The top of the headland was twenty feet or so above the water, but that was no barrier to the dragons. Namkafnir fell out of the sky, hit the water with a huge splash, and sat there quietly bobbing on the surface. Kahshect barreled off the top of the point, wildly flapping his developing wings to land in the water nearby. A short time later, Kahshect trudged up the hill to their campsite, lugging an impressively large fish.
They built a fire in a circle of stones atop a large section of flat rock. Treyhorn carefully piled up a few more stones in a screen on the open, lakeward side of the fire. “No sense advertising our presence to one and all this evening, even if we have the dragons around.” Dax nodded in reply. He had seen her caution before. She did not fear the wild, but he recognized the sense of being prudent.
As usual, Kahshect had to start the fire, and this time he mustered a good-size spurt of flame. By the time the cook fire was ready, the little dragon had caught a half-dozen fish. Dax helped clean them, and Treyhorn cooked three, which they shared with Kahshect for their supper. She put the rest of the cleaned fish in a crude basket she had woven from reeds soaked in water. Resting the basket over the fire, she left it to dry and smoke cure the fish. Namkafnir caught some fish as well, but he cooked those himself in a rock nook he heated with his own flame.
The sun set across the lake from their campsite, and they sat and watched it. The weather had been cloudy all day, but as the sun reached the horizon, it peeked out below the cloud line and painted the lake and hills with a rich golden glow. After it sank out of sight, the bottoms of the clouds rippled with pinks and oranges, faded to blues and purples, and finally disappeared in darkness. Once the sun was down, the clouds continued to move away, and the sky soon sparkled with stars. The temperature dropped rapidly, and Kahshect cuddled up close to Dax by the fire for the night.
#
They stayed at Crystal Lake for two more days. The hunting and fishing were good, and the elevated point was a perfect place for Kahshect to exercise his wings with short flights down to the water. Gradually his efforts carried him farther and farther out over the lake.
Dax sat watching from the top of the point. He was torn. He wanted to hurry on to Iron Moor, where he might finally hear more news, but he also wanted to linger on the journey with Treyhorn. He was confident of his safety. Out in the wild he was truly out of the reach of Mathilde and her plans. Treyhorn knew the country, and with her and Namkafnir as companions, there was little to fear.
What would he find at Iron Moor? Dax had always gotten on well with the guardsmen with whom he had trained, but he also knew that as their king, the burden to fit in had not exactly been on his shoulders. Would the other cadets at Iron Moor Academy accept him for himself? Would he measure up?
“You will do well.” Kahshect’s thought was full of confidence.
The dragon’s statement startled Dax. “Can you listen in to my thoughts?”
“Not everything, but you were practically shouting.” Kahshect was making his way back up to the top of the point from the shore below. He held his wings close to his body to avoid the brambles and brush, but once he reached the bare area at the top, he spread his developing wings to catch the current of air that swept up the slope from the lake. There was a flight of vultures circling farther down the shore, and Kahshect mimicked their pose.
“So can you soar like a vulture?”
“They are not pretty birds.” Kahshect’s contempt was clear, but he admitted, “They do have big wings.”
“I didn’t realize looks counted.”
Kahshect did not answer but lurched into the air again. Stroking vigorously, he turned toward the birds. He matched their height, but as he approached, the large black birds casually tilted their wings and circled away from him. The young dragon turned back and made a diving descent into the waters below. Dax sensed his joy, and he was happy with him.
“He’s getting pretty good at that.” Treyhorn was packing some of the meat they had dried into their supply bag.
“He loves every minute of it.”
“And you love watching him do it. I know that’s how I felt when Namkafnir learned to fly. We sort of share feelings. When they’re happy, we’re happy.”
That reminded Dax of his reactions when he had been attacked. “And when we’re not happy . . . ?” His voice trailed off, thinking again of the terror the night that Zodas had come to his cabin on the Wings of Wind. And Weasel.
Treyhorn hung the supply bag from a rope over a tree limb well above the ground. She picked up Dax’s thought. “When we’re not happy, someone is in trouble.” She sighed. “That’s probably another reason folk aren’t always glad to have us around. Dragons may breathe fire, but when the fire of dragon anger is on one of the dragon-bound . . .” She shook her head and let the thought dangle.
“So,” she said, vigorously indicating a new line of conversation, “what do you think? Ready to head for Timberlake in the morning?”
“Yes,” Dax replied. “And no.”
“When second thoughts become thirds and fourths, they get a little stale.”
“Now you sound like General Herne,” he said.
“Do I now? Well, that’s a high compliment.”
“You’re right, of course,” he admitted. “The last couple of weeks have been . . .” He fumbled for a moment, not wanting to sound too dramatic.
“I think I know what you are feeling. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such good company on a trip, and family at that. Still, Kahshect will soon need to go away to the Dragon Lands for a while. ‘We can’t hold on to time—only memories.’ And that was something the Old Bear once said.”
#
The dragons left two weeks later. Treyhorn explained they were nearing Timberlake, and cities did not appreciate having dragons in their midst. Plus, Kahshect could fly quite well now, so it was time for him to make the flight to the Dragon Lands, where he would learn to live among his own kind.
They stopped in a clearing, and both Kahshect and Dax stared sorrowfully at each other. Kahshect was now of a size that his head was at the same level as Dax’s, and Dax felt waves of loneliness washing through their bond. He reached out and scratched the dragon behind his ear. “Don’t worry,” he said out loud. “You won’t be gone that long. Give me a couple of weeks to get settled at the academy, then come see me.”
Treyhorn stepped forward and put her arm across Dax’s shoulder. “You are right. It won’t be long, but you will both miss each other.” She gave Dax a little hug and rubbed behind Kahshect’s other ear. “Don’t worry, though. Not only will you be back together soon, you will still be able to feel each other through the bond even when you are apart. You may not be able to communicate with words, but you will always know where the other one is, and you’ll be able to share your feelings.”
“Yeah.” Dax looked at Treyhorn mournfully. “We’re sharing feelings right now, but it’s not making me feel better.”
She nodded. “And that is as it should be. Still, you both have things to do. The next few weeks will be interesting, and you will have lots to share when you get back together.”
“Namkafnir,” she said turning to her dragon. “Take care of this young one on the flight. You’ve done this before. Make sure he’s well rested before the long flight across the water.”
The large dragon shook his body and stretched his wings. With a hop, he was beside Treyhorn, where he dropped his head and nuzzled her shoulder. He turned toward Dax and Kahshect.
The little dragon was excited at the thought of a new adventure, but Dax could also feel his reluctance to leave. “Go ahead.” Dax gestured toward the distant Dragon Lands. “Get started. Learn a lot, but stay out of trouble.” He thought back over the last few weeks of travel and added, “Well, at least don’t get into any trouble Namkafnir can’t get you out of.” He gave the dragon a little nudge. “Get going.”
Kahshect took one last look at Dax, then jumped into the sky. A moment later, Namkafnir powerfully
stroked into the air, and both dragons were soon small dots in the sky. Dax watched until they were out of sight. He turned to Treyhorn. She still gazed off into the distance where the dragons had vanished. Eventually she glanced down and saw he was watching. “They will fly in short hops and get plenty of rest in between. By the time they get to the last overwater leg, he’ll be a strong flyer.” She took one last look up into the sky and sighed. “Well, we’d better move on too.”
#
Later that day they found a trace that became a road. Soon the road passed farm fields and small houses. They stopped late in the afternoon at one of the houses. Treyhorn knocked at the door, and a small woman with a round, ruddy face opened it. When she saw who it was, she shouted with joy and embraced the dragon-bound woman.
After a time, the two disengaged, and Treyhorn motioned Dax forward. “Neena, this is Leith. He’s on his way to Iron Moor. Leith, this is Neena.”
Dax replied courteously, but could not help notice a shadow pass over the woman’s expression.
“Dear me, are you sure this a good time to go to Iron Moor?” Neena asked. “Lately I’ve heard there has been some trouble, what with the problems down in Tazzelton and all. The castle’s upset with Renshau for his lack of support.”
“Lack of support?” Treyhorn snorted. “They know well and good that Iron Moor is not beholden to jump to their bidding.”
“But that doesn’t mean they haven’t tried. They sent a party of guardsmen up just last month to demand a company of trained young fighters to press into the guard.”
“Are the guardsmen still there?”
“No. I heard they’d left and gone back south again.” She smiled. “Renshau closed the gates to them.”
Treyhorn looked thoughtful. “So things are quiet again?”
“Quieter anyway. There’s rumor that a few stayed behind in Dinwiddie and have been stirring up trouble between the cadets and the headmaster.”
“Probably trying to steal some recruits out the back door while Renshau tries to keep things together,” Treyhorn observed.
The woman glanced at Dax, then put her hands to her face. “Oh, dear me. Where are my manners? Here I stand gossiping all the bad news on the porch while you are still standing outside. Come in! Come in!”
Neena waved them both inside and bustled through the door after them. “Now you all find a place to sit. Hirald should be back from town any minute now. You must stay for supper. Just let me put a few more parsnips in the pot.”
Treyhorn unslung her pack on the sturdy table near the kitchen. “We’ll stay if you let us add to your pot. We’ve got some smoked meat that would go well, I think. It’s pork.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much. Where did you get it?”
“Well, that’s an interesting story in itself. We were traveling with a young dragon—”
“I meant to ask,” Neena interrupted, “how is Namkafnir these days? Is he still put out with me because I shooed him out of my berry patch?”
Dax immediately visualized the little woman delivering a tongue-lashing to the imposing dragon towering over her. It was an amusing image, but from what he had seen of the woman’s spirit, it was a likely one.
Treyhorn pulled open the sack that held the remnants of the boar. “He is doing just fine, and no, he was never put out with you. He has always had a sweet tooth for berries, but he was embarrassed that you caught him. He knows he’s not supposed help himself like that.”
“Bother.” The small woman made a dismissive gesture with her hands and turned to Dax. “A young dragon, you say? Is this young lad one of the dragon-bound?” Dax had laid his pack by the door and found a seat, but now Neena swept him up in a smothering embrace. “Now why didn’t you say so earlier, Bindle?” she scolded. “You know any of you dragon-bound are always welcome here after what you did for me and Hirald.”
She sat Dax back on the chair, put her hands on his shoulders, and looked him right in the eye. “You just mark this house as one where you will always be welcome.” She let go of Dax, went to Treyhorn, and patted the woman on the shoulder. She looked at Dax. “Hirald and I wouldn’t even have this house if it hadn’t been for Bindle here.”
“You were smart enough to stick to your rights to have a hearing before they took your property,” Treyhorn observed.
Neena turned back to Dax. “Self-important pigs, they were, with no rights to our land. Lying through their teeth about a paper they said Hirald had signed.” She smiled at him. “They’d convinced the magistrate, but Treyhorn saw right through them. She was wonderful. With a few questions, this lady had sliced opened their whole dirty little scheme just like a pus-festered boil.”
The next moment Neena was back in the kitchen. “Now where is that pork? Won’t this be poetic justice to have a little pig for supper? You never did tell me where you found it.”
Dax was a little breathless just trying to follow the course of the conversation. Treyhorn looked at him and winked before she turned back to Neena. “The young dragon was the one who found it.”
“Ah, and what is your dragon’s name, Leith?”
“His name is Kahshect, ma’am.”
“Is he a good dragon?”
Dax beamed with pride. “He’s a great dragon! I mean, he’s still young, and he’s just learned to fly, but he’s really smart.”
Neena laughed. “Oh, we all grow up, and size will come. Where are the dragons now anyway?”
“They left for the Dragon Lands from outside the settled areas, ma’am,” Dax replied. “We all thought it would be better if they were on their way before we got to Timberlake.”
“Well, dragons are always welcome here,” she said and glanced at Treyhorn. “At least as long as they stay out of my berry patch.” She cackled up a gale of laughter, and Dax and Treyhorn chuckled along with her.
Neena turned back to Dax. “He must be quite a spunky little dragon to take on a wild boar before he’s grown up.”
Dax grimaced. “He found the boar, but we had to take care of it.”
“Oh!” Neena paused and made a face. “I bet that was a pretty mess.”
“Yes, ma’am. You see he—”
“Come now, Leith. Call me Neena. Please. I enjoy a well-mannered boy, but I love the dragon-bound like my own family.”
“Yes, ma’am—ah, Neena.” Dax looked at Treyhorn, who was smiling with amusement. “Well, like I was saying, he’s young and learning about everything—”
“I’ll bet he learned something about a wild boar, didn’t he?” She laughed. “My goodness!”
Treyhorn spoke up. “‘My goodness’ wasn’t quite what I said when the rascal came dashing through our campsite with the boar right behind him.” She paused a moment, then added, “Kahshect has been learning to hunt, and quite well I might add, but his efforts this time just seemed to upset the beast.”
Dax knew it had been a near thing. He and Treyhorn had both grabbed their walking sticks and managed to hold off the enraged animal, but with only their knives, they had no hope of getting close enough to kill it without being seriously injured by its sharp tusks. The boar for its part was maddened by the bleeding welts on its neck where the little dragon had evidently attacked it. The standoff ended abruptly when Namkafnir thumped to a landing just behind the boar, seized it in his claws, and beheaded it with his powerful jaws.
In spite of interruptions, side tracks, and other conversational loops, Dax managed to get the whole story out. Just as he finished, they heard a tread on the stoop. Hirald was home, and the round of introductions and stories had to start all over again.
#
The meal was wonderful, with more than enough for all. Neena was full of news and gossip from the North, but Dax was hungry for substantive news from the South. He listened closely for any scrap of word involving Tazzelton, but he held his peace. Treyhorn was obviously interested in hearing what was going on in the area. Besides, he would be a man of the North for the next few years. He might
as well learn something about it.
Dax and Treyhorn were prepared to sleep in the small stable out back, but Neena was outraged at the thought. “No dragon-bound will sleep in my stable as long as I have a bed in my house. Not if I have anything to say about it! No, no, noooo!” She hooted for emphasis. “Why, I’d be more than happy to give up my own bed for you, but we have plenty of room here. Bindle, you must take little Jimma’s old room. Now she’s gone off and married that nice Jelwinn boy over by Saddle Creek, you know. He treats her so well. We can’t wait for the grandchildren to arrive.”
Turning to Dax, she said, “Leith, we have extra bedding we can put over a fresh straw tick, and you should be comfortable over near the fire. If you come back this way before spring, be sure to tell your dragons they’re welcome to sleep in the field back of the stable now that Hirald’s got the wheat taken off. Would anyone care for a tot of milk before bed?”
After a flurry of preparations, they all settled in for the night. Well fed and exhausted, Dax fell asleep immediately.
#
It was the first night they had spent indoors in weeks, and Dax slept soundly. The next morning they were up, packed, and ready to go early, but Neena insisted on cooking a big breakfast for them before they left. Therefore, it was past noon when they arrived at the river road leading to Timberlake. The road followed the Weston River, and as they neared the city, the land rose ahead of them. Timberlake was on top of a rocky ridge over which the river tumbled in a flurry of white water. The road wound through a series of switchbacks up the low ridge that created the falls and the lake behind it. In a way, the road up the ridge reminded Dax of the tortuous winding route up the face of Adok, leading to the castle’s gate facing the city of Tazzelton. The route up to the city would give any raiding force, or even an army, a serious obstacle to overcome.
King's Exile: Chronicles of the Dragon-Bound: Book 1 Page 32