by Неизвестный
Was this what Arragh felt when Myfanwy promised him? Joy strong enough to engulf? The joy of Gwen? Kallaayt reached into the neck of his tunic.
Gwen pressed her white hand against his. "I would see you naked,"she said
"When I return, you will see me as dragon."He kissed her fingertips, and slipped a narrow chain of dragon gold from around his neck. Suspended on the fine links was the ring Granned had wrought. "This ring as a token of my love."
"Kallaayt, it is too fine."
"Nothing is too fine for you, my love."
"No one has a ring such as this."She turned the golden circle in her fingers. "Not even the bishop's wife."
"She is not beloved by a dragon."
"No."Gwen smiled. "She is not."
"Rest here awhile, my love, until I return for you. Is there a ledge on the roof where you can wait?"
"There is a flat space."
"Be there, my Gwen."He slipped the ring on her finger. "Wear it with pride as a dragon's bride."
"Yes."
So little a word. So great a promise. "I'll tell Madam Lou she must needs find a new cook. We'll be gone from her in one turn of the sandglass. You and your child will be safe. You have the word of Kallaayt of Cader Bala."
She accepted it unquestioningly.
As did Madam Lou.
A short nod and "Sure of yourself now, are you?"Was the only acknowledgement of cries that must have echoed even downstairs. But given the nature of the establishment...
"I will return soon. Can you help Gwen up to the roof? That way you can swear no one entered your house, but she was stolen by a dragon. That should keep the bishop and his constables pondering."
She nodded. "I'll see she has covers against the cold. You'll guard her well?"
"With my life and honor."
"Long enough. Can you not leave now?"
"We must wait until dark, and I have affairs to settle."Setting fire to the mill and the Flowing Flagon was part of it. A dragon fire that would burn slow enough for all to escape, but could not be extinguished but would burn itself out. Arragh would caution against it, Kallaayt knew, but humans understood revenge, and Gwen was due hers.
* * *
Kallaayt strode through the streets toward the Flowing Flagon. He had little enough time to do all: settle his script with innkeeper Karil, take care of the contents of his wagon, and light up the sky over Llanbarra. He'd hand his trade goods over to Mari. She was sharp enough to sell them for profit and perhaps gain enough to set herself up away from the inn.
As he entered the yard, he stopped in shock. His cart was overturned and three constables were rummaging though his goods strewn over the straw.
"What are you doing?"Kallaayt demanded.
"Inspecting for taxes,"one replied as he pocketed a string of Myfanwy's carved buttons.
The second one pulled out a set of forks in fine copper. "You underpaid when you entered the gate,"he said with a grin. The forks disappeared into a deep pocket.
Another tossed one of Granned's fine goblets onto the ground. The sight of gold- rimmed fragments on the cobblestones roused Kallaayt's ire. This was wanton destruction! He reached to rescue the next goblet, but as he stepped forward, the third man punched.
As dragon, he could have taken them on. As mortal, he was little stronger than they were. Against three, he had no chance. Kallaayt fought, but a stout cudgel smashed the back of his head, and he fell, senseless to the straw.
* * *
He came to in the dark. A faint beam of moonlight penetrated the chinks in the walls. How far into the night was it? And where was he? Prison? He had to break out. If not as mortal, as dragon and damn the town or discovery, but as he tossed back his head to roar, weakness sucked him under. An iron band circled one ankle. The mortal-forged metal sapped his strength. He couldn't shift, unless he could break the iron.
The heavy links tethered his ankle to a stone in the floor. He would not sit here while Gwen waited. He tried lifting the rough-hewn stone, but other than budging it a few thumbspams, his efforts were useless. Ignoring the pain and pressure on his ankle, he explored his jail. The walls were wood. As was the roof. Was he in part of the inn, or the stables? Not stables. No smell or sound of horses.
Exploring the limits of his chain, he found nothing but a damp dirt floor, some sour straw, and the all-pervading smell of--he sniffed the air as best he could with mortal sense--stale blood. He was in the byre near the kitchen, where they tethered animals before slaughter.
He sent a mind call to Kallauwn, but sensed the power sapped by the cursed iron that chafed his weak human skin as he dragged the chain behind him.
Outside, he heard footsteps, but any hope of rescue faded with the drunken shouts and yells.
"Stay there and rot, peddler!"one surly voice yelled, in reply to Kall's calls. "We've sport here, that's none for you!"
Kallaayt sank down on the stone, and shook his head. What now?
Above the clamor, he caught the shriller cries. Some poor woman had fallen prey to the intoxicated revelers. He heard screams, drunken laughter, the sound of flesh slapping flesh, more cries, and high-pitched screams.
The Goddess protect the poor woman. This town was no place for anyone to linger. And he, Kallaayt, dragon of the fire mountain, was helpless.
A great shudder racked Kallaayt. He had to elude his captors. Cut off his foot if need be, and hope transformation would heal him. But what could he use to do the deed? Pacing his prison by the length of the chain, he searched for a fragment of glass, a sharp stone, anything that might loosen the chain that kept him from returning to Gwen.
All he found was bucket and a can of water, but the bucket had a defective handle, and with a little effort, he might make himself a pry bar.
The noise outside had quieted, no doubt a drunken stupor had replaced the revelry. Kallaayt worked at loosening the handle. One side he wrenched free, but as he worked at the second rivet, footsteps approached his prison.
And paused outside the door.
Unwilling to relinquish his nearly-weapon, Kallaayt grasped the loose end of the handle. If he went down this time, he'd take one or two with him. He stepped as close behind the door as his chain permitted.
For several slow breaths, he heard nothing, then the faint scrape of wood on wood. His enemies lifting a bar that blocked the door? Should he try to rush them? There was a sound of a bolt rasping back, and a soft voice called, "Kall?"
A woman. Not Gwen. "Who is it?"
"Mari. Hush."
The door opened a chink and a slim figure slipped in the gap before the door closed.
Mari stood an arms length away, peering into the dark. "Kall?"she repeated.
He took a step sideways. "Here."
She turned in surprise. "You are well! I feared they had killed you."
"Not yet. But,"he rattled the chain, "seems certain persons wish to prevent me from trading."
"Certain persons wish to drag you before the bishop's tribunal in the morning, and confiscate your goods."
"I hope to disappoint them."
"You will disappoint them!"She spoke with a ferocity that surprised him.
"Mari, you risk too much."
"I have nothing left to risk! But you are my friend, and the friend of my friend, and for that..."She motioned him closer. She had a bundle in her hand. "Sit and give me your leg. I will remove your chain."
She had pincers and a small hammer.
"Let me."He would not sit while she knelt in the fetid straw.
She handed over the tools. "Do you need a light?"She produced a small lantern form the bundle.
"No need. Why alert any outside?"
"I think we are the only ones awake."
"What happened?"he asked as he began to pry up the pin that locked his ankle iron.
"They emptied your pockets while you were unconscious, took your purse and drank the inn dry with the contents."
Praise the Goddess he'd given Gwen her ring. If those sad spec
imens of humanity had found it...He tapped the iron again, and withdrew the pin. The iron ring fell open. He threw it as far aside as he could and rubbed his still-numb flesh.
His strength returned as he flexed his leg.
"You must go,"Mari whispered. "Now! I brought you a little food."She had a hunk of bread and a slice of cheese, both of which he devoured.
"My eternal thanks, Mari."He longed to roar, but feared he'd terrify her. Instead he asked, "Will they blame you for my escape?"
She gave a tight laugh. "I do not care if they do. What is the escape of a friend, compared to what they will accuse me of in the morning."
"It was you they abused this night."
"And I am the one they will accuse of wantonness. It is the way things are now. Go!"she insisted. "I do not want the bishop's men to take both my friends."
"You must not stay here."
"Where can I go?"
"With Gwen and me. My people will welcome a woman of your courage."And he could name at least three dragons who would vie for her hand.
She shook her head. "Kall..."she began.
He heard the footsteps before Mari did. As the wooden door flew open, he pulled her behind him as Morgan the Miller stepped into the byre.
"No!"Fear and pain laced her cry. She clung to Kallaayt, her trembling fingers pinching his shoulder.
"Ah, little Mari!"The miller leered into the darkness. "You fought me but went running to the traveling peddler. Shame on you!"He gave a leering smile. "He can watch me fuck you again. No wandering trader is taking two women from me!"
"I never took Gwen, Morgan. She was never yours!"
"And never will be yours! I've seen to that."
Debate and argument were pointless. Protecting Mari from this beast was paramount. "Gwen will never be yours, and neither will Mari."
"I've had them both first!"
Kallaayt smiled. "Why boast of your infamy, Morgan? You shame the Goddess and the woman who bore you."
"You blaspheme! The courts will deal with you!"
As Morgan stepped into the byre, Kallaayt glimpsed two others hovering outside. They thought the odds on their side, but this time he was prepared. He stepped aside, pulling Mari with him. As Morgan turned, Kallaayt's foot swept Morgan's from under him. He fell backward, hitting the hard floor with a dull thud. Kallaayt's roar echoed across the yard as the other two rushed him.
He roared again. His power surged. He caught one man as he gaped in fright, hitting him over the head with his own cudgel. The other, Kallaayt dragged back as he tried to flee, and he fell gibbering to the straw.
Morgan was rising to his feet, but Mari upended the rusty bucket on his head and as he reached up to remove it, kicked him square in the balls. As he fell with a scream, she grinned at Kallaayt. "That should save the next maid from his attack!"
Kallaayt grabbed her hand, courageous as she was, this might send her fleeing. He roared again, and shifted.
"Dear heavens!"Mari gasped.
The two not groaning, screamed. One made to scramble and run. Kallaayt blocked the door.
"Come,"he said, and pulled Mari out into the stable yard. A dog howled at the sight of him. Kallaayt ran three, four paces across the cobbles, and leapt. His wings snapped open, and he flew over the stable roof, carrying Mari with him.
In seconds they were lost from sight in the dark of the night sky. He sensed Mari's fear as she clung to his arm. "You're safe,"he assured her.
"Safe?"she repeated. "Among your people, safe must have a different meaning. We are miles above the ground!"
She was only mortal after all, and had never seen a dragon in full flight. "Not miles. We're just above the rooftops."She let out a little whimper so he pulled her closer. "You are truly safe. I will never let you fall."He headed north toward Tintawn. It was still full night. Good. Now, if only Kallauwn was near.
"Where are we going?"
"To a safe place. In the hope my scrubby young brother is there to protect you until I return with Gwen. I will not leave her among that nest of heathens."
"Scrubby, am I?"Mari gave a yelp as the dark shape came at them from the east. "Slander me, would you brother, as I wing to your aid?"
"I take it back,"Kallaayt replied. The Goddess bless his brother's wings! "Mari, meet my brother, Kallauwn. Kallauwn, meet a brave and honorable lady, who helped rescue me when I was bound by human iron."
Kallauwn winced at the thought. "I am honored, lady. Kallaayt has oft spoken of your great worth."
"You eggling, I have not! It's Gwen I spoke of. This is Mari! Another mortal of courage and virtue."
Not often Kallauwn was silent. Kallaayt relished the moment.
"I am still honored, lady,"Kallauwn said.
"As I am,"Mari replied, in a rather tight voice.
"Where is Gwen?"Kallauwn asked.
"I return for her. You must carry Mari."
"With pleasure, brother."Kallauwn grinned and held out his arms.
To pass her between them was easy enough, but might well terrify even her brave heart. "Let us land. There, in the grove ahead."
Kallauwn landed first, Kallaayt moments later, Mari shivering in his arms. She looked from him to Kallauwn and back again. "One dragon is more than I ever dreamed existed, but two!"
"There are more of us, lady,"Kallauwn said.
"How many?"
"Scores now, though once we numbered in the thousands."
She took a deep breath. "Then the tales of dragons in the north are true."
"And if the Goddess wills, will always be so,"Kallaayt said.
Kallauwn noticed her torn and bloodied clothes and the darkening bruises. "Dear Goddess! What happened, lady? Was the fight that fierce?"
"The fight was not what they expected, since Mari had freed me,"Kallaayt replied. "But she'd already suffered at the hands of my attackers."
"Seems,"Kallaayt began, "we have a story worth the singing."
"If I don't start back soon, there will be one less to sing it, Kallauwn. You must carry Mari back to Cader Bala for me. Give her into the care of the women. She is in need of Allaynne's healing."
"They harmed her!"Kallaayt let out a growl enough to wake the trees around them. "Grievously!"
"Then permit me to return with you and teach those town dwellers a lesson,"responded Kallauwn.
"I go alone. This is my quarrel."
"If I may speak!"They both turned to the small disheveled figure between them. "It would shame us all if Gwen remained in the House of Wide Open Legs because you argued until sunrise."
Kallauwn inclined his head in her direction. "Then, if you permit, lady, I will take you on your way."
"Yes,"she said to Kallauwn. "For Kall will not leave until we do, and my dearest friend awaits him."
Kallaayt marveled at her trust. At his words, she would go into the unexplored, with an unknown dragon.
Kallauwn seemed delighted at his charge. "Lady, I would bear you to the ends of the earth."
"Allaynne's cave will be quite far enough!"Better remind Kallauwn that Mari was not his. Even if he was bearing her home. "And if she isn't there before me, you can answer to me!"
Kallauwn laughed. "As you commission, brother. But promise to leave those town dwellers a reminder of dragon ire."
"They will not forget this night."
Mari took Kallauwn's hand and turned to wave farewell. Kallauwn ran several paces toward a gap in the trees. Seconds later, they were airborne and flying west.
Kallaayt hesitated no longer, and facing the opposite direction, he set back toward Llanbarra.
As promised, faithful Gwen was waiting on the roof ledge. Asleep. Wrapped in a thick quilt to protect herself and her babe.
She woke as he approached. "I heard cries in the street, and the watch calling for your surrender.
He pulled her as close as her belly permitted. "To you, Gwen, I would surrender my heart and mind, but to those heathens, never."
"I was afraid some mishap befell you."
>
"We had trouble, but by Mari's bravery, all is well."
"Is she well?'
"She is safe on her way to Cader Bala. In a short while we follow."
"Why delay? Will it not be dawn soon?"
"I will make early dawn, and avenge you and Mari. Wait here until I return."
"I have waited too long already. I would come with you. It is my vengeance too,"she paused. "Will you kill them?"
"No, my love. I want them to live long and remember the sting of dragon's ire, but carrying you would endanger us both. When I come back, we will away.
She nodded, but as he readied to leave, pulled him close. "As Kall, I loved you. Now as I see you in your splendor, Kallaayt, but I sensed your greatness even as it was hidden."
"Yours is the greatness, Gwen, and soon you will be among those who will cherish you for your worth."
He allowed himself one kiss. "I must away. Watch the night sky and you will see dragon fire."
She gasped as he leaped from the ledge, but he sensed her eyes following as long as she could in the dark. In minutes, he landed on the mill roof. After tonight, the smaller mill to the north would enjoy an increase of trade.
Standing tall, Kallaayt roared in warning to awaken any inside. He breathed fire along the ridge of thatch, and along each eave. In the still of the night, the flames burned slowly, but burn they would, without ceasing and without spreading beyond the limits Kallaayt set, until Morgan the Miller was dispossessed. Kallaayt left two scared apprentices running round the mill yard for buckets. He flew back to the Flowing Flagon. Bands of constables still roamed the streets. Kallaayt swooped with a roar, and they ran as they never had from Kall the trader. With a twist he flew back toward the inn. After waking all within with a chorus of roars, Kallaayt turned the roof of the Flowing Flagon into a beacon to be seen for miles around.
Let disrespectful mortals remember this night and Goddess's fire that turned the night into dawn!
He was tempted to fire the bishop's house too, but enough. The town would not soon forget this, and Karil and Morgan never. And Gwen was waiting.
She all but leapt into his arms. "You have set the town afire!"
"No sweet. Just the mill and the inn. For you and Mari."
"What happened to Mari?"