland for a while? I’m sure we can have a portal opened for you.”
She stopped walking. “Will you return with me?”
He shook his head. “I can’t. There is so much to do—”
“I will not leave you. We made a vow.”
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tighter. “I love you, Esdra. If it were possible, I’d return to Wilderland with you in a heartbeat. I’ve truly had enough of this place and find I miss the ancient forests.”
She wrapped her thin arms around his waist. “I love you, too, my heart. I see the frustration on your face. How can I help you in this trying time? Do not feel you need to protect me against more troubling news than we’ve already endured on this trek. I am strong.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” Lotari ran his fingers down one of the braids trailing over her shoulder. She’d woven in beads and feathers. Always so lovely. “I’m thinking of moving our group down into the valley. Issah told me some of the dragons will arrive here, soon.”
“I will begin passing the word for everyone to get ready.” She pulled a few twigs from his unruly hair. They’d both been so preoccupied, that she’d not had a chance to pin him down for a grooming session as she often did when they were in Wilderland. He hadn’t appreciated that routine as much as he should have.
“I will also gather our belongings, not that we have much. I left so many things behind intending to return.” Her tone came out wistful, and again he regretted having to drag her along on his random adventures, even if he was glad of her company.
Her mouth turned up in a half-smile. “Do not take that wrong. My place is with you, and I’ll not trade you for anything in this world.” She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “Now, tell me what else is troubling you, my heart.” The way her fingers wrapped around the curls growing along his neck distracted him from all his troubles.
“I’m not sure. If we can stay like this, I might not care what happens.”
A tiny ball of light zoomed past his head, then circled them both before alighting on Esdra’s rump. She twisted around and held out her hand for the pixie to sit in her palm. “Flick. What a pleasant surprise. I thought you were still in the mountain city.”
A series of chirps and whistles came from the tiny figure. As he settled, Lotari could make out his clothing made from leaves and twigs. His little round belly hung over his trousers as he stood in Esdra’s hand explaining that he’d been sent with a message. Lotari had to fine-tune his sensitive ears to make out the pixie’s quick words.
“The fliers head west now, my Lady Esdra. They wishes for you to meet them at the big, deep lake. In the valley.”
Her eyes met Lotari’s. “The dragons are coming. We better make haste.”
* * * *
A band of grayish-yellow appeared on the distant horizon like molten fire. Alyra shifted on the dragon’s back, wishing Tarek would ease up on his grip around her waist. His fingers dug painfully into her ribs until she grabbed his wrists, urging him to relax his hold.
“She won’t let you fall. I promise.” The wind whipped the loose curls around her face. Her cheeks stung from the cold evening breeze. In a way, she didn’t mind being wrapped in Tarek’s arms. If only he’d not try to squeeze the breath out of her.
His head was buried in the back of her neck, making his voice muffled. “She was going to burn me up. If not for your shield, I might have been a goner.”
Alyra shook her head. “I can’t believe you once actually tried shooting arrows at her. A dragon! What were you thinking?” He’d attempted the foolish feat back when they both lived in Racah, but dragons had long memories, and Crystal distinctly remembered his sharp pokes and was still a little put out over them.
His shoulders shrugged against her back. “Was just checking for chinks. Until the dwarfs showed us the other trail up the mountain, getting past the dragon was the only means of escape.”
Crystal swooped lower, sending Alyra’s stomach up into her throat. Tarek yelled, tightening his arms again. When the dragon leveled out once more, she pushed against his arms until he loosened his grip.
“Sorry.”
“I can’t believe you’re so scared, Tare. You’ve never shown a fear of heights.”
“Not the heights.” His chin rested on her shoulder, so he spoke against her ear. “There’s nothing but air around me. And darkness. Why couldn’t we have waited until morning to leave?”
“She’s safer flying at night where it’s harder to see her. Are your eyes closed?”
He didn’t answer.
“Open them and look toward the horizon.” She tried, hoping he’d listen. The view was simply astounding. “Come on. Just a peek. You’ll not regret it.”
“I regret letting you talk me into climbing on her back, Alyra. I don’t think I can be any more regretful than I am at this moment.”
She nudged him with her elbow. “Just do it.”
“That’s what you said earlier and now look where I’m at.”
But he must have listened to her because she heard his gasp and felt his hold on her loosen a bit. “Oh, my. Is that Aloblase?”
She had to smile. Hadn’t she asked the same question the last time she’d taken this ride on Crystal’s back when they escaped Racah?
“No. Might be the Semitamon Mountains, though.”
Crystal swooped to the right, taking a more southerly route. Tarek shifted behind her. Alyra watched the sunrise grow in brilliance. “Beautiful, isn’t it? This is an amazing view of the land. I love riding on the back of a dragon.”
She wasn’t sure what his groaning response was, but she was sure there was something about crazy and girl in there.
Crystal’s wings gave two powerful flaps, sending them higher into the air. “We’re almost there. I smell the waters. And cows. Yum.”
Alyra laughed, throwing up her arms and relishing the wind whipping against her face. “They can be yum, my friend. Can we go higher?”
Tarek moaned and burrowed his face against her neck again.
Three hours later, they landed on a grassy knoll looking over the valley. A few other dragons were waiting for Crystal. Once Alyra and Tarek disembarked, she trotted over to greet her kin.
Tarek fell to his knees, clutching his stomach and saying he was going to be sick. The spiraling descent had nearly done him in. Alyra rummaged in her bag, looking for something that might ease his nausea.
She found her water bag and made him take a few sips. “Rest here under this tree with me until your head stops spinning. You’ll be fine. We’re safe on the ground again.” Pulling her Ledge-o-graph onto her lap, she wrote Lotari first to see if he could come to get them and take them to town. Then she wrote Stitch to see if they’d been rescued yet.
The first to respond was Lotari who said the whole town was heading toward the valley to gather in the wheat harvest.
It’s all hands on deck for this endeavor, he wrote. They planted extra crops to help feed the army that will advance toward Racah. Jerin says his forces are readying to depart soon. Have you heard from Stitch?
She checked to see and found no response yet. But it was early. Maybe they were on the move, and the palomino couldn’t write. She wished Ethan had a communication journal, too. But he and Stitch would be back soon enough. Alyra nibbled on a grain cake, offering one to Tarek who refused. He lay on his back, his arm thrown over his face.
“Rest while you can, Tare. Looks like we’re going to be put to work soon. I’ve never harvested grain. Is it hard?”
His shoulder shrugged. “They’ll probably have you gather the stalks. I’m exhausted. If I have to thresh wheat, I’m going to need a quick nap, at least.”
She pulled out her blanket and covered him with it, bringing a small smile to his lips.
He wrapped her hand in his, tucking it against his chest. “Promise you’ll not leave me here. If you leave, wake me up.”
“Promise.” She kissed his forehead and considered grabbing a bit of sleep, too when Crystal appeared beside them.
“You.” She pointed a long talon at Alyra’s nose. “Over here.” The talon pointed to a grassy spot a few feet away from Tarek. “I’ll rest right here. Between you two.”
Tarek bolted up and started to scoot away when Crystal wound her long tail around him. “You’re safe, Hunter. Evidently, you’re important, so I can’t burn you up after all. Lucky for you. Besides,” She settled down on the soft ground. “My friend seems to like you, so I’ll try to like you, too.”
“Um, thanks?” Tarek gulped.
Alyra peered over Crystal’s back at him and gave him a thumbs-up sign letting him know they’d be fine. Then she settled against her dragon friend’s warm body, beneath her soft, translucent wing and drifted off to sleep.
