The Dragon Eaters

by Duke Kittle

  * * *

  Kravek stepped off the gangplank leading to the deck of the Thorn’s Side. “The Stumble Drum, then?”

  Tina shook her head. “Not yet. My report to the High Theorist will have to wait until the safety of the city isn't in question. But we do have some time before Belthazuul’s Albatross returns. I’d like to check on Luna.”

  Kravek glanced at Tina and nodded. “I’d like to know how she’s doing, too.”

  Tina looked up as Kravek headed off the pier toward the surgeon’s home. She saw Belthazuul looming over the town even from the port. He must have looked to the townspeople like the harbinger of doom, but there wasn’t much to be done about it. She knew Belthazuul well enough to be aware he wouldn’t be moved without word from the Ring of Fire. It wasn’t so imposing to her to see him there, but that was simply because she was used to the Maldavians’ manners from her previous visits. When it came to what they felt they needed to do, even those not so committed to their duties as Belthazuul were hard to convince otherwise.

  As Kravek walked down the street, however, the Likonians were coming out of their houses to look up at the impressive stature of the dragon. Tina’s ear twitched as she listened to their conversations. A few of them were expressing fear concerning the dragon, but she heard Aiden’s name being spoken and how the young rabbit had simply approached Belthazuul. She even heard one conversation coming from a familiar voice. Tina turned her head to see Lazur talking with another badger with what looked like her own pup in her arms.

  Kravek glanced at Tina on his shoulder. “You’re quiet, Tina.”

  Tina looked up at Kravek a moment later and rubbed the back of one of her ears. Putting her hand at the base of her ear, Tina pushed back her hair and used the other hand to brush the fur inside her ear to one side. Concealed in the fur was a pair of golden studs which she removed. She then took a thin, golden plate off the back of her ear and rubbed the spot from which she'd removed the plate. “I’m sorry, Kravek. I was just thinking and listening. I wonder a little bit about how much contact the townspeople have actually had with the Maldavians. From the conversations going on around us, it seems to me as though they’ve had little to none. They feared Belthazuul when he first arrived, and rightfully so. But now… they seem more in awe of him than anything else.”

  “What’s that in your hand?” Kravek tried to look a little more closely at the golden plate Tina held.

  She glanced at it, then held it up so Kravek could see the runes inscribed on it. “They’re meant to augment my hearing.”

  “You have bad eyes and bad ears?” Kravek cocked one eyebrow curiously.

  “Not so much bad as too small.” She put the plate onto the back of her ear and replaced the studs. The long furs in Tina’s ears hid them well. “I discovered a long time ago when I was transformed to this size that it affected my hearing, my voice, even my eyesight. My eyes aren’t even all that bad. They’re just very small, and my vision wasn’t perfect beforehand.” She rested her hands in her lap. “Without those plates, I can’t make out speech very well unless it’s someone with a very high-pitched voice.”

  “What about your voice? You have a plate for that too?” Kravek turned his attention back to the street and spotted the alley leading to the surgeon's house.

  “Speech is easier to handle.” Tina pulled her hair to one side and brushed her fingers through the fur. “It’s probably too small for you to see very easily, but there’s a rune tattooed under the fur on the side of my neck which lets me project my voice as if I were normal-sized.”

  Kravek chuckled. “I’ll take your word for it.” He stepped up to the door of the surgeon’s home. “So I guess you couldn’t really function without magic, huh?”

  Tina shook her head. “Not anymore. Seems fitting magic made me reliant on magic, doesn’t it?”

  Kravek paused as he put his hand on the door and considered. “Maybe.” He looked at Tina on his shoulder. “Have you ever wondered what your life would have been like if you’d never become a wizard, Tina?”

  Tina wiggled her whiskers. “I have. There are a lot of possibilities. But I do know one certainty.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It would have been much shorter, even if I'd spent it taller.” Tina inclined her head toward the door. “You should probably knock first.”

  Kravek turned his attention back to the door, curled his fingers into a fist, and knocked gently.

  The door opened, and on the other side was the badger nurse whom Tina and Kravek had spoken with earlier. “Oh! Welcome back. Did you come to check on Luna?”

  Tina nodded. “Yes. How is she doing, Vira?”

  Vira smiled. “She is doing just fine. She's still a little exhausted from the whole ordeal and the loss of blood, but she is out of danger. I can ask my husband if she's strong enough to see you, if you'd like.”

  “It would be greatly appreciated.” Tina bowed her head in thanks.

  The nurse smiled. “Just wait here a moment. I will be right back.” She let the door close, but not enough to latch it. Tina could see her walk to the back room from the doorway. The nurse stuck her head in and spoke, but Tina was too far away to hear the short conversation. When the nurse returned, she pulled the front door open as the surgeon stepped out of the back with a rag in hand. Vira smiled. “Luna's awake, and she can see you, but try not to keep her very long. She does need her rest.”

  “We appreciate it,” Kravek replied. He walked through the door and came to a stop in front of the back door. He put his hand on it, but glanced at Tina on his shoulder. “Do you want some time alone with her?”

  Tina looked up at Kravek curiously. He wasn't wrong about her wanting to be alone with Luna for a little bit, but she wondered how he'd picked up on it. “If it's all right with you, I would.”

  Kravek nodded. He lifted his hand to his shoulder, and Tina stepped off onto it. Kravek pushed the door open and walked inside to set Tina down on the edge of the bed. He turned his attention to Luna who was covered up to her chest by the blanket, though her arms lay on top of it. “Glad you're doing better, Luna. Tina wanted to talk to you alone for a few minutes.”

  “With my state of undress, I'd like to talk to her alone too.” Luna's voice was quiet, but steady.

  Kravek rubbed the side of his muzzle for a moment, then turned away and walked back out through the door.

  Tina walked up along the bed until she was standing next to Luna's chest. She put her hand on the mink's arm. “How do you feel?”

  Luna turned her head to look down at Tina, though it put her neck in an uncomfortable position. She straightened up again. “Like I was trampled by a thunder lizard. Everything aches.”

  Tina could see that while the cuts she'd mended had been bandaged and were probably stitched up underneath, there were several bruises showing through Luna's white fur. She adjusted her glasses and glanced around the room. Seeing a spare set of sheets sitting on the counter across from the bed, Tina rose. “I'll just be a second.” She leapt onto the end table next to the bed.

  Climbing onto the counter next to the end table, Tina settled down on her knees next to the sheets. She disrobed, removing her ear plates, her necklace, the armlet which hadn't been broken, and her robe, though she kept her necklace in hand. She looked at the lava-colored crystal it held briefly but then turned the necklace over. On the back of it was a diamond-shaped plate.

  Tina slid her claws under the plate and pried it loose. It came off with a soft 'tink,' and she set it aside. Inside was a wide pocket which held three small, black spheres. Tina removed one of them, then replaced the plate on the back of the necklace.

  Leaving her robe and accessories on the counter, Tina unfolded one of the sheets and climbed under it. She popped the small, black sphere into her mouth and crunched it between her back teeth. It tasted like licorice.

  Tina felt a familiar moment of ve
rtigo and disorientation. It had come quickly. The world had darkened for her within seconds. Her eyes drifted shut, and she slumped against the sheets.

  When her eyes opened again, it was as if she had just awakened from a long sleep in a pitch black room. She felt disoriented and unsure if she was actually awake. Tina knew she was, but it was as though her mind was hesitating to acknowledge it. That hesitation faded as the room came back into view.

  Tina pushed herself up and felt the sheet pressing against her body. Looking down, she had to take a moment to recognize where she was, what she was doing, and who was nearby. When she saw Luna's wide-eyed stare, everything finally came back to the wizard.

  Tina slid her legs off the counter and stood up as she pulled the sheet around her shoulders to cover herself. Looking down at the counter, she saw her tiny robes and all of her accessories lying there in a neat pile. Her gaze then moved to her feet as she saw them resting on the floor five feet below.

  Tina heard Luna try to sit up, but she moved to the bed and put a hand on the mink's good shoulder to usher her back down. “Don't worry, Luna. It's just me.” Tina seated herself on the side of the bed as Luna lay back down.

  “Tina, you're--”

  “Big?” Tina smiled at Luna in a friendly manner.

  Luna smiled back weakly. “I was going to say thin.”

  Tina looked down at herself underneath the sheet and sighed. “I should probably eat more often than I do. But I get on a job and get so focused, sometimes I just forget.”

  Luna held up one of her hands, and Tina slid her hand into it. “Why did you do this?”

  Tina put Luna's hand into her lap and covered it with both of her own. “I'm the reason you were hurt, Luna. There are a few reasons, but... I wanted you to be able to see clearly who was responsible.”

  Luna quietly laughed as she laid her head back down and closed her eyes. “Are you always a martyr, Tina?” Tina looked confused at Luna, but it only broadened the mink's smile. “I was the one injured, but you're the one who looks wounded.”

  Tina lowered her gaze to Luna's hand in her lap. “I'm the one who asked you to come along with us. I did my best to mend your wounds, but without my glasses, I--”

  “You did enough.” Luna tapped one of her fingers against Tina's palm. “The surgeon says I'll eventually make a full recovery.” She sighed quietly. “Besides, I've had worse injuries. Price of being a soldier.”

  Tina laid her ears back against her hair. “I have rarely seen women being soldiers outside of the Khanifran tribes and the Braka. How did you ever manage to become one?”

  Luna smiled in a self-satisfied manner. “By being a better archer than any man in the whole of the Vulfin District.” She then looked up at Tina. “How about you? How did you become a wizard?”

  Tina rubbed the back of Luna's hand gently. “Another wizard spotted I had the talent for it. But that was a long time ago.”

  Luna closed her eyes. “I've heard about you before, you know.”

  Tina wiggled her whiskers and looked at Luna curiously. “You have?”

  “You've got more of a reputation than you might realize, Tina.” She laughed weakly, but stopped with a wince. “Do you even know what the Mateesh people, your own kind, call you?”

  Tina nodded. “Kedish Kerasta. The Tiny Tempest.”

  “You may not have known it at the time, but when you requested me to go with you to Dragon's Mouth,” Luna opened her eyes and looked up at Tina, “I was honored. So don't feel bad that I got hurt.” She grinned in spite of the bruises on her jaw. “I will be able to tell my family someday about how I was once asked for, personally, by a famous wizard.”

  Tina quietly laughed. “Are you still in touch with them, even here in Likonia?”

  Luna nodded. “I am. We send letters whenever there's a ship in port. There's one in my room at home right now I wanted to send on the Thorn's Side when it goes back to Madrigaarde.” She squeezed Tina's hand. “If I'm not well enough by the time the ship leaves, would you make sure to send it for me, Tina?”

  Tina nodded. “I will. Are you sure you want me going into your room alone, though?”

  Luna shook her head. “I don't mind it. I'd rather you went in than Idori or any of the other guards.” She laid her head back down and closed her eyes. “He's not going to be happy about this, Tina.”

  Tina hesitated. “Why would Captain Cephalin have any more reason to be unhappy than any of the other guards?”

  Luna frowned. “It's... complicated.” She turned to look up at Tina again and noted the mouse’s curious expression. “I’ve known Idori longer than any of the other guards in Likonia, Tina. I know it’s technically fraternization, but… we’re not exactly regular military anymore.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  Luna laid her head back. “You've seen how he is these days. I wish you could have known him three years ago, before--” She caught herself. The mink looked as if she’d almost said something she shouldn’t. “Well… before we came to Likonia.” Luna squeezed Tina's hand. “I'm just warning you because he'll probably take this out on you.”

  Tina lowered her head, ready to say something when the door to the room opened, and Kravek stuck his head in. “Are you two doing al--”

  Before Kravek could finish his sentence, the heel of a flying boot smacked him right in the forehead. He recoiled from the blow and slapped his hands over his face, letting the door shut behind him. “Ow ow ow!”

  Luna sighed and let her arm fall back to the bed as her shoulders hit the pillow again. “Women talking in here!” She called out.

  Tina covered her mouth with her hands, then quickly uncovered it and called into the living room. “Doctor, I think you have another patient out there!”

  Luna and Tina both shared a brief fit of laughter before Luna quieted down with a wince. “Oof. Well, at least we know my bow arm still works.”

  Though Kravek had left, Tina still felt a little pang of sympathy for him as she glanced at the boot lying on its side in front of the door. She looked back down at Luna. “Luna, the wizard who came here is the one I believe created the Dragon Eaters. And I think what we went through in the Maw of Kaelus was a trap set for anyone trying to follow his trail.”

  Luna sighed. “Somehow, that doesn't surprise me, Tina. The way he treated Leilani and Nana was despicable.”

  Tina's ears swiveled toward Luna. “Leilani and Nana?”

  Luna nodded. “His assistants. Two Kamadene women. They looked like sisters, but one had scales of a different color.” The mink wrinkled her muzzle and laid her ears back against her hair. “He treated them like slaves whenever I saw them all together.”

  Tina lowered her head and looked back down at Luna's hand. She rested her own hand on top of it. “I think it possible the two Kamadene women may still be alive. If they can be saved, I’ll do all that I can.”

  Tina rose from the bed and walked to the counter next to the end table. She looked down at the collection of her robe and accessories with the knowledge she would be returning to her cursed size soon. Looking on the other side of the sheets from which she’d taken her current attire, Tina noted a small glass jar in which was contained the shards that had been removed from Luna’s body. She picked up the jar and examined them briefly. “I thought I removed all the shards from your wounds.”

  Luna turned her head so she could see the jar. “The surgeon said he found a couple more when he reopened the wounds.”

  Tina ran her short claws over the glass jar. “Luna, would you mind if I kept these?”

  Luna shook her head with a small smile. “I don’t mind. Though I would like to keep that big one.”

  Tina noted the largest of the shards in the jar. “What for?”

  “Call it proof for my claim of working with Tina van Schtoffen.” Luna grinned.

  Tina smiled at Luna and pulled the top off the jar. She removed the la
rgest shard carefully and examined it. She set the shard down and then put the lid back on the jar. “Once I’m back to my normal… well, the size I’ve grown accustomed to, I’ll disenchant it for you. I’d bet my glasses these shards still have the shatter spell on them. And I want to keep them because, sometimes, I just need a reminder that I’m not infallible.” Tina climbed up onto the counter and seated herself with the jar in her hands. She considered Luna briefly. “Luna… I don’t know what stories you’ve heard about me, but I’m just a wizard who’s done the best she could with what she had.”

  Luna offered an understanding smile. “Isn’t that what we all do?” She let the smile fade as she laid her head back down and closed her eyes. “Thank you, Tina.”

  Tina looked at Luna curiously. “For what?”

  “For coming back to check on me. And for making my life more interesting for awhile. I think,” Luna sighed softly, “I can rest now.”