Whirling in confusion, Hugh put the bracelet in his oversized pouch and left.
Next, he went to the library, took several original scrolls, and waved them before the wizened librarian’s, nose. The old man smiled benevolently and said, “If your need is so strong, so be it.”
“What if I just threw them on a fire?”
“Then knowledge would be lost.”
Grunting in frustration, Hugh stormed off. The rest of the day, he met with the same reactions! No one tried to stop him from taking what he wanted, though he clearly had no use for the things he stole and he never offered any service as payment.
Finally, as twilight approached, Hugh found a six-year-old girl playing alone near a gabled dwelling. By now his large pouch was stuffed full of goods. The girl had soft auburn hair and a joyous laugh. Clutched in her hand was a doll that she clearly loved. She spoke to it, played with it, and hugged it close.
Hugh snatched the doll away and waited. He knew it would only be a moment before the child started to wail. Her cries would bring someone to give him a merry chase. Instead, she looked at him with profound hurt in her eyes. His own shame caused him to give the toy back.
“Hello,” a deep, throaty voice called from the porch behind Hugh. He spun and saw a woman with reddish hair, soft, gray eyes, and a kind, forgiving smile.
The woman said, “I’m Dominique’s stepmother, Moira. Four mothers Irish.”
“You’re not the child’s mother?” Hugh asked.
“There was a terrible accident,” the woman explained. “Dominique’s mother was taken from us. That doll is all the child has as a remembrance.”
“You saw me take the doll?” Hugh asked.
“I did.”
“And you would have let me have it?”
“If you needed it that badly. If it meant that much to you.”
Hugh recoiled as if he had been struck. “Don’t any of you people understand? To my way of thinkin’, there’s only gettin’ away with somethin’ or bein’ punished for failin’ to cover your tracks.”
“Perhaps you need a new way of thinking.” The woman sighed. “I’ve heard you have a good heart and a keen eye for seeing around corners. That’s quite a gift.”
“I dunno,” Hugh said, confused. A part of him wanted the woman to scold him, to tell him he was a worthless wretch, but she did not.
She smiled. “There must be a goodness just waiting to blossom within you. If not, you wouldn’t have protected the boy on the ship, and the dolphins wouldn’t have saved both your lives. Would you like to come in and talk for a time? My friend Allyshar, an Ornithomimus, is cooking a fine broth. I’m sure you can smell it. Will you?”
Hugh was torn. Even Dominique, the gentle child, welcomed him to stay.
Offering an apology, Hugh hefted his sack and left the gabled dwelling. On the way home, he returned much of what he had stolen and vowed to spend the next day giving back the rest.
He could no longer deny the facts. The goodwill of the Dinotopians was not a trick. Suddenly he understood. Their society had a nobility and strength worth more than any physical object.
Nevertheless, this knowledge did not cheer Hugh. If anything, it made him feel worse. He wasn’t worthy to live among these people.
Hugh entered the room he shared with Raymond quite late. He fumbled around in the darkness until he could light a lamp. Then he dumped the scroll into a metal bucket and started a small fire inside it.
Raymond woke to see Hugh staring silently down at the flames. In the dim light, Raymond blinked in surprise. He would swear he saw his friend brush quickly at a wet droplet that had slipped down his cheek. No words were said.
Soon both lads were asleep. But several hours later, in the middle of the night, Hugh woke from a nightmare. In the dream, he was back in London, realizing he would never amount to anything.
Moving quietly, Hugh went to the worktable. He lit a single candle, took out a sheet of parchment, and recopied the formula for gold from memory. Then he hid the new parchment in his boot and blew out the candle.
He slept the rest of the night without dreams.
“Happy birthday, Raymond!” called a chorus of voices.
The newly turned fourteen-year-old smiled at his friends. He had not expected a party. Sollis had asked Raymond to look up a scroll at the library. When he returned, dozens of humans and Saurians were waiting in his quarters. Even Bix was there!
Raymond wished that his father could have lived to see this day. The elder Wilks would have loved Dinotopia. Raymond looked over at the only other survivor of the prison ship Redemption.
Hugh O’Donovan was somewhat changed since the night he lost his wager with Raymond. He studied without complaining. He was gracious and kind, and he did what was expected of him. His speech and grammar even improved, becoming a shade more proper.
But the fire that had been in Hugh’s eyes was now dimmed. Raymond knew why. Hugh still didn’t believe that he belonged on Dinotopia.
The party was a great success. The guests ate and played games. Raymond received many presents, but it was not until the festivities were over that he was given the gift that meant the most to him.
Only Bix, Sollis, and Hugh remained with Raymond. Bix said, “Because of your overwhelming progress in your studies and the great interest you have expressed in the Skybaxes, Sollis and I have arranged for you to visit Skybax Camp for three weeks. There you will be given basic instruction in the way of the Skybax and will even be taken on a short ride by a seasoned Skybax.”
Raymond was overwhelmed. Though his solitary and brief encounter with the wounded Skybax was now firmly in the past, the memory of that event still burned inside of him. He was fascinated by the winged creatures and could think of no greater delight than spending time learning how to ride one of them.
“Father and I went on a balloon ride once,” Raymond said, the words tumbling forth. “I’d love to go!”
Raymond’s upbeat mood faded somewhat when Bix did not make the same offer to Hugh.
“It’s all right,” Hugh said, the glimmer of expectation leaving his dark eyes. “You know the sight of those winged blighters turns me into a bleedin’ git! You go. I’ll be fine.”
Raymond shook his head and put his hand on Bix’s flank. “I’m not going without Hugh.”
“Hugh may accompany you, but he is too old to be trained as a Skybax Rider.”
“I’ll sweep out the dung,” Hugh said with a passion that surprised everyone. “Take care of the stables or whatever they have.”
“Hmmmm,” Sollis said. “What you describe is a time-honored and special task. Many great responsibilities go along with such an undertaking.”
“I know I haven’t done much to deserve the faith you’ve shown in me,” Hugh said, “but I’d like to be with my friend. I’ll work hard. You know I will!”
“Then come you may,” Bix said. “This might be exactly what both of you need!”
Hugh smiled. “As Laegreffon might have said, ‘Words of gratitude fail me. Better to make you proud with my deeds.’”
Sollis beamed at Hugh. “I know how hard it’s been. I’m so proud of all you’ve achieved.”
Hugh hesitated as unexpected feelings overwhelmed him. For the first time in his life, someone was actually proud of him.
“By the heavens,” Raymond said. “I think you’ve left him speechless!”
Later that night, after Raymond had gone to sleep, Hugh stared at the formula for gold he had recopied.
He walked slowly across the room to a blazing candle. A basin was close by. All he had to do was set the parchment on fire and forget about it. Then he could get on with his life.
He picked up the candle, then stopped. He could not do it! Instead, with a ragged sigh, he leaned in and blew out the flame.
CHAPTER 9
On the day Raymond and Hugh arrived at Skybax Camp, they took in the sights and sounds of a colorful celebration. The camp was indeed the marvel Raymond had i
magined, even though it was located far from Canyon City.
Canyon City was the islands center of all Skybax Rider training. Raymond had been told of its amazing vistas. It was said to be carved out of the stone canyon walls, and its people lived among the clouds.
Here at Skybax Camp, riders did not fly from high stone ledges. Instead, they leaped from carefully crafted man- and dinosaur-made platforms. Some of these high, brilliantly colored platforms were even built to look like various dinosaurs.
The sky above the camp was clear and blue. It was easy to spot the half-dozen Skybaxes circling and performing tricks with their riders.
Raymond took in his new surroundings with excited interest. The camp was divided into three color-coded training areas and a central fairgrounds, where Raymond and Hugh had been all morning.
Each week new inductees were welcomed to the red, or novice, area with a splendid celebration. The Dinotopians prided themselves on their finely developed sense of pageantry. Even the students who had progressed into the yellow and blue areas and had seen this same celebration two and three times were looking up at the sky in delight.
Above Raymond now were two Skybax Riders involved in a friendly contest known as Air Jousting. Two lightly armored opponents went after each other like ancient knights. The spears they used for jousting were actually long sticks with heavy padding on one end. They called them thump-dumpers.
The crowd cheered as the warriors made another run. This time, one of the riders was dismounted. The crowd gasped as the rider plummeted to earth! Then his parachute opened and the riders sharp descent slowed.
The fairgrounds looked to Raymond like a life-size kaleidoscope! Everywhere Raymond looked, he saw a mad joyous swirl of bright activities: the four-tiered tent awnings, the brilliant costumes of inductees and riders, and the naturally dazzling colorings of the many dinosaurs visiting the camp.
Diving just over the heads of the crowd was a pair of Skybaxes and riders made up like court jesters. Raymond and Hugh laughed when one came close enough to knock the hat from the head of a man standing near them. Next came a stunning air ballet by two more Skybaxes and riders. A small band on the ground provided the sprightly music.
Before it was finished, Raymond felt hands on him. He was too relaxed to be starded or to offer much resistance as he found himself hoisted up to ride one of the long-neck dinosaurs attending the celebration.
“Hugh!” Raymond cried, gesturing for his friend to join him.
“Not for me, I’m afraid,” Hugh said with a laugh. The older boys gaze drifted to the golden ridges of mountains in the far distance. Something was coming from that direction—another Skybax. Odd. He had been told there would be only six Skybaxes present, no more. Apparently, this was a surprise guest.
As the Skybax flew closer, Hugh felt his heart sink. He recognized the creature quickly coming toward the crowd, and he tried to shout a warning. But few paid any attention.
The incoming Skybax forced an ear-piercing cry to rip from its throat. The sound tore through the noise of the celebration, and heads turned to see what was happening.
It was the same burned and wounded Skybax who had attacked the ships in the harbor at Waterfall City. He seemed to be flying in now for a repeat performance here!
The wounded Skybax careened toward another Skybax and rider, sweeping the rider off with its wing. The woman dropped a dozen feet onto a soft patch of earth and quickly rebounded.
With a terrible screech, the rampaging Skybax ripped through a tent awning. It then dropped even lower to slice a wide path through the frightened crowd. There was no question in anyone’s mind: this was not part of the celebration! The wounded Skybax seemed quite crazed, and people began to flee the area.
Still riding astride the long-neck dinosaur, Raymond turned and saw the wounded Skybax. The creature flew straight at him, but Raymond did not feel the slightest fear. Their gazes locked, and suddenly the wounded Skybax veered off. He climbed higher and higher, gaining speed and altitude until finally he became a mere speck in the vast blue sky.
At the edge of the crowd, Hugh was no longer staring at the Skybax. His gaze was fixed on his friend.
Raymond’s expression was tense with a strange kind of longing. Hugh could see that this creature was somehow important to Raymond—maybe more important than Hugh.
The thought was unsettling for Hugh. Very unsettling, at that.
The next day Raymond began his training. He was unaccustomed to the harsh physical demands at Skybax Camp, but he quickly adjusted.
He’d already spent months trying to forget the trauma on the Redemption by immersing himself in his studies. Now he was grateful for the relief and release he found through pure physical exercise.
His instructor, Hikaro, who was five mothers Japanese, urged his students to find something within themselves he called Heiki, or tranquillity. The best way to do that, he said, was by putting the body to work when the mind was tired or troubled.
Many of the students found the notion absurd, but they quickly came to realize their instructor knew best. That night, Raymond slept better than he had since he and his father left England. There were no nightmares, only a gentle dream of flying.
On the second day, Raymond felt ready to learn more about the ways of the Skybax Rider.
“Tszri-Ai,” Hikaro said. “That means balance. Balance is everything.”
Today the instructor was accompanied by two Saurians. The two wore emblems on their costumes—a Skybax in silhouette with a single raised wing—to denote their rank as assistants to the instructor. They led the children to a room containing a large, long board and several practice mats.
Hikaro ordered his students to watch as he lay facedown on the board. The dinosaurs gripped either side of the board and lifted Hikaro into the air. They jostled him, doing their best to overturn him or force him to slide off.
The lithe, black-haired man remained on the board without ever using his hands to grip the edges. Finally, Hikaro drew his feet up under his body and balanced only on his knees while the dinosaurs violently shook the board and did their best to uproot him.
When the display was over, Hikaro stood and pointed at Raymond. “Your turn!”
Raymond’s heart thundered as he lay down on the board. The assistants lifted him up, but they were easy on him. He lasted fifteen seconds before he slid. Instead of gripping with his hands, Raymond allowed himself to fall. Hikaro complimented him.
Once the other students had their turn, they were all led to another room. This one contained an odd contraption that looked like a wooden shower. It was enclosed on three sides with a complex rigging hanging above. A harness dangled from the strange roof. Pulleys and levers were visible on the sides.
This time, another student was chosen to go first. Raymond watched as the other boy was secured in the harness.
“Again, as on the board,” Hikaro told the students, “you may not use your hands to grip.” Hikaro smiled. “All must be achieved through the distribution of your weight.”
The Saurians went to work on the controls at the side of the booth. Suddenly the floor began to rise and tip beneath the lad in the harness, hurling him this way and that. Within a few seconds he was gripping the harness, trying to fight off dizziness. Hikaro expressed mild disappointment, then welcomed the next student.
When the long day was over, Raymond was allowed a bath before returning to his dormitory. Bix caught up with him before he could reach the red building.
Night was approaching, and the sky was streaked with amber, blue, and green. The same colors as the wounded Skybax, thought Raymond.
He turned to Bix and said, “I want to ask you about that Skybax. The one that tried to ruin the celebration two days ago…the same one we saw in Waterfall City—”
“A sad creature,” Bix said.
“Why does he behave like that? What’s wrong with him?”
Bix sighed. “His name is Windchaser. He and his rider were once highly regarde
d on Dinotopia. They found a child who had run off and become lost, a child that might have died if not for them. Later, they were messengers, always dependable. Later still, they showed their valor by risking their lives again and again to save others.”
“What happened?”
“There was a fire. Windchaser’s rider—his name was Daniel—was trapped in a burning building. Windchaser tried to rescue Daniel, but there was no hope.”
“So that’s how his wings were burned,” Raymond said, “and why he doesn’t fly so well all the time.”
“Yes, but he might have recovered from his injuries had he received treatment in time. There are special Dinotopian herbs and salves that would have lessened the damage done by the burns. He refused to allow anyone near him.”
“Why?” Raymond asked, his worry mounting. “I mean, I know a Skybax and his rider are close, but someone else could have ridden him—”
“The bond between a Skybax and his rider is the commitment of a lifetime. Windchaser blames himself for Daniel’s death, or so we all believe. He will allow no other rider to approach him.”
“So, he’s been acting this way for some time.”
“Oh, yes! The Skybax is depressed over his fate. He often becomes quite surly.”
“What else does he do?”
Bix sighed. “Windchaser interrupts training sessions with other Skybaxes and their riders. He makes mischief. Sometimes he seems to get pleasure only from making others miserable. Even if he regained full flight, no rider would ever trust him.”
No rider but me, Raymond thought. “Tell me. If I wanted to find Windchaser, where would I go?”
Bix hesitated, then told him.
That evening, Hugh threw himself down in a huff upon the bunk next to Raymond’s.
“What’s wrong?” asked Raymond.
“Oh, nothing really,” Hugh groused. “It’s just that nothing is simple to these people. There’s a ceremony for this, a ritual for that, a time and place for everything. You don’t want to know what goes into actually bathing a Skybax. I mean, you have to sing a song, like some rotter on the stage. Amazin’, I tell you. The worst thing is, I’m starting to like it!”
Dinotopia: Windchaser Page 5