Leah flexed her remaining four fingers. “Great. It’s strange. Sometimes my missing finger gets itchy or tingles, but apart from that, I manage just as well with four. I’m lucky it wasn’t my thumb. You know …” Leah’s face was pensive.
“What is it?”
The girl blushed. “Well, you and Ezaara did such a good job of healing me from limplock that I wanted to ask you whether you’d teach me more.” Her eyes shone.
“I can’t teach you much, and Ezaara is probably too busy.”
“Oh.” Leah bit her lip.
“You should ask Master Marlies, the healer,” Adelina said. “She’s looking for a new trainee.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” Adelina nodded. “I know you’re young, but you have a keen mind, good hands and you work hard. I bet you’d learn really quick.”
“Good hands?” Leah stared at her stump of finger.
“Yes, despite your missing finger.”
Mara elbowed Leah. “Go on, talk to the master healer.”
Leah took a bite of her bread. “All right, I will.”
If only Adelina’s own problems were as easy to solve. Her brother was missing. No one wanted to rescue him. Why hadn’t they gone already? She’d speak to Ezaara about it after breakfast.
A brittle voice from the table behind her cut through Adelina’s thoughts. “Ezaara isn’t the rightful Queen’s Rider. I tell you, it goes against Anakisha’s prophecy.”
Adelina raised her eyebrows at Mara and Leah.
Mara mouthed Sofia, and kept eating.
“Ezaara’s not of Anakisha’s bloodline. I told you, the prophecy says one of Anakisha’s kin will rule here at Dragons’ Hold.”
Adelina rolled her eyes. Not that old line again. Sofia’s babble was getting really old, fast.
“But Master Roberto tested her,” said another girl.
“Ssh, someone will hear you,” Sofia snapped. “Who says his test was true? You heard them at his trial. Even Master Tonio wasn’t sure whether he was lying. Roberto could’ve pretended Ezaara had imprinted well. You know he used to work for Master Zens.”
That sharding cow. Here was Roberto, laying his life on the line for the realm, and she was spreading lies about him. Adelina placed her fists on the table to stand up and blast Sofia, but Mara widened her eyes and shook her head.
Adelina hesitated. What more was Sofia saying? She stayed seated, chewing her bread, although it had lost its taste.
“For Zens? That’s terrible. But Zaarusha chose Ezaara.”
“That’s what Ezaara told us,” Sofia replied. “Now quiet, I don’t want everyone to—”
“Hey, there’s Adelina,” a male voice hissed. It was Alban, Sofia’s lover.
Adelina faked a laugh, grinning at the girls. “That was a great joke. Tell me another.”
Thankfully, Mara and Leah caught on quickly, and giggled.
“What’s big as a dragon but weighs nothing?” Mara asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
“I don’t know!” Although she was seething, Adelina forced mirth into her voice. “I give up. What’s as big as a dragon but weighs nothing?”
“His shadow.”
Adelina and Leah laughed again. “That was bad,” said Adelina, turning to Leah. “Do you have a better one?”
Behind them, chairs scraped as Sofia and her gossips got up to leave.
“They’ve gone,” breathed Mara. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“You mean it’s not the first time they’ve said those things about my brother?”
Mara broke crumbs off her bread roll, not meeting Adelina’s eyes.
“No, it’s not,” said Leah. “But I’d ignore them.”
Adelina glanced behind her. Although the rest of the mess cavern was still busy, the few tables nearby had emptied out. No one could hear them, but still, she whispered. “No, don’t ignore them. Listen in, then let me know what they’re saying.”
“But Alban …” Leah murmured.
“Is he hurting people?”
“Not sure, but there was a rumor that Sofia asked him to punch a girl.”
“When did that happen?”
The girls shrugged. “It might just be a rumor,” Mara said. “Is it true Ezaara knifed Sofia?”
Adelina sighed. “Yes, but it was an accident. Fleur’s dragon, Ajeuria, was on swayweed and sent Ezaara a vision of her being blasted by a dragon. It was so real that Ezaara thought her skin was on fire. She stumbled and her knife went into Sofia’s leg.”
“How could a dragon meld with Ezaara without her touching it?”
“She has special gifts. She can meld with any dragon, but not many know that, so keep it quiet. That’s one way we know she’s Queen’s Rider. Besides, my brother doesn’t lie.”
Leah still looked uncertain.
“What is it?”
“Did he really work for Master Zens?”
“Only because he was drugged with numlock and forced to, but Erob saved him.” Adelina shivered, remembering Roberto’s screams through her bedroom walls when he’d returned to Naobia.
§
Marlies stifled a yawn, and placed her hand on Erob’s forehead so she could mind-meld with him. His scales were a healthy hue, but a little cool. “How are you feeling?”
He opened an eye, his lid sliding over his slitted pupil. “A bit better. Still weak.”
“Sleep, then.”
“Thanks. I was until you woke me.” His lid closed again.
She checked Erob’s wound again. There was a slight mark along his scales, but otherwise not a blemish. Piaua juice was incredible. What they’d do without it, she had no idea.
After rescuing Erob and helping heal him, Hans had collapsed in bed. Marlies had been tending the blue dragon and the patients in the infirmary on her own—even though she’d also hardly slept. She wasn’t as hardy as she’d been when she left Lush Valley a few short moons ago. Death Valley had dealt her a raw card. But at least she was alive, with her family. More than she could guarantee for Roberto.
Strange, she’d expected Ezaara to pop in by now. She was probably sleeping too.
Marlies threw some blankets over his back, and then more on each of his limbs. If she could help him conserve heat, he’d use his energy for healing. Behind him, Maazini snuffled in his sleep. She threw some blankets on him too.
Liesar landed on the ledge and came inside the overhang where the dragons were dozing. “You’ve been up all night and half the day. You need rest.”
“Soon.” A knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” Marlies called, going back inside the infirmary and pulling the door shut. Although there were two exhausted dragons on the ledge, Erob was out of danger and it was freezing. She’d wake Hans so he could rug up and take the next shift, watching him.
A young blonde girl entered the infirmary, the one whose finger Ezaara had amputated. She was older than a littling but not a fully-fledged teen yet, shy wee thing. What was her name again? Lara or Lexi—no, Leah, that was it. “Good evening, Leah. How’s your hand?”
“F-fine, M-master Healer Marlies,” Leah replied.
From memory, the girl had been orphaned. Perhaps she needed someone to talk to. “I’m just making a cup of tea. Would you like one?” Marlies tipped water from a waterskin into two cups and passed Leah one.
“Thank you.” Leah clutched her cup, knuckles white.
Leah was either really nervous or freezing. Either way, tea would help. “Come with me.” Marlies walked to the ledge and opened the door to a chill wind. She mind-melded with Liesar. “Be gentle, she’s just young.”
“I’m nothing but gentle,” Liesar replied.
“Especially when you fight tharuks.” Marlies held out her cup.
Liesar sent hot gusts of air over Marlies’ cup until the water was steaming.
Leah’s eyes nearly fell out of her head. “Liesar warms your tea? Doesn’t her breath burn your hands?”
“She has great aim—and because we mind-meld, she
’d know if she hurt me. She feels what I feel.”
“That’s handy. Does she help you heal people?”
“She helps heal other dragons.”
“And I sterilize your surgical knives, don’t forget to tell her that. And I fetch injured dragons’ riders.” Liesar ruffled her neck scales.
“I wish I was a healer.” Leah’s eyes shot wide open and she gasped. “Oh, sorry, I meant to ask you nicely. I mean I—”
Marlies laid her free hand on Leah’s arm. “You want to be a healer?”
“Yes. Ezaara and Adelina helped me so much when they healed me from limplock. I would’ve died without them. That’s why I want to help others.”
The Egg knew she could do with help. With hardly any healing supplies and no decent assistants except Ezaara, Adelina and Tomaaz—who all now had other responsibilities—she’d been run off her feet whenever there was a tharuk skirmish. Lars had assigned a couple of people, but they’d been more hindrance then help, so Marlies had suggested they work with the master craftsman. Marlies nodded. “Very well. Here’s your first lesson. You’ll often need to heat water for herbal infusions, like feverweed tea or koromiko for belly gripes. Hold your cup by the handle only. Don’t put your hand around the base.”
Leah held her cup out, as instructed.
“Now, the trick is to stand absolutely still so Liesar can aim. That will prevent you from being burned.”
The silver dragon rumbled her approval as she heated the water. “Not a twitch. She’ll be steady in emergencies.”
Hans came to the doorway, tugging on his riders’ jerkin. “Oh, tea? Could you make me one too?”
Marlies nodded at Leah. “That’s your second assignment.”
While Leah went inside to fetch another cup, Marlies said quietly to Hans, “I thought Ezaara would have come to see Erob by now.”
Hans arched his eyebrows over his emerald eyes. “Hasn’t she been in yet?”
“No,” Marlies replied. “She must be sleeping.”
Someone else knocked on the door. Adelina appeared on the ledge with Leah. “Do you know where Ezaara is?” she asked, frowning. “I thought she’d be here.”
“She’s not in her cavern?” Marlies asked.
“No, and no one’s seen her for hours.”
§
“Do you want to sit with us at lunch?” Gret asked after their combat session in the training cavern.
Lovina shook her head. “I’ll be along a little later.” Gret and Adelina always respected her need for space, never questioning her when she escaped the busy tumult of Dragons’ Hold for a little peace.
Lovina wandered through the tunnels aimlessly. She longed to see Tomaaz again, but he’d been so pale and tired when he’d returned from rescuing Erob, she’d insisted he get some sleep. Hours later, he was still sleeping. When he’d gone back to Death Valley, she’d been sure he’d become another of Zens’ victims, thrown on the flesh heap to rot. She hadn’t dared hope he’d survive. Hope hadn’t helped her family. Hadn’t helped her hold onto anyone she’d loved.
There. She’d admitted it. She did care for him—loved him. He nurtured something precious inside her.
Lovina suddenly realized that her feet had automatically brought her to the infirmary and Tomaaz’s family quarters. Oh well, since she was here, she may as well visit Maazini. Opening the door, she entered the infirmary. She’d stayed here for her first two weeks after arriving at Dragons’ Hold—she’d been so ill and broken. Two patients lay in beds sleeping, so Lovina gave Marlies a small wave.
“Tomaaz is still sleeping,” Marlies said quietly.
Lovina nodded and made her way through the rows of beds, and opened the door to the ledge outside. She tugged her jerkin shut, put on her gloves and pulled up her collar against the cold.
Erob’s sleeping form greeted her. Beyond him, Maazini was also asleep. Lovina sighed. She couldn’t wake them; they, too, needed sleep. This particular ledge was large enough for several dragons, providing necessary space to bring the wounded in from battle. A deep overhang provided shelter for the sleeping dragons and many more, if need be. She walked out from the protection of the overhang, her boots crunching on snow, and stood near the lip of the ledge.
When she’d first come here, two moons ago, she’d seen a verdant basin below, nestled among a ring of icy peaks. Dragons of every imaginable color had wheeled in the sky, looking like a scene off one of Bill’s bolts of cloth. An orchard of laden fruit trees had edged a patchwork of fields, hemmed in by a vast forest to the north. It had taken her breath away.
Now, shrouded in snow, with the lake glinting silver in the wan winter sun, the evergreens dusted with fine powder and the fierce peaks of Dragon’s Teeth standing like guardians, protecting her from her old life outside, Dragons’ Hold had a special type of pristine magic to it. A beauty that still made her breath catch.
Was that because she’d spent so many years in the arid waste of Death Valley—and then more in the grip of numlock, with a gray fog over her eyes and mind, preventing her from seeing the world’s beauty? She’d traveled the length of Dragons’ Realm, a slave to Bill—a merchant and tharuk spy—and yet she’d barely noticed any of it.
Out of the thousands of inhabitants she’d encountered, Tomaaz had been the only one to see her, to wake her from her living nightmare and fight for her to be free. She automatically flexed the arm Bill had broken. It was healthy again, not quite as strong as her other, but it would recover. Although she’d never be rid of the whip scars on her back, they would fade. She would not let Bill damage her for life.
Nearby, Singlar, Lars’ purple dragon, sprang from a ledge. Her fingers itched to paint the dragon’s majestic wings, limned in light as it flew over a waterfall that tumbled down an icy slope.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Lovina spun back to the arch. Erob and Maazini were both still asleep. The voice had sounded odd, like she’d heard it in her head, not with her ears. Had one of the dragons mind-melded with her? She shrugged it off. She’d probably imagined it.
“I’m over here. The other way.”
She spun again. On the other side of the ledge, beyond Erob and Maazini’s sleeping forms, under the overhang where the mountainside blocked the snow and sunlight, deep in shadows, was a green dragon. The dragon stretched its limbs and paced past the others toward her. As it stepped into the sunlight, its scales glinted like emeralds. Lovina had seen dragons before, but not like this, full of majesty, glory—and deep sadness.
The creature bowed its head gracefully before her. “Lovina …”
The voice was in her head. She hadn’t been mistaken. The dragon’s tones were like sweet music that welled inside her. Sunlight played across its hide, turning the green into wondrous shades: moss, fresh mint, new spring grass, evergreens, emeralds and baby ferns in woodlands. If only she had her paintbrush and a palette of colors.
The dragon gazed at her with deep blue eyes.
A rush of wonder engulfed Lovina. Warmth spread through her. A sense of belonging.
“Will you be my rider?”
“Me?” Even as she asked, Lovina was drawn forward. She placed her hand on the dragon’s head. Its skin was warm and supple. “I’m not up to this. I’m untrained. Only a slave.”
“Then we are well suited. I, too, have been enslaved by Zens.”
She barely dared breathe. “You, too?”
“But now I am free. And so are you. Come, fly with me.”
The music inside her grew until she was swept up, leaping onto the dragon. Its haunches tensed and with a flip of its wings, they were airborne, high above the basin, spiraling up toward the peaks. Something loosened inside Lovina. It had started with Tomaaz, and, now, it loosened further. Carefree and unfettered, she laughed.
The dragon chuckled in her mind. “Lovina, for years I was miserable serving a master who had chained me with swayweed, making me hate the ones I loved. I was powerless, but now we can make a new life.”
&
nbsp; “So that was the source of the sorrow I sensed in you,” Lovina replied. “For eight years, I was numlocked, beaten and abused. My home was burned and my family killed.”
“I am now your family. Dragons’ Hold will be your home.”
The music swelled inside Lovina, bursting into brilliant harmony. She’d never felt like this before. Never had such a sense of belonging.
“I was called Ajeuria, but now I will be known as Ajeurina, in your honor.”
It was an honor. “Ajeurina,” she liked the way it sounded. Like a new start. So, this was Erob and Maazini’s sister—all three were Zaarusha’s offspring. Fleur, the former master healer and traitor, had been her last rider. “Why don’t you show me my new home?” Lovina asked.
“That would be my pleasure.” A deep wave of Ajeurina’s satisfaction flowed through Lovina, driving away the cold and making her tingle with warmth. Ajeurina dipped her wings and they shot over the basin toward the distant peak of Fire Crag.
Stuck
By the time Ezaara made her way to the mouth of the crevasse to sneak back out of Death Valley, it was broad daylight. Shards, how long had she been holed up watching Roberto? It was one thing to slip into Death Valley wearing an invisibility cloak at night. It was another to walk out among troops of tharuks in broad daylight. Should she chance it?
No, she’d be handing Zens her head on a platter. Roberto’s hand signals had said to flee, not to find Zens and join him in the dungeons.
The stomp of tharuk troops echoed from the main tunnel down the crevasse Ezaara was hiding in. She huffed her breath out, crept further into the crevasse and wrapped her cloak around her. She couldn’t go too far in. Roberto was obviously afraid Zens would sense her. Hastily, she chewed some freshweed. She’d have to wait this out like a brooding dragon, but at least she could disguise her scent. Then she submerged her mind, the way Roberto had taught her, and waited.
§
“Roberto, I know you can hear me.”
Roberto groaned, but not too loudly. He couldn’t show any weakness or Zens would exploit it. But he was weak. Weak from 000’s latest torture and from Zens’ relentless mental battering. Even when Zens wasn’t in the cavern, he bombarded Roberto with insidious thoughts.
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