Padraig takes a seat next to me.
"How were your patrols this morning?" he asks, beginning a conversation while he starts to eat.
"Smooth. No problems," I answer him, even as my attention continues to stray to Nora.
The end of the meal is something of a repeat of the first meal I had with the Tribe. Padraig stands up and looks down at me.
"The Tribe Elders would like to meet with you again," he says.
I nod, expecting it. Their concern and attention is clear to see whenever I am around them. Frankly, I am surprised they did not pull me aside earlier.
"Of course," I agree.
I follow him into the same secluded cave again, Kalessin and Falkosh already waiting there for us. The inquiry is brief, but pointed.
"We have not asked you too many questions, not wanting you to feel uncomfortable here," Kalessin begins. "But we must also look after the Tribe, our people."
"I understand."
And I do. I would not trust a stranger who I know nothing about in the Order either.
"We are glad you do," Falkosh murmurs, sharing a glance with Kalessin. "Now. We would like to ask you what your business is. What actually brought you out to the desert near us."
Ah.
Perhaps they believe I was gathering intelligence on them and took my opportunity when the invaders attacked to infiltrate. That would have been a good way to gather information about them, but I did not even know they were here.
"My brothers and I came up with a plan to lure the invaders away from our camp. We did not want the threat to draw even closer than they already had."
It is not the whole story, not even a majority of it. But it is all that I am willing to give, and I know the Elders cannot read me any more deeply than I allow them to. I would never expose my brothers simply to protect myself. There is a finality to my statement, a clear indication in my tone that I will not say any more. Even if they ask.
I know they understand that tone because they only share a glance before continuing. They do not ask me any more questions. But I am not so ignorant as to believe that means they trust me now.
"I see," Kalessin says after a brief silence. "We also had another reason to meet with you."
"Oh?"
"Yes," Falkosh agrees. "We would like to offer you a temporary post here with the Tribe, until such time as you need to return home."
I am certain they are seizing the opportunity to spy on me while they can, offering me this post simply to keep me here longer. Of course they also desire my skills. I know they have noticed that I am very well trained. Better trained than they are here.
However, I do not begrudge them the desire to learn more. I too have reason to stay longer. I feel a glimmer of humor. Perhaps we can all tacitly agree to continue to spy on one another.
"That is very generous of you," I say, inclining my head. "I will gladly accept."
Even without the offering of an official post, I have already begun helping where I can, so it will not be much of a change from what I am already doing.
"Wonderful," Falkosh says, his tone reserved.
But all of us are reserved in that small cave. Much more is going on underneath the surface of the conversation.
"Padraig will inform you of your new post and your duties," Kalessin says, nodding at Padraig.
Clearly dismissed, I say my goodbyes and follow Padraig out. I settle into the patrol I am assigned quite easily. Work I can do. It also takes me away from the sharp gaze of the Elders, allowing me a moment to relax somewhat, which I appreciate. Unfortunately, that small reprieve does not last very long.
Later in the afternoon, Padraig pulls me aside to speak with me once more.
"Visidion, the Tribe Commander, would like to speak with you."
"Visidion?" I ask. "The Tribe Commander?" I look around. "Why have I not met him?"
"My brother lives in the city nearby, another enclave of our society. He spends much of his time there, with his mate."
"Ah." Interesting. I would like to see the city that they have inhabited. This is a good opportunity. "How will I travel to the city?" I ask politely.
I know they will not send me alone. They would fear I may leave completely, and I have the impression they do not want me to leave before they glean more information from me.
"Errol will drive you in the rover, the vehicle the humans brought with them," Padraig explains.
I nod. And I also see another opportunity, one I take despite knowing that perhaps I should not. She is a distraction. The words come out even with those reservations, almost of their own volition.
"Perhaps Nora can join us," I suggest. "She would make an excellent tour guide."
I see Padraig's eyes sharpen on me. There is no way to suggest bringing Nora on the trip without also displaying my interest in her. I know he is likely filing away the information, perhaps to use against me later, but I have already shown my interest, so I do not fret over it. What is done is done.
"I will ask her if she would like to go," Padraig agrees. "The rover is ready to go now if you would like to gather your things."
"I will go do so now," I agree.
As the only things that I have are the ones I was traveling with, it does not take me long to pack everything up. The scroll always stays with me in any case, so I am in and out of my temporary home in only a few minutes.
When I walk over to the rover, Nora and Errol are already waiting for me beside it. The vehicle itself is quite impressive, the metal gleaming under the Tajss suns.
"If you would like to sit inside, we can be on our way," Errol offers.
"Of course," I agree, nodding at Nora.
She nods back, looking away to slide into the vehicle. Ragnar is already inside, sitting in front and next to Errol. I cannot help but think that they sent two Zmaj with me as guards. That is fine. I have no intention of being violent unless they give me good reason.
Nora herself is a good deterrent. I would not want her to be accidentally hurt in any confrontation I have. I would never forgive myself.
I enjoy Nora's proximity as we begin our journey, driving out into the desert enclosed in the handy human-constructed mode of transportation. Not only does it save energy because we do not have to traverse the desert on foot, it also provides a level of protection from anything outside. I appreciate that. Still, it is the strangest feeling to move across the desert while sitting comfortably without my legs and wings active.
As we drive, I try not to stare at the lovely object of my attention too much, cognizant of the fact that she is trapped in the vehicle with me, unable to escape. But she keeps her gaze focused outside the window, giving me more than ample opportunity to take in the fine grain of her skin, the gentle variations of color in her hair, the way her cheeks flush when she does turn and notice my attention.
But even when I am looking outside the window or at Nora, I also pay attention to Ragnar and Errol's conversation in front.
"How is the mining settlement doing?"
"They are still not interested in a closer alliance, but I do not think that will last."
Errol shakes his head.
"Perhaps it will. They have shown themselves to be stubborn to a fault, not always having their own best interests at heart. Now they are making noises about renegotiating how much the ores they mine are worth."
"Are they still asking for more use of the rover as well?" Ragnar asks, turning to look at Errol.
"Yes. As is the city. I understand the desire to have the rover more often, but there is only one such vehicle."
Ragnar nods.
"Maybe when they get the invaders’ vehicle working properly, that won't be as much of an issue."
"Perhaps. The technical team is working on it in the city with and without me. I cannot be there at all times, not when Kate is with the Tribe."
"Yes," Ragnar agrees. "But I cannot help but think the situation between the mining settlement, the city, and the Tribe is too delicate. Even
before we also factor in the meteorite glass."
"Yes. I see what..."
I continue to listen, interested in what they are revealing. There is a whole society being built here, one the Order never even suspected. I am happy for it. It is a much-welcome surprise. But it is not difficult to pick up that there is an uneasy peace among all of these opposing settlements.
Resources are always going to be an issue on Tajss. At least for the foreseeable future. Asteroid ore, ore from wherever these mines are, the rover... They are only the tip of the issue. Food and water, guards against invaders and beasts, not to mention the shelter required to hold strong against the assault of meteorite showers...
Banding together is an excellent idea, but it does not come without stresses of its own. I also find it interesting that they have managed to seize some of the invaders' technology. I applaud their resourcefulness and foresight in that arena.
The journey to the city actually goes by quite fast, less because the journey is short, and more because I am interested in the conversation and am also enjoying being in such close proximity to Nora. I do not know if Errol and Ragnar have forgotten that I am in the back, or if they are deliberately giving me this information to see what I will do with it. Or perhaps they do not think the information is sensitive. We will see, I suppose.
When we do arrive at the city, I am not surprised to see these particular ruins. I know the city is here. I simply have not seen it in years. Have not seen it with the shielding in place and the people actually populating it. When we park the rover and walk outside, I feel a rush of hope at seeing it utilized. It is good to see it with inhabitants. Repairs are obviously underway, though the city is quite large for the population that is apparently currently here, judging by how many people I actually see.
"Let us go see Visidion. I know he is waiting for our arrival," Errol says.
"Can I go see Calista while you do?" Nora asks in that soft voice.
"Of course," Ragnar replies, smiling. "I am certain your friends in the city will be glad to see you."
She smiles in response, the anticipation and excitement in her eyes making them sparkle. The sight is beautiful, but so is everything else about her. With a murmured a goodbye, and a last glance at me, Nora leaves.
"We should be on our way," Errol says once more.
Ragnar nods. So the group of us enters a building, and climbs a staircase to a room, one that appears to be an office.
The Zmaj waiting there for us is clearly the Tribe Commander. I would have known it even if he was the only Zmaj in the room. His presence is commanding, the kind that broadcasts his confidence in himself and his abilities. He also has an aura about him, the kind that draws eyes and attention to him. He is a leader, even if he did not have a group to lead.
As we walk in, his deep emerald eyes take in the group before settling on me. The way he stares at me so deeply makes me wonder if he can see everything that I am keeping to myself, can see that my guard is up against him and everyone else here. It is not true, of course. I know very well that I am not allowing anything I do not want to be seen to be apparent to this male.
"This is Archion," Errol introduces me. "Archion, this is Visidion, the Tribe Commander."
He nods at me.
"I trust you had a comfortable journey?" he asks politely.
"Yes, thank you," I respond, watching as he gives me a thorough scan. I doubt anything escapes his notice.
"I was surprised when I was told the Tribe had run into an unfamiliar Zmaj in the desert. Even more surprised when I learned he helped them defeat the invaders, and two other beasts besides."
"As I am sure you have already been told, I was leading the invaders away from our own encampment. I could not very well leave the group I encountered to fight them alone. Not when there were also females in the group."
Visidion raises a brow.
"There are some who might have left them in any case," he murmurs, cocking his head at me. "I will not ask you more detailed questions. I know I would not answer them if I was attempting to protect my people."
Interesting.
"That is very perceptive of you," I say. "My thanks."
He nods at me, no distress in his eyes. It seems he has some intuition, and it shows him that I pose no threat to him or his people.
"Very well." His gaze turns serious, his voice lowering. "Simply trust this, Archion. Just as you are protecting your people, I will do what is necessary to protect mine."
The threat is clear, but I understand it well.
"That is as I would expect," I respond. And it is. "Rest assured, I have no intention of harming anyone."
"Of course," he agrees, his smile faint. "You may also trust that we will have our eyes upon you." He glances over at Ragnar and Errol. "I am satisfied for now. If he would like to see the city, he is welcome."
"Thank you," I say.
With that endorsement, we leave his office and go outside. The leader is admirable in his own right, the meeting raising my own estimation of the society they are building. Errol and Ragnar show me around the city briefly, though only the main points that I would have guessed anyway. I know they are still wary of my observing anything important or sensitive, and I cannot blame them.
After the brief tour, we take the time to eat at one of the areas dedicated for it, encountering other Zmaj and humans eating there as well. We also find Nora there with a group of human females, friends she has in the city.
I watch as she throws her head back and laughs at something one of them says. She is glowing with happiness. I am glad I requested her presence. She is obviously enjoying herself.
We do not stay in the city long once our original reason for being here is done. Nora did not act as much of a guide, but that is not why I wanted her to come anyway. After we eat, Ragnar and Errol usher us back to the waiting rover.
On the journey back to the Tribe, I decide to finally actively interact with Nora. It is a wonder how much we have said to each other with glances while we have never had a real conversation. It is time to change that.
She is once again looking out the window, remaining in her small bubble of silence.
"The female you sat next to during the meal, she was your friend Calista?" I start. A safe foray.
Nora starts somewhat at my voice, glancing over at me before looking away again.
"Yes," she murmurs. "The others were friends I've made in the city."
I nod, wanting to know more. Wanting to know everything.
"How did you come to be with the Tribe?" I ask, taking a different tack. "How did everyone come to live together in this manner?"
She pauses, as if thinking how to respond properly.
"The others have their own stories," she murmurs. "I and the rest of my group are actually a newer addition to both the city and the Tribe."
"A newer addition?" I repeat, confused. "How did this occur? Were you not on the same ship?"
"We were in a separate scouting vessel," she explains. "When the main ship was attacked and crash-landed on Tajss, we landed further away." A shadow crosses her face. Clearly the memories of that time are not good ones. I regret asking her a question that makes her unhappy, but I still want the answer. Still want to understand everything I can about her. Everything that has made her what she is. "We sustained casualties, mainly from guster attacks."
My stomach clenches at the thought of her and the other delicate human females being attacked by those vicious creatures.
"Guster attacks? How did you survive?"
"We were rescued by a Zmaj warrior," she explains, smiling slightly. "Gomul is Bashir's father. If it was not for him, taking us back to his underground tunnels, offering us a place to take shelter, his protection, and food...we likely would not have survived for very long at all."
I shake my head wonderingly.
"How long were you in these tunnels?" I ask. "Before you came here."
"Years," she says quietly. "We would still be there no
w if it wasn't for Kate. Or Annabel even, I suppose. If Annabel had been a better leader, Kate would not have rebelled and taken us with her."
"A group of you left the tunnels to cross the desert alone?" I ask incredulously. That sounds ridiculously dangerous for people so ill equipped.
She grins, her eyes twinkling at me. I feel my breath catch at that expression, aimed at me for the first time. I want to make her smile like that more often.
"We did," she says proudly, raising her adorable chin. "But Kate is the one who built the rover, so we weren't on foot. We rode across the desert, hoping to find something, anything else. And that's when we ran into Errol."
"Ah," I say, my face clearing. "And he brought you back to the Tribe."
"To the city," Nora corrects. "When Kate returned with him to the Tribe, I decided to go with them. The city is great, but the Tribe feels more like family, more like a home."
I nod. I can see what she means. The city was impressive, but it did not have the same sense of a tightly knit community the Tribe does. Everyone feels more separated. Part of that is simply because there is more room there.
"What of the rest of your group?" I ask, curious. "Those still in the tunnels?"
She shakes her head, frowning.
"We told them about the city, about the Tribe. And about the epis. The epis was the real game changer—I didn't even realize how terrible I felt until I took it. We're just not built for this climate here." She sighs, shaking her head. "But Annabel wouldn't budge, even after Kate told them everything. She hates Rosalind—the woman in charge in the city—and she would rather lead in that terrible place rather than leave it. And I guess the other women there aren't strong enough to leave on their own. Or maybe they're just scared to. I don't know."
I can see the flash of sadness cross her face at the thought of the other females. Her heart is tender indeed. I want to reach out and pull her close, offer her comfort. However, I am afraid I will not stop there. Nora is innocent, I dare not advance upon her even for such an innocent matter, for fear that my restraint may give way before I have chance to ask permission from my Order.
Dragon’s Secret: Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book Fourteen Page 6