After two days of waiting for the mage to locate more spells, watching Swift and Sweetie remove the spells, eating, sleeping and waiting some more, Dallas was impatient to leave.
Swift and Sweetie seemed to grow fatter each day, eating all the grain placed in front of them, and resting for hours before removing the next located spell.
Misty seemed to enjoy watching the slaves and Nebar’s men search every square of the property for dead to bury, or living to return to the main building to feed and clothe.
Dallas tried not to become more frustrated each passing hour, while he waited to leave the heat and humidity of Mireland for the refreshing cool breezes of the western slopes of Convane.
He sighed with relief, when Mage Stantworth announced that the property was free of set spells, and smiled when the mage suggested Dallas and Misty take the trackers back through the magic doorway to Hedgehill.
Dallas stepped through the spelled opening at the back of the cell into Veda’s room. Candles placed on a ledge running around the wall six feet above the floor lit the room.
The smell of melted wax filled the air, which suggested to Dallas the candles had been kept burning since they stepped through the doorway into the cell two days ago.
Two guards waited either side of the doorway, but their swords were sheathed and their bows hung from their shoulders.
Cooper White stood next to the opposite opened door that lead through the narrow corridor towards the front of the building. Behind him waited Carl, Valda and Joy.
Swift pricked her ears forward when she noticed the youngsters.
“When did you get here?” Dallas smiled at Joy. He removed the pearl handled knife and held it out.
Joy shook her head and hid her hands behind her back.
Valda smiled. “She wants you to keep it.”
He hoped Joy did not have another dream showing he still needed the knife. He nodded his thanks and slipped the knife behind his belt.
“Mage Stantworth delivered us here before he flew south to Idion’s property two days ago.” Valda smiled again.
“I was ordered to remain here until the mages were captured and Mage Stantworth returned.” Carl sounded rebellious, but at least he did as told and waited.
Nebar raised his voice. “Everyone go through to the dining room.” He turned to Dallas. “Best you lead the trackers through the building and around to the stable. They both deserve a bucket of grain.”
“Thank you, but they were well fed at Idion’s property. We need to return to the border to deliver the women and children back to the property.”
“Already safely home.” Cooper stepped forward. “I was advised the old shepherd cried with joy when he saw them.”
“Jeb say if he sent word of our delay to my parents?” Dallas hoped they got a message before they organised a search for him and Misty.
Cooper nodded. “He also said he would watch out for your return.”
Misty and Sweetie followed Dallas and Swift through the narrow corridor, then the wide corridor to the front door.
Dallas shivered in the cool breeze when he walked down the two steps. The change in temperature was noticeable after the hot humid air in south Mireland.
Cooper kept pace with Dallas and Misty as they strolled along the path to the corner of the stone building.
“Can you get word to Veda?”
Dallas nodded to Cooper. “I can try.”
Cooper lowered his voice. “Tell her to stay at the dragon hold until she is better. And tell her I suggest she travel to your parent’s place. And remain there until I arrive to collect her.”
“I agree it would be safer for her to live with my parents instead of returning here.” Dallas was not sure how much Cooper understood about the making of the doorway between Veda’s room and the back wall of Idion’s cell. He decided not to mention it.
Mage Stantworth waited outside the stables. Bren took up most of the space in front of the stables. His large scaled head rested on his arms and his eyes were shut.
“Come inside so we don’t wake Bren. Poor boy is tired from all the flying.” Mage Stantworth waited until Dallas led Swift into the stable before he followed.
Misty and Sweetie followed Cooper inside.
Dallas quickly removed Swift’s saddle and halter and brushed her down while she ate from a filled bucket.
Misty also removed Sweetie’s saddle and halter and draped them over the stable partition next to Swift’s. “What now? Food or sleep?” She pulled a curry comb off a hook and worked along Sweetie’s neck and down her side.
“I would prefer to eat something while the girls rest, then leave for the border before sunset.” Dallas continued to brush loose hair and dust off Swift’s hide. “Unless you prefer the comfort of a roof over your head tonight.”
Cooper straightened. “If you are leaving soon, I will order cook to pack food for your trip.” He jogged out of the stable before Dallas had time to answer.
“Well managed.” Mage Stantworth straightened. “I need to speak to you in private.”
Dallas sighed.
“The council will not allow the slave dreamer to remain in Convane, either at your property or in the city.” Mage Stantworth raised one eyebrow.
“Her name is Joy.” Misty smiled sweetly at Mage Stantworth before she dropped out of view to brush Sweetie’s legs.
“What about Carl and Valda?”
Mage Stantworth tipped his head to the right and frowned.
Dallas waited.
The mage straightened his neck, blinked and focused on Dallas. “Bren suggests that Valda and Joy live with the dragons until Carl takes control of his father’s property.”
“I thought he was asleep.” Misty walked around Sweetie, her back to Dallas and Mage Stantworth. She attacked Sweetie’s neck with the curry comb.
Mage Stantworth frowned at Misty’s back before he looked at Dallas.
Dallas calmly brushed Swift’s rump.
“Nebar suggested his men remain at the property and Nebar will visit using the door in Veda’s room whenever he needs to check on their progress. So I suggested he take Carl with him. That way Carl will learn what is needed to run his father’s property.”
“Good idea.”
“I want to thank both of you for your help.”
“Where is Mage Vince now?” Dallas swapped his brush for the curry comb Misty used. He took his time brushing Swift’s tail, waiting for Mage Stantworth to answer.
“Bren insisted Mage Vince be introduced to the elder dragons before taking him to the councillors. I left him in a cell at the dragon hold.”
“Good.” Misty again smiled at Mage Stantworth. “He is devious. I advise you not to trust him. He will already be planning his escape from your dragon cell.”
Dallas thought she was pushing the mage too far, so frowned at her.
Misty ignored him.
“What about the blocked children? Can you locate them and remove their blocks. And train them?” Dallas thought the mage might think he was too forward, but needed to remind Mage Stantworth of the one he captured.
“Yes, I will try to locate the list of teens who are blocked when I return to the city. Bren agrees their blocks need removing so they can train to control their ichur. In fact, Bren said he heard the elder dragons have noticed Convane does not have many trained mages.” Mage Stantworth looked towards the opened stable doors, where Bren waited.
“Good. Now we can sleep until Cooper returns with food packages, then head home.” Dallas patted Swift’s rump before he replaced the brush on the hook waiting beside the stable door.
“Dallas,” Mage Stantworth followed him to the front door. “I want you to continue as a border guard in spring, while you study to become an travelling judicator. And a word of warning, do not meddle in council business. Keep your head down and work hard. There will be time enough for plans in a few years.”
Dallas stared at Mage Stantworth. He wondered how the mage knew of his plans. Or was he only guessing? Dallas remained silent. If the mage knew, he could say so.
Mage Stantworth nodded to himself, more than to Dallas, then left them alone to wait for Cooper’s return.
“Well, was he guessing? Or can he read minds?” Misty brushed dust off her hands while she watched the mage walk down the side of the three storey building.
“Guessing.”
She raised her right hand and studied her bangle. “Can Mim replace the used pearls with new ones?”
Dallas smiled. “No need. I can refill them with ichur as soon as we leave Hedgehill.”
“Good. Need it to help defend against the next mage who dares try to steal Sweetie!” Misty displayed a smug smile while she hugged Sweetie’s neck.
“I think we need to ride all night to get back to the Jeb’s place tomorrow night.”
“Why?”
“We left the shepherd’s hamlet eight days ago, and only completed two days riding the boundary. We still have a week or more riding sunup to sunset to complete our section of the boundary. And by then, snow will be falling.”
“Home.” Misty smiled, a genuine smile. “I like the sound of that.”
THE END