Elspeth held her breath and looked to her right. From where she sat, she could not see land, just the never-ending blue of the morning sky. Craning her neck, she looked behind, and beyond the beast’s long tail she could see the Karan Ridges dwindling in the distance. The dragon was flying very high.
The great beast settled and everyone in front relaxed. Some loosened their straps and began checking their belongings.
After a few minutes, Sergeant Haselan shouted, “Ten minutes until the next climb.”
Elka appeared to relax. She even smiled at Elspeth, a real smile. “The first few minutes are the worst. Well, that and landing. You can rest easy now.”
Elspeth had no idea how fast they were going. Loosening her strapping, she managed to peer over the side, but only for a second. Her heart thumped and she gulped hard, they were so high. Looking behind, it did not feel so bad, but looking down… The last dragon she rode on, the small one, flew barely thirty feet above the ground.
“Why so high?” she asked Elka.
“So he can glide,” she answered. “A dragon the size of Tulak can’t flap his wings for hours on end. He climbs for ten minutes and then glides half an hour, if the conditions are good.”
Elspeth did not want to ask if the conditions were good. The rickety frame of the cart shook, and the dark canvas roof flapped in the wind. She still didn’t know how fast they were travelling, but at this rate, they could probably reach Albergeddy by tomorrow. It was a sobering thought. She always imagined her home was safe from such things, being so far out of the way, but if this dragon could reach there in a day… “Nowhere is safe,” she whispered.
“What was that?” Elka asked, pulling the top off her water bottle.
“Oh, uh, nothing, it’s just… just…”
Elka laughed. “I know. Isn’t it amazing. You’ll get used to it.” Lifting up her water bottle, she nodded at Elspeth’s pack. “You should drink; this wind can dry you out. And keep the shawl wrapped around your head; it's not good for the ears, either.”
Elspeth nodded and couldn’t help a smile. Why was the woman so kind? She took Elka’s advice, tied the shawl under her chin, and took a drink of water.
“Don’t worry about your food just yet. We’ll be landing in a few hours.”
“A few hours? How—”
“We are making a stop halfway, by a stream next to a hill. They don’t want to tire Tulak before we hit the open water.”
Elspeth paused half way to putting her water bottle down. Resting made sense, but why was the woman telling her? It was a strange way to behave towards a prisoner; letting her walk free, feeding her, giving her clothes, showing her their plans. If Elspeth did not know better, she might think they were trying to make friends, but why?
The hours passed, and they did stop for a rest. Landing was almost as bad as taking off; Elspeth very nearly lost every meal she had ever eaten. They stayed by the stream for a while, and even Vila spoke to her, telling her that she had nothing to fear, and she would be brought home safely. They had food, mostly cold meats and cheese. The cook – he was a cook, Vila’s personal cook – gave her a cake that made her jaw ache it was so sweet. No wonder he called it a “tart.”
The second half of the trip was much the same as the first. Although taking off was a little more effort for the dragon; there wasn’t much of a cliff for Tulak to jump off. Elspeth might have been glad of that, but the extra running the dragon had to do nearly shook her teeth out of her mouth. A few hours later, and they landed at the northern camp, a place called the Amlin Valley.
The first thing Elspeth noticed about the valley was how dark it was. Not just the ground, every blade of grass was gone, trampled into a dark muddy field. The rocks and cliffs were almost black, too. It was a cold place, despite the heat of the mid-afternoon sun, desolate and foreign. It reminded her of the Karan lowlands, only this place was closed in, like a bowl full of doom. There would be no escaping from here.
The next thing she noticed was the dragons. Three more of the beasts lounged around in the centre of the valley: two of the big green ones and a slightly smaller orange dragon. Vila pointed at them and smiled. How many more dragons were there?
They landed close to a camp, the only place where there was still activity. Once Vila climbed down, Elka led Elspeth to one of the tents.
“We can rest here,” the older woman said, dropping her pack on one of the four narrow cots. “We won’t be travelling any further today.”
The tent was sparsely furnished, but the bed looked comfortable enough. A lamp strung on the centre post gave enough light, and next to Elspeth’s bed there was a stand with a water bowl and pitcher. Elspeth dropped her pack and sat on the bed by the left wall.
“Yes, you should rest a while,” Elka told her. “There isn’t much to do, and dinner won’t be for a few hours.”
Elspeth lay back and stared at the ceiling. Like Elka’s tent back in the valley, sunlight leaked through a thin slit in the fabric. A whole day riding on the back of a dragon, and she felt as if she was back where they had started. How far had they come? A hundred leagues… two, and to a valley surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs. If she were going to escape, then tonight would be her only opportunity. But where could she go? She didn’t even know how to get out of the valley, never mind where she was, or how far she had to travel before crossing back into Aleras.
Sighing, she closed her eyes.
* * *
“Wake up!”
Elspeth started.
Elka was shaking her shoulder.
It took a few moments for Elspeth to remember where she was. “What… Where… What time is it?”
Elka smiled. “You slept for two hours, girl. Come on, Vila wants you in her tent.”
“Vila? Why?”
Elka shrugged. “It’s not my business to ask such things, girl, but as far as I know, you have been invited to dinner.”
Somehow, Elspeth didn’t think that food was the only reason for her summons.
CHAPTER 9
On Broken Glass
Elspeth followed Elka along the cliff path. It was still daylight, but only just. The cliffs and ridges surrounding the Amlin Valley cast long shadows and darkened an otherwise clear evening. The path was narrow, but not too steep. Someone had carved steps out of the black gravel, making it easy to walk, even in her soft-soled boots. At the first turn, she looked back over the valley…
The dragons were still there. Elka told her they would be flying tonight. That was good. With the dragons gone, there would few less people to keep an eye out, to notice her slipping away – if she could slip away. From where she stood, though, only the trail leading east seemed within reach, and that led down to the beach. Swimming wasn’t Elspeth’s strong suit, but maybe she could shimmy around the cliff. They wouldn’t be able to track her over the rocks, and if she caught the tide just right…
“Come, girl. You don’t want to keep Madam Slae waiting,” Elka said over her shoulder. She was already past the next turn, halfway to Vila’s tent.
“Sorry,” Elspeth said. Then wondered what she had to feel sorry for; it wasn’t as if she agreed to this dinner. Glancing back at the cliff, she felt like running now. Nobody was watching, except Elka, and maybe she could hide in a cave; it was getting dark. If they caught her, what would be the worst they could do? A vision of the lungworm flashed through her mind. Yes, better to wait until after dark.
Despite herself, she picked up her step and hurried along, all the while checking the western ridges for any gaps. There wasn’t any that she could see, just a solid wall of black, rising up like the teeth of a saw.
They rounded the next bend and came up behind Vila’s tent. It was pitched on a rock shelf a good ten spans up from the valley floor. Doubtless so the woman could keep her eye on all the goings-on. A guard stood at the top of the path, and the two that had travelled from Aleras with them were outside Vila’s tent. Elka motioned her to wait and then went inside.
Now that she was up high, Elspeth took the opportunity to have a good look at the beach. She could see the southern edge of the bay, disappearing around a jagged cliff. The tide was out – vast pools of water sparkled amongst the rocks west of the breakers. Two hours, maybe three, before the tide comes back in, she thought. That’s if this place is anything like Beugeddy. She had to admit she was guessing.
A hand touched her arm, and she flinched. “You can go in now, child,” Elka said.
The tent appeared much the same as the one Vila had used in the Tunnels of Aldregair. Well, the same size, at least. The bed was better. Bigger, with a thicker mattress, and unlike the flimsy table and stand, the furniture here was all solid wood. There was even a tapestry hanging on the back wall: a picture of dragons. Four lamps, hanging by brass chains, lit the tent in a warm glow.
Vila was standing in front of the tapestry. She was dressed in dark green silk, and her hair had been braided. She wore a simple opal necklace, and dark paint had been applied to her eyelashes. The paint made her already dark eyes even darker. Elspeth had to admit the woman looked very attractive. How she had managed it while camped on the side of cliff in the middle of nowhere was a mystery – and would stay one; Elspeth wasn’t about to start discussing beauty tips with the woman. Without a word, Vila waved her towards the table.
A serving girl, the tall one who had brought Vila’s clothes, pulled out a chair for her to sit on. Elka pulled Vila’s larger chair out. For a moment, Elspeth wondered who was supposed to sit first, until Elka nodded at her chair. Sitting down, she pulled the chair under and waited, hands folded on her lap. It was all very formal, like when her family had visited the magistrate in Beugeddy.
“I thought we might talk,” Vila said. She sat – no, glided – into the chair opposite. “It’s time you learned a few things, Elspeth. Time your eyes were opened to what is really happening.”
Without asking, the serving girl placed a bowl of soup in front of Elspeth. It was red and smelled strongly of spices she didn’t recognise. Elspeth thought her eyes were going to water. Vila took a long sniff at hers and then smiled at the man standing in the corner. The cook, Elspeth assumed.
“I do like yannot,” Vila said. Picking up her spoon, she tasted the soup. Then raising her spoon, and with eyes closed, she hummed, “Delightful, Strob; just the right amount of pepper.”
Elspeth didn’t know if the cook's name was “Strob,” or if that was what they called the soup. Despite her situation, she had to bite her lip to stop herself laughing out loud. She tried some soup. “Tomatoes,” she whispered, her spoon still held to her mouth. All that fuss over tomato soup. Still, it was very tasty. She nodded at Strob – if that was his name. Vila smiled. Let her think I like it. What am I doing here?
For ten minutes, Vila asked about Albergeddy and Ealdihain – nothing important, nothing that hinted at any plans, invasion or otherwise. Elspeth got the impression the woman was trying to be… sociable. She even asked about men, and if Elspeth had anyone special back home. The woman appeared pleased when she said she didn’t. Very pleased… which was odd.
“Men, they tangle the minds as easily as breathing. The only thing they are good for is taking the blame,” Vila said, laughing.
Elspeth forced herself to smile. Elka shuffled her feet, and the other serving girl dipped her head. She looked embarrassed. No, not embarrassed; she looked like it was a very good joke, only Elspeth couldn’t see the punch line.
After the soup, Elka brought the main course. It looked like chicken. While she served, Vila asked Elspeth if she had any questions.
Do I have any questions?! Why am I here? Why are you doing this? What do you hope to gain…? “Is that chicken?”
Vila laughed. “Yes, it is chicken.”
The woman shook her head slowly and smiled. “I have told you, you will not be harmed, Elspeth. That is the truth. You have no reason to fear me. I am not your enemy.”
Elspeth couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. “Then why are you invading my home?” She wished she could have the words back as soon as they left her mouth.
Vila just stared for a while. She didn’t look angry, but her eyes spoke of a woman calculating her answer. “I do what is necessary for the good of all, Elspeth. We are on a dangerous road, all of us, and if we don’t prepare for the future, none of us will have one.”
“And how does attacking Aleras help prepare us?” Again, Elspeth bit her lip. Was she asking for trouble? The urge to agree with everything the woman said, and just get this charade over with, was strong, but she could not just leave it alone, despite knowing her questions would probably land her in hot water. “If there’s trouble coming, would it not be better to work with us, instead of fighting?”
Vila laughed. “You’re a clever girl, Elspeth, but you have lived too long in the wilderness. Your king won’t listen to reason. He will never admit the truth, even though I’m sure he knows what’s coming.” Vila took the plate from Elka and began eating. “‘Better to work together,’” Vila said to herself as she stared at her wine. After a moment, she continued, “As sincere as your leaders may seem, they are all selfish cowards, concerned only with their trinkets and treasure, anxious to keep the workers in their places so the nobles can continue to carve out ever larger slices of land between them. It’s all they live for. In the years to come, maybe sooner than we all think, we must all join, stand as one against an enemy that would surely crush us otherwise. Do you want some bread?”
Elspeth started. What is she talking about? “Uh, yes, thank you.” The tall maid – her maid, by the way she acted – darted forward and proffered a plate of still-warm bread. Elspeth took a piece and smiled. The maid bobbed a curtsy and smiled back.
Tapping her fork on the side of her plate, Vila gave the maid an irritated look. Then, “There should be no division of class; there cannot be, not if we are to trust every man and woman to do their part. Class means some remain safe in their castles and estates while others see their children sent off to die. Why should a farmer die, while the man who owns his land sits safely on his throne? Why should a blacksmith go to work with the army, while the rich merchant sells silk a hundred leagues from the frontline? We are all the same, are we not? Surabhan, Salrian, Eurmacian, Eirasian; why should the luck of our birth decide who prospers and who dies?”
Elspeth took a sip from her goblet. Still unsure what the woman was talking about, she said, “But there must be a distinction. Not every man can lead, and not every leader is dishonest.”
Vila’s brow rose and she nodded approvingly. “I see you have had some teaching in matters of politics and social harmony.”
Elspeth tried not to look pleased with the woman’s comment. “My father is an emissary. I hear a lot of talk. He is a good man, mostly. The point is, he does a good job. The village, Albergeddy, would fall apart if every man fought for his own ends. Someone has to lead.”
“You father is a local emissary, Elspeth. I am not talking about good men who work neck-deep in the dirt with their fellows. I am talking about those who think themselves detached, better, simply because they were born under a rich roof. You father’s work enhances the community; his role is important for the greater good, and if he benefits a little from that extra responsibility… Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying everyone should be the same, but your leaders, the nobles and the Royal Court, do nothing but leech off your people.”
“Is that why you are doing all this?” Elspeth asked. “You want to give the land back to the people. They tried that three hundred years ago, and everyone ended up fighting each other, calling themselves king of their own backyard, attacking neighbours so that they might expand their own prospects. People are greedy! And folk like the nobles, because nobles are rich, and if they work hard, and make enough money, then maybe they can afford to become nobles themselves.”
Vila face reddened with what must have been annoyance. It was clear to Elspeth that her answer had thrown a damp cloth over the woman’s p
lans. Vila doubtless expected her to agree with everything she said. Maybe the woman would stop messing around and get to the point.
“Power cannot be the last resort of bickering nobles and royalty, Elspeth. Did you know every noble I approached went down on bended knee to agree with my plans? Oh, they think they will be spared, they think I need a ruling elite to govern the provinces, and that they will be given the position. Not one as much as squinted at the prospect of my invasion, as long as they benefit from it…
“You were right when you said people are greedy. I am not proposing leaving them to fight amongst themselves; they will come under my banner. And when the time comes, when Diobael rises again from the depths of Dregan – which he will, sooner or later, pray it’s not sooner – we will be ready for him.”
And there it is, Elspeth thought. A world united, with Vila’slae as its leader. The woman was crazy. Did she actually believe this rubbish? “For your plan to work, Madam Slae, the people must be happy with your leadership. Invading them, killing their … ‘children,’ as you say, is hardly the way to win new friends.”
Elka coughed. Elspeth glanced at the older woman, who was surreptitiously shaking her head. Yes, maybe Elspeth was going too far. But was this why the witch had been so kind to her? Did the woman think she could win her over? And she still hasn’t mentioned anything about this Barrowstone.
Vila’s face was stone. She stared at the candle in the centre of the table. “I see I’m going to have to work a little harder to convince you. Whether you believe me or not, the truth is beyond rebuke; your people must find the will to change before Diobael destroys them all. I alone offer the means to defeat a Cral Ventriarch. You will never gather the rest of the sto—”
Vila cut herself off, her hand froze half way to her goblet. Shaking, she thumped her fist down on the table. Then, “Take her back to the tent and post a guard.” Kicking her chair back, Vila stood and stared at Elspeth. “You will be taken to Eiras, blooded, and once the Barrow Shard is restored, I might – might – bring you home to see your precious palace defeated. Get her out of my sight.” She said the last to Elka.
The Dragon Oracles: Omnibus Edition (The Eastern Kingdom Omnibus Book 1) Page 95