‘No!’ Nolli suddenly banged her stick on the floor. ‘Stop it,’ she shouted aloud, and to everyone’s horror, she poked her stick into the nearest part of the Dragon.
‘Kija, pull yourself together! Look away Kija!’
Tika came in the main door at that moment and leaped at the Dragon, pushing roughly at her long beautiful face. ‘Kija,’ she called, then she yelled at Emla to slide a fire screen across the hearth.
Emla’s face showed her confusion even as she did as Tika ordered. As the leaping flames vanished behind the screen, Kija shivered and her eyes flashed rainbow colours. She stared at Tika for a moment then glanced quickly at the others.
‘I offer most humble apologies,’ she murmured. ‘Forgive me. I will check on Nya and return later, if you permit.’ She raised herself, turned swiftly for one of such size and, in one of less dignity, it might be said she fled from the hall.
Tika sat cross-legged where Kija had lain, shaking her head.
‘What was THAT about?’ Ryla asked.
Tika and Nolli grinned at the blank expressions on the faces of the three People.
‘Did you not know that Dragons adore sparkling things Emla?’ Tika asked. ‘We found out when we had to search through their treasure heaps for the sword and the knife. They can sit and stare for hours, or days, at shiny things – snowflakes, water drops, stones. They seem to become entranced.’ She frowned. ‘I think Fenj said some Dragons have died because they forgot the snows were coming or they neglected to hunt. They see nothing except the patterns the sparkles make when they stare into their treasures.
‘At the stronghold, they never came too near the fire, but I thought they didn’t need the heat as we do. Maybe they know that the flames can ensnare their minds – as we’ve just seen with Kija.’
Ryla snorted. ‘Something else to put our minds to whilst you are gone to the Southlands.’
‘Is it agreeable that I travel with you Tika?’ Kemti asked.
‘Yes. Kadi will carry Gan and Riff, Brin will take Sket and Drak. You will ride with Nomis on Kija. Kija said that Farn is able to carry me – some of the time at least, and if he tires, any of the three grown Dragons can carry another rider easily.’ Tika stretched her arms above her head and yawned. ‘Hani will arrive in a few moments. No Emla, you must leave her.’ Emla sank back on the stool from which she’d risen. ‘Kadi met her beyond your estate and has taken her straight to the pavilion.’
As Tika finished speaking, Shan slipped into the hall and crossed to join the group by the fireside. Her round blue eyes shone with excitement.
‘The new Dragon is here,’ she whispered as though afraid of being overheard. ‘She is so beautiful, and she spoke greetings to me. Her mind is very gentle Lady.’ Shan looked at the Lady Emla. ‘Kija said I should stay so Hani would HAVE to meet me and then perhaps she’ll meet some others. She isn’t afraid, just so very shy.’
Farn marched into the hall with Brin close behind him.
‘Ashta’s mother and sisters are come Tika, and they all look so alike!’ His sapphire eyes whirred cheerfully.
‘Mmm.’ Brin rumbled in agreement. ‘Hani is indeed grown beautiful since last I saw her.’ There was a certain tone, even in mind speech that made heads turn towards him at that remark.
Tika laughed as she hugged Farn. ‘We leave tomorrow Brin, so you will have to wait a while to start paying Hani compliments!’
‘I have checked your pack Tika, and all is ready.’
There was a wistfulness in Emla’s voice but it vanished as Ryla glared at her and said: ‘We have much to do here whilst you are gone. But should we find anything at all that could be of the slightest help to you, we will send news by the Merigs.’
‘I hope my travelling bag is properly prepared.’ Khosa stalked between Brin’s legs and sat before the fire.
‘Do we come too mother?’
Khosa turned her head to survey the small bundle of brown fur perched on Ryla’s knee. Then she looked at the faintly snoring orange ball nestled on Nolli’s lap and twitched her whiskers. ‘I think not Resh. You are far too young for such travelling. You will remain here and learn dignified and mannerly ways.’
‘Yes mother.’ Resh sank back under Ryla’s long fingers with a soft sigh of relief, which grew into a rattling purr.
‘I am relieved that you are leaving them here Khosa. I cannot imagine my lap empty of Bakra,’ Nolli said solemnly.
‘Gan has chosen Riff and Drak to join you Tika, as they have both had some service against the southern Gangers.’ Emla smiled. ‘If he tried to leave Sket here I think he would just start walking southwards after you.’
Farn yawned then hastily ducked his head behind Tika’s shoulder. ‘We like Sket,’ he murmured, eyes half closed. ‘He is extremely brave you know.’
Emla leaned forward to touch the silvery blue head. ‘We do know Farn. And you should return to your family and sleep, for tomorrow will be a long day.’
Farn’s chin jerked up to rest on top of Tika’s head, eyes flashing indignantly. ‘I will go if you so wish Lady, but I am certainly not tired!’
Kemti stared seriously at the back of Khosa’s head. ‘Of course you’re not tired, but we must all prepare ourselves properly.’
‘Hmm. Well, I suppose so.’ Farn sounded unconvinced but Brin rose to his feet.
‘We wish you all goodnight,’ he said and made for the door.
‘I will be there soon,’ Tika whispered as Farn reluctantly followed the crimson Dragon.
His tail had scarcely disappeared when Khosa snorted. ‘Such a baby! My children do as they are told, when they are told, with no arguments,’ she spat.
‘I seem to recall a few problems at the Stronghold,’ Nolli remarked thoughtfully.
Khosa’s turquoise eyes slitted at the Ancient One for a moment but before the Kephi had a chance to respond, Nolli continued: ‘Seriously Tika, I fear we have given you little real help in knowing how you will have to face Rhaki. Ryla and I believe he has not guessed yet that there is anyone who could match his powers. At least you should have the advantage of surprise. We think you will just have to rely on your own feelings once you are close to him.’ She glanced at Ryla. The frail Senior fixed her still-brilliant eyes on Tika.
‘It is a hard thing to tell you dear one, but I tell you now. Rhaki must be destroyed. It is the only way to prevent his evil unbalancing all in this world. Wound him and leave him alive, and he will return to be fought again. He must die child.’
Dawn saw snow falling yet again but softly, not driven by the winds that had raged from the north earlier in the season. The company travelling south made their farewells to Nolli and Ryla in the great hall.
Emla and Shan huddled under their cloaks as the company climbed onto the backs of the three great Dragons Kija, Kadi and Brin. Farn waited as Tika hugged Emla’s tall slender body.
‘May the stars guide your path dear ones,’ Emla called aloud and hands were lifted in salute. ‘And stars keep you especially safe,’ she murmured against Tika’s dark curls.
Tika pushed herself free, grabbed Shan in a quick embrace and then ran down the steps to Farn. As she looked back towards Emla and Shan, their shapes blurred. Tika sniffed and wiped her sleeve across her face. ‘Cursed snow,’ she muttered as Farn lifted from the ground. ‘Makes my eyes water so.’
Chapter Fifteen
Mim had gone down to the lowest levels of the Stronghold to see how work on the future growing areas was progressing. Jeela was hunting with the Snow Dragons, and Fenj was deeply occupied in amusing Lula. Kera appeared to be busy writing her interminable reports when Ashta nudged her arm softly. Kera looked into the gentle green eyes with their ridiculously long lashes and smiled.
‘All right,’ she admitted in mind speech directed only to Ashta. ‘I was really watching those two. What exactly are they doing?’
Although Ashta’s eyes sparkled with merriment, her tone was solemn. ‘I think it is a sort of hide and seek game.’
&nb
sp; Kera put a hand over her face and bent her head towards her notes. At that moment, the immense black Dragon reared back and then slumped against the wall as a tiny bristling Kephi leaped from behind a stool and advanced on stiff legs towards him.
Kera choked and dropped her head even lower as Ashta carefully avoided looking across the hall.
‘I’ll have to go up to my work chamber I think,’ Kera managed finally. She kept her eyes on Ashta as she controlled her mirth. ‘I’m glad you are here though Ashta. I wanted to know how Mim is. He is still changing isn’t he? Is it because of the silver Dragon?’
Ashta’s eyes whirred and for the briefest moment red sparks glinted in the prisms. She shuffled her wings, fidgeting slightly. Kera thought perhaps she would not answer. She wasn’t sure how the soul bonding worked and if Ashta would thus be unable to speak any criticism of Mim. With a sigh, Ashta leaned her brow against Kera’s.
‘He called to her. He was cold, harsher than I would ever imagine my Mim could be. He said if she screamed for him again, he would never ever contact her.’
Kera realised she was chewing her writing stick and placed it deliberately on the table beside her. She held back the multitude of questions seething within her and waited for Ashta to continue. She felt Ashta’s affection and her amusement. The pale green Dragon was fully aware of the Senior’s excitement.
‘Mim shielded the Stronghold the instant he had spoken to Gremara, leaving only a narrow channel open directly to his mind. She answered him at once, in the faintest whisper, begging him not to abandon her.’
‘So he is communicating with her?’ Kera asked.
‘No. He told her he would speak with her every three days, for a short while only each time. Her voice became louder, demanding he pay her attention. Mim stopped her at once. He said he was busy and either she would accede to his wishes or he would have nothing more to do with her.’
Kera leaned back in her chair staring unseeing at the broken gateway. After a long moment, she looked back at Ashta.
‘So he is containing her power for now. Has he learnt anything from her, and how long can he restrain her mind?’
Again Ashta shifted her weight from foot to foot.
‘He has learnt from her, but he stopped most of the information from coming into my mind.’
Kera felt sorrow washing through the young Dragon and realised it was probably the first time that the two had not shared their feelings or thoughts, and that Ashta was hurt by that fact.
‘Mim can restrain her now I think because she is so excited that a Dragon Lord is revealed to her at last. But if he tries to hold her for too long, I fear her madness will burst forth even more wildly.’
As Ashta fell silent the sound of voices came from the tunnel entrance leading to the lower levels. Guards and Delvers emerged, chatting and laughing as they returned for their midday meal. Stronghold servants supervised by the chamberlain Yoral, brought dishes and bowls wreathed with inviting aromas and steam. Ashta moved away from Kera as Mim appeared, deep in conversation with Lorak and Bikram. Mim’s arm slid across Ashta’s shoulder as they met and they moved together to the gateway, pausing briefly to speak with Fenj.
Lorak looked down the table, catching Kera’s eye and giving a slight nod of his head as Nesh dropped onto a chair beside her. She returned Lorak’s nod, guessing the old gardener wanted to speak to her alone.
The hall had nearly emptied again before Kera had a chance to talk to Lorak. She saw him check that Fenj was dozing, Lula cradled against the broad black-scaled chest, then he ambled towards the hearth where logs just piled on were beginning to snap and flare. Nesh drained his mug of spice tea and pushed himself up from the table.
‘I’ll go back to work too Kera. I thought I might go into the Domain tomorrow – I’d like to sketch a few more details of one of their gardens.’
Kera nodded and smiled as Nesh’s long strides carried him rapidly from the hall. She poured more tea into her mug and strolled across to join Lorak by the fire. Pulling a bench closer to the warmth, she said: ‘Nesh seems pleased with the progress so far.’
Lorak sat beside her on the bench and grunted. Kera waited, but no further sound issued from Lorak. She tried again.
‘Fenj is a changed Dragon since Lula took charge of him.’
Lorak peered back to where Fenj’s body was a pool of black shadows against the grey rock wall. He grunted again and as Kera despaired of finding out what he wanted her to know, he finally spoke.
‘Worried about old Fenj I was. Seemed to be spending all his time far away in a dream till that wicked little Kephi popped up.’ His face twisted into what Kera hopefully took to be a grin. He glanced furtively over his shoulder and around the hall as Kera patiently sipped her tea. ‘Told me he heard Mim speak with that there nasty silver Dragon,’ Lorak confided suddenly.
Kera lowered her mug but continued to watch flames lapping over one of the thick logs on the fire. ‘He actually heard them speak?’ she asked softly. ‘Ashta told me that Mim was shielding us all so Gremara could only reach him.’
Lorak hunched his shoulders obstinately. ‘Old Fenj said as he heard them. And he said what he heard worried him a lot. Didn’t tell me of course, but he said he’d tell you. Said it might be dangerous if he told me.’
Kera glanced at Lorak, frowning. ‘But why would it be dangerous for you?’ she asked. She had to wait another while before Lorak decided to reply.
‘The old fellow thinks Mim could hurt anyone now.’
Kera choked on her tea. Lorak pounded her back helpfully until she pushed his hand away. ‘Fenj said that?’ she gasped, her eyes still watering. ‘He actually said that Mim could hurt us?’
Lorak met her stare, his expression grim as he nodded. ‘He said he’ll talk to you, but only when Mim is hunting with Ashta, not when he is anywhere within the Stronghold.’
Kera felt ice slide down her spine. ‘Are you telling me that Fenj fears Mim Lorak?’
Lorak hunched his shoulders again. ‘He says he’ll tell you but all he told me was that young Mim has learnt how to twist the threads – that’s just what he said – twist the threads like the Grey One. And he was told how by that there silver creature what hurt all they Delver people.’
Lorak got to his feet and was halfway back to the small guardroom he had taken over beside the gateway before Kera realised he was gone. Stars! But she hadn’t expected this. Mim, that gentle, timid Nagum boy! She had been glad to see his confidence and assurance grow as he changed. Ashta was so gentle though and Kera had heard that Hani, who had guided her daughter and Mim from their bonding, was the most sweet natured of Dragons.
Was it something to do with the melding of Nagum and Dragon genes that had forced some aberrant development of Mim’s character? Genetics was not Kera’s field of study and Nesh was no more learned in the subject than she was. She shuddered as she remembered that it was Rhaki’s passion.
She had neither seen the battles with the Shardi nor witnessed the fights in the tunnels below where she now sat. Kera realised that even Lorak’s few words more than hinted at a possibility of violence from the last person she could have imagined. She wrapped her long arms around herself, aware that what had seemed a pleasantly adventurous escape from the confines of her chambers in the Asataria had now taken on a terrifying new prospect.
The Speakers of the Circles of Vagrantia had responded to the summons to meet in council with unusual haste and were now gathered in private session. Thryssa explained why she had summoned them, stating the facts as far as she knew them to be.
‘Now I have to ask you all this: the first settlers of the Vagrantian Circles decreed certain practises of the use of power to be forbidden. We are now aware that at least some of our people have either learned by themselves or by way of knowledge retained within their families, some of these forbidden things.
‘As High Speaker of all the Circles, I feel a peril is close to us and thus I would not condemn any who willingly come forward now with a
nything they may have so learned.’ Thryssa smiled briefly at Maressa. ‘Maressa admits riding the winds and scrying the far northern mountains. She has told us a little of what she has seen, but much she has seen she has not understood. I ask that you share whatever you have seen or heard yourselves that we may struggle to find some meaning in what is happening now.’
She sat back in her chair at the head of the table. ‘I repeat, I fear there is danger drawing ever closer but I do not know from whom or whence it comes. We must learn this quickly so we may prepare ourselves and all our people and our lands of Vagrantia. If you wish to discuss this privately first, let us part now and regather here after midday.’
The three visiting Speakers, each with their attendant councillor, glanced at each other and nodded agreement. They left the council room quietly and Thryssa closed her eyes as Alya shut the door on the last councillor. An inner door opened and Kwanzi brought in a tray with a pot of fresh tea, its steam scenting the room instantly. He gestured to Alya to pour the tea and went to stand behind Thryssa’s chair. She groaned as his fingers kneaded the tight muscles of her neck.
‘You haven’t slept in days and you refuse the mildest herbs, which would help you rest,’ he scolded gently. ‘How can you make sensible decisions in such a state?’
‘I want nothing,’ Thryssa said firmly, ‘that could possibly slow my thinking.’
Kwanzi fetched her tea and then sat beside Alya. He nodded at the window. Clouds raced across the blue sky. They were small clouds but the sky was paling to a more wintry shade than had been usual over the last days.
‘It would seem the cold is returning,’ he said.
Alya and Thryssa exchanged grins. Kwanzi’s attempts to distract Thryssa in times of stress were blatant, despite his firm conviction that he was being subtle.
Kwanzi adored Thryssa and had done since they first learnt to walk. Their families were long-time friends and Kwanzi had followed Thryssa in everything. He studied healing as she had, spending much time with his head between his knees as they reached more advanced levels of study. Despite constant teasing, Kwanzi had been steadfast, knowing that all he wished for in his life was to be with Thryssa, to love her and to care for her in whatever capacity he could.
Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series Page 15