Spies Among Us

by L. L. Bower

  Crisa points to a stone bowl with a hole in the bottom and a stopper sitting off to one side. “That basin collects water that drips from the ceiling. That water is very cold, but invigorating first thing in the morning.”

  While functional, this bathroom is not very private.

  She turns to the group and winks at me. “For privacy’s sake, you must call out and ask if anyone is using the toilets before entering. If this bathroom is busy, you’ll find another one farther down the hallway, but its toilets are small. That room also has a geothermal shower instead of a bath.”

  We continue down the long hallway and come upon a dining area. The table has six chairs, one of them Grog-size. Nearby is a sideboard for serving. Above us, hanging from the high ceiling, a bright glass chandelier throws cheery prisms of light onto the walls and floor, evidence of Crisa’s gifted decorating.

  She flicks her wand, and the dining table expands in length. Four more regular-size chairs appear, plus an even larger chair at the table’s end next to Grog, for Geryen. That end of the table is raised, so that neither numinal will have to bend over to eat.

  “The kitchen is that way.” Crisa points to an opening in the side of the room. “You’ll find a cold-stone box in there filled with food. You’re welcome to help yourself anytime you feel the need, but please leave the cooking to me. Much of my equipment, like my stove, is infused with magic and will respond only to my touch.”

  We travel farther down the main hallway, passing numerous bays off to each side, with curved and bumpy stone walls and uneven floors. As we approach each one, Crisa tells us whose bedroom it is, and then flourishes her wand to create sleeping oases, complete with full-length mirrors, four-poster beds and dressers, all which sit magically level on the uneven floor. She creates a bedroom with three beds in it for the tomtes and one with two beds for the oreads. For Geryen, she manufactures an exceptionally large bed and bedroom. With a flick of her wand, she increases the height of the opening, so he doesn’t have to bend over or risk banging his head. Each alcove is color-coordinated and includes matching reading chairs with end tables, on which she summons books and magazines. She conjures a curtain over each bay’s door as a final touch.

  “I don’t know your reading preferences,” she says, “but I’ve provided you with a variety of choices in your native tongue, and paper and pens if you wish to write. In your dresser, you’ll find pajamas and changes of clothes that will resize to fit you.”

  While I now have a jacket, I notice that the oreads are shivering. Crisa notices too. With a flick of her wand-laden wrist, she says, “I’ve created a stone fireplace in each bedroom with a fire burning in it to ward off the dampness. In case you’re concerned, those magic fires don’t require oxygen to burn, nor do they need chimneys.”

  As we near the end of the compartments off the main hallway, Crisa says, “We’ve almost finished the tour. Calen, this room will be yours and Brutus’s.”

  She waves her wand, and a wonderful-looking bed with a thick mattress, a plush bedspread and a matching thick rug appear, all in deep green, along with magical vines that wind along the walls. I hear the sound of rushing water and birds twittering above me but don’t see any feathered creatures.

  Crisa smiles at me. “I know how much you love the forest, and I want you to feel at home. The water and birds are sound effects.”

  “Thank you. I feel like I never left my favorite camping spot.” Then I joke, “Now, if you had a fishing pond in here, it’d be perfect.”

  “I can arrange that.” She grins and raises her wand.

  “Just kidding. It’s perfect the way it is.”

  After she’s created furnished bedrooms for each member of our party, except Simean, she says, “I know you’re all tired, but let me show you the entire place before you refresh yourselves for dinner. That way, you can explore later without getting lost.”

  When we reach the final alcove at the end of the passageway, she manufactures a bedroom there and tells Geryen, “You can put Simean on that bed.” Geryen pulls back the spread and gently deposits Simean onto the mattress, minus the dirty blanket. The champion groans, rolls over and pulls up the spread. He never opens his eyes.

  Crisa states, “I’ll transform Esme to human form, and she can deliver Simean’s meals and check on him until he’s stronger. I’ll also mix potions that will help him regain his strength.”

  She adds, “Grog’s bedroom is next door. And the other bathroom I spoke of is right across the corridor.” She points, and a couple of numinals walk that way and peer in.

  Everyone has gotten quiet, partly, I think, because they’re astounded at the level of Crisa’s magic and partly because they’re overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness.

  We turn around and head back down the hallway. When we reach the dual-bedded, ocean-blue mermen’s room, assuming Baru will return, Claymont breaks the silence. “I think I can speak for everyone when I say we’re so blessed by your hospitality, Your Highness.”

  Crisa blushes. “I’m grateful you survived the evils of Galdo, and that you kept our champion safe.”

  I cringe at this last statement and want to assert, “I can take care of myself,” but decide I didn’t do such a great job of that in prison.

  Geryen coughs, the sound echoing and reminding me we aren’t in a brick-and-mortar house.

  I remember we haven’t seen Jade yet, so I ask Crisa, “Where does Jade sleep?”

  “She has a special entrance to this cave in the top of the cliff that only a winged creature can reach. There’s a place for her to bed down up there, out of the wind and weather, where she can keep guard over the mountain.”

  She smooths a strand of hair away from her face. “Jade can access this complex farther down, and I’ll show you that shortly.”

  She lifts a finger. “One more thing. Part of my security system is triggered by movement and activated at night, since Jade guards it by day. I no longer have Sentinel to warn me of intruders.” She sighs.

  Olea asks, “What kind of a security system?”

  Crisa grins. “If I tell you that, I have to kill you.”

  The others look horrified, and I’m the only one who laughs. “Relax, everyone. Crisa’s kidding. It’s a line from a movie in our human world that’s meant to be a joke.”

  Olea, who’s retreated several steps, moves forward again. “You had me worried. But seriously, what kind of a security system is it?”

  Crisa shakes her head. “I don’t know you all well enough to reveal that kind of information. The system is for your safety as well as mine. Just remember not to go outside the mountain at night.”

  “You sealed the front door,” Tumea says. “I don’t see how any of us could get out.”

  “There’s another way to leave during the day. Come, I’ll show you.”

  She leads us to the rear of the caves, where a rugged hip-width slit slices through the rock. “I learned long ago that an important battle tactic is to ensure that everyone has more than one way out of a refuge. This exit is narrow, so neither Geryen nor Grog can leave this way, but the rest of you can. Hidden by brush, it opens onto a plateau on the mountainside. If you tire of the caves, you’re welcome to take a hike outside. Just be careful that no one sees you enter or exit.”

  “Can enemies enter there?” Mordea asks.

  “Well, first they’d have to climb the mountain, and then they’d have to find the camouflaged opening.” She turns and directs us to follow. “I’ll show you another exit, but this one requires climbing, and it’d be slow-going.”

  We enter a huge cavern on the other side of the hallway near my bedroom that I thought was a dead end. A large, unnatural hole has been bored through the ceiling, through which diffused sunlight seeps. I wonder if Crisa’s magic is responsible. A rope hangs down from one side of the hole.

  Crisa says, “This is the other exit I mentioned. It’s the way Geryen and Grog could escape in the event of an emergency.” As if in answer to my previous thought, sh
e adds, “I designed it as an access point for Jade.”

  As if on cue, we hear the swish of large wings like a huge gust of wind. Crisa motions to us. “You’d better move back. Here she comes.”

  We line the edges of the room as Jade lands in front of us and fills much of the cavern. Grog grins.

  Judging from the wide eyes and gasps from my prison companions, I don’t think any of them will get used to being so close to a dragon, a creature they’ve awed and dreaded for centuries. I remember whale-watching in a small boat when I was a kid and being thrilled by similar magnificent creatures, even though they could crush the boat—and me—at any moment.

  Now it’s my turn to gasp. Another green dragon descends through the opening. It’s bigger than Jade and scarier-looking.

  Our backs cling to the cavern walls both from fear and a lack of space, as the new dragon darts its head from side to side. I believe it distrusts us as much as we do it.

  Crisa stands firm, I assume because her magic can protect her.

  I draw Noblesse. Although I’m surprised my sword isn’t vibrating, I prepare to battle the interloper.

  The dragon turns toward me, its nostrils flaring, acidic green drool on its lips.

  Chapter 7 – New Allies

  When Jade tells me, “Relax, Father, he’s a friend,” I stow my sword.

  I bow to the other dragon, and his scowl relaxes.

  Jade looks at him as she says, “Everyone, this is my brother, Aepal. He’s here to help.”

  Although my heart rate is still elevated, I say, “Hello, Aepal, it’s nice to meet Jade’s brother,” more for the sake of the quivering beings next to me than for him.

  Aepal sits back on his legs and bows his head. “Happy to meet Calen.” His gravelly voice surprises me. “Jade say good about you. ...Silly name for dragon—Jade.”

  “I’m sorry, Aepal. I liked it.”

  I tell Jade, “I’m impressed that he understands English.”

  She responds, “I taught him. Mother told me that the younger dragons haven’t been taught English because no light creature ever got close enough to try. Some of the elder dragons speak your language already, from when they rubbed shoulders with humans eons ago.”

  She adds, “Many are willing to learn, so I teach a class several times a week.”

  That explains why Maldina, the black dragon guard I met during our escape, spoke basic English. I smile. “You’ve been a busy girl who’s made many friends, become a leader among dragons and single-handedly recruited some of our most formidable warriors to battle Galdo. I’m proud of you!”

  Jade lowers her head and smiles.

  Out loud, I ask, “Are you two planning to travel back to the prison with us?”

  Aepal nods. “I project Jade.”

  “Dear Brother,” Jade interjects, “I think you mean ‘protect.’ That’s sweet of you, but I can protect myself, as I’ve done all those weeks without you. However, I do need your help convincing the other dragons to help us.”

  Aepal looks down. “Okay, Sister.”

  Grog approaches Jade. Aepal growls and stands, but Jade says, “It’s all right. This is Grog, my dear friend and coach.” Aepal sits back again on his haunches.

  Jade drops her head, and Grog rubs the top of her nose. “Hi, Sweet.” I believe he means “Sweetie,” but I don’t correct him.

  “Hi, Coach,” she says. She then turns to the group. “Aepal and I just talked to some of the female dragon guards. They’ll let us enter the caves because we’ve promised you’ll free their stolen offspring. Galdo has threatened to harm the dragon babies if the mothers attempt a rescue, but I think you can get them out, if you can catch Galdo by surprise.”

  Mordea raises his one eyebrow. “Free dragon babies? Are you crazy? Baby dragons are wilder and more dangerous than their parents.”

  I nod my head. “You bring up a good point. During my champion studies, I learned how vicious dragonettes can be. Jade, how are we going to keep those little ones from attacking us?”

  She frowns. “Getting the babies to go with you will be difficult. They’re going to be scared and angry. I’m not sure how Galdo was able to subdue them.”

  She peers at me. “Can you keep a secret?” she asks in my head.

  “Of course.”

  “We have a kenning for a ‘safe harbor,’ known only to us and taught to dragon babies by their mothers. If you say, ‘warmth and home’ to these babies in Dragonspeak, they will follow you. I’ll teach you how to say it.” Jade emits a series of clicks and whistles in my head that must mean “warmth and home” in the dragon tongue.

  I mimic the sounds telepathically to Jade, and she says, “Pause a little more between the second click and the whistle that follows it.”

  I try again, and this time she nods. “You’ve got it.”

  I repeat the phrase several times in my head, until I have it memorized.

  Geryen clears his throat, and I realize I’ve ignored my companions as Jade and I have been conversing. Olea shifts from foot to foot, and Geryen pounds one fist into another, I assume to look tough in front of the dragons. Dragons are one of the few creatures that dwarf him.

  “What’s she saying?” Mordea asks.

  “She’s given me a phrase that will tell the babies it’s safe to follow us.”

  “Tell me this sign,” Olea presses, as he leans close to me.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s top secret. It’s in Dragonspeak, so you wouldn’t understand it anyway.”

  Mordea says, “You’ve convinced me this rescue is doable. I’m willing to go with you.”

  Olea scratches his head. “I’m still deciding if I want to participate.”

  The others nod and jabber among themselves as if they’re also willing, with the exception of Claymont who says, “It’s best if I stay here to watch over Simean and Geryen and wait for Baru’s return.”

  Crisa nods. “If you wait for Baru, the rest of us can start out in the morning. I’ll leave my viewing ball on the dining table, which will signal Baru’s arrival. But you’ll have to use the rear exit to let him in because I won’t be here to open the front door. We should be back before dark.”

  She then looks around the group. “Do any of you know where the babies are being held?”

  “You’ll hear them when you get close,” Jade says. “They’ll be squawking for their mothers.”

  “We didn’t hear noises like that,” Mordea comments, “but we didn’t explore the lab side of the cave.”

  Everyone chatters among themselves, but, when Jade speaks, the conversation subsides. “I hope you’re not too late.” She dips her head. “The babies will be depressed. Some may already be dead. They’ll be pale and weak from a lack of sunlight. They also haven’t been able to learn to hunt from their mothers, which means they’re helpless. And I doubt Galdo knows or cares about their nutrition, since as infants, they can’t yet serve him.”

  “Even if we do find them,” Mordea says, “most of the cave system is narrow and low, too cramped for the mothers to be able to reach their babies. I wonder how we’ll reunite them.”

  I look around at the group. “Remember that cavern in the middle of the caves that had a hole in the roof where Geryen said he could lift us all up to the surface?”

  Several of them nod, and Jade cocks her head.

  I brush my long, unruly hair out of my eyes. “We could lead the babies to that rendezvous point, send up a signal through the opening to let the mothers know its location and join them together there.”

  Crisa holds out her wand. “I can send up sparks with this as a signal.”

  Jade nods. “Sounds good. I’ll gather the mothers, and we’ll hover over the caves and wait for your signal.”

  I scratch my head. “How will we get the dragonettes out without bloodshed? Won’t guards be on duty?”

  “Ah,” Jade says, “our dragon allies have offered to provide a diversion so that most of the other guards will be outside the caves, giving you a ch
ance to explore with little opposition. But you’ll still have to deal with Galdo, any of his personal guards, and his lab attendants.”

  Crisa smiles. “Galdo, that monster, so much like his father. Don’t you worry about him. I want my spell books, and I’m looking forward to taking them back, hopefully by force.”

  “I’ll help, of course,” I add.

  Crisa turns to me. “If you can keep any lab attendants occupied, I won’t have to split my attention.”

  Jade stretches her neck to lean in closer. “Aepal and I will fly back to the weyr and inform the dragon mothers of our plans.”

  Crisa bows. “Thank you. My guests must rest now. They’ve all been through quite a nightmare. We’ll see you later.”

  I wave to brother and sister dragon before they turn to leave. “Thanks for your help, both of you.” To Jade I say, “It’s nice to be together again, little one.”

  The others wave and murmur their thanks to the two dragons.

  Jade flutters her wings. The wind created by her wings flapping faster and faster for takeoff stirs up the loose dirt in the cave. I cough and shield my eyes and mouth, as do the others. She disappears through the roof hole.

  Through my fingers, I watch Aepal now rise from the ground with considerable effort, having to ascend without a running start. He hovers a moment and then disappears through the same opening. I never cease to be astonished by the dexterity of such large creatures.

  As the dust settles, Mordea exclaims, “Amazing. To watch dragons like that up close. That was the experience of a lifetime.”

  Olea shrugs. “They’re not that impressive. Just big birds and not all that intelligent.”

  I frown at Olea. “Why would you say that? Jade’s one of the smartest creatures I’ve ever known.”

  Crisa encourages, “Why don’t you all get settled and rest now? Dinner will be soon, but you have time enough for a shower and a nap, if you need it.”

  Geryen coughs again and scratches his arms. “I feel weak. I think I’ll go lie down.” I notice how his normal blue luster has faded, and his exposed skin exhibits small blisters. That’s when I remember the pitcher plants.