Ashes And Spirit (Book 3)

by A. D. Trosper

Three more inches of branch came out and finally she was free of that pain. Though still growling a constant string of curses that would have curdled the ears of the raunchiest tavern patrons, she finally relaxed a little under his hold.

  Serena still worked on the leg, her brow furrowed in concentration. Nira, finished with mending the injuries caused by the stick, moved to work on the large lump on Kirynn’s head. Kirynn relaxed even more until her eyelids drooped and finally closed.

  Finished, Nira opened her eyes, slumped back, and wiped at the small trickle of blood that still ran from her nose. She tore off part of her sleeve and pressed it to her face before glancing at Vaddoc. “You can release her now. Serena is almost done and Kirynn sleeps deeply. After her injuries and the extensive healing, her body is drained of energy. It may be a few hours before she wakes.”

  Vaddoc rocked back on his heels and stood while Nira arranged Kirynn’s arms into a more comfortable position. When she was through, he offered his hand to the healer.

  She took it and smiled. “Thank you.” Her dark eyes and haggard expression spoke of exhaustion. Even with the mages working on the minor wounds that had come in from the three battles, the Yellows had spent too much time doing little else but healing.

  More heavy wind buffeted the trees as the other dragons landed. By the time Serena sat back with a ragged sigh, most of the other riders had gathered. She wiped her brow with a shaky hand and glared at the group of them. “Well this makes a lot of sense.”

  “What do you mean?” Kellinar asked as he helped her to her feet.

  “The lot of you standing around here. Kirynn was located and being healed by two more than capable Yellow Riders and yet you all felt the need to land anyway instead of returning to Markene or Galdrilene or any number of safer locations.” She shook his supporting arm away and brushed the dirt off the back of her pants.

  “We came in case you had need of us,” Mckale said.

  “And what need would we have?” Serena pushed away the short, dark strands of hair that clung to her sweaty forehead, making them stick out in odd directions then began walking toward the edge of the trees. “If an attack were imminent, you would have done more good if you were still flying on your dragons watching for danger. Or did you just want to create more work for the healers than they already have?”

  Vaddoc frowned after Serena. What had gotten in her?

  Nira sighed and said, “Don’t mind her. She is beyond tired and not in her best temper because of it.”

  Mckale glanced toward the east side of the river as Nira laid a hand on Lenya. “She does make a good point.” He looked back at them. “Everyone but Nira, Kellinar, and Vaddoc needs to get back to their dragons and Slide out of here.”

  Vaddoc nodded as everyone but Mckale, Kellinar, and Nira headed back to their dragons. “I will transport Kirynn to Galdrilene if one of you can take Lenya.”

  “I can transport myself—thank you very much—and Lenya too,” Kirynn growled, slowly sitting up.

  “You are not even supposed to be awake, and you certainly are not strong enough to hold onto Lenya while in flight.” Vaddoc reached down and clasped her lower arm.

  Kellinar shook his head and mumbled something about stubborn women.

  Using Vaddoc’s help, Kirynn hauled herself to her feet and wobbled. “Burn it all. Flaming piles of rotting shadow carcasses...” her voice trailed off into a string of grumbled curses before she finally took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “Fine. You may be right about me not being able to hold Lenya. You can help me gain my saddle and then you can transport her.”

  Kirynn turned to Nira as the dark-skinned healer pulled away from the child. “Is she all right?”

  “I have healed all of the cuts, they were fairly shallow. There is nothing wrong with her physically that food and drink won’t cure.” Nira frowned. “Whatever else ails her is beyond the abilities of a healer.”

  Mckale clasped Vaddoc on the shoulder. “I will take Lenya. You make sure Kirynn the Obstinate doesn’t fall off Syrakynn before the safety straps are buckled.”

  Vaddoc nodded and frowned at Kirynn. “I will do my best. What about the dog?”

  “Dog?”

  Vaddoc pointed to where the dog lay in the shadows of the trees, her muddied fur blending into the scenery. “She is the reason we found Kirynn.”

  Mckale approached the animal who gave a happy yip as he drew closer. He took the dog’s head in his hands and looked in her face. “Mola?”

  The dog’s tail wagged furiously while her tongue covered his face in a multitude of licks. “How in the Fates did you get here?” He rubbed her head and behind her ears. “It’s good to see you, girl.”

  Kellinar ran a hand over his braids. “She must have washed down in the flood.”

  “She’s injured.” Mckale turned to Nira. “Can you heal her or are you too tired?”

  “I will heal her.” She knelt next to the dog, worked her fingers into the dirty fur, and closed her eyes.

  “I’ll take Lenya to Galdrilene so you can bring Mola,” Kellinar said as he stooped to pick the child up. Lenya offered no resistance, her eerie silence continuing.

  Bending, Vaddoc pulled Kirynn’s arm around his shoulders and wrapped his arm around her waist for support while she made her unsteady way to Syrakynn. Kirynn shot a glare at the red as she reached for the saddle. “I’m fine,” she said in response to what Vaddoc figured was likely an admonishment from the dragon.

  He had to practically lift Kirynn into the saddle and help her fasten the straps. “Are you sure you do not wish to put aside your stubborn pride and ride Namir with me?”

  “I can fly my own dragon home.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “You will not fly her home. She will fly you home. Make sure you show her more gratitude than you have shown your rescuers.”

  Kirynn sighed and eyed him for a moment. “I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your assistance.”

  “Nothing like a formal thank you to make one feel warm and fuzzy.”

  “Let me get to Galdrilene and rest and I assure you, I will make your efforts more than worth your while.”

  The spark in her eye that accompanied the words sent the blood racing through his veins. “Then by all means, my lady, make haste in your return and rest.”

  She sent him a tired smile as he stepped away from the red. When he was far enough back to be clear of her wings, Syrakynn launched herself into the sky.

  When he turned toward Namir, Kellinar was busy fastening safety straps with Lenya held securely in front of him. Mckale emerged from the trees with Mola in his arms, and Nira followed. By the time Vaddoc was in his saddle and ready to go Kellinar had left, Mckale was almost ready, and Nira was already in the air.

  Vaddoc took a long, last look at the land on the far side of the river. At one time, it had been his home. Now it was nothing more than a bloodied prize held by the enemy. At least they hadn’t lost any riders in the three battles, though how long their luck could hold out was anyone’s guess.

  Kirynn dropped heavily to the grass in the caldera of Galdrilene. It was good to be home. Despite the way her legs trembled with weakness, Kirynn walked toward Shryden and Kellinar. When she reached them, she held her arms up toward Lenya. “Give her to me.”

  Kellinar raised an eyebrow but Marda spoke before he could open his mouth. “I think not.” The heavy woman pushed past Kirynn and reached up for Lenya. Kellinar lowered her into the woman’s waiting arms.

  Marda held the little girl close and turned to Kirynn. “You can barely hold yourself up, much less a child. Not to mention you are a mess and in need of food. Go get a bath and there will be food waiting for you when you are done.”

  Kirynn ground her teeth in frustration. “Lenya needs those things too.”

  “I’m aware of this.” Marda gave Kirynn a push. “I will see to Lenya’s needs.” The woman waved the other female riders over. “Make sure she gets a bath if you have to drag her kicking and scream
ing. She looks far too weak to fight you much.”

  Over Kirynn’s protests, Maleena, Nira, and Liora herded her with little effort to the steaming room full of pools as Mckale carried a tired-looking Mola toward the men’s baths. Though Marda ordered servants to take the dog, Mckale insisted on tending her himself.

  Grumbling under her breath about Marda being too pushy, Kirynn stepped into the women’s bathing chamber. Warm moisture enveloped her, drawing a soft sigh of pleasure. She had to admit, it did feel good. It wasn’t as if they were going to let her do anything else anyway. She might as well enjoy her bath. She unfastened her knife belt and dropped it to the floor. The belt was soaked and coated in mud. It would need to be replaced. As would her zahri and bow since both had been lost during the battle.

  Her braid was a problem. Too much of her hair had pulled loose and was now tangled and coated in an ash-mud mixture that was nearly impossible to work with. Nira, Liora, and Maleena did their best to help.

  Grimacing at a stubborn area that was half tangle, half braid, Liora said, “This mud mixture should be used to fortify castle and city walls. It could probably stop a Shadow Dragon.”

  Maleena chuckled. “It is rather…sturdy, isn’t it? Honestly, Kirynn, you probably could have saved the battle with your braid.”

  “A shield and weapon all in one,” Nira said, her golden eyes flashing with humor.

  Kirynn snorted and continued to try to pull the cemented clumps apart. If only she could have done something to hold the Shadow Riders back.

  Liora finally managed to separate some of the area she was working on. “I suppose cutting it off and starting over is out of the question?”

  “No,” Kirynn growled, shooting a glare at the blonde woman.

  Liora’s pale blue eyes widened at the taller woman’s tone and expression. “It was just a question. Forget I mentioned it.”

  “I would never let your hair be cut, not even if you were unconscious and your hair was trapped under a massive boulder,” Maleena said in a soothing tone. “I would make sure we found a way to move the boulder.”

  Kirynn took a deep breath and tried to push her sudden anger at Liora down. “I spent most of my life earning this braid. It will not be cut.”

  “Of course,” Liora agreed quietly as she went back to work on the section in her hands.

  Finally, after another hour had passed, the four of them managed to get the braid undone though it was still a tangled mess.

  The others eagerly pulled off their soiled clothing and headed for the baths. Kirynn stripped, tossing her ruined garments to the side, before moving to one of the pools. The hot water eased her tired muscles as she slid into it with a sigh. She ducked under the surface and held her breath while she worked her fingers through her hair, trying to rinse away the mud.

  The soap she used for her hair since coming to Galdrilene sat on the edge of the pool next to a cake of spicy-scented soap when she resurfaced. Kirynn scooped up a handful of the hair soap and worked it through the long, wet strands. It took three washes and rinses before it all came out.

  Two washes with a rough cloth later, and her skin was also free of the mess. After the robed servants raised the metal sheets that divided the pools from the drainage channels and refilled them, Kirynn washed her hair and body one more time, and then waited patiently for her pool to drain and refill once more before allowing herself to relax in the hot water.

  As she lay in a languid, half-awake state, her stomach reminded her the morning meal before the battle was the last time she’d eaten, not to mention all the energy she had expended in battle.

  With a groan, she pulled herself from the water and dried off with a thick towel. The others joined her. When they were dry, they moved to the clean clothing brought in from their lairs by attendants.

  Kirynn pulled on the cream-colored linen shirt enjoying the cool feel of the smooth, soft fabric against her skin. The snug leather pants, worked to a velvety texture, were also welcome. After nearly two weeks, she’d almost forgotten how nice it felt to be washed and wearing clean clothing.

  “I’d forgotten how good it feels to be clean,” Maleena said with a pleased sigh, echoing Kirynn’s thoughts.

  Nira nodded in agreement as she worked her fingers through her damp ringlets.

  They left the warm, humid air of the bathing chamber and took the shortcut to their smaller dining room. Peace seeped into Kirynn as she moved through the familiar halls. It had been too long since she’d been home. Too long away from the serenity that Galdrilene offered.

  Marda arrived at the dining room at the same time they did leading a clean Lenya, clothed in a fresh linen dress, with one hand. In her other arm she carried Emmaleen. Lenya followed Marda, but her face registered nothing and her eyes remained empty. A twinge of worry sprang in Kirynn’s heart. She reached down and took Lenya’s other hand. “I will take her from here. Thank you for tending to her for me.”

  “You know I don’t mind.” Marda cast a worried glance down at Lenya before handing Emmaleen to Maleena.

  “I swear she’s grown in the past couple of days,” Maleena said as the chubby baby smiled at her. “What do you feed this child while I’m gone?”

  Marda smiled warmly. “All children grow and thrive under my care. It seems to be my gift in this life.”

  “Everyone thrives around you, Marda.” Kirynn flashed the heavy woman a smile. “You are part of what makes Galdrilene home.”

  “Well, I don’t know about all that.” Marda brushed non-existent wrinkles out of her apron, a pink stain on her cheeks. Shaking her head slightly, she shooed them into the dining room. “Go on, sit down. I will bring your food shortly.”

  They moved into the room and took their seats. Vaddoc and Kellinar showed up moments later, also clean and with a damp Mola on their heels. Maleena smiled at the sight of the dog, and Kirynn did a double take. “Is that the same animal?”

  The dog, which she’d only seen as a shade of mud, was actually white with black on her head, and black speckles through her medium-length coat.

  “That she is.” Vaddoc gave the dog a quick pat and sat down with a chuckle. “Mckale has spent the entire time getting her clean. That ash-mud mixture is stubborn stuff. He will be along once he has had a chance to get himself clean.”

  Kellinar laughed. “A larger job than it was since Mola took it upon herself to try and shake the mud free once she was soaking wet.”

  Kirynn snorted and turned to Lenya who sat beside her and tried to engage the child. Lenya’s haunted eyes in her pale face didn’t even acknowledge her. Finally, she turned to Nira. “Can’t you do anything? She’s really starting worry me.”

  Nira shook her head, sadness in her golden eyes. “I have checked her thoroughly for any injuries. Other than some scratches, bruises, and minor burns, I found nothing. I healed her wounds, but whatever has hold of her is beyond any healer.”

  “Perhaps it’s because the injury isn’t to the body but to the mind.” Maleena gazed across the table at the silent Lenya. “You can’t heal it because it isn’t physically broken.”

  Hope flashed through Kirynn. “Do you think you can do anything?”

  Maleena studied the child before answering. “Perhaps. I’ve never encountered this, but I will try.”

  Nira reached for Emmaleen and took the babe from Maleena. Emmaleen made a few small sounds and blew happy spit bubbles at her Dragon Rider aunt.

  Maleena stood and moved round the table until she sat in the chair on Lenya’s other side.

  “Are you sure you can do this right now?” Kellinar asked, worry in his eyes.

  “I will be fine. I’m not even sure if I can do anything. I won’t know until I try.” She took Lenya’s hand in her own and closed her eyes. Maleena’s breath caught, she stiffened and gasped, her other hand holding her head. Though pain etched her face and tears ran freely down her cheeks, she held resolutely to the child’s hand.

  Lenya shuddered, her eyes closing as two tears sli
pped down her face.

  Several minutes passed before Maleena released Lenya and leaned against the table with a broken sob. Everyone froze, their eyes on Maleena and the child. Lenya blinked a few times and then slowly looked around the room until her gaze came to rest on Kirynn. Her dark eyes lit up, and she smiled slightly as she slid from her chair and put her arms around her. Kirynn hugged her back. Intense relief washed through her at the same time concern for her friend gripped her heart.

  Nira reached a hand across the table toward Maleena. “What happened? Maleena, what did you do?”

  Maleena visibly trembled, quiet sobs shaking her shoulders. “I…took the pain. Masked the memories…Lived them and felt everything she felt.” She grabbed the sides of her head and squeezed her eyes shut, her face pale.

  Kirynn reached a hesitant hand toward Maleena, torn between trying to help and knowing she shouldn’t touch her.

  Syrakynn sent, “Mckale has finished his bath and is on his way. I get the sense he isn’t happy.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “It may have something to do with Tellnox broadcasting his rider’s displeasure,” the red returned.

  “I see.”

  The door to the dining room swung open so hard it slammed into the wall and bounced off. Nira, Liora, and Lenya jumped. Emmaleen stared at her father with wide eyes. Maleena seemed beyond hearing it. Kirynn held his angry gaze with a steady one of her own.

  Mckale walked into the room with long strides and dropped to one knee next to Maleena taking her hand gently. His eyes, dulled to iron gray, glared at Kirynn over Maleena’s slumped shoulders. “How could you let her do this now, when she’s already beyond exhausted and should have been asleep over a day ago?”

  “I didn’t let her do anything. She just did it.” Kirynn tried to remain calm. “I had no idea it would do this to her.”

  “After everything that’s happened over the past two days, you should have known she wasn’t in a state to take on something like this.” His voice raised. “You shouldn’t have asked!”

  Mola whined in response to his tone, and Emmaleen buried her face in Nira’s shirt.