“Only problem is it is hard to find food or water on the plains,” Bastion said grimly. “There is a small river that runs through about twenty miles in so we will have to conserve until then. The way is easy though so we should make it in no time.”
The news was unfortunate but they had stores of dried meats and nuts as well they had just filled their canteens at the last river they passed. Kai was used to the life of a soldier on the road but after the events he had suffered already to get there, it was a little disheartening.
Mile after mile faded beneath their feet, which were already calloused and sore, as they alternated between fast walking and jogging. The dry, grassy plain was occasionally broken up by long sections of red rock that seemed to bubble to the surface of the ground but stayed relatively flat
By nightfall, they reached the river which was better described as a stream. Kai had hoped to catch a fat fish for their dinner and break up the monotony of their rations but seeing there was nothing bigger than a minnow in the waterway, he sadly began to munch on a thick slice of jerky.
“We are about three days from the river crossing to Sova’s island,” Bastion said as they settled around a small camp fire.
“Thank the gods,” Aarav said as he attempted to soften his pack enough to use it as a pillow. He stretched himself out and lay back. “I’m going to take some leave from the Daxrah after this mission.”
“Not likely,” Kai said with a chuckle. “I will be taking some time off. You will be assisting Jaime as his second during my leave. When I finally feel like I am fully rejuvenated, then you can take a couple of days leave.”
Aarav scowled at Kai across the fire. “Last time I save you,” Aarav said, “Ingrate.”
Both men started howling with laughter because they knew that neither would take any time off and the notion was ridiculous.
“Hey, keep it down,” Bastion said sharply. “We don’t want to attract any unwanted attention out here. There isn’t a lot to worry about, not a lot lives out here. But, the creatures that do are not to be trifled with so stop making unnecessary noise.”
They knew better than to argue so the two men stifled their laughter and chuckled quietly.
“What kind of creatures are out here?” Aarav asked. “I haven’t seen a living thing bigger than a jackrabbit in days.”
“That’s because there is no food left along the route we are taking. That’s why we are taking this route,” Bastion said.
“No food left for these so-called dangerous creatures?” Kai asked, smirking.
Bastion spun his head around to stare down Kai. “Yes, in fact,” he said angrily. “These dangerous creatures ate every living thing from this entire plain. And, they will eat us if you keep making a disturbance.”
“What kind of creatures are they?” Aarav asked, hoping to detract the boy’s attention from Kai.
Bastion turned his sights back to the path ahead and said, “Unnatural ones.”
The two men exchanged confused looks before Aarav pressed the question, “What does that mean?” he asked.
“Creatures that are not normally found in nature.” Bastion was back to his familiar condescending tone.
Kai resisted the bait and changed his demeanor. “How are they different?” he asked as politely as he was capable of, at that point.
Bastion responded to Kai by changing his tone as well and saying, “Centuries ago in this region, there was a group of wizards who experimented with making magical hybrids. They created some fantastic beasts such as the griffins and the chimera but some of their creations were just plain nasty. That knowledge has since been deemed too dangerous by the Pyx and has been eradicated from all records. They have allowed the creatures already created to live out their lives and most died out after just one generation but there were some that got stronger and survived, such as the griffins. One hybrid that was a tremendous success but also tremendously devastating was the wole.”
“Wole? I have never heard of such a creature,” Kai said.
“And you, of course, are aware of all the different sort of creatures that roam this world.”
Kai hung his head at Bastion’s comment and remained quiet.
“How are they so dangerous?” Aarav asked.
“Wole is basically a wolf that lives underground but they can hunt creatures above ground as they can sense their prey through the dirt and clay. They work in packs to create a trap by making a sink hole that their prey would never see coming. Then whenever whatever it is falls through, they converge and attack. Then, they refill the hole to use again.”
“They sound delightful,” Aarav said, shaking his head.
“Yes, they are. The records show this plain was once vibrant with life until they were unleashed on the region. Thankfully, they hate water so they are contained to this part of Evresh as it is surrounded by ocean or rivers. If someone was stupid enough to capture some and release them anywhere else, things in this world would be very different.”
“Thank the gods for that then,” Aarav said.
Kai remained silent but he felt the same way. He wanted to ask more questions but was not interested in the snarky boy’s attitude so he made a mental note to look into the creatures at a later time.
When morning came, they continued on their journey toward the river crossing single file behind Bastion, so there was no mistaken footing around wole holes. He criticized their logic because they had been travelling abreast through wole country until then with no problems but he was aware that his story had affected them so he did not press the matter any further than an initial comment.
By the late afternoon the rocky plains slowly began to rise and trees began to sporadically appear before them. The sun was just hiding itself away when they reached the top of a tall hill that overlooked the path down to the river crossing.
“We’ll be there tomorrow,” Bastion said. “I don’t want to risk going through the forest in the dark.”
Kai slept soundly that night, better than he had in a long time. Aarav woke him for the watch with just a few hours left until dawn and he actually felt refreshed. He poked at the embers of the fire for some heat but refrained from reigniting the fire so he could maintain his night eyes.
He sat on a fallen log and stared into the night, contemplating the differences between this forest and any other forest he had been in. This forest was too quiet. There was no sound except for the river below which surprised Kai because he thought it was too far away to hear. Also odd was that the forest floor was free of any fallen branches or leaves, as if someone had come along and cleaned them up. There was the log he was currently perched on but there was no stump for it in sight.
Kai was so taken by his thoughts that he failed to notice that Bastion was sitting next to him until the boy spoke.
“I suggest that we try to time our arrival at Burney Island for about sunset.”
Kai jumped up and pulled his sword. He was about to thrust when something held him back. Only then did he realize it was Bastion sitting patiently on the log. It took Kai a moment to relax his muscles and sheath his blade. His heart was beating out of his chest so he took a moment to calm down before taking his place again on the log.
“Are you done?” The boy didn’t wait for a response. “Good. As I said, we should time our arrival at the island for sunset.”
Kai took another deep breath before he responded, “I feel like there is a reason why and you are baiting me to ask so then you can berate me again.”
Bastion turned to look at Kai, then pursed his lips and turned away, nodding his head. After a moment he said, “Sova is very difficult to deal with during the daytime.”
“How difficult is it to deal with her when she is in her owl form?” Kai was happy with the results from his change in tactics and chose his words very carefully.
“Easier, believe it or not,” Bastion said, seemingly content to speak as equals. Kai wondered how long it would last. “I spent a month on Burney as part of my tra
ining. Sova is … a handful. Thankfully, I fought her off enough to complete my task. I don’t look forward to going back there but I worry about it less because you are both here this time.”
Kai was shocked at the compliment but it made him happy to know that the boy trusted his prowess in battle. With his confidence bolstered, he asked, “How are we going to cross the river?”
“That’s going to be a tricky one too. There is a boat and with any luck it will be on the north bank,” Bastion said. “And, hopefully it is still in one piece. If not, we will have to build a raft which is less than ideal. We don’t want to be caught by the river at night.”
Kai was confused but he didn’t want to press the matter any further. He was beginning to learn that it was just best to trust the boy so he asked the more obvious question thought he felt like he already knew the answer, “Why not?”
“Monsters,” Bastion said simply.
“Of course,” Kai said with a nod.
“If we leave at first light we should have plenty of time to cross even if we have to build a raft,” Bastion said and stood up. “I’m going to sleep for a couple more hours.”
Kai looked at the river as it reflected dancing moonbeams in all directions. Somewhere in the darkness beyond was his destination. He had endured a lot to get there and he wasn’t about to let anything stop him now.
“Hopefully,” he mumbled as he waited for the break of day.
36
“Can’t you just feel the magic in the air on a morning like this,” Isabella said with a huge grin on her face. She closed her eyes and let the first rays of sunlight warm her face.
“I would feel the magic more if you warmed this water for me,” Adina said as she handed Isabella a glass bowl very similar to the one’s they had on the plateau but this one was made with a little more care.
Isabella placed a hand on either side of the bowl and held it tightly. In just a moment, the water began to boil, heated by the flames in her palms. It was a trick she had learned when she was making the new glass water vessels, soon after they arrived on Cargoa.
With the additional support of Apophis and Brendoth, the trip from the plateau to the island was relatively quick and easy. They did manage to create a stir in a large number of coastal villages, where it was now very clear to anyone who doubted it that dragons had returned to the world.
“The stories they will tell, I’m sure,” Isabella said with a laugh.
Upon arriving at Cargoa, Caritha was set down at the most northern end of the great grass field where the flat ground abruptly became a sheer vertical cliff wall of stone. Isabella already had plans for a shelter and the cliff face was the perfect weather block. Within a few days, Isabella had the shelter for Caritha completed as well as a simple hut next to it for her and Adina. She and Sisera also made new water vats that were easily transported by one dragon in addition to the smaller glass bowls which came out better now that they had practice.
“That is much too hot,” Adina said, gesturing to a table fashioned from a long flat stone placed on top of a few cut logs. “Over there, please.”
“Sorry,” Isabella said “This is pretty new. I’m still learning how to control it.”
“No need to apologize for that, dear,” Adina said as she set out their breakfast of unleavened bread and hard goat cheese. “What you do need to apologize for is not getting better food. We were eating much better on the plateau than here.”
Isabella sighed dramatically. “I know. There are a lot fewer options here than there were in the mountains. I would try to buy some supplies on the mainland but it may be tricky to find anyone willing to sell to a lizard girl.”
Adina burst out laughing. “You are not a lizard girl,” she said playfully though she knew the subject could be a little sensitive for Isabella.
Isabella gave up the act and a laughed along with the older woman. “You must admit, though, I do sort of look like one,” she said, “A lizard, I mean.” The girl put her face inches from Adina’s where she kept it no matter where Adina tried to move away to.
“Stop that, you nuisance child,” Adina said as she playfully swatted at the girl.
Isabella laughed as she ran just a few steps away. She calmed herself down before she spoke again. “In all seriousness, though, I will have to make a trip for supplies. I’m sure Apophis will have an idea on that. Actually, we can ask her right now,” she said, looking into the sky.
Apophis, the mighty white-gold alpha dragon, had just flown over the eastern peaks and was making her descent toward the rock formation in the center of the field which was roughly one hundred yards south of where they were.
“I’ll go see what’s up,” she said and took off in a fast sprint toward the rock formation which was already being surrounded by the dozen dragons that had slept on the field that night.
When Isabella arrived, Brendoth had already taken his honorary place at the side of the formation, a symbol of his status as second to Apophis, before she had even landed. When she touched down on to the wide stony platform, he was the first to bow in reception to her arrival.
“Greetings to you all,” the alpha said with a booming voice so all could hear her clearly. “I come with grave news.”
Isabella suddenly felt a ball or nerves tighten in the pit of her stomach.
“You are all aware of the incidents of dragons missing from their assigned locations, I presume?” the white-gold alpha asked which was answered with a positive murmur. “Nelarth has gone missing.”
Apophis paused to let the impact of what she had just said sink in.
Isabella breathed a short sigh of relief. It was bad but the news could have been a lot worse.
The dragons began to talk all at once, to each other and to Apophis. The alpha flared out her wings as a signal for silence and the dragons immediately responded by giving her their attention.
“It is simple but I propose that we search for him,” Apophis said. “A line of dragons, spread out a few miles apart will start in the north and fly south. At the very least, if we don’t find him, it should shock him into behaving.”
The plan was simple but it did seem sound. Isabella thought about how much area could be covered from a great height.
“I will need roughly thirty dragons to accomplish this task,” the white-gold continued. “All of you, save Sisera and Brendoth, will accompany me.”
Brendoth was immediately in an uproar, giving the alpha his argument as to why he should accompany her but Apophis again spread her wings and he grumpily complied with the signal.
“I need to you to remain here,” she said. “Caritha is very important and there is no other dragon that I would entrust with her care in these troubled times except Sisera and she is staying too. The dragonbloods and their bonded are the key to a peaceful future between humans and dragons so we must do what we can to protect them. It would not be outside the realm of possibility that Nelarth would try to kill either, or both, in an attempt to spark hostilities. I know him and I know that he craves vengeance for what he calls the imprisonment of dragonkin.”
“Why did you even let him come back from the Dragon Isle?” Isabella asked.
“There was no choice,” Apophis said, shaking her head. “Not with a dragon as old and well respected as Nelarth. Had he been refused, there would have been a war among dragons. It may have actually progressed that far when I insisted that he take an island of the east side of Partha, away from humans, and that Caritha was going to look in on him but he accepted the terms without a fight. Perhaps he was just biding his time for an opportunity to present itself.”
“Aye, things would be a lot simpler if he and his followers had just stayed on the Dragon Isle,” Brendoth said with a nod. “I understand the position you are in and I will gladly stay behind.”
“Thank you, old friend,” Apophis said, bowing her head. “Your loyalty means the world to me.”
“Where are we going to start from?” Brayeth asked.
Wh
ile Apophis answered that question, Isabella went to ask with Brendoth about a supply trip when she saw an odd sight. Adina was running toward them with her arms, waving around. Isabella was suddenly alert. Her eyes first went to the sky to search out a possible threat but she could see none. She then looked for Sisera, who had been with the dragons in front of the formation but she was now rushing toward Isabella.
“What happened?” the dragon called out as she approached.
“I don’t know but let’s find out,” Isabella said as she jumped into the air to land with practiced ease on the dragon’s back. Sisera made short work of the distance between where they were and Adina bounding across the field.
“She’s awake,” Adina shouted between gasps for air. “Caritha is up and moving. And, she is trying to fly away.”
Isabella felt like her heart skipped a beat. Sisera was in the air not a moment later. Isabella had enough time to look back before they landed again, near the shelters she had constructed, to see Apophis and the rest of the dragons in the air, coming toward them.
Caritha had got her wings caught in the framework of the shelter Isabella had built and was fighting to free them which also explained why Isabella didn’t see the dragon flailing around.
“Let me.”
Isabella could feel Sisera’s fear and concern so she jumped from the dragon’s back to get out of the way.
The gold-purple approached her broodmate with caution but it wasn’t enough to prevent injury. The pale dragon’s frenzied behavior caused a support pole from the shelter to come loose and strike Sisera in the face. A large splinter of wood became lodged in her cheek but Sisera managed to remain calm.
“Are you OK?” Isabella asked as Sisera pulled out the wooden stake.
“I’m fine.” The dragon tossed aside the stick and turned her attention back to the pale dragon.
Sisera spoke to Caritha in dragon tongue which sounded guttural and unintelligible to human ears but Isabella could hear in her mind that her friend was trying to soothe the troubled dragon.
Dragon Flight: Sisera's Gift 3 (Dragonblood Sagas Book 5) Page 26