I will.
Mia lifted from the ground and headed for the front of the Guildhall. Wing beats from behind drew her attention. Tozi and Ikan and several other dragons were also coming. Mia grunted and hurried to the large plaza.
I found them flying about aimlessly and decided to assist them.
Mia landed to the side of the courtyard and watched Matlal as he spoke to Highest Mother Anaya.
We were not flying a–aimlessly. Atoc’s furled wings shifted on his back. We were searching for Anaya, Queen Anaya, and wanted to know how our mates—
A–Atoc! Tozi landed and bounded over to him.
Tozi! He turned and looked her over. Was the journey difficult? A–Are you well?
We are fine, Atoc. Highest Mother Anaya, our daughters, everyone in my new House has treated us very kindly.
Two dragons padded over from the others who had landed at the edge of the courtyard. Nenet and Chel. Each approached a different dragon and touched noses with them.
I am so sorry, Tozi. Atoc lowered his head. I–I should have left with you. But at least now I know that a House where you are not welcome is a House I do not wish to be a part of. I would join your new House with you.
The dragons with Nenet and Chel chirped in agreement.
Mia stared at Atoc. His words made her a little proud. And from what she could tell, their feelings matched their actions.
Ikan padded to her side. It seems other blood-fathers will be joining us along with yours. But what of that one? He pointed his nose. Do you sense the thoughts he tries to hide?
Mia glanced at the dragon. Younger than Atoc, but not the youngest of them, he stood a little apart from the others. His thoughts were filled with raising his standing in House Yaot by—
A spy? Rumbling, Mia took a step toward him. You intend to report on us to Ixtab?
I–I–I do not know w–what you mean. Gaze shifting from one to another of those around him, the dragon began trembling and backed away.
As Mia has brought it up, I will contend with you first. Highest Mother Anaya walked slowly toward him. While there is nothing wrong with attempting to better your life, doing so at the expense of your brothers and sisters is not acceptable. She stopped before him. Attempting to join our House under false pretenses is also not acceptable.
Though there was pity and sadness in her gaze, she made her position clear. You may rest before you begin your journey back to House Yaot.
Shaking even more, now, the dragon backed several steps away and, eyes on them all, sat down.
But what of the other one, the youngest? Mia turned to the fourth visitor. The black dragon could be Zolin’s younger blood-brother. This dragon was thinner, though, did not have a diamond shape under his chin, and he was completely black—no shading to gray at the extremities.
Searching her memories revealed that he was young, not quite two years of age. His blood-mother and blood-father were not among those who had so far left House Yaot. Why did he decide to leave? Though his thoughts were not filled with deceit, he was worried.
Highest Mother Anaya turned her back on the spying dragon and faced the others. Though you all did not directly speak of it, I assume the four of you wish to join House Mochyehua.
Atoc glanced at the two dragons with Nenet and Chel and chirped. I know that we do, Queen Anaya. Vo—
Q–Queen Anaya! The young dragon stepped toward her and prostrated himself, wings spread on the ground to his sides. I am embarrassed to say that I–I was one of those who came here with Queen Ixtab. If you can f–forgive me, if you would have me, I, too, would join your House.
Highest Mother Anaya tilted her head. Stand, young dragon.
His wings trembled as he hesitated.
Stand. Her firm voice brooked no further delay.
He rose to his legs, though his wings slumped slightly.
She chirped at him. What is your name?
V–Votan, Queen Anaya.
I understand why those three wish to join us, but tell me, why do you?
He could not seem to hold her gaze. He looked to the ground. B–Because you are beautiful.
Highest Mother Anaya blinked while surprise and a trace of embarrassment flowed out from her.
Y–You are nothing like Queen Ixtab. You are so strong, so fearless. You care deeply about your people. Your passion was clear to me that day. And then there were the others from your House. He looked at the surrounding dragons. They came to your defense instantly, without fear and without hesitation. I want to be able to love my queen like that. I–I want my queen to be one that deserves to be loved like that.
Votan turned to Highest Mother Anaya. M–May I join your House? Please?
Mia was astonished. Were those tears? She could not recall seeing any dragon here ever crying, though searching her memories, she did find a few occurrences in House Yaot.
Of course, you may, Votan. Highest Mother Anaya walked to him and touched her nose to his forehead.
Eyes wide, he stood completely still, even holding his wings motionless. Shock and surprise pulsed from the immobile dragon. Another strong feeling came from him, too. Devotion. That was the human word for it.
Highest Mother Anaya stepped back and tilted her head. I hope that I can live up to your flattery.
Votan shook himself and looked at her with a serious expression. Truth is truth, not flattery. His eyes grew wide again and he quickly added, H–Highest Mother.
So? What’s happening?
Mia grunted. She had forgotten about her bond-mate. One of those who came to join us was doing so to report to Ixtab. We did not accept him. Highest Mother Anaya gave him leave to rest before returning to House Yaot.
More than I would have done.
You and me both.
And the others?
Nenet’s mate, Chel’s mate, and my blood-father will join us, along with another. Balam should keep an eye on that one.
What do you mean?
Votan is smitten with the Highest Mother. Though, there is more to it than that. He feels a great deal of devotion as well.
I see. The Guildmaster will be happy and maybe a little panicked by this news. Oh, did you learn Tozi’s plans?
She said she would go with us, but now that Atoc is here, I wonder. Mia looked at Atoc and her blood-mother. The feeling from him was happiness. Thinking back on it, the reason he gave for coming was to see Tozi.
Mia turned to her blood-mother. Will Atoc come to the desert? Or will you instead remain here with him?
Tozi turned to her. He will join us!
Mia felt relief, which surprised her. Whether it was that Tozi was still going, or that her blood-father was, she could not say. She told Liara the news.
That is great! Having us together there is going to be wonderful.
Mia watched her blood-parents. Perhaps Liara had the right of it. Feeling their joy along with Ikan’s happy satisfaction lightened her heart.
The only question she now had was, where in the caves would their dens be?
+ + + + +
Cadoc stepped into the large room, but the conversation from the far worktable drew his gaze and made him pause.
“What happened to what was left of the cuprethene, yellow pitch, and the rest?” Tobin looked and sounded concerned.
The foreman shrugged at Tobin. “Dunno. Did something happen to it? Before he left earlier, Cadoc said he was going to take care of it—but not until he got back.”
“Hmm. I was going to start dividing it up so we could dispose of it in various places around the city, but I saw that a lot of what remained after we put together the last package a few days ago is missing.”
The foreman crossed his arms. “Well of course. It was used for the special package.”
Cadoc clenched his jaws and quietly backed out into the hallway.
“Special package?”
Cadoc scowled. Damn Tobin and his helpfulness! It had been a blessing but was now a curse. The responsibility of preparing the leftov
er compounds for disposal was his, not Tobin’s. If the man had only minded his own damn business this one time, Cadoc would have already taken care of things himself before Tobin had a chance to notice the discrepancy.
“Sure. Cadoc took everything earlier for final preparation after we got it all ready.”
Tobin grunted. “Is that so? And why did you call it special?”
“Different containers. Instead of the wood barrels we used in the others, this one, well, they were more like crates, I suppose? Rectangular wooden boxes enchanted to be leak-proof. And there were four of them, instead of three.”
“What in hells are they for?”
“You got me. Anyhow, it’s above my need to know. I just follow orders.”
“True enough. It’s not my concern, either. If they didn’t tell me about it, then it must be above my need to know as well.”
Cadoc pressed his lips together. With that look in his eyes, Tobin was not going to give up digging into it, despite his words.
“And let’s keep this conversation just between us, right? The higher-ups might not want us to be wondering what they’re up to.”
The foreman raised his brows. “What conversation?”
Tobin’s smile was grim. “Good man.”
Cadoc moved quietly into a side room and waited.
They were going to have to do something about this. What if Tobin balked at continuing the plan? If not for his upcoming part, the solution would be simple. Well, relatively so. Tobin had family. Family asked questions. Family—
Tobin’s footsteps approached, distracting him. As Cadoc silently waited for the man to leave, a potential solution came to him.
Chapter 24
Therday, Diamy 28, 1875.
Morning.
“I think I might vomit.”
Aeron paused in saddling Anaya and glanced at Gregor. The poor guy was paler than normal. He’s pretty nervous.
It is the day of the dragon show. Everyone is nervous.
He took a look about the entrance courtyard where the dragonlinked and their bond-mates were gathering before heading off to the show. Quick movements, little wrinkles between brows, and glazed looks on faces all pointed to Anaya being right.
“You’ll be fine, you big lout.” Fillion, at Gregor’s side, placed a hand on his boyfriend’s back and started rubbing gently. “You’re not even in the show, Kisa is.”
The dark gray dragon chirped at her bond-mate.
Gregor glanced at Kisa and twisted his lips. “I know. I just want everything to go well. Some of those at Caer Baronel for the festival have yet to see a dragon. And, my family is there. I don’t want anyone getting a bad impression of our bond-mates.”
Aeron turned back to Anaya. Maybe that was the cause of the unease he’d felt the last couple of days, too. Still, it wasn’t as if any of them had never flown before.
He examined the saddle strap once more and said, “We’ve all been practicing for weeks now.”
“Exactly,” Sharrah said. “My parents will be there, too, but as Aeron pointed out, everyone has been working hard.” She turned to Citlali and patted the young dragon’s head. “I think you will all do fine.”
“I don’t really care if there are mistakes or not,” Cheddar said, “as long as there are no injuries.”
Renata grunted and, with a quiet rumble, eyed Jessip.
The red-head chuckled then leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “I love you, too.”
“Nervousness is good,” Quillan said. “In the sense that it makes you go over things in your head to make sure you’ve not missed or forgotten anything.”
“Just don’t let it paralyze you,” Polandra amended.
Aeron nodded. That was true. He glanced at Liara. She and Mia stood beside Ikan and Polandra. The raven-haired girl seemed fine. Not much ruffled Liara’s feathers, that was certain. Not even stealing a kiss.
Xochi let out a confident bark. We will be fine. Dragons have strong wings, humans have strong hearts, and our spirits are one.
Indeed. Zolin barked in agreement.
Almost immediately, the other dragons added their own barks and chirps.
The nervous confidence felt good. Smiling, Aeron took another look around the courtyard. White hair caught his gaze. As Chanté and Nantli were not part of the show—likely due to initial shyness, Chanté had volunteered to ferry over those whose dragons were yet too young to carry them. Namely, Terry and Korrie, and Sharrah and Cheddar. Oh, and Quillan, too.
Aeron looked around for Elizabeth, the three of them were together often, but he failed to find her. Chanté and Nantli must have already flown her to Caer Baronel so that the injured young woman could secure a seat in the bleachers before it became too crowded.
Movement to the side drew his attention. Tenoch and Nelli stood two feet apart, facing each other. They unfurled their wings, spread them wide, then furled them, over and over. Terry and Korrie watched them with approving expressions.
Brows drawn together, Aeron wondered what they were doing.
“Stretching.” Willem, who’d leaned toward him, whispered more. “Probably a good thing. Limbers them up and gives them something to do aside from just being nervous.”
“Speaking of nerves,” Aeron whispered back, “how are you doing?”
Willem took a deep breath and let it out. “Anxious, but ready.” He smiled.
Aeron glanced at his watch. “Well, we’ve got another half hour before we need to head to our positions. Try to keep from panicking, too much.” He smiled and put an arm around Willem’s waist.
Willem chuckled. “Same to you.”
It is nearly time. Anaya stood. Chanté, you should start taking people to the field at the Caer. The beginning of the show draws near.
The white-haired boy nodded. “Yes, Highest Mother.” He began removing safety straps from out of Nantli’s saddle bags.
Aeron grunted. Good thinking, dear-heart.
Anaya chirped at him.
“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Terry said, crouched before his bond-mate. “I’ll be watching from the side of the field.” His eyes went flat briefly as he stood.
Tenoch raised up on his hind legs and chirped. I love you, too.
Terry, cheeks blazing crimson said, “Y–You didn’t have to say that in group.”
Korrie chuckled and bumped shoulders with him. “Not one of us doesn’t love our bond-mate. There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
“Might as well make fun of a dragonlinked for breathing,” Liara said with a smile.
Agreement came from all around.
Cheeks only a little less red, Terry tugged his left ear. “That’s true, I suppose.”
“Hurry it up, you two,” Aeron said. “Chanté and Nantli have three more to take after you.”
“Yes, sir.” Korrie patted Nelli on the head, grabbed Terry’s arm, and then they hurried over to Nantli and Chanté.
Aeron stared after them. Sir?
Humor came through the link.
He narrowed his eyes and looked at Anaya. Don’t you say a word . . . Highest Mother.
Her grunting laugh made him smile.
“As for the rest of us,” Willem said, “why don’t we do one more equipment inspection to ensure we haven’t forgotten anything.”
Nantli lifted off and winged it up to the portal Chanté had opened. The other end of the gateway was about five miles east of the Caer. Anchoring that end there should keep most people from noticing it. While it wasn’t an official mandate from the guild, they still wanted to keep knowledge of their use of gateways from spreading too far, too fast.
“The sign.” Gregor, sounding panicked, looked around. “Kisa, where’s the sign?”
You strapped it on my saddle. She sounded confused.
His frantic gaze flitted over her saddle and settled on the bundle in question. “Thank the gods.”
“I told you not to have that second mug of coffee.” Fillion scowled at Gregor. “It tends to put you on ed
ge.”
“Not to worry,” Cheddar said. He held up an item that looked suspiciously like the one on Kisa’s back. “I made a spare, so we’re good in any event.”
“Good thinking,” Polandra said, chuckling.
A quarter hour later, those to be ferried had been taken and all was set. Aeron took a breath and let it out. It was time for him to go.
“Alright,” he said, “Anaya’s going to drop me off by the horse and get to her position. The rest of you, don’t forget to get to your own positions.” He glanced at his watch. “The show starts in about a quarter hour. Give yourself plenty of time to get there.”
Indicative of their nervousness—or professionalism?—no one said a word, instead they all just nodded.
He tilted his head. Yeah. Professionalism. Putting words to deeds, he climbed into Anaya’s saddle. Have Itzel tell Millinith we’re on the way.
Done.
With that, Anaya crouched momentarily, legs tensed, then leapt into the air. Wings beating, she took them to the portal he’d opened above.
+ + + + +
Chanté glanced nervously about. The crowds were getting a little raucous. It seemed the people on the right, those sitting in the north seats, were having a cheering competition of sorts with those on the left in the south seats. The whoops and hollers being traded were making him nervous.
A yell from the right suddenly rose above the other noise. “We love dragons, yes we do. We love dragons, what say you!” A tall person—male from the sound of it—stood in the seats, arm stretched out, pointing to the south.
Not to be outdone, several on the left immediately took up the chant. “We love dragons, yes we do. We love dragons, what say you!” Quite a few more had answered the challenge than the lone speaker from the north.
The response was quick. Over half of the north crowd rose to their feet and repeated the chant.
Though it made him a little anxious to have this many people nearby yelling, they did seem to be having a good time of it.
My heart beats quickly.
Chanté glanced at Nantli. Sitting next to him, she was among a few other dragons in this area just beyond the east end of the large, oval track. Aeron had recently arrived and stood with Guildmaster Millinith and Itzel next to the track. Chel, Tozi, and Nenet were here, too, along with a few of the former Departed. Everyone sat, lay, or stood within this fenced-off area. All the bond-mates of the younger dragons were here, too, as were a few members of the Dragon Craft Guild who would assist with the show.
Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4 Page 78