The quiet and somber feeling of it all made Quillan whisper. “Did you know it was a nahual-ton?”
Chanté glanced at him. “A what?”
“An invisible nahual.”
“I did not.” Chanté looked concerned. “Those things have gotten distressingly more common.”
Quillan stared at Chanté. He knew about this frightening variation of the beasts?
Deep rumbling drew his gaze to the night sky. Here and there a bank of clouds would flicker brightly for a moment from lightning deep within, then go dark.
Damn. Hopefully it wouldn’t rain. He looked back at Chanté. “So, you know of nahual-ton?”
“They’re one of the reasons I felt dragonlinked needed to move faster.”
“Move faster?”
“I have been, ah, following the progress of dragonlinked. With news of nahual-ton, I became worried at the low number of dragonlinked. I want them to do well, you see, because I’m a bit of a dragon fanatic.”
Quillan chuckled. “Lucky you, then, to be bonded to one now.”
Chanté glanced back at Nantli, who followed along behind. “Lucky, indeed.” The rare smile was warm.
The sound of dragon wings beating—a lot of them—came from ahead. Just past the top of the small rise they climbed, Quillan saw several dragons hovering high above the ground, their darker silhouettes barely visible against the cloudy night sky.
Gregor stopped walking and turned to everyone.
A boy raised his mostly-shielded lantern and Gregor performed some kind of hand signals in its light, which almost everyone else seemed to understand. The group separated, some moving left and some right, creating a large semi-circle of people moving forward.
Quillan wasn’t sure who to go with, so decided to just keep with Gregor and his bond-mate. Chanté and Nantli followed.
They reached the top of the rise. There was a relatively flat area beyond, bordered on the left by a steeply rising hillside and on the back and right by deep woods.
“There it is.” Chanté stared ahead and then frowned. “How odd, this fear and hate I have for it.”
Quillan looked, but saw only an empty field. It was definitely invisible. “Why odd?”
“I’ve never seen one as a . . . well, in person, and yet I have this almost instinctive loathing for it. I can feel that it is evil.”
Quillan stared at the dark clearing where the partial circle of people was converging. “What does it look like?”
“It gives off a soft glow, and you can see through it. The Bond creates a link between dragon and human and it also allows them both to sense the specific sorcery that is an inherent part of those beasts. That is the nahual-sense you often hear mention of. Apparently, it serendipitously also allows us to ‘see’ nahual-ton, which are invisible to everyone else.”
Quillan glanced at him. “You certainly know a lot about dragons.”
Chanté’s lips curved in a small smile. “I have been a dragon fanatic for quite some time.”
Beyond the trees, in the clear space, five glows appeared, floating dozens of feet above the ground.
A loud hiss came from the emptiness ahead. It sounded angry.
Jessip walked into the clearing from the right. A large black dragon walked with him. They made their way toward the place where the hiss had come from.
Quillan glanced up, but the dragons had all landed without him noticing.
Movement from the right drew his gaze. Renata walked toward Jessip, but stopped several yards back. What must be her dragon was at her side—dark red, nearly black, in the gloom.
“You don’t want to wait too long to dispatch one,” Jessip said so all could hear. He spun his bo and moved sideways, to his left, circling the unseen creature. With a quiet rumble, his dragon circled right.
“I’m going to try—” Jessip grunted and a hiss soon followed. “Well, that didn’t last long.”
Quillan frowned and looked around the empty clearing. He couldn’t see what the thing was doing.
“Look out!” “It’s attacking!”
Several voices called out warnings.
Counter to what Quillan had expected, Jessip ran toward where the hiss had come from, bo at the ready.
Suddenly, Jessip slid away to his right, and swung. A loud thump and a grunt were heard and Quillan gasped along with a few others.
“I saw it!” He glanced at Chanté and back at Jessip. “When the bo connected, yellow light pulsed across the beast from the point of contact. It outlined most of the thing, briefly.”
Chanté grunted. “You were able to see that? Interesting.”
A loud crack of thunder and a flash of lightning made Quillan jump. Rain started falling. Light at first, then harder.
After a look about the ground, he turned his gaze on Jessip and frowned. The clearing was mostly soil. The rain was soon going to make footing very tricky for the young man.
Jessip was still moving. He occasionally grunted as he circled around the beast. Hisses, growls, and even angry screams came from the unseen creature.
“This thing is very good at countering,” Jessip said, sounding a little out of breath. “Because we have countered just as quickly, it has stopped trying to place its glamour on me.”
Jessip’s dragon roared.
“You just might get a chance, Zolin.” Jessip glanced around the clearing, seemingly looking something.
Subtle movement caught Quillan’s eye. The rain, in an area about twenty feet before Jessip, was hitting something. It must be the nahual-ton! Its outline was made somewhat visible by splashes of rain and water running down it, reflecting the light of the glows floating a dozen feet in the air.
Quillan pointed. “I can see it in the rain!”
“It’s true! There it is!”
The nahual-ton sprinted for Jessip.
“Look out!” Quillan shouted the warning along with others.
Jessip spun to face the beast, then he slid toward it. His forward motion hadn’t stopped before the thing leapt for him. With the slide still going, Jessip leaned very far backward and deflected a swinging claw of the beast with the bo, then he somehow whipped his right hand out in an arc. Light reflected from the edge of a blade, and then dark liquid splashed down, some of it hitting Jessip.
The nahual-ton screamed and tumbled to the ground.
Jessip was on it in an instant, bo arcing at its head. A loud crack, and the barely visible beast lay still. Jessip reached down, then, dagger in hand, and finished the job.
Within a few moments, the beast became completely visible.
At this distance, in the night and rain, even the glows didn’t illuminate it clearly enough to see much, but Quillan’s memory of Master Retter’s back yard filled in the horrible details. Skinny limbs, thin, dark fur, and a weirdly enormous mouth filled with large, sharp teeth.
Jessip turned to Zolin, who let out a short bark and padded over.
Fire burst from the dragon’s open jaws, bathing the dead nahual-ton in flame.
“You never know how skilled the nahual you fight will be.”
Quillan turned, brows raised. When had she arrived?
Guildmaster Millinith stared at the burning beast and let out a breath. “I had hoped for a longer respite. At any rate, as those of you who have yet to bond witnessed, nahual-ton are indeed invisible. Under normal circumstances, bond-mates are the only ones who can see them. Unfortunately, nahual-ton seem to be making more and more appearances, so demand for our help will likely grow. As such, we need every dragonlinked and dragon we can get. At the same time, we can ill afford to lose those we do have. So do not shirk your studies, lessons, or practice sessions. You never know what skills you will need in order to take down your opponent and survive an encounter.”
Quillan turned to Zolin, who ended the flames that had bathed the nahual-ton. Dragonlinked risked their lives every time they fought nahual. Chanté and Nantli would do so as well.
Glancing at the self-proclaimed dragon
fanatic, Quillan shivered. Whether it had been caused by worry or the cold night rain, he wasn’t sure.
+ + + + +
Her inspection walk from the front of the train toward the back had so far revealed everything to be in order. The sorcerers, quiet and somewhat aloof in their seats throughout the passenger cars, seemed rested and alert. The on-duty guards standing at their various posts in the train were a little too relaxed for her taste, though watchful enough for now. It wasn’t likely that they’d be needed for a while anyway.
The last three cars in the train were armored. The one where the cargo would be stored was the middle of the three, between the two weapon cars. In the first armored car, she inspected its large repeating crossbow. The lift mechanism that would raise the weapon up to and through the hatch got a look as well, as did the hatch itself.
The ether writer’s gentle vibration alerted her to an incoming message.
It seemed nothing out of the ordinary had been encountered by the caravan’s escort team since the last report. They were setting up camp for the night. Good.
She put the ’writer away. Everyone was on schedule, so the train should arrive at the station two days ahead of the caravan. That would give her team plenty of time to scout the area and lay detection wards. The more vulnerable times were during loading and unloading of the cargo. And at that station, far from anywhere, they’d be the most vulnerable. But she’d be ready.
She returned to inspecting the equipment, examining the quarrel magazines next. Each contained ten heavy bolts, or quarrels. The magazines were attached to the top of the large crossbows—small ballistae, truth be told—to be used by the automatic draw and load mechanism. Everything seemed fine, just like two nights ago, the last time she’d looked them over.
Once the inspection of the last car was complete, she walked out onto the little rear deck. She stared west at the receding tracks in calm contemplation for a while. The absolute silence, save the whisper of wind and the occasional creak from the structure of the levitated rail car, was soothing.
Ten minutes was all she allowed herself. She then returned inside and removed the compound bow from her back. This, too, would get a careful inspection. She examined each gear, the magically-enhanced string, and each of the similarly enhanced limbs. There was no such thing as being too prepared, she felt.
She started next on the arrows.
Chapter 5
Leday, Quartus 17, 1875.
Late Morning.
With a little smile, Polandra shook her head. Liara had stripped off her riding gear the moment they returned from breakfast and had yet to put anything else on. “You read over the nahual patrol recap that you brought with you?”
The half-naked girl nodded. “Yes. None of those encountered this past week did anything very interesting, though.” She looked over from the bed. “Did you? I told the Guildmaster both of us would read over the one report so I didn’t bring your copy with me.”
“I did.” Polandra nodded. “Was there anything you needed to do today?”
Liara sighed and rolled on her back. “No. I’d like to do some investigating, but there aren’t any leads to investigate, yet. Do you have anything you need to do?” She grabbed a pillow and tossed it toward the ceiling.
Polandra watched it rise. “Not until the afternoon.”
“Ooo!” Liara caught the pillow and clutched it to her chest. “Then show me somewhere new.”
Polandra frowned. The last time she’d showed Liara around Bataan-Mok, she’d taken her to the high gardens. What was left to be seen? “I think I’ve already taken you to every location of interest.”
“Well,” Liara said, tucking the pillow behind her head, “are there any places you go, even if they aren’t spectacular? Places you visit just because they’re special in one way or another?” She rolled over on her side and looked over.
Polandra stared back a moment. That girl, with no effort whatsoever, could make her heart race. She shook her head to clear it and leaned back in the chair. “Um. Special, huh? Actually, there is a place that’s pretty nice.”
“Show me!”
“Put on more than smallclothes first.”
“Aw, but riding gear is so hot here in the desert. How about swim shorts or something, instead?”
“No.” Polandra stood and walked to a wardrobe. Liara’s soft, pouty lips would not sway her in this matter. “You’re not walking around outside this room in any of that.”
“You wore less when you were a pesan.”
“That was different. Pesani were eight to eleven years old, usually. And they didn’t look—” She glanced behind at Liara, at her curves, and swallowed.
“Like me?” With a little wicked smile, Liara raised a brow.
Polandra chuckled. “Stop distracting me!” She grabbed the robe she was looking for and tossed it to Liara. “Here.”
“Ooo, this is a pretty color.”
Polandra smiled. “I thought you’d like it. I got you a few robes to wear when you aren’t flying.”
Liara slipped it on and admired herself in the mirror. “You really do know how to pick clothes for me.”
“Come. Let me show you that place I know.”
As they walked down the hallways, Liara kept glancing over.
Finally, Polandra looked sidelong at her. “What?”
“Why do you always wear a manis uniform when you’re out and about in Bataan-Mok? Wouldn’t robes be more comfortable?”
“They would, but because I’m helping with the transition, I want to maintain a look of authority when I’m about the place. Though the manisi are technically no more, the uniform still carries some weight.”
Liara smiled. “Always thinking ahead.” She reached over and clasped her hand.
They were still in the well-traveled parts of Bataan-Mok when a voice called out.
“Polandra!”
She hadn’t caught anger in the voice, only excitement, so she didn’t place her hand on the hilt of her dagger, she just turned along with Liara. It was no small comfort that angry voices were getting fewer and fewer.
Polandra raised her brows. “Stoltz?”
He smiled. “Hello.” A young boy stood at his side.
Liara stepped closer to the boy, leaned over with her hands on her knees, and smiled at him. “Is this your brother? He’s so cute!”
The boy blushed.
Stoltz laughed. “Yes, this is my brother. Say hello to the pretty girls, Benji.”
Benji looked down at his feet. “H–Hello.”
His shyness squeezed at Polandra’s heart.
Something strange happened to Liara’s expression, but it passed quickly.
Polandra drew her brows together. For a moment there, it had seemed as if Liara were about to cry.
Liara cleared her throat. “It is very nice to meet you, Benji.” She stood and returned to Polandra’s side.
Polandra wondered if she’d been mistaken, but when Liara reached over to hold hands again, her grip was very tight.
“Benji and my entire family were overjoyed with my return. I told them how well I was treated while staying with you and how you spread the false rumor to protect Benji. They are now staunch supporters of the Dragon Craft Guild. In fact, Benji here spends every chance he can in Dae—ah, in Dragon Square watching your dragon.” He nodded to Polandra.
“Aw, Stol, you didn’t have to tell ’em that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being awed by beauty,” Polandra said. “Would you like a closer look at Ikan?”
Benji’s head snapped up, his intense gaze focused on her. “Can I?”
She chuckled. “Of course. We have some spare time.”
Liara nodded. “You can meet my dragon, too.”
His eyes were like enormous onyx marbles. “You have a dragon, too?”
Liara smiled. “I do!”
There was a little backtracking involved, but they were in the square in less than ten minutes.
He is excite
d.
Typical draconic understatement. Polandra smiled, but forced herself not to laugh.
Eyes bright and gaze locked on Ikan, Benji bounced on his toes. His hands were clenched in tight little fists at his sides, as if he were afraid they might reach out of their own accord. “Is . . . is it okay if I pet you, Ikan?”
Though extreme humor came through the link, Ikan’s voice was calm. Certainly.
Thank you for not laughing at him.
That would be rude.
One more reason I love you, you big softy.
Benji reached forward and petted Ikan’s large, left foreleg.
Ikan lowered his head and turned it slightly.
With an enormous smile, Benji reached up and stroked his cheek. “Dragons are soft! I thought you would be hard or slick, like a beetle or a snake, but you feel almost like a horse’s lips. Not exactly that soft, but . . .” He continued to stroke Ikan’s cheek.
We are larger than horses. And . . . Ikan unfurled his enormous wings and held them aloft. Unlike horses, we can fly.
Benji, eyes wide, stared up at the huge wings. “Wow!”
Polandra smiled at her beloved bond-mate. Ikan had felt a little slighted being compared to a horse, but right now, only pride came through the link.
Benji turned to the other dragon in the square. “And what’s this one’s name?”
Liara leaned down a little. “Her name is Mia.”
Benji, eyes on Mia, nodded. “That’s a pretty name.”
Thank you.
“Oh, and you sound pretty, too!”
Mia let out a pleased rumble. You may pet me, if you wish.
Polandra chuckled, and Liara shook her head.
Ikan must have told Mia something, because she turned to him and let out a short bark. She then turned back to Benji and lowered her head. The boy was more than happy to stroke her cheek.
“We shouldn’t take any more of your time.” Stoltz glanced around at the edges of the square, where people had begun to gather and watch the goings on. He turned back to them. “Thank you for letting Benji meet your dragons.”
“Any time you want to visit Mia, Benji, just let me know.”
The boy nodded at Liara. “Thank you, I will!”
The two walked off, Benji still bouncing on his toes as he spoke excitedly with his brother.
Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4 Page 19