The Captive

by Paul Lauritsen

  There was a pause while Kanin transmitted the message, then he dipped his head slightly. They will meet us by the sea. They are curious to know what has brought Eralm all the way out here.

  Well, it has to be something related to us, Khollo replied.

  Yes, but is it good or bad?

  Good, I hope, Khollo replied, scrambling onto the dragon’s back. But if it’s bad, we’ll handle it.

  Kanin took off in silence, soaring to the north. They found Uthano shortly, and the crimson dragon wheeled immediately to fly alongside them, repeating to Khollo everything he had already told Kanin. Khollo acknowledged the other dragon’s report, then settled in for the flight, thinking quietly to himself.

  They crossed the mountains in good time and soared over the forest lands to the north. The forests were replaced by the plains, and the plains by a growing expanse of ocean. Before long, the beach was easily within sight, and Khollo could clearly make out the shape of a ship at anchor, just offshore. A smaller skiff was pulled up on the beach, with a cluster of men standing between it and the bronze hulk of Thela.

  Kanin landed quickly, his beating wings stirring up sand and hurling it over everyone within range. L’tel and Sven got the worst of it since they were closest, and rounded on the emerald dragon angrily. As they started to complain though, Uthano landed beside them and they got another face full of sand.

  “Blasted wings,” Sven gasped, spitting out sand. “Careful where you land next time, great scaly brutes.”

  Uthano butted Sven with his head, nearly knocking the sturdy northerner over. Sven grinned and scratched along the dragon’s jawline. “Of course I don’t mean it,” he muttered, glancing around furtively to see if anyone was watching.

  Khollo shook his head and stepped towards the sailors, recognizing Eralm at the forefront. “Welcome back, captain,” he said easily. “Smooth journey?”

  “Long,” Eralm replied, “But pleasant. Thanks for the commission, King Relam has set us up well as your official couriers. All the lads are benefitting from it.”

  “They’re good men,” Khollo replied, smiling at the larger group. “They’ve earned it. What brings you all the way back out here? A supply run? Just checking in?”

  “I wish,” the captain said, his grin fading in an instant. “Son, there’s trouble.” He dug in a pocket on the front of his vest and extended a rolled parchment to Khollo, his expression grim.

  Khollo examined the seal keeping the parchment shut, recognized it as Relam’s, then broke it and read the message within. “Vertaga?” he asked, stunned. “That’s not possible. They were wiped out. We destroyed their stronghold.”

  We destroyed a stronghold, Kanin corrected. They may have another one.

  “So, what do we do?” L’tel asked.

  “Yeah, where are we going?” Sven asked eagerly. “Will there be fighting?”

  “Your dragons are not strong enough to cross the sea,” Khollo replied, shaking his head. “It’s a long way to shore from here. At least two days to Narne.”

  “There’s places to set down,” Eralm offered.

  “There’s no islands,” Khollo replied, frowning. “Not on our maps anyway.”

  “Well, not islands,” the captain agreed. “God-forsaken spits of rock really, barely large enough to set down on. No use to anybody. ‘cept maybe your young dragons.”

  Khollo nodded. “Draw up a map,” he said briskly. “Relam says this is urgent, so I’ll fly ahead. Sven, L’tel, gather Aralye and Halena and meet me in Narne. I’ll pick you up there after I go to Etares.”

  “We can keep up,” Sven said stubbornly.

  Khollo shrugged. “Maybe. But Kanin and I will travel faster alone. Besides, I don’t want to spook Relam with a whole clutch of dragons. He’s expecting me, so I’ll go with Kanin. And you four will wait in Narne. Agreed?”

  “Sure,” Sven grunted.

  Khollo eyed him steadily. “Stay there. Don’t go searching for trouble on your own.”

  “We’ll stay,” L’tel promised. “Halena and Aralye will agree as well.”

  “Good,” Khollo replied. “Eralm, do you need any provisions?”

  “Just fresh water. We’ll load up tonight and sail with the tide tomorrow morning.”

  “That works. L’tel, Sven, wait here until then and help Eralm and his crew get on their way. Give them any help they need. Then catch up in Narne.” He climbed onto Kanin’s back, squaring his shoulders and facing the north, heart pounding with excitement and uncertainty. “In the meantime, Kanin and I are going to find out what’s gone wrong.”

  Chapter 37:

  King and Keeper

  Kanin flew without stopping for what remained of that day and into the night, gliding easily over the ocean. He had found the hot air current that led from Ethgalin to a point west of Narne and was following it rigidly, ensuring that they moved north with the greatest speed possible. Khollo, little more than a passenger, rode in silence, ruminating over Relam’s short and cryptic message.

  Vertaga activity in the South, while surprising, was not entirely unexpected. There had only been two major battles, and the more Khollo thought about it the more he realized they had been naïve in the extreme to assume every vertag had been at Dun Carryl when it fell. The mountains covered a large expanse of the South, and it was clear that the vertaga made those mountains their domain. And if they truly controlled all that space, there could be a dozen Dun Carryls scattered through the Fells.

  Khollo hoped this wasn’t the case, but he had to admit it was possible. And if the vertaga were back, it presented a host of other problems he would have to deal with. Could he take his new Keepers into battle in good conscience? Were they ready for a life and death situation? Would they understand how to best aid the Sthan armies and how to protect them?

  Cease your endless wondering, Kanin grumbled. You are making my head hurt with all of your theories and ideas. Wait until we meet with Relam King and find out what he has to say. We will know more about the situation then, and be able to better judge our options.

  Well, there’s no harm in being prepared.

  Being prepared for every eventuality would take millions of ideas, problems, and concerns, Kanin replied. And knowing you, it would mean hours of worrying, perhaps for nothing. For all we know, Relam is just being cautious and there is not actually another war brewing. He may merely want to discuss security. After all, he mentioned trouble with vertaga, not battles or wars or anything of that nature.

  True, Khollo agreed. So, what do I do instead?

  Something that doesn’t involve thinking.

  Khollo sighed, leaning back in the saddle. Well, I need something to do to pass the time.

  Sleep? Kanin suggested hopefully. That is what most humans do when the stars and moon have replaced the sun.

  That doesn’t hardly seem right, Khollo protested. Me sleeping while you carry us across the sea without rest.

  Nor does it seem right that you will have to do most of the talking with Relam and other important humans we encounter, but deal with them you must. You are our communicator. That is your domain, one where I cannot contribute much. Right now, we are in my domain, where you cannot contribute. So, you might as well do something useful while you wait to see land.

  Khollo grimaced. Fine, I’ll catch some rest. Satisfied?

  Yes.

  The young Keeper tightened the leg straps a little, making sure he was firmly pinned to the saddle, then leaned forward and lay against Kanin’s back and neck. The dragon’s scales were rough but warm, despite the high altitude and the crisp wind which roared past them as they flew. It took a little while for Khollo to adjust his body to the rhythm of Kanin’s flight, but as soon as he was comfortable enough with the dragon’s movements he managed to find sleep.

  Khollo woke to an endless expanse of sea and a clear blue sky the next morning. He straightened and stretched, yawning, while Kanin continued flying doggedly. They exchanged pleasantries, but soon fell silent again,
Kanin concentrating on flying and his own thoughts.

  They flew the rest of the day without pausing, waiting for Narne to appear on the northern horizon. Khollo had hoped they might catch sight of the city by the end of the day. The sky faded to black however, and the sun was replaced by its nighttime counterparts once again. Khollo slept better that night, used to being in flight all the time now.

  The next morning, they sighted Narne.

  The sun was well up by then, probably mid-to-late morning judging by its angle. The busy harbor of Narne was gilded with frost and ice, shimmering like a crystalline replica of the real thing. There were far more ships than Khollo remembered, but that could be due to the winter storms which tended to plague the Southern Sea.

  Do we stop? Kanin asked. Or do we keep going? I can carry on for a little while yet.

  Khollo considered this, weighing their options. Let’s keep going, he decided. If we angle a little to the east, we’ll be on a direct course to Etares, and there are some wide-open flatlands between here and there. With any luck, we’ll find something worth hunting to reward you.

  That . . . would be welcome, Kanin managed, his mental tone a little strained. It has been a long flight.

  We can rest for a while too if you need to.

  As I said, I can keep going for a while yet.

  Can doesn’t mean should.

  No, it doesn’t, Kanin replied, confused. It never has as far as I know.

  Never mind, Khollo said quickly, hoping to avoid having to explain even more about the human language. There were some nuances like this that Kanin hadn’t grasped yet.

  You humans –

  Talk strangely, yes, Khollo agreed wearily. Sorry.

  Kanin flew on, headed a little east of north. The shore turned to rolling hills dotted with small regions of forested land, and then the hills flattened out into plains not unlike Gobel-Tek, but more reminiscent of the flatlands of the Renlor Basin. Khollo twisted in the saddle, peering in the direction the West Bank would be from here, but he could see nothing. Maybe if there really was trouble in the South again, he would be able to stop by and visit Janis and the others.

  As he was pondering this, Kanin went into a sharp dive, surprising him and causing him to jerk around in the saddle. The young Keeper yelled in protest, flailing as he tried to find a handhold to help him regain his seat. Kanin plunged onward, snapping his wings out close to the ground and swooping low about the same time Khollo got a grip on one of the spines in front of him. As Kanin climbed back into the sky, Khollo caught sight of a feebly struggling buck clutched in the dragon’s front claws.

  Sorry, Kanin said, I was hungry.

  Khollo chuckled as the dragon set down, a little ways from what remained of the herd. That’s all right. I should have been paying closer attention. He glanced up at the sun, measuring the amount of daylight remaining. It’s midafternoon now, he reported. We may as well rest and spend the night here. We can continue on to Etares tomorrow.

  Are you sure? Kanin asked, ripping a leg from the buck and setting it aside for Khollo. Relam King said he wanted us there as soon as possible.

  Khollo sighed, pointedly ignoring Kanin’s deliberate mangling of Relam’s title. He wanted us to get there in a hurry, yes. But after the meeting, we will likely have to fly south in a hurry to scope out the situation and find out what’s going on. We’ll have to take a break at some point. Might as well do it now, since your stomach will be full for some time anyways.

  And yours, Kanin added. Dragons do not fly well on full stomachs, but they fly better than humans.

  Our stomachs were not built for that, Khollo replied. We weren’t designed to fly either. We were designed to stay safely on the ground, living out our earthbound lives.

  That sounds terrible, Kanin muttered, cracking a leg bone between his teeth noisily.

  Khollo grinned. We don’t know any better, most of us, so it doesn’t bother us. Anyway, would you mind cooking the meat? I don’t see much wood around for a fire.

  Kanin snorted and set his own meal aside for a moment. Wasting good meat, he grumbled, breathing a thin stream of fire over the leg he had set aside. He continued the process for a couple minutes, cooking the leg layer by layer until Khollo was satisfied. When Kanin had finished, grease dripped from the meat and it was beautifully cooked through, if a little charred on the surface.

  Perfect, Khollo remarked as he drew his belt knife and carved a slice, chewing thoughtfully.

  You’re welcome, Kanin grunted, returning to his own dinner. Although I still think you are simply spoiling good meat.

  And as I have said many times before, Khollo said, waving his knife, this is a subject on which we will have to agree to disagree. I can’t eat meat the way you do.

  Well, you could, it would just end poorly.

  Khollo chuckled and shook his head, then they both carried on with their separate meals.

  When the buck had been mostly consumed, leaving a small pile of pieces that were not edible, even for Kanin, the two Keepers stretched out in the late-afternoon sun, content. It had been weeks, Khollo realized, since they’d had any time totally to themselves, just to be alone with each other. Off on an adventure.

  Just like the old days, Kanin murmured drowsily, eyes mostly closed. The two of us taking on the world.

  Khollo grinned and nodded sleepily. Yes. Those were good times, despite the danger. He yawned and stretched, trying to keep himself from falling asleep.

  You can rest, Kanin assured him.

  What, and let you fall asleep on watch again?

  There is nothing to watch for. Nothing in the area would dare attack a dragon.

  What about a vertag?

  Maybe, but they are not here.

  Do you know that?

  If they were, Relam King would be moving armies all over the world and there would be war, Kanin replied. We can rest safely. If danger approaches, I will sense it.

  You’re sure?

  Reasonably.

  Khollo scowled, then relented and leaned against Kanin’s side, lying his Sen-teel close at hand, just in case. Fine. But if we’re ambushed, I’m going to blame you.

  The emerald dragon made no reply save a long, rumbling, droning noise that rose and fell in time with his recumbent form. Khollo shook his head in mock disgust, then closed his eyes and lay back, trying to find sleep as well.

  The evening passed without event, and so did the night. Khollo woke before the sun had risen the next day, while the eastern horizon was still only barely distinguishable as being slightly less dark than the other horizons. He yawned and stretched, reaching out towards Kanin with a questioning thought. The emerald dragon stirred and opened one eye lazily, blinking twice.

  See? No trouble, he said smugly.

  Khollo snorted. Good morning to you too.

  Is it morning? Kanin asked, lifting his head off the ground to face the east. If it is, it is very early morning.

  The sun will arrive soon enough, Khollo promised. Do you think we can reach Etares today?

  If not today, then early tomorrow, Kanin replied.

  Then let’s be on our way, Khollo urged, climbing into the saddle and cinching the straps tightly. We have a lot of ground to cover, and our friend Relam has requested an urgent meeting.

  I am aware, Kanin grumbled as he took off. But remember, we are not coming because we have been summoned. We are deigning to honor his request with our presence.

  There’s a difference?

  Command versus mutual respect, Kanin explained. We are above Relam King, but not above helping him in a time of need. Such is our duty to him as a friend and a leader of this world.

  A balance, Khollo agreed. Helpful, but not suborned. It hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be to remain apart.

  The distance to Ethgalin helps, Kanin agreed, and the fact that few know where it is.

  Yes. When we return, we’ll have to organize a watch roster to keep an eye on our shores. If Sven and L’tel hadn�
�t happened to be in the area, Eralm and his men could have waited for days or weeks, maybe longer, before we noticed them.

  Or they could have risked traveling inland and gotten hurt or lost, Kanin added. An island patrol would be wise, I think. It would give the young ones something to do besides train as well, help them learn the layout of the stronghold.

  It would give us some peace and quiet too, Khollo pointed out. Even if we only sent two at a time.

  There is that, Kanin admitted, and it is more of a motivation for instituting this patrol than I would like to admit.

  Khollo laughed and patted the dragon’s scaly neck. I know. It’s a lot of responsibility and stress for both of us. But things will get better. We’ll get used to it, they’ll keep learning.

  And then we will recruit more, Kanin said eagerly.

  Khollo winced. Not too soon, hopefully.

  I was mostly joking, Kanin assured him quickly. A break would be most welcome. But we have to recognize that four more dragons and riders is not an Order. We must keep training and expanding so that we are prepared for what lies ahead.

  They flew on through the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, stopping for water twice and a third time to let Khollo stretch his legs and eat a quick meal. Other than that, they flew straight towards Etares. Around midafternoon though, a storm sprang up from the north, buffeting Kanin with its icy blasts, snowflakes and small pellets of ice whipping against the dragon and his rider.

  The headwind is strong, Kanin reported, his breathing becoming labored. How are you holding up?

  Khollo grunted as an ice pellet struck him on the point of his elbow, numbing the spot for a moment. I’ll live. The important question is whether we can make any real progress through this storm.

  Not likely, Kanin warned. Already I grow weary, and I cannot see an end. Should we set down?

  We have hours of daylight.

  But the storm will slow our progress to nothing.

  We seem to be doing all right.

  Look down.

  Khollo obeyed immediately, watching the ground. He saw Kanin’s point immediately. Normally, the land below skimmed past at a perceptible rate, even from the great altitudes Kanin chose to fly at. Now though, they barely seemed to be moving at all. The flatlands below were motionless from Khollo’s vantage point, and they seemed to be getting no further north or east than they already were.