They ate their meal in silence. Hesutu seemed intent on trying everything. What had he been fed while imprisoned?
As they finished the meal, Nydara reached out for Maleena. “I have found them. The connection with Amara wasn’t easy to make, but with some work I was able to bridge the differences. They are quite a distance from where we met them. Amara has let Angeni know that we are coming.”
“Thank you, Nydara.” Maleena looked at Hesutu. “Nydara has found Hakan’s camp.”
The Ke’han smiled again his eyes alight with anticipation.
Anevay sat back. “I will accompany you to meet the Ke’han so I can carry personal observations back to Galdrilene and then to Trilene.”
The other woman’s longing tugged at Maleena. “Send my love to everyone.”
Mckale raised his eyebrows. “You aren’t staying?”
“I’ve barely had any time with Kellinar and Taela lately,” Anevay said. “I miss them.”
“Understandable.” Mckale nodded and looked at Maleena. “Still, it was a comfort having you around.”
Anevay reached across the table and took Mckale’s hand. “You have nothing to worry about. The pregnancy is moving along just fine. There is nothing for me to do here.”
He smiled at her and Maleena sensed the relief he felt at Anevay’s words. “I have trouble not worrying. Especially with so much going on and the need to fly so much, the battles in Shadereen, and everything that still needs to be done.”
Anevay glanced at Maleena and they shared a look before the healer turned back to Mckale. “She is strong and capable, Mckale. Pregnant doesn’t equate to being an invalid or broken.”
He nodded. “I know. Really I do, it’s just—”
The door swung open, interrupting him as Arandrall, Holden, Yennale, and Sarrandrall entered with a group of Border Guards. Maleena and her companions stood. Mckale crossed his arms and a slight frown formed on his face. “Border Guards?”
Arandrall nodded. “It isn’t that I don’t believe you; however, if this were to go wrong somehow, we can’t go unprotected.”
Maleena looked over the group of twenty Border Guards. Hakan’s camp was one of those with a Nagi. The long, low-slung dragon would take down every one of those men if she thought her camp was threatened.
Maleena sensed the sudden turmoil within Tellnox, Nydara, and Latia. Bound to protect both the Ke’han and the Calladarans, the possibility of the two against each other in battle disturbed and saddened them.
As they made their way up to the roof again, Maleena sent waves of comfort to the silver. It wouldn’t come to battle between the two; the group of Border Guards was only a precaution.
The dragons awaited them on the roof. While Mckale explained to Arandrall and the others what to do once the Slide opened, Maleena stepped up on Nydara’s leg and reached for the saddle. She brought her leg up to place her foot in the stirrup and had to twist a little to reach high enough. Though not large yet, her expanding middle already made getting in and out of the saddle more difficult. Maybe they would Slide back to Galdrilene at some point and see if another stirrup could be added below the one she normally used so she wouldn’t have to reach as far with her foot when gaining the saddle.
As she settled in the seat and began to fasten the safety straps, Anevay leaped into Latia’s saddle and Mckale helped Hesutu up behind him on the massive green.
“We must lift off first since I have to control the Slide this time. Amara gave me a very clear picture; however, this is a place none of us have physically been, so I prefer to open it myself. Amara was kind enough to send scents, feelings and other general information about the place.”
Maleena nodded and ran her hand over the silver scales of Nydara’s neck. “I agree. It’s best for you to open the Slide, I have no wish to become lost in it.”
The silver lifted into the air and Maleena sensed her gauging the size of the Slide she would need to get them all through as well as the distance of the low wall that ran around the top of the roof.
After several moments with Tellnox and Latia waiting behind her, Nydara opened the Slide. Maleena glanced down at the men on the roof. The wind from three dragons trying to hold themselves in position buffeted them and they each stood with an arm raised over their faces as if trying to keep any dust away.
Nydara angled her wings and moved slowly into the Slide. When they emerged, the desert stretched around them. A hot wind smacked Maleena in the face and she wiped away the sweat that immediately beaded on her forehead. Below them, a wide, shallow canyon stretched out. Several other smaller canyons branched out from it like limbs on a tree.
Hakan must be taking precautions too. Instead of a box canyon, he had his camp in this open one with plenty of escape routes.
The dragons landed in a way that placed them between the Ke’han and the Border Guards. Maleena heard some grumbling about that but ignored it. They could be as displeased as they wanted. The dragons’ duty was to protect them all against harm, not against irritation.
The warriors of Hakan’s camp lined up much like the first time Maleena had seen them. A living wall of protection for those behind them. A baby’s cry rang out and was quickly hushed. For a moment, no one moved. Arandrall and the Council members stood staring as the Ke’han gazed back warily.
Maleena eased off Nydara’s back and walked toward Hakan with Mckale at her side.
Without taking his eyes off the Bordermen, Hakan put a fist over his heart. “It is good to see friends again. You have brought a member of my family with you?”
“It’s good to see you again too, Hakan.” Mckale emulated the fist over heart before turning and waving Hesutu forward.
A gasp rose up from the Ke’han. Avendala pushed her way between the males and ran to Hesutu, a cry of relief coming from her. Several of the men lurched forward to stay within a protective range of her.
Avendala hugged Hesutu tight. He returned the hug and Maleena sensed he was torn between maintaining the cool, collected attitude of the adult males and clinging to her like the young male he still was.
Maleena smiled. “I guess you do know each other.”
Avendala backed up a step and ran her hands down the sides of Hesutu’s face. She glanced at Maleena. “My older sister’s son.” She looked back at Hesutu. “Is Gad somewhere too?”
A sense of despair flowed from Hesutu and reflected in his dark eyes as he shook his head. “Gad is dead,” he rasped. “I fought as hard as I could, but I could not save him.”
Tears welled in Avendala’s eyes as she nodded, accepting the news. Hakan came forward and enveloped his nephew in a brief hug before he stepped back. “We will properly mourn Gad when we meet with your camp. For now, let us deal with this.”
Mckale turned to Arandrall. “Hakan, this is Lord Arandrall, the Head of the Council of Nine whom led Calladar. With him are Yennale, Holden, and Sarrandrall,” he pointed to each one in turn, “other members of the Nine.”
Then he looked at Arandrall, “This is Hakan, headman of this camp of Ke’han.”
Arandrall approached slowly, a wary look in his eyes that was mirrored in Hakan’s. When he was within arm’s reach, Hakan held his hand out, palm up. “Welcome to my camp, Arandrall.”
Arandrall hesitated. “Lord Arandrall.”
Hakan inclined his head slightly. “I am aware of the title you carry; however, you are not a leader to me or mine, your title means nothing here. Here, you are just Arandrall. I am not a headman to you and yours, my title means nothing to you. For the purpose of this meeting, I am just Hakan.”
Maleena suppressed a smile as she watched Arandrall swallow his pride and place his palm on Hakan’s under the direction of Mckale and thank the Ke’han for the welcome.
A gasp of surprise went up from the Border Guards as Amara, her burgundy scales flashing in the sun, ran past. The long dragon was surprisingly agile as she flowed across the ground, the dark blue mane around her head tossing in the breeze. She stopped in f
ront of the dragons and Maleena sensed a conversation between them.
Arandrall stared at Amara, his eyes wide. “What is that?”
Maleena brushed away the strands of hair blown into her face by the wind. “That is Amara. She is a Nagi. She protects this camp in the same way dragons protect their riders. Her scales are as hard as dragon scales and although she can’t fly, she can breathe fire. I wouldn’t recommend making any threatening movements toward the Ke’han.”
Arandrall frowned slightly and nodded. He looked toward the Border Guards. “You heard her. Keep your weapons sheathed unless there is no other choice.”
Hakan motioned for Arandrall and the other Council members to follow him. “Please, join us and meet the Ke’han.”
The men of the camp opened ranks and allowed them through, though they still stood alert, their eyes on the group of Border Guards. As they entered the camp, Maleena and Anevay were immediately drawn away to the group of women.
Angeni looked at Maleena and smiled widely. “You are with child now.”
Maleena laughed and nodded. Pamuya patted Maleena’s belly with a wrinkled hand. The baby kicked against it and Pamuya smiled. “It is a strong babe. You will have to bring it to meet us after it enters this world.”
“I promise,” Maleena said as she glanced toward the men. Arandrall and the other Council members lowered themselves awkwardly to sit on the bare, hard ground with a circle of the Ke’han men. She turned back and followed the women over to the cushions and rugs spread out on the ground for them. Maleena sat gratefully on a large cushion and accepted a drink of spiced tea from the second’s mate, Algoma. In her mind, she felt Nydara’s and Tellnox’s pleasure as they communicated again with their distant cousin.
They spent the rest of the day there, returning as the sun settled low in the western sky. Anevay had Slid directly to Galdrilene from the Ke’han’s camp. Mckale and Maleena ended up spending the night in Arandrall’s house rather than disturb Mckale’s family.
The next afternoon after attending a morning of meetings with the Nine, they escaped to spend some time relaxing.
Maleena leaned into Mckale’s warm side as they strolled along the wall walk of the city wall. Both of them were keyed up from the tension of the past couple of days, neither ready to go back to Mckale’s family’s house yet. Things were quiet along the wall. Border Guards patrolled but otherwise they were alone. The view of the land sloping away to the Blood River in the distance, washed by the golden sun as it began its afternoon descent, was both beautiful and peaceful at the same time. They paused to take it in. Above them, Nydara and Tellnox soared out over the land, enjoying an afternoon flight in the nice weather.
Maleena leaned back against Mckale, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. “Is it common to bring one’s love to walk on the walls?”
She felt the rumble of his quiet laughter against her back. “More common that you might think. The view from up here is unquestionably pleasant. More than one Border Guard has knelt upon the wall walks to beg his love to dance for him in the spring.”
Maleena glanced down the wall at the guards keeping a discrete distance. “I wondered why they were leaving us alone.”
She felt his breath on her temple as he bent to kiss her lightly near her hairline. “You handled the past two days very well.”
“How so?” She turned her head and looked up at him.
“A Ke’han in a pit, a roomful of upset people, the meeting with the Ke’han, more meetings; you are handling groups of people better these days.” He smiled at her, his silver eyes shining.
Maleena chuckled softly. “That still doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to the ball.”
“You will do—”
He cut off in a heavy grunt as something stabbed into the back of her upper shoulder.
With a cry she lurched forward and spun, ignoring the warmth that spilled down her shoulder blade. Mckale sank to his knees. “Maleena? Are you…?”
The broad head of an arrow stuck out from his chest. Blood poured down the front of him. Tellnox’s roar ripped across the sky as the dragon made a sharp turn and dove for the wall.
“Mckale!” Maleena pressed her hands around the arrow shaft in a futile attempt to stem the flow. She looked down the wall walk at the guards and screamed desperately for help. The sound of their feet pounding against the stone echoed in her ears.
Tellnox landed on the wall with enough force to crumble a section of it. Smoke curled from his nostrils as he turned on the running guards with a snarl. Maleena held out a hand to the angry green. “Tellnox, no! They’re trying to help.”
The green pulled back and allowed them to come near. As shouts rang out along the wall, more guards ran in their direction. One of them reached toward her but Mckale’s hand clamped down on his wrist. “Don’t.” Mckale’s eyes were steely.
The guard looked Maleena in the eye. “You have to back up. We can’t help either of you if won’t move your hands.”
“Either of us?” She looked at him in confusion, a slight haze curling around the edges of her mind. Beneath her hands, Mckale coughed and blood sprayed his lips.
“Please, Di’shan, we are used to dressing battle wounds. Word has already been sent to Arandrall. I’m sure he will send one of the healers.” The use of her title pulled her from the haze enough to focus on his pale gray eyes as he said, “I have been to Galdrilene. I know what being a Silver means. I know I shouldn’t touch you, but if you won’t move your hands on your own, I will have to move them for you.”
With a sob, she slowly withdrew her hands. Another guard knelt next to her. “I have to apply pressure to your shoulder.”
His voice sounded familiar and she looked at him as her head swam. “My back?” It was Kaden, Mckale’s brother.
He nodded. “The arrow went through him and hit you too. You’re bleeding badly.” His steady voice contradicted the worry in his eyes.
Nydara landed behind the guards, her claws grabbing purchase and knocking several stones to the ground. Her anxious eyes filled Maleena’s vision.
Maleena gritted her teeth as something pressed against her back. Pain lanced into her and she leaned forward with a groan. An arm went around her to steady her and a flood of emotions and thoughts crashed through her.
In front of her, Mckale coughed more blood as the men around him worked efficiently. The world grew darker. Tellnox’s frantic emotions in her head and the overload from Kaden’s touch became too much. The baby kicked as if sensing something was very wrong.
The man who had told her to move her hands glanced up and barked, “Kaden! Keep her awake.”
A sharp sting on her cheek pulled her out of the haze briefly. “Maleena, you have to stay awake.”
“Nydara,” she cried out in her mind.
“I’m here. I’ll always be here. Stay awake, Maleena.”
The world tilted and spun slowly. “How is Mckale?”
She sensed the dragon’s hesitation. “He isn’t good,” came Nydara’s worried sending.
Darkness clawed at the edges of her consciousness again as Kaden’s sudden spike of terror overwhelmed her.
Azurynn walked through the Kormai filled with triumph. Striding into the main cavern she held the black chain aloft. “I’ve done it. Now all I need to do is test it.”
Sadira glared at her but said nothing. Kovan slowly stood. “Where do you plan to test it? Another raid into Shadereen?”
Azurynn shook her head. “No, they have systematically removed our advantage there, even with our dragons’ interference.”
“Where then?” Kovan watched her uneasily.
She smiled, enjoying his discomfort. Azurynn really didn’t care what they thought of her, just as long as they remained afraid enough to let her do as she wished. Kovan and Sadira might both be a match for her in strength but she held the advantage.
“I’m thinking someplace further west. A place with younger, less experienced riders.” Azurynn ran the chain through
her fingers, her eyes pinned on Sadira. “Maybe a place that hasn’t seen enough force from the Shadow Riders. One that might feel comfortable since the last one they encountered ran with her tail between her legs.”
Hatred and anger rolled off Sadira. Azurynn relished the pain that spiked in her head from the other woman’s emotions. Tonight, in her bed, the buildup would be agony. It was worth it. Sadira rose from the cushioned bench. “One of these days, Azurynn—”
“Now, now, Sadira. Down girl.” She flipped her thick hair over her shoulder and walked to where her dragon, Murynn, rested. “Don’t get your feathers ruffled. After all,” Azurynn stopped and peered over her shoulder at the other woman, “I’m trying to help you.”
Kovan raked his hand through his hair. “What are you suggesting, Azurynn?”
She smiled at him. “According to my source, there are a small number of young Guardians ‘protecting’ Markene. I’m suggesting we pay them a visit.”
Sadira snorted and crossed her arms. “Those young dragons will simply call in the more experienced Guardians and we’ll be in a pitched battle again. How will that help you test your little toy?”
Azurynn narrowed her eyes at Sadira. “You are a simpleton, aren’t you? I don’t suggest we fly in there with dragons blazing. Unlike you, I know how to make a more subtle approach. They run patrols on a regular basis. I suggest we take one of these young riders by surprise. His or her dragon will have to be rendered unconscious fairly quickly in order to prevent it from sending a distress call.” She sent Sadira a haughty look. “You couldn’t handle things last time; do you feel you and Ranit are competent enough to handle the task of taking down one young dragon?”
“Of course we can.”
Azurynn laughed lightly at Sadira’s growled answer. “Remember not to kill the dragon. My test won’t work if the dragon is already dead.”
Sadira opened her mouth but Kovan spoke up before she could get a word out. “Either hurry up and kill each other or drop the insults so we can go.”
Tears of War Page 37