Most would not consider that a problem, Kanin observed, intruding on Khollo’s thoughts. Though I understand why you feel this way. I am not built for peace either. Dragons were not given claws and wings and fire to spend their days burning swaths of jungle. Though I do enjoy the fires, and it makes me happy to liberate the ancient home of our kind.
Khollo grinned as he turned onto the north-south road that ran from the great hall all the way to the hatchery. With the road cleared, he could see Kanin as a far distant figure, tiny really. The dragon was looking his way, wedge-shaped head facing Khollo.
Do you grow bored? Khollo asked.
No, it is not that, Kanin mused. But you are stuck in the library all day and we are separated. That bothers me more than a lack of action.
Khollo nodded soberly. I know, he agreed. But we are each helping the best way we can. I could not clear the jungle the way you can, and you cannot read.
But we are dragon and Keeper, Kanin countered. Deeply bonded and permanently linked.
Khollo considered this quietly as he walked. The silence stretched between them until Kanin broke it abruptly. I grow tired of waiting. Your kind are far too slow.
With a bound and a great rush of wings, the green dragon was airborne, wheeling towards Khollo and racing up the road. Khollo stopped and waited, grinning as he admired his best friend. For a moment, he felt the original joy, the overwhelming thrill of being bonded to a dragon. The excitement of flight, the possibility of danger and action.
Kanin landed beside Khollo and butted him with his large head, eyes whirling. Come, he urged. Dream of the past later. We are late for dinner.
Hungry? Khollo asked as he climbed onto Kanin’s back.
Starving, the dragon confirmed. And there is a haunch of venison I have been dreaming of all day.
Khollo laughed and leaned forward against the muscular neck. All right, take me to the hatchery. Have you found something? What has you so excited?
Wait. You will see.
Kanin lurched skyward with a rush of wings, the translucent green membranes unfolding to either side. Khollo gasped at the sudden acceleration, then whooped at the feeling of being alive and free, the wind tearing at his clothes and hair, stinging his eyes as Kanin arrowed forward.
Then, as quickly as the flight had begun, it was over. Kanin swooped down into the hatchery and landed, claws clacking on the stone floor. He bent a scaly foreleg and Khollo dismounted, sighing as his feet hit the floor of the huge chamber.
We should fly more, he remarked to Kanin, glancing at the circle of daylight high above, the entrance to the hatchery. It has been too long.
Yes, Kanin agreed. But not much longer, I think.
What do you mean?
Kanin wordlessly crossed the floor to where a lone archway led into another, smaller chamber. Here was the greatest treasure of the Keepers, a circular room full of unhatched eggs, sheltered in niches stacked one on top of the other all the way up to the domed ceiling. And in the center, the stone table. Six feet across, made of pure marble and intricately carved around the edges. No chairs surrounded it though, and Khollo had yet to divine its purpose. Perhaps it was part of the hatching ritual? He must see if the library had anything on the subject.
Do you understand now? Kanin asked suddenly.
Khollo frowned. Has something changed?
You do not sense it?
Sense what?
The hatchlings. They are restless.
Khollo turned in a slow circle, closing his eyes and reaching out with his mind. At first there was nothing, just Kanin’s mind. Then, he became aware of something else. A strange tension he had not encountered before. It was not centered around a single consciousness. Rather, it seemed to be a feeling that permeated the space evenly. In addition, Khollo could hear faint rustling and squeaks, as of dozens of tiny wings brushing hard surfaces and many tiny hatchlings crying out in distress as they slept. Khollo tried to reach into a hatchling’s mind, but he could not understand its thoughts. Instead, a cold shiver ran through him and a sense of impending doom.
This is strange, Khollo murmured. It almost feels like . . . like a warning.
Danger, Kanin agreed.
To the hatchlings?
Maybe. Or to the Keepers.
Khollo leaned back against the stone table, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Where would we look for the source of this threat? The Fells?
The world is too big for one dragon and Keeper, Kanin replied. I think it is time.
What? Khollo demanded, whirling around to look at the dragon. You can’t be serious! We’re nowhere near prepared for such a burden.
The world will not wait while we prepare ourselves, Kanin mused.
But –
We were in no way prepared for the vertaga either, Kanin remembered. But we prevailed, through strength and wits and courage.
We would be risking everything, Khollo warned. Bringing students in, sharing Ethgalin with the rest of the world. The secret of the hatchery –
That is why we must not fail, Kanin said, dipping his head and staring around the room at the eggs. But it is time. I, being a dragon, can understand the hatchlings better than you, and there is an urgency to their thoughts which has not been there. Something is happening, and they are frightened.
And your solution is to bring in young Keepers and train them?
Yes, Kanin said firmly. The young ones are ready. But they need Keepers of their own.
Khollo sighed heavily. I hope you’re right about this, he murmured.
Me too, Kanin agreed. I trust my instincts, and my bond with the hatchlings. Do you?
Yes, Khollo replied immediately, squaring his shoulders and looking into Kanin’s opalescent eyes. He laid a hand on the dragon’s snout, feeling the heat and energy that lay beneath.
Good, Kanin said. Then it is time to find some Keepers.
We leave tomorrow, Khollo decided, climbing onto Kanin’s back for the journey to the dragon hold. The rise of the Keepers has begun.
Kanin rumbled with pleasure, looking around the hatchery one more time. A new era, he mused to himself. The Keepers will bring peace and stability once more.
Only if we’re successful, Khollo said dully. We’re talking about training a new batch of Keepers with only our own limited experience.
We have the library.
Which would take fifty lifetimes to read even half of, Khollo pointed out wearily.
Oh, Kanin said. Well, you’ll just have to read as much as you can.
I have been, Khollo said, exasperated, for the last six months. I’ve barely made a dent in it. Besides, it’s going to take more than knowledge. I have to convince the next group of Keepers to listen to me and obey me.
Easy, Kanin said confidently, withdrawing from the hatchery. We will find people who are roughly your age to train. They will listen, especially if I back you up. And I am confident once their dragons break their shells the hatchlings will obey me.
I wish I shared your confidence, Khollo said, climbing onto Kanin’s back. The enormity of this task was daunting. There were candidates to find and to train, then hatchlings had to be selected from among those waiting in the hatchery. There was also the matter of getting new Keepers to Ethgalin. Kanin couldn’t carry them all himself, and Khollo was loath to let ships come to Ethgalin. The moment the island’s location became common knowledge, the fledgling Order would be at risk.
Relam king would not let that happen, Kanin said, interrupting Khollo’s thoughts.
King Relam, Khollo corrected automatically. That was another point. Technically, he should ask the king’s permission to search the Sthan Kingdom’s subjects for likely candidates. He’d better drop by Etares before doing any serious searching.
We do not bow to the whims of kings, Kanin said, interrupting again.
No, it’s just a matter of courtesy, of building trust, Khollo explained. Like not eavesdropping on someone’s every thought.
It is not eavesdropping if
you are saying it for all to hear.
I thought I was thinking quietly.
You weren’t.
Khollo sighed in frustration. Do you hear everything I say or think?
Almost, Kanin admitted. Unless I am asleep or there is distance separating us. When you are at the library, I can usually tune out your thoughts easily enough.
Are you saying you try to ignore me?
When you are reading books about managing the amount of grain in the island’s store rooms, yes, Kanin said. Such information is hardly interesting to me.
So you only pay attention when I’m interesting?
You are twisting my words, Kanin growled. You humans and your convoluted language. The dragon took off and spiraled upwards to the hole in the ceiling, emerging from the hatchery and into the jungle above.
Convoluted, Khollo repeated. That’s a good word, Kanin!
Did I use it right? the dragon asked, suddenly concerned.
Khollo chuckled. Yes, Kanin, you used it perfectly. That’s another problem we might have, communicating with the young dragons. I doubt I would be able to hear their thoughts. Would you?
Perhaps, Kanin mused, but then, perhaps not. I do not know, since I have never met another one of my kind. A profound sadness washed across their mental link, sharply cut off.
I’m sorry, Kanin, Khollo said quietly. At least there will be more dragons soon.
Soon, Kanin agreed. But first, there is work to do. And food to eat, he added quickly.
Khollo laughed and thumped his friend’s scaly neck affectionately. Here I am trying to figure out how to restart the Keepers and all you can think about is dinner!
Dinner is important, Kanin replied. After all, I’ll have to carry you back to the mainland tomorrow.
Yes, Khollo agreed. The mainland. It’s been a while. It would be fun to stop by the West Bank and see how the others are doing.
This journey is not about fun, Kanin pointed out. Those hatchlings sense danger.
Of what sort? Khollo wondered.
I don’t know, Kanin growled. But we must be prepared nonetheless.
They were soaring over one of Ethgalin’s two major roads now, the one that ran east to west from the holds to the library. The road was perfectly straight, a geometric gray scar cut through the verdant growth. To either side of it were dozens of overgrown buildings, structures that had not been entered in centuries or longer. At the end of the road were the dragon holds, cave-like dwellings rising in semicircular tiers. Kanin folded his wings and swooped down towards the ledge outside their hold, flaring his wings at the last moment to check his momentum. Khollo jumped down from Kanin’s back and entered the hold. As soon as he was on the ground, Kanin was off, heading for the forests beyond the mountains to hunt.
The hold hadn’t changed much since the Keepers had returned. The few furnishings were crude and constructed by Khollo’s own hands, and his father’s in some cases, and there was still an air of general neglect about the place. But it was clean and warm and sheltered, an ideal dwelling for a dragon and Keeper. Khollo moved to the back of the hold, where the kitchen and storerooms were. There, he found some flat bread, strips of meat, and fruit for his meal. He piled them all onto a carved wooden plate, filled a roughly-shaped mug with cool, clear water, and walked back out to the ledge. It was not long after he sat down to eat that Kanin returned, a small doe clutched in his talons. The dragon landed heavily and bent to his kill while Khollo continued eating quietly.
Kanin ate with typical messy gusto, ripping the meat apart with claw and tooth, cracking the bones into smaller pieces. The sharp reports didn’t startle Khollo as much as they once had, since he was now used to the dragon’s company. Instead, he quietly chewed his own dinner, thinking about what the future held.
Distracted as Khollo was, Kanin finished eating first and licked his fangs clean with his rough tongue. You are troubled, he observed.
Khollo nodded. We’re not ready. He paused, then added ruefully, Or rather, I’m not ready.
It is the way of the world, Kanin replied, unconcerned. If events always waited for all those involved to be ready, nothing would ever happen. This is how we grow, Khollo. We may struggle, may fail, but in our battle learning will take place, and we will emerge stronger and wiser than before. Everything worked out last time.
Khollo finished his meat and bread and swallowed to clear his throat. We nearly died, he reminded Kanin grimly.
The emerald dragon said nothing for a long moment, then exhaled heavily, filling the room with the scent of raw meat and smoke. Do not fear. Instead, embrace the challenge. We have much to be grateful for, and much to be excited about. Just think, a clutch of young dragons!
Could be interesting, Khollo admitted, a smile tugging at his lips. Are young dragons as much trouble as young humans?
I don’t know, Kanin admitted. We will learn together, and it will be a glorious adventure!
Khollo picked up his fruit, one of the multicolored, succulent delicacies Ezraan had shared with him and Kanin. He almost looked back on that eventful evening fondly now, despite the fact Kanin had nearly roasted the pair of them alive.
How come you get to eat the fruits? Kanin demanded, apparently listening in on Khollo’s thoughts.
Because I don’t spout fire uncontrollably, Khollo replied, grinning.
Kanin sniffed disdainfully. I know the hazards now. Surely I could have one or two –
No, Khollo said flatly, glaring at the dragon. We ran that experiment with Ezraan.
A sharp pang lanced through Khollo’s heart as he thought of the old man. The father he had hardly known, had barely gotten to spend any time with. How Khollo wished Ezraan had survived, so he could help in this new journey.
Kanin lowered his head to the floor, eyes half-closing as he started to drift off to sleep. I must rest, he murmured quietly. Tomorrow will be a long day.
Extremely, Khollo agreed, standing and retreating towards his own bed. Good night, Kanin.
The dragon snorted lazily and shifted position, scales scratching against the rock. Khollo winced at the noise and shook his head, then went to his own room and lay down. Sleep was a long time in coming though, for his mind was troubled. Filled with longing for the past, and fear of the future.
Chapter 2:
The King’s Visit
Relam marched along Etares’ River Road, passing the hulking Citadel without a second thought. It had been nearly a year since the frantic, chaotic battle against the usurper D’Arnlo and his compatriots, long enough that Relam felt safe moving about the city with only a limited force of guards. Today, he had only four men with him, the guards he had hand-picked to spite the commander of the King’s Guard, Eckle.
Even this small retinue irked Relam, for it was a constant reminder of the responsibilities he had been forced to shoulder. Gone were the days of adventure and freedom, and all too quickly. Now, he had a kingdom to manage, and he was quickly learning why his father had often been irritable and frustrated by the end of the day.
As Relam continued on his way, the clash of wooden practice weapons reached his ears and he automatically glanced to the side, recognizing Tar Agath’s training center. A dozen young cadets were sparring with each other, under the sword master’s watchful eye. Relam half hoped Tar would notice the little procession and hail him, but he was busy with his students and did not notice his former pupil.
“You miss those days?” Wil asked from behind Relam.
The young king nodded soberly. “More than you know. Those were good times, despite Sebast and the others tormenting me endlessly.”
“I’d nearly forgotten about that,” Galen said, chuckling to himself. “Never would have believed the two of you would end up friends after all your past, ah, disputes.”
“Yes,” Eric agreed, “His father’s more the problem these days. Somehow, Sebast turned out all right.”
“They all did,” Relam said. “Jatt, Delan, Knet, Cevet.”
“
Ah, the Thius boy,” Galen said, frowning. “Have you heard anything from him recently?”
“No,” Relam said quietly. “It’s not fair, the way everyone is treating him. It was Ryker Thius who betrayed the kingdom, not Cevet.”
“Cevet actually helped stop that little rebellion before it got going,” Eric added. “He fought with you at the Citadel!”
“You younger lords should go to him,” Wil suggested. “Let him know you’re all still there for him.”
“Maybe,” Relam agreed. “It’s just been so busy though, and Clemon will complain about the optics of me going to seek out the company of a traitor’s son – ”
“Even if he is a hero and your best friend,” Wil snorted, disgusted with the chatelain’s idiocy. “You know, he and Eckle might need another round of ‘gifts’ from the lads. And since we can get into any room in the castle now – ”
“As tempting as that is,” Relam said, struggling to hide a smile, “The answer is still no.”
“Ah, well,” Johann sighed, “The offer still stands, lad. All you have to do is say the word.”
“That’s ‘your majesty’,” Eric corrected the other guard stiffly. “We’re supposed to keep it formal in public.”
“Bah, you’re as bad as Clemon,” Wil growled. “Always strutting around the castle like he’s got a sword up his – ”
“Ah, there’s Oreius’ house now, your majesty,” Galen interrupted quickly. “Do you think he’s around? The place looks rather quiet.”
“He’s always around,” Wil put in helpfully. “Nowhere else to be, when you think about it.”
Relam grinned at his small circle of guards. “He does like his solitude,” the young king agreed. He turned off the main road and strode up to the old warrior’s door, knocking firmly on the hardwood. He waited a long moment, but there was no response from inside.
“Around to the back then,” he said quietly, leading the way around to the side gate. He shoved through it without any hesitation and quietly moved around the side of the house and into Oreius’ garden.
The Captive Page 2