“I thought you were Dresdia,” Kalvin stammered, his face flushing red.
Lynol smiled impishly, feeling slightly flushed from Kalvin’s unintentional embrace. His chest, arms, and hands had felt so strong. For some reason she hadn’t minded the contact, and it made her feel strangely warm inside.
“Sure you did,” Dresdia teased playfully. “You just wanted to grab Lynol! You’ve been staring at her breasts ever since we got here!”
“I have not!” Kalvin exclaimed, mortified that his sister had noticed. Even worse that she had mentioned it aloud where Lynol could hear.
Lunging desperately at his sister, he ducked her, holding her firmly beneath the water, finally letting her up sputtering and coughing. He glared threateningly at Dresdia, almost daring her to say anything else. How could she say something like that in front of Lynol?
Lynol watched the two, still feeling strangely excited about the way Kalvin had briefly held her. She had noticed his occasional glances at her breasts. They had all grown considerably closer the past year, especially since Dresdia and Kalvin were the only two, besides her father, who ever saw her practice sorcery. Occasionally they would come over and she would show them some of the more innocuous spells she had learned. Malcon felt it was excellent practice for her to demonstrate her sorcery skills in front of her friends.
Grasping her amulet, which was always around her neck, she concentrated briefly, making a few simple flickering gestures with the fingers of her right hand. The amulet glowed slightly, and a huge mound of water suddenly rose up and collapsed on top of Kalvin, sending him nearly all the way to the sandy bottom.
Struggling back to the surface, he looked sheepishly at Lynol. “Truce; I give up!”
“About time!” clamored Dresdia, laughing with a satisfied smile upon her face. “Lynol needed to cool you off anyway. Perhaps another big splash is needed.”
“You wouldn’t!” begged Kalvin, backing slowly away from the two smiling girls with a worried look on his face. When they both ganged up on him, he usually came out on the losing end.
Lynol held her glowing amulet threateningly in her left hand, smiling playfully at Kalvin. Several large towering pillars of water rose up near him, then cascaded back into the pond as she released them. “If you don’t behave, I might,” she said with a mischievous smile on her face.
Dresdia’s high-spirited laughter rang out across the small pond. “Let’s eat!” Dresdia interjected, feeling hunger pangs. This was the most fun they’d been able to have in months!
The girls had packed a picnic lunch for them. Laughing, they raced out of the water with the two girls easily beating Kalvin to the large blanket that lay in the shade beneath the towering trees. Sitting on the blanket, they soon had their food unpacked. Dresdia had made sandwiches, and Lynol had baked an apple pie knowing it was Kalvin’s favorite dessert.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Lynol noticed Kalvin watching her with a slightly strange look. This swimming suit is a little too skimpy, she thought to herself, feeling a little self-conscious. It shows more than it hides, but then again she did seem to get a strange girlish thrill from the way Kalvin looked at her. In some ways, it made her feel more like a woman. Besides, it was just harmless fun!
Kalvin tore his gaze away from Lynol. He felt a nervous knot developing in the pit of his stomach. During the last year, she had really matured. Lynol had blossomed into a beautiful young woman that any man would die for. This was the first time they had gone swimming together since the previous summer, and Lynol’s light blue two-piece swimming suit just made her body even more attractive. Taking a large bite out of his sandwich, Kalvin tried unsuccessfully to turn his mind toward other less dangerous subjects.
Lynol, taking a small bite out of her sandwich, leaned back and stretched, enjoying the cool summer breeze blowing under the trees. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught Kalvin staring openly at her breasts, which were pushed taut against the flimsy piece of material that covered them.
Dresdia, seeing where Kalvin’s eyes were focused, elbowed him sharply in his side and gave him a pointed, warning glare. She was embarrassed by her brother’s open staring. Could her brother not think of anything else? He certainly had a one-track mind today. Dresdia wondered if all boys were like Kalvin at this age.
This could be fun, Lynol thought impishly, realizing the power she could exert over Kalvin. Relaxing again and acting as if she hadn’t noticed his stare, she took another bite out of her sandwich and then, turning to the picnic basket, she reached for the apple pie she’d brought. “Anyone for pie?” she asked demurely, turning to stare innocently at Kalvin, whose face was slightly flushed.
“Sounds great,” stammered Kalvin, thinking about how Lynol’s body had felt pressed up against his in the water.
He had been thinking seriously about telling Lynol how he felt about her, but he wasn’t sure how she would respond. Her studies occupied most of her free time. With everything on her mind, he knew he shouldn’t add something else, no matter how bad he wanted to. For now, it might be best to keep his feelings to himself.
Dresdia rolled her eyes and turned her hands, looking at Lynol and Kalvin. Apple pie was certainly Kalvin’s weakness and Lynol was obviously flirting with him, making him even more self-conscious. Dresdia grinned at the implications. Kalvin was defenseless when Lynol was around. Maybe Lynol was developing feelings for her brother. Next time they were alone, she would have to ask her.
After serving Kalvin his pie, Lynol stood, tossed her partly dry hair, and stretched, knowing that Kalvin’s eyes were riveted upon her straining breasts. She laughed, smiling devilishly at Kalvin, who sat staring openly, his pie momentarily forgotten.
“Better eat that pie, Kalvin,” she said teasingly, turning and walking the short distance to the pond’s edge, gazing out across the relaxing water. This could really be fun and exciting she thought, knowing that Kalvin’s eyes were still focused on her.
“Yes, Kalvin,” Dresdia jumped in, seizing the opportunity. “Pull your eyes back in their sockets and eat your pie!”
Kalvin’s icy glare made Dresdia burst into laughter. She was amazed at the power Lynol could wield so easily over her brother. Yes, she thought, this could definitely be an interesting summer.
-
Later the three walked over to see WhiteStorm, Dresdia’s colt, which was now well over a year old. Upon seeing the three, WhiteStorm neighed loudly, prancing around before running up to them from the far end of the small enclosed pasture. The colt ran up to Dresdia, nuzzling her, almost pushing her over.
“Ever since Dresdia started feeding that horse apples he expects one every time she comes around,” Kalvin stated critically, watching the glossy brown colt with the white spot upon his forehead.
“Apples are fine,” replied Lynol soothingly, reaching out to scratch WhiteStorm behind his ear. The colt leaned his head forward, enjoying Lynol’s delicate touch. “You like apples, don’t you WhiteStorm?” she said gently.
“But not two or three a day,” Kalvin muttered to himself as he watched the two girls pet the young horse. The animal was getting very spoiled.
“He has really grown this past year,” Lynol commented as she continued to pet WhiteStorm. “He’s really going to be fun to ride. How soon are you going to start training him, Kalvin?”
“I’ve already started,” Kalvin replied, pleased that Lynol was showing an interest. “I’ve been getting him used to the feel of a blanket and a small saddle on his back. In a few more months, I will be adding more weight. With a little luck, he will be ready to ride this fall.”
After playing with the colt for a while longer, Kalvin volunteered to walk Lynol home so she wouldn’t have to walk back by herself. Dresdia was staying home so she could finish her chores and help her mother. It also gave him a convenient excuse to spend some time alone with Lynol.
They were both strangely quiet as they walked back to Lynol’s home, each just enjoying the other’s company. There
hadn’t been a lot of time for this recently with everything that had been going on.
Trade with Draydon had dried up completely. Very few goods were coming across the mountains from the other villages and towns in Draydon’s vicinity. The few scattered villages on the east side of the mountains had become even more dependent upon each other. News from across the mountains had been minimal. What news that had reached them had been hard to believe; almost frightening.
Kalvin knew Dresdia was having nightmares about the dragon. She was scared to death that Gilmreth would appear over their farm some night. At home, he often caught her staring with open fear on her face at Firestorm Mountain. There was scarcely a day that went by that Kalvin didn’t think about the prophecy the three had found at the altar site.
Reaching the lower pasture within sight of her home, Lynol stopped and turned to face Kalvin. “I really enjoyed myself today,” she said smiling, looking into Kalvin’s deep brown eyes.
“I did too,” replied Kalvin, hoping Lynol wasn’t too aggravated with him. He knew he shouldn’t have stared at her so openly. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you today,” he added uncomfortably, looking down and shifting about on his feet.
“I wasn’t embarrassed,” replied Lynol softly, her eyes twinkling. “I need time with you and Dresdia; especially you!”
Leaning forward, she gently touched his arms with her hands and then, placing her lips on his, she gave Kalvin a quick, gentle kiss. With a departing playful laugh, she turned and hurried off toward the house.
Kalvin stood stunned, watching her retreating figure, his mouth open in surprise, not believing that Lynol had actually kissed him. It had happened so quickly that all he could do was stand there and look like an idiot. Finally relaxing, Kalvin turned and started back home, whistling happily with new and enticing thoughts running rambunctiously through his turbulent mind.
-
Several days later in far off Draydon, Jalene looked out from her balcony with dry satisfaction at the bustling work being done all over the town. Sipping a glass of red wine from a hand crafted crystal goblet, she leaned back against the wall, enjoying the luxurious softness of the black satin clothes she wore.
A knock at the door interrupted her reverie, and with an impatient frown she turned and walked back into the main room. Going to the door, she opened it. Storn Daes and Baelen Dal waited patiently next to the two temple guards standing attentively outside. Two other temple guards were permanently stationed at the front entrance to her new home to ensure she wasn’t bothered with unwanted visitors. Baelen Dal was the priest in charge of preparing the sacrifices for the temple.
“What is it Storn?” Jalene asked a little impatiently. She didn’t like unplanned visits; they very seldom brought good news.
Storn’s calm matter-of-fact tone of voice made Jalene’s blood chill at times. There was something mysterious, almost dangerous about Storn, which required careful watching. He wasn’t a threat now, and he served so well as High Priest. She could ignore that slight irrational fear, but it never hurt to be cautious. Baelen, on the other hand, obeyed her without question. He was totally obedient and would do whatever she asked of him.
“We need to talk, Milady,” the red-cowled priest replied, gazing at her, his eyes unflinching.
“Come in, then,” spoke Jalene, stepping aside and allowing the two men to enter.
“What’s the problem now?” she asked impatiently, facing the two men, setting down her glass of wine, and folding her arms across her chest.
It seemed as if there were always problems, too many problems! Every day there were decisions to be made, and plans that had to be changed for various reasons. To Jalene it should have been simple. Her city needed to be finished! Daes and Dal both knew that, yet they were constantly coming to see her. It seemed as if she had to approve everything, no matter how slight at times.
“We need more workers if we are to stay on our construction schedule,” Baelen began with a nervous catch in his voice. Baelen wasn’t sure how Jalene would receive his news. “The overseers report we are falling behind schedule once more.”
“Then work the people harder!” snapped Jalene, finding it hard to hold in her sudden aggravation. “Threaten them with Gilmreth if necessary. The work must be completed on time! I don’t want to hear excuses!”
“The people are already being pushed as far as they can,” replied Storn, speaking calmly and ignoring Jalene’s anger. “Physically, we can’t ask them to do more. Most are already working from dawn until dusk, and to force them to work harder will only slow down construction even further. Remember, we have been allowing them an extra free day after each sacrifice. That has also slowed the work down.”
“Then take away the free day we give them each week!” Jalene ordered, still feeling angry.
Storn had talked Jalene into allowing the workers off one day a week to permit them to recuperate and spend time with their families. He had claimed it would help to speed up the work.
“I would remind you that productivity has increased substantially since we started allowing them off one day a week,” Storn replied calmly, ignoring Jalene’s irritation “If we overwork the people your city will never be completed and you will have no one to rule; they will all be dead!”
Jalene frowned, realizing the priest was probably right. Over the past year, she had brought nearly ten thousand additional people into the Draydon area, many of them living in makeshift tents on its outskirts. Most of these people were from distant, sparsely settled lands to the north and west, and just the appearance of Gilmreth over their villages had convinced them to migrate to her new city. Carpenters, masons, and general laborers were needed by the thousands to complete the city she envisioned in her dreams.
On several occasions, she had been forced to turn Gilmreth loose, razing entire villages to the ground to set an example of how futile it was to resist her demands. These nearly unlimited feedings had also served to strengthen the dragon until he was now almost as powerful as he had ever been.
She’d also allowed Daes to talk her into giving the people a free day after each sacrifice. It was all becoming part of her plan of installing the ritual sacrifices as part of temple doctrine. The people would eventually accept it as part of their daily lives.
“Very well,” replied Jalene, thinking furiously, her anger ebbing. Her city must be completed; her vision brought to fruition. “We will bring in more workers from the lands to the southwest. They have a large population, and it shouldn’t take more than a token appearance by Gilmreth to force them to see the wisdom of volunteering for construction jobs here in Draydon.”
“Excellent, Milady,” replied Storn, bowing his head slightly, satisfied with the decision. It was what he had wanted. “However, with many more new workers, our food supplies will rapidly dwindle. Most of the farmers in the surrounding countryside are already being asked to produce more than their lands will bear. It will be necessary for more land to be cleared of the ancient poison left over from the Worldfire. We must expand the farms around Draydon in order to feed the new workers, so we'll also need more farmers.”
Jalene’s face froze into a demonic scowl. She knew that it would take an extremely powerful spell to clear the lands of the ancient poison, one she didn’t enjoy enacting. “Confiscate the crops from the lands farther out along the Crystal River!” she said, her voice scathing. “I’ve already cleared the local farms of the Worldfire poison, isn’t that enough?”
The man shrugged, his red robe rippling against well-toned muscles, his unwavering gaze meeting Jalene’s eyes. “Even that will not be enough, Milady. If we bring in as many workers as we need to complete the city as scheduled we will need more; much more. They must have food or they can’t work, and if they can’t work we will fall even further behind your schedule.”
Jalene hesitated briefly, closing her eyes and trying to control her frustration. Opening them, she glanced at the Stone of Loraine; she realized the truth of what Storn w
as saying. Jalene’s piercing gaze finally returned to the waiting priest. “Very well, Storn, I will use my sorcery to make more land fertile. I will remove the poison from the ground and cast a spell that will make the crops grow more quickly. But I warn you; I’d better see some rapid progress in construction!”
“You will, Milady,” promised Storn, backing slowly toward the door. “Send Gilmreth to bring in the new workers and the overseers will have construction back on schedule almost immediately.”
Her nod to Storn’s retreating figure was scornful, insinuating, and decisive as she turned away. Behind Jalene, the door closed, and she was left alone with Baelen Dal, who stood nervously awaiting her attention. Turning back around, Jalene gazed questionably at Dal. What else did the pale-eyed priest want?
“Well, speak up!” she commanded irritably. “What else is there; what do you want?”
“Milady,” he began nervously. “The populace continues to be hesitant about submitting their daughters as candidates for the sacrifice.”
“They have no choice!” Jalene barked, angry at her precious time being wasted. The people would do what she demanded or face the consequences. Dal knew that; why was he wasting her time?
“A lower priest in the temple knows of a drug, which will make the candidates submit themselves willingly to the sacrifice. If the populace sees the sacrifices are willing, perhaps their cooperation will improve,” Baelen suggested cautiously.
“Willing sacrifices,” Jalene mused thoughtfully. The idea intrigued her.
Perhaps the drug combined with her sorcery could make them much more than just willing. Yes, she liked the idea of the sacrifices going willingly to Gilmreth, to become one with the dragon. Besides, the screaming when Gilmreth fed was starting to get aggravating. All the sacrifices screamed very loudly!
“Very well, we shall implement your suggestion at the next sacrifice. Don’t disappoint me!” Inclining her head toward the door, she dismissed the priest.
Baelen Dal bowed, retreating from the room. Jalene stood alone, staring at the closed door. Walking over to the table upon which her spell book lay, Jalene opened it to the necessary spell for purifying the ground. She stared at the spell for a long moment, annoyed at the necessity of using her power to cleanse more land of the leftover Worldfire poison.
Gilmreth the Awakening Page 24