“You fell asleep when we went off to get lunch.” Willem lead him inside the building where a table and chairs had been set up.
“Where’d those come from?” Aeron was surprised to see furniture in the building. Also, some progress had been made on Anaya’s door. There was now a tall wooden beam across the top of the opening, and the temporary supports and studs were gone, replaced by what looked like nearly completed framing.
“We thought it would be nice to eat lunch here,” Master Doronal said. He was seated at the table along with Master Canneth and Sharrah, and was smiling at Aeron. “So we brought lunch here and had some furniture delivered so we could eat out of the sun. It will be needed for your space or the office anyway, so why not have some sent over now?”
Aeron sat at an empty chair and looked at the lunch spread out on the table. “I’m hungry enough to eat a bear.”
“No bear here,” Sharrah said, smiling, “But there are some very tasty-looking sandwiches, pickles and cheeses along with some potato crisps.”
“You and Anaya must be really tired to sleep through all this racket,” Willem said as he loaded his plate with food.
There was more noise now than earlier, Aeron realized. All around them, hammering, talking and the occasional sound of someone sawing could be heard.
“I guess so,” Aeron said, yawning. He placed a sandwich on a plate and dumped some crisps out of their bowl onto it as well.
“I almost didn’t want to wake you. You seemed so happy there with her.” Willem nodded his head to Anaya, a half-smile on his face.
Aeron glanced at Anaya. “It was really nice. But I’m glad you woke me up. I’m starving.” He took a large bite of his sandwich.
Master Doronal, who, like everyone else, was digging into a sandwich, asked, “Aeron, could you tell us about your experience with the Bond spell that linked you to Anaya? Do you remember anything about it?”
Aeron finished chewing as he thought back to the Bond and then swallowed. “It was a very complicated spell. It was triggered, somehow, by Anaya. But I don’t think she was casting it, at least not consciously. I think it may be a natural part of dragons.”
Master Doronal nodded.
Aeron took another bite of his sandwich. “And,” he said, around the food in his mouth, “there were some focus types involved that I don’t know about. Bands in colors I have not seen. And I’ve seen all the focus types already. At least those listed in the primer.”
Master Doronal grabbed a slice of cheese from his plate. “Yes, well, there are a few more focus types beyond those in the primer.” He popped the cheese in his mouth.
Aeron smiled. “I suspected there would be.” He munched on a couple of crisps and kept his silence. He’d ask Master Doronal about those other types at another time.
“Last night, while we were with Anaya,” Master Canneth began, “I noticed that she has functional nictitating membranes.”
“She has what?” Willem asked, chewing on the last bit of his pickle spear.
“I missed that too!” Sharrah said, upset with herself. She turned to Willem. “It’s a secondary eyelid that, when closed, covers the entire eye. In many animals it is clear or translucent.”
“Exactly,” Master Canneth said. “In Anaya it is completely clear.”
“I suppose it would aid her when flying,” Sharrah said. “To allow her to keep her eyes moist.”
Master Canneth nodded. “Yes. My thoughts too. Though we cannot be sure that is the only reason. Hunting birds also use them so they never loose sight of their prey as they ‘blink.’ Their main eyelids remain open, as they watch their prey, and the clear eyelids do the blinking.”
“She is quite the hunter,” Aeron remarked. “Almost cat-like as she stalks her prey. At least on the ground.”
“And she’s faster than you would think,” Willem added.
“Was there any sign of her mother?” Master Canneth asked, already starting on his second sandwich.
“No,” Aeron replied. “And Anaya doesn’t know where she is either. Anaya’s last maternal memory is of her mother laying her egg.”
“Once she was no longer connected to her mother,” Master Doronal began, a thoughtful look on his face, “the memory link was broken.”
Aeron nodded and grabbed another sandwich. “It seems that way. And I saw no sign of any other dragons anywhere in those caverns. At least where I could get to.” He shrugged his shoulders. “For all I know there could be a dragon village on the floor of Anaya’s cavern. There was no way for me to get down to the floor, so I have no idea what is down there.”
“Not very likely,” Master Canneth said. “There have never been any sightings of dragons living this far south. From your description of the caverns, I would guess her mother entered from the sinkhole and wandered down to the cavern where you found the eggs.”
Master Doronal looked at Sharrah. “Do you recall the relative temperature of the egg cavern?”
“It was comfortable,” Sharrah replied. “A little warmer than, say, room temperature.”
“And humid,” Willem added. “All those caverns seem to have high humidity.”
Sharrah glanced at Master Canneth, who had taken another bite of his sandwich and was absently nodding to himself. She then muttered something about being a horrible researcher and quickly began scribbling away in her notebook.
Sounds from behind them made them turn around. The workers were raising a section of wall framing. One after another, all the wall framing sections for the new back wall were raised and secured in place.
“They aren’t wasting any time, are they?” Willem asked.
“Not at all,” Master Canneth agreed. “I think they just might have the wall in place and have a good start on the fence by tonight.”
And they did. Aeron was very pleased at the progress that had been made by the time they had finished dinner later that evening. The back wall was now complete, with a few short horizontal windows, matching those on the other side of the building, set high for ventilation and to allow light in. The outside doors, the one to the future office for dragon studies and the one to his rooms, were complete. And the framing for the other doors, those between his rooms and Anaya’s den and Anaya’s large one that lead outside, was ready. They had also poured concrete bases, what the workers called ‘piers,’ for the office at the other end of the building. Beams to support the inner wall and the floor of the office would be placed on the piers. More importantly to Aeron, all the posts for the fence were in place with concrete.
That’s not to say that they hadn’t also been busy. In the afternoon, Master Canneth had gone over Sharrah’s notes again with her. Aeron guessed they were working to come up with more things to monitor and study. A couple of smiths had come over to talk with the masters about the scale and where it should be installed. And Master Doronal had asked him again about the Bond and the link. Aeron had described the Bond, and Master Doronal stopped him every now and then to ask detailed questions about his experience. Aeron had also suggested that Master Doronal bring the training bracelets at some point so he could show him the new magic foci he could remember. There had also been a few deliveries of various items like furniture, lanterns and other furnishings and even some blankets. Once dinnertime had rolled around, they again had dinner brought to the dragon stable, as they were starting to call the building. Mallory hadn’t come this time, instead leaving the delivery of their food, and Anaya’s, to others.
Now, they all stood in the large doorway that was only missing the two large doors to be complete, Anaya’s door.
“I’m astonished at how much was done in one day,” Sharrah said, glancing around the inside of the building and then at the beginnings of the fence outside.
“They’ve done fine work,” Master Doronal said, nodding. “I’m glad we thought to assign as many workers as we did. The work is flying by.”
“I wish Anaya’s door had also been completed,” Master Canneth said. “But the blanke
ts and furs I had brought over should be enough for you two, even with the colder nights were are getting now.”
Anaya walked over to the stack of blankets and furs just inside the large doorway and sniffed them.
“They should be fine,” Aeron said. “And I thank you for the oversized blankets you thought to have delivered in case Anaya needs one or two.” Aeron looked around the building and then at the area outside. “I do have one question, though.”
“What’s that?” Master Doronal asked.
“Where should she, um,” Aeron began, “that is, I know horses don’t have them, but where should she use as a toilet? Should I just have her fly off and go in the woods?”
“No, no,” Master Canneth said. “We will want to examine it, at least at first. We can learn a lot about an animal by studying its scat. That is a good question though.” He looked around. “Is she shy at all about it?”
Aeron laughed. “Not at all.”
“Still,” Master Canneth said, “a girl should have some privacy.” He pointed to the left, toward the line of fence posts. “There, near those trees and bushes. We can put up three walls to give her some privacy there and still allow us to easily get to and study what we need.”
Aeron glanced at the two crowds, now much smaller. “Yes, if there are going to be gawkers around all the time, that will be nice for her.”
Master Doronal looked at Aeron. “We have drafted an announcement,” he began, indicating himself and Master Canneth, “which Lord Baronel has approved, that will go up this evening. It sets aside one hour each weekday evening after dinner where people can come over to the fence and watch or ask questions. The work supervisor told me that two days will be needed for the fence post concrete to set enough for them to start finishing the fence. In the meantime, they will be able to continue work on other things, like the walkways, your rooms, both your remaining doors and Anaya’s, and as far as the smiths, the weight scale. Because the fence won’t be finished for two more days, the first day we list for the event is three days from now, extending to the end of next week.”
Aeron nodded, but looked nervous.
“We’ll be here for those nights,” Master Canneth said, “to make sure people don’t get carried away. That also gives us the weekend after the first two nights to see how it goes and adjust accordingly.”
“That will be a help,” Aeron said. “Thank you.”
“And,” Master Doronal said, “we’ll be back in the morning tomorrow to monitor the progress with the building and with Anaya.”
“Yes,” Master Canneth said. “For now, however, we both should get back to our halls to check whether there is anything that needs our attention. Good evening to you all, and a good evening to you as well, Anaya.” Master Canneth bowed to the young dragon and left.
“The training bracelets were an excellent suggestion Aeron,” Master Doronal began, “and I will bring them tomorrow. But for now, good evening to you all, and of course to you as well.” He also bowed to Anaya, who made her odd purring hum. He stood, smiled and headed back to the Magic Craft Hall.
“As much as has been done,” Sharrah said, looking around inside the building, “it is still quite empty.” She turned to Aeron. “Would you like to go get some of your things from your room?”
Aeron twisted his mouth. “Actually, I suppose I should at least get some sleeping things and some changes of clothes. Though I’m not sure how I will be able to get a shower or bath.”
“That’s easy,” Willem said, “I’ll get here as soon as I can in the morning and watch Anaya while you go.”
“That would be fantastic,” Aeron said, relieved to have one less thing to worry about. Then he let out a curse. “Barbs and blades!”
“What is it?” Sharrah asked.
“I forgot! I’m supposed to pick up my new clothes at the fair today.”
“We can go pick those up for you after we are done here,” Willem said.
“Sure,” Sharrah agreed.
“Fantastic,” Aeron said. “You guys are the best.”
“Go ahead, then,” Sharrah said. “Go grab what you need from the magic hall. We’ll keep an eye on her. And on them.” She jerked her head toward the smaller crowds.
“Thanks, guys,” Aeron said and turned to Anaya. I’m going to go get some things from my room, he said to her. I’ll be right back. Willem and Sharrah will stay here with you while I am gone.
Okay, Anaya replied, her eyes a deep gold in the evening sunlight.
It didn’t take very long to get to his room, as he’d run part of the way. After activating his chest, he walked around the room, the large wooden box floating along behind. Many of his most important things he had already, but his lantern went in along with a few sets of sleepwear, smallclothes and uniforms. Though he wasn’t in the dorms anymore, and so, technically, didn’t have to wear the uniforms, he didn’t have enough personal clothing yet to go without them, even with what he got from the fair. He looked over the remainder of the clothing, but left it. Once there were wardrobes in his new rooms, he’d come back for the rest. He went to his desk and grabbed some notebooks, pens, pencils and a few ink bottles. He stood and searched the room with his eyes. Was that it? It looked like it. He didn’t see anything else that he needed right now.
His room. Well, it wouldn’t be his room for long, he mused. Once the rooms at the stable were complete, he would move out of this room. That made him a little sad. He remembered the joy he had felt when Master Doronal had first shown him the room. A room he had all to himself. The first ever, since he and his father had left their home. Well, now he would have a suite, he realized. A room, a separate bedroom and even a small water closet. And he would be with Anaya!
The sunlight was a ruddy hue when he stepped out of the hall onto the loading dock. The sun was low, only the tops of buildings burnished by its kiss. As he moved toward the dragon stable he noticed that there were only a couple of people now where the first crowd had been, and none at the spot the second crowd had occupied. Good. At least he would have some peace in the evenings.
He walked into the dragon stable and saw Anaya padding around inside, sniffing the floor. “We should probably do measurements of her again,” he said, moving his chest to the side and deactivating it.
“Good idea,” Sharrah said, grabbing her satchel and removing the measure tape and her notebook.
It’s time to measure again, Aeron said, stepping outside. Let’s do it out here while there is still sunlight.
Anaya made her way over to Aeron and bumped her head into his hip. He crouched down and hugged her while they waited for Sharrah and Willem.
They spent a few minutes on the measurements with Sharrah jotting them down. When Anaya spread her wings, there was a gasp and excited whisperings from the two people standing at the fence line. Aeron glanced over at them, two boys with wide eyes on Anaya. He smiled inwardly. She was a sight to behold, so he couldn’t feel angry at them being there.
When they were done, Sharrah walked up to Anaya and ran her hands over the base of her wing and the wing muscles. Anaya flinched and Sharrah stepped back.
“Are you okay Anaya?” Aeron asked, concerned. He ran his hands along her neck. “Did that hurt?”
It did, a little. Anaya stretched out her wings slowly and worked them a bit. It hurts a little when I use my wings. She looked at Aeron, her eyes dull yellow. There was a tinge of concern in her voice.
“She says it hurts to use her wings. Why would that be?” Aeron looked at Sharrah, alarmed.
“She’s probably sore from flying,” Willem remarked.
“Yes,” Sharrah said, eyeing Anaya. “I suspected she might be. She’s only flown, what, twice? She will need to slowly build up her flying stamina.”
Relief flooded Aeron. “Okay, that’s no problem.” He looked at Anaya. “We will just do some flying exercises every day, taking it very slowly.”
My wings are sore?
“Yes, your wing muscles. When you use m
uscles that haven’t been used in a while, they feel sore. They hurt a little. But that is okay, it means they will grow. As long as they aren’t worked too much.”
If I fly more each day, eventually I will not be sore?
That’s right, love.
And then, one day I will be able to carry you!
Aeron laughed. “Yes, eventually, you will be strong enough to carry me.”
“But you must take it slowly,” Sharrah said to Anaya. “You do not want to harm yourself. Slow and steady does it.”
Anaya leaned against Aeron’s hip. It will be fun to fly together.
Yes, it will be. Aeron lovingly patted her side.
“Seriously, Aeron,” Willem said. “Be sure to take it slow. You don’t want to risk a strained, or worse, torn wing muscle.”
“I will.” Aeron looked at Anaya. “WE will, right?”
Anaya hummed happily. We will.
That night after studying his spells, Aeron lay against Anaya in her den. Two blankets and a fur thrown over himself served quite well to keep him comfortable, not to mention the warmth of Anaya. But there were butterflies in his stomach and he was also a little scared. His life had changed so very much in the last two days.
We are one. We are together, Anaya’s voice said reassuringly in his head. He heard and felt the contented rumble from her.
Yes, we are. Are you comfortable? Do you want a blanket?
I am fine. It is not yet cold enough that I need one.
Okay. He turned his head and rested his cheek on her. I love you, you know.
And I, you.
Chapter 17
Minday, Nony 1, 1873
Morning
Some sense of not being alone woke Aeron up. He opened his eyes and yawned. The blanket and fur really had been quite comfortable, he thought as he took in his surroundings. Anaya was still asleep next to him. He turned his head to look out the large doorway. In the wan light just before dawn, he saw two men with their backs to him, whispering. He stood up quietly, so as not to wake Anaya, wrapped a blanket around himself, and walked over.
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