As Kadi began her flight, Tika climbed onto mighty Fenj and tucked herself into the hollow between his wings. He rumbled. ‘Do try not to wriggle small one, it tickles.’
Tika kept as still as she could while ridiculous visions of herself falling just because a great Dragon was ticklish flicked through her mind. She was aware the instant they passed the protecting ring of crags and flew over the Gathering Place. Although Fenj was shielding her thought patterns she felt a great thrumming, like bees in a hive, pulse through her. She realised it was many Dragons communing with one another. Fenj drifted along the edge of the mountain wall until he was directly above the cave he occupied and then dropped quickly, straight to its entrance.
He lowered himself to the usual elegant reclining position and checked carefully for any unwelcome watchers. Kadi had already deposited Farn well back in the cave. He greeted Tika with a huge yawn and yet again slid into sleep.
‘You may get off now,’ Fenj said. ‘But stay well away from the entrance. You will see all tomorrow, but for now, stay hidden. Rest if you can for the Gather will be difficult for you I fear, but know that Kadi and I are your shields.’
Tika found sleep impossible as the night crept slowly by, but at last it was near dawn. Fenj allowed Tika to move forward well shadowed between his shoulder and the rock wall. She bit her lip to keep herself silent. She had thought there were a great many Dragons outside Kija’s nesting cave, but here the number was amazing.
Dragons of all shades and all sizes flying from cave to cave, some on the bare central floor of this hidden arena. Dragons were calling and crying vocally as well as communicating through their mind speech. Farn joined her, squirming low along Fenj’s side.
‘As the sun rises, so we will sing to the Golden Lady and beg her to bear witness to our Gathering.’ Fenj told them. ‘The time is near.’ He reared himself onto his haunches, Tika and Farn slipping lower until they could only just peep out at the scene below.
A brilliant shaft of sunlight flared over the peak of Broken Mountain, its light shining directly onto a circle of smooth black rock on the inner wall of the Gathering Place. The black circle seemed to absorb the light rather than to reflect it at first. Then pieces of quartz round the circle’s edge began to sparkle with, to Tika, a painful brilliance. At that moment hundreds of Dragon voices burst into Tika’s mind, singing a song of Greeting – to each other but also to the Golden Lady, Emla.
As the song continued, the sun was suddenly reflected from the black circle, making a yellow puddle of light on the central space below. Tika’s skin was prickling as the voices sank to a hushing ripple.
Fenj spread his wings wide and welcomed the Dragons to the Gathering. ‘I look forward to greeting new hatchlings and to blessing new pairs. There is much to discuss first, though it grieves me immensely to tell of trouble.’
As he paused, Tika and Farn felt an instant tension spring up among the Gathered Dragons. They had already glimpsed Nula, with one of her rust coloured followers, in a cave opposite to Fenj’s, and Kadi perched to one side. Tika could feel Farn becoming agitated again and she reached to hold his arm tightly.
Fenj turned his head slowly, grey eyes flashing as he looked at each Dragon in the huge circle. ‘I tell you with despair in my heart that Krea is dead.’ There was a tremendous upheaval at his words. Farn and Tika clearly recognised Kija’s agonised cry. Tika held ever tighter to Farn. ‘She died foully, slain by Dragon Kin, but also nobly, in defence of her fosterlings. And she did not die in vain, for those two survived.’
Tika’s eyes had been glued to Nula and she watched now as the dark green Dragon hissed viciously at her companion. The second rust coloured Dragon was moving nervously on a ledge just below Nula.
Several Dragons floated down to the space below Fenj. Tika noticed they were all large Dragons and all of different colours. She guessed they were the leaders of various groups or families. One red Dragon demanded Fenj tell more details of Krea’s death, and a Dragon darker gold than Kija also insisted Fenj tell all that he knew. When the telling was done, Kadi’s voice called: ‘Fenj must Name the evil doer, for the killers are from this very Treasury.’
A stunned silence met this announcement. The Dragons were already appalled at the idea of Dragon killing Dragon, but the idea that a death had been brought about by one of their own Treasury was nearly beyond their belief. Nearly, but not quite. Kija suddenly screamed into the silence: ‘Who was it Fenj? You said my first born and the bonded two legs survived this terror, but where are they? Name the killer of Krea and let us ask why she was killed.’ A rumble of agreement came from the whole Gathering.
‘The two young ones who follow Nula destroyed Krea.’ Fenj spoke quietly but oh so clearly.
Silence fell again as every prismed eye turned to where Nula perched. The two rust scaled Dragons cringed back against the rock under the glare of those eyes but Nula drew herself upright. Suddenly she launched herself down in the midst of the leaders.
‘All of you are unworthy to name yourselves Dragons,’ she snarled. ‘Brood after brood of hatchlings are raised soft hearted and mild mannered instead of fierce and proud as we were meant to be. Then this final degradation – a pitiful two legs allowed to lock eyes with a first born son. Such abomination should be wiped out! Fenj teaches you to take only what you need; he says killing for sport is a wrongness. Hah! Dragons are hunters, fighters. We could empty the world of all the tribes of two legs – those of the plains whence came the creature I would see dead – those of the hills and of the deep woodlands. They are useless – even as food.’
Hisses sounded all around at this last. Fenj’s eyes blazed as he looked down on Nula. ‘You say so – dare you tell us you have eaten of the two-legs’ flesh?’
‘Of course. I am a Dragon Fenj, not a puling feathered sky singer. I eat what I want, as I want.’ Nula’s eyes were a green darkening to black, as were her scales and hide. Her tail thrashed incessantly and smoke wisped from her nostrils. The scars on her face and body seemed more marked in her great rage.
‘Nula, the Gathering of this ancient Treasury Names you Forsaken by all here. You and your apprentices will leave us. Never approach any of this Treasury. None will answer your call from this day forth. But still I ask that you can go safely beyond when your time comes.’ Fenj bent his head, averting his eyes from Nula and every other Dragon followed his example.
Nula gave a scream of fury and rose, her two followers hastily flying in her wake. She circled once, screamed again, then was gone.
Fenj raised his head. ‘I must know now who among you shares the Forsaken One’s views. It is true, a young two legged one locked eyes with Kija’s first born. I admit I was greatly surprised that it could happen at all, but I have witnessed the two together. I tell you the bond is true. However strange or difficult it may be for you to believe, as I confess it was for me, these two are of a great importance. So says the Golden Lady. There is much to do. They must learn together and faster than is usual for hatchlings. I will therefore ask any who are willing to help in this task. Do any dissent?’
A crimson Dragon called: ‘May we have a little time to consider these things Fenj?’
Fenj pondered. ‘You will all Gather again at moonrise to give me your true thoughts. Now, let us try to put these things aside for a short time whilst we give honest welcome to new hatchlings.’
Several Dragons flew into the space, with two or three youngsters close beside them. The adult Dragon called the names of each hatchling and each was warmly welcomed by the whole Treasury.
Last to descend was golden Kija with her four children. She called their names then she stood erect and called loudly: ‘Farn, my first born!’
The Dragons rustled their wings and looked about, until Fenj said quietly, ‘Here is Farn and his soul bond, Tika.’ He drew to one side and indicated that the pair should stand and go forward. Farn’s eyes were sparkling as he looked down at his mother. Tika stood with her hand lightly resting at the base of h
is neck and looked at Kija also. She felt Kija’s enormous relief as the Dragon saw that neither of them had been physically damaged at least. This time, the inspection by so many pairs of faceted eyes did not cause Tika to cower back. Rather she stood relaxed beside Farn.
The Dragons below began to move. Small groups formed, joined others, split off again. Clearly there was a great deal of discussion going on. But Farn was telling her to climb on his back, quickly. Tika did so and before she was really settled, he was in the air, gliding down to Kija. He wilted slightly under Kija’s intense stare but finally Kija spoke to both of them: ‘You seem to have dealt with these terrible events quite well.’
Tika interrupted to say Fenj and Kadi had both helped Farn. Kija’s eyes burned into Tika’s. ‘Farn, go with your brother and sisters while I speak privately with Tika.’
The five hatchlings, all shades of blue but for one creamy little female, flew from rock to rock in a game of chase. ‘I would see what happened Tika if you please.’
Tika opened her mind and showed Kija just what had happened. Kija wept and Tika hugged her as she had Kadi. ‘She said you were her clan sister. Fenj said Farn and I did the correct things when she died.’
Kija shuddered.
‘We all knew that Nula was embittered, verging on madness some of us feared, but that she would do this -. Enough. We must speak quickly of other things. What did Fenj mean about the Golden Lady?’
‘I don’t know. He hadn’t mentioned her to us. Who is she Kija?’
‘She is the One who speaks to all who listen. No doubt Fenj will tell us more at tonight’s Gathering. Now, what of Farn? There is a fragile place within him still despite the healing he has received.’
‘Well,’ Tika frowned. ‘We were both upset and frightened, but he seemed worse than I did. I know Krea was his family, but I’m not sure – I thought perhaps he took it all so badly because he is still so very young.’
Kija was watching Farn and his siblings as they came back across the open space.
‘I felt it was intended, that you should bond with Farn and it now seems Fenj knows more of this matter.’
By now, Farn had left the other hatchlings and returned to Tika’s side. His sapphire eyes flashed as he asked: ‘Has Tika told you what an excellent hunter I am Mother? And I’m just as good at making fire!’
Tika grinned at Kija’s rather startled expression. ‘I’m sure my son. But modesty is also a useful skill to learn.’ She turned, calling her other four children, and they rose up and over the circling ramparts.
Many of the Dragons approached Tika and Farn throughout the day, asking gentle questions, most of them tactfully avoiding the death of Krea. In the middle of the afternoon, Fenj called them to his cave. Neither of them noticed how many Dragons watched Tika slide easily across Farn’s back before he lifted them gracefully to Fenj’s cave.
Settled comfortably beside the black Dragon, they found meat had been put ready for them. As they ate Fenj told them: ‘The Golden Lady has spoken to me. She told me many things, which are hard for me to believe, but some I must tell the Gathering and a little more I must tell you two alone.
‘The balance of the world has – broken. The Lady Emla and the Grey Guardian between them maintain this world. Emla says a Balance weight has been lost, or stolen, and thus are things slipping awry. The Seasons are muddled already – I’m sure even the two legs have noticed that much.
‘Worse to me are the changes amongst we of the Treasuries. Barely a few Seasons ago, those such as the Forsaken would not have contemplated killing another of the Kin. We would have worked with them, seeking the mending of their spirits. I have news that such things are happening elsewhere in the world.’ Fenj paused. ‘The Golden Lady tells me that you Tika, are not the only one from outside the Dragon Kin to lock eyes with a hatchling and thus become bonded.’
Tika sat up abruptly. ‘Another child? Like me?’
‘No. Not like you. From what the Lady allowed me to see, I think it is a male Nagum, a two legs but not of your kind. He bonded with a female first born in a Treasury many leagues from here.’
As the moon cleared the high rim of the Gathering Place, it was again filled with Dragons. Fenj stayed on his ledge where all could see him. The leaders of the Families announced that after much discussion and thought, they were no nearer understanding what had happened than before. They all agreed however, that they would accept Fenj’s decisions, as had been their way for many generations past.
Fenj lowered his head for a moment then straightened and repeated parts of what he had already told Tika and Farn. ‘The Lady decrees that these two must be readied for a journey, as quickly as they are able. They must seek for something which has been lost, and on their success depends the continuity of our world.’
There was silence from the Gathered Dragons, then a great sigh came from them. One voice began softly to sing and gradually others joined in until a great pattern of song wove over them and on up to the night sky. It was a song of goodwill: praying the Golden Lady would grant courage and fortitude on two young travellers. Tika recognised her name and Farn’s in the repeating lines of song.
She glanced at Farn and saw with a shock that Fenj was limned with a nebulous golden glow sparkling back from his black body. The song changed to one of affection for the Golden Lady and the wish that she would continue her care of her Dragon children.
Tika did not remember anything more until she woke halfway through the next morning. She was alarmed to find herself alone, no Farn or Fenj. She hurried to look down from the cave to the Gathering Place. Very few Dragons were in sight. She called to Farn, afraid he had vanished with Kija and she was abandoned here.
A flurry of wings and a blue Dragon descended before her nose. Farn purred his odd laugh. ‘I thought you would never wake. I’ve been busy for ages.’
‘You had lots of sleep before we got here,’ retorted Tika, then instantly regretted her sharp words, Farn looked so dejected. ‘I’m sorry. I know it was a healing really – you couldn’t help but sleep.’
Farn cheered up. ‘I’ve been doing different kinds of flying Tika. It is strange flying over water you know. Kadi said tomorrow we will go high.’ He tilted his head back, blue silver eyes whirring as he gazed skywards. ‘What do you suppose clouds feel like?’ he wondered.
Dragons left the Gathering Place in their Families and Clans during the next few days. The Treasury lands spread for many hundreds of leagues around its central Place at Broken Mountain. This Treasury lived mainly amongst the high peaks and deep valleys within the vast range of the Ancient Mountains.
Farn worked hard under the tutelage of Kadi and of his father, the blue Dragon Jorab. He learnt quickly and Jorab told Fenj there was little more to teach the hatchling – stamina and endurance would improve as Farn grew. They must all remember he was still barely half-grown.
Kija and a crimson Dragon, Seti, worked with Tika. Two of Farn’s sisters, the cream coloured Jeela and the blue Shar, shared Tika’s instruction. It was quickly clear to Kija and Seti that Tika’s abilities were strong. She could soon mind speak over increasing distances and could hear just as well from afar. Usually, the Dragons told her, one could far speak well but the listening would be a weaker talent, or the other way about. Rarely were both equal in strength as with Tika. And Jeela was nearly as apt as Tika. Shar could far speak but could only hear from much shorter distances.
Seti taught them mind healing as well as taking them outside the Gathering Place to find plants and roots that could be used as medicines. Shar was the one who always found the required plant quickest.
In the ever earlier nightfalls, Fenj spent time with Farn and Tika, telling them all he could of the Golden Lady and reluctantly, of the Grey Guardian. He explained that between the two of them, harmony reigned in the world, each holding the other and so it must always be. Tika asked why the Lady had not suggested the Dragons destroy the Guardian so she could be solely in command of these Balancing Scales?
‘This Balance between the Lady and the Grey One is already failing. One of the weights in Her care has been lost and so the scales dip in the Grey One’s favour and we see already the consequences beginning.’
‘You mean Nula?’
Fenj hissed. ‘Her name is unspeakable, she is Forsaken.’ He calmed himself. ‘The Forsaken could have been healed but the sourness within her grew until it outbalanced the goodness in her spirit.
‘There was a time when she was the kindest of Dragons. She lost her first brood in a terrible ice storm. The storm came from nowhere while she was hunting and when she was able to reach her cave again, her three hatchlings were frozen in death. She sorrowed, but then appeared to be recovered. Her second brood died in their eggs – it sometimes happens so.
‘All the Treasury grieved for her in her losses but she had fosterlings and seemed content. Four Cold Seasons past, she did not arrive here at the Gather – Dragon Kin do not HAVE to Gather but most of us enjoy this time. It is when we renew old friendships and exchange news – a social time.
‘When the Forsaken came to the next Gathering, all remarked her changed. She told no one of her doings, kept aloof. And all noticed her manner of sneering criticism. Many Dragons avoided her company from that time – they told me she made them feel unsettled – and hatchlings were kept out of her way.’
Fenj fell silent and Tika and Farn waited patiently. Finally he shivered his wings and concluded: ‘Perhaps I should have challenged her, forced her to take healing. Perhaps Krea would live still but for my negligence.’
Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series Page 4