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Maya might not be Human, but she knew how to cook. She also ate a lot more than Talwar and Khanda put together, obviously filling a belly much bigger than a Human's. As the sun set on the small house and the town, Talwar began to wonder what she actually looked like.
"She ate for four people," Khanda whispered as Maya went outside the front door to throw away the bones of their meal. "What if she's a demon?"
"Demons don't eat food, they eat souls," Talwar answered, thoughtful.
He was starting to think maybe following Maya hadn't been such a good idea. They still had no idea of what she looked like, and in spite of her friendliness, she hadn't really explained much of herself or her people – apart from the fact that her mother had impersonated a goddess in a country beyond the sea, that is.
Dogs barked outside, then whined and quieted. Maya came back and looked at them. "What?"
"You have blood on your chin," Talwar said stiffly. A few drops of blood, as if she had eaten something raw.
"Oh, sorry." She quickly cleaned it with her hand. "It's dark outside, if you're ready..."
She looked around the room and gathered the few kitchen implements, a booklet – "My recipes," she said with a wink – and put everything inside a travel bag.
"Can you hold this for me?" she asked. "I can carry it, but since I have passengers, I'd rather you keep it."
Talwar took it and put it on his shoulder. Khanda stood next to him, frowning in worry again. Maya observed them with her fists on her hips and her head cocked to one side.
"You should wear all your clothes," she said thoughtfully. "It's cold up there. If you have enough to survive a night in the southern desert, we can make it. But cover yourselves."
"How are we traveling?" Talwar asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I told you, we're flying." Maya grinned. "Well, at least I am. And Khanda's Sila blood is too diluted for her to be able to manipulate air around your bodies and keep you warm. So cover yourselves. I'll fly as low as I can, but it will still be colder than the ground."
"You will spread wings?" Khanda blurted out, incredulous.
"This is not my real shape," Maya reminded them patiently. "Come to the backyard when you're ready."
She headed out of a door that led to a small, walled garden that was as dead as the desert. She obviously didn't care about gardens, but she probably needed that extra space. It could contain a couple of elephants side by side, but not much more.
Talwar and Khanda exchanged a puzzled glance.
"Should we try the other way?" Talwar whispered. "Do you want to go by normal means?"
"No, from the window I've seen someone standing outside," Khanda whispered back. "They are following us. Let's do as she says."
"Turn off the lamp before coming out," Maya warned from outside.
Talwar and Khanda quickly added layers to their clothes, leaving only the weapons in their travel bag. Talwar took both bags and left the pole-arm shaft to Khanda who blew out the candles on the kitchen table and turned off the oil lamp on the floor where they had eaten.
It took them a moment to get used to the darkness and find the open door that led to the backyard. What had looked like a barren rectangle under the sun was now filled with a big, scaly form. Talwar stopped on the threshold and gasped.
He held out a hand and touched the skin of what must be a big hind leg. It was almost like touching a python, or maybe a crocodile if he explored further. He couldn't see the stars and realized it was because of big bat-like wings open and ready to flap.
"What are you waiting for? Climb on my back." The voice was weird. He couldn't tell if it came from the creature or was inside his head.
"A dragon?" Khanda whispered with a hint of panic in her voice.
Yellow eyes stared at them. "I won't eat you." The creature snorted. "Come on, get onboard, time to go!"
"Maya?" Talwar asked, incredulous.
"You can call me Starblazer now," the dragon replied. "Let's go."
The dragon filled the small backyard and Talwar had to keep his back to the wall to reach the side. He climbed on the front leg and onto the scaly back. There was no saddle, so he had to hold onto the ridge at the back of the neck.
Khanda followed him and straddled the dragon's back, holding his waist tight after securing the pole-arm shaft between them.
"Ready?" The bat-like wings flapped and the dragon lifted off slowly but vertically. It was a dark color, and probably nobody would see it rise and leave Argantael. It was a cloudy, moonless night – a night for assassins and thieves.
Talwar heard a crash and looked down. Half a dozen people burst into Maya's backyard with torches. They became tinier and soon vanished as the dragon started moving forward.
"What happened down there?" Talwar asked.
"We left just in time. Shamshir and his men have broken down my door, looking for you... but they won't catch us, don't worry. They'd never think to look up..."
There were still lights on the ground, but soon they were left behind. Argantael was but a bad memory as the powerful wings flapped forward. Talwar saw a mountain range ahead in the dim light.
"What is that?"
"It's the Central Massif. It divides the south from the north, mostly. We won't reach it, since Godwalkar is before it. Hold tight, we have a couple of hours' flight..."
Talwar held to the ridge and rarely glanced down. It was all dark now, but ahead he could see faint lights in the distance. Khanda's cheek on his neck and her arms wrapped around his waist kept him warm, but he had to admit the air was quite cold. He should have covered his mouth and nose, but didn't dare let go of the ridge now.
The clouds moved and the moon came out. Stars shone overhead and if he looked down, he could see the silver ribbons of rivers. Riding a dragon was not as bumpy as riding a camel, but he didn't dare move – falling off might kill him and there was no saddle or reins to hold on to.
The two travel bags made good weights to keep his balance, but he was starting to not feel his fingers anymore. He wiggled them carefully, but his hands were so cold he ended up sneezing. At least he didn't slide off.
And then he saw lights ahead, brighter than before and coming closer with every flap of wings. It was a palace, all white marble with colored glass on the huge arched windows and balconies with balustrades that looked like stone lace.
It was lit with white lights that must be magic, since no fire could burn like that. It was surrounded by a park and in the shadows around it there was a maze of alleys and houses and some paved streets with torches every few paces and the silver ribbons of two rivers.
The dragon was headed that way.
"What is that beautiful building?" Khanda asked.
"It's the royal palace. With a vacant throne due to the death of King Naveen."
"White light?" Talwar wondered, his teeth chattering from the cold.
"Magic lights," Starblazer answered. "The Genn are natural magic users... And healers! They'll take care of your cold."
"I'm not c-cold," he said as Khanda squeezed him, worried. And then he sneezed again.
"Hold on, landing now!"
The dragon made a turn and landed in front of the palace gate so quickly that Talwar barely realized they were on the ground again. Khanda slid off the dragon's back, but he stayed where he was, dazed.
"Talwar, get off," Starblazer said.
"I... can't move..." Talwar felt numb. He'd been too still too long. And the cold seemed to have frozen him in place.
The dragon groaned. "Stand back, Khanda."
The big shape blurred and Talwar fell to the ground as the dragon vanished and Maya stared at him with a frown. His breathing was shallow and his muscles so stiff he couldn't move. Khanda rushed to his side, but he couldn't feel his body anymore.
"He's so white!" Khanda said, anguished. "Is he dying?"
"Goldenstar!" the woman called towards the palace. "No, he's not dying," she muttered to them.
Talwar saw an oval face with very long golden hair and pointed ears leaning over him, then passed out.
***
"Talwar!" Khanda screamed as Talwar collapsed on the ground in front of the palace.
He was barely breathing and shivered uncontrollably. Again he had taken the blunt of the cold and protected her, almost at the cost of his life.
A young woman with pointed ears and a blond mane way below her waist knelt next to them. Maya watched, standing behind the newcomer.
Khanda held her breath as the woman closed her eyes and moved her hands over Talwar's body without touching it. She saw a golden powder wrapping him and slowly entering him. He slowly stopped shivering and seemed to fall asleep.
The golden powder vanished and the blonde opened her eyes.
"He will be all right," she said with a soft voice.
"Sorry, I control fire, not air," Maya muttered, averting her eyes.
"Help us take him inside," the blonde said. "I'm Goldenstar, welcome to Godwalkar."
Khanda nodded and gulped, too stunned to speak. Maya snorted, but came forward. She took Talwar bride-like and carried him inside the palace. If she hadn't just seen her turn from dragon to woman, Khanda might have wondered about her strength. But it made sense if she was actually a dragon.
The palace had a grand staircase that led to the upper floors. Goldenstar lead the way to a small bedroom where Maya dropped Talwar.
"I better go before the sun rises," she said grumpily. "Good luck, Khanda."
She quickly walked away while Goldenstar looked at Khanda.
"I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself..."
"You don't need to." Goldenstar smiled. "Maya Starblazer just told me your name. I don't need to know anything else until he awakes. I know that Humans prefer letting the men speak. Do you want me to heal his scars?"
"You could do that?" she marveled. "No, wait," she added quickly. "He's probably not too fond of them, but you should ask him."
The blonde smiled.
"I understand. Men are similar in all races – so fond of stupid nothings that leave us baffled..."
Khanda chuckled. "Indeed! My husband is called Talwar and he is as sharp as a sword when he needs to be!"
"And sweet as pie when necessary, I take it?" Goldenstar looked amused. "Please, rest. When the sun rises, I'll take you to my brother."
"Is he the king? No, wait, there is no king left, right?"
"Exactly. Naveen was killed in a barbarian way, such as I'd expect from the northerners. Such heartless cruelty doesn't belong in the southern lands."
After an explanation of the situation and the layout of the palace, Goldenstar told her the white magic light would fade out as soon as she lay down next to her husband. Khanda was now certain she was dealing with a Genn, and thanked her profusely.
"You are welcome," Goldenstar said. "Now I need rest after the healing. I will see you again in the morning."
Khanda bowed and as soon as Goldenstar had left, she went to lie down next to Talwar. He was much warmer now.
"Sweet dreams, dilbar," she whispered, nestling against him.