A Storm in the Desert: Dragonlinked Chronicles Voume 3

by Adolfo Garza Jr.

  Millinith glanced at High Lady Hasana—Ana. She had one hand on the dragon’s neck while listening to Fillion. Millinith’s lips crooked in a smile. “I think I like her.”

  Gella grunted. “Try arguing with her when her mind is set. See how much you like her then.” She turned to Millinith. “So, would it be alright if Fillion took me to the flats? I’ll notify you on the ‘writer when I need to go.”

  “As long as he has no other commitments, that should be no problem.”

  “Good. I’m not sure how long it will take, but once I’ve settled affairs in the South, I would be most interested in helping you with your own problems down there in any way that I can.”

  Millinith nodded. “I appreciate that.” If Enora couldn’t round up enough friends, perhaps this trump card would be of use.

  + + + + +

  Fillion smiled. They’d made it back just in time for lunch. Once the others had dismounted, he hopped off and patted Coatl on the neck. Good flight, big guy.

  The mahogany dragon let out a rumble.

  “Auditor, if you’ll follow me,” Guildmaster Millinith said, “I’ll show you to our interim office and introduce you to Dragonlinked Renata and Adept Liflin. Our Animal Craft auditor may even be there.”

  Fillion watched them head off. That had been an interesting trip. Come on, let’s tell them about our adventure. He turned and made for the stable.

  Coatl padded beside him. The Lady thought I was amazing.

  Fillion chuckled. Yes. Yes, she did.

  Kisa stood in the dragon door and greeted them with a bark. You are back!

  Coatl gave her a chirp.

  Fillion laughed. “Yes we are, little one.”

  I am not little anymore. I am still awake!

  Gregor walked up from behind her. He smiled, squatted, and scratched her chin. “That is true, though it looked like you were getting sleepy.”

  She looked like she was about to protest, but Fillion’s words caught her attention. “I have presents.”

  Presents? For me?

  “For you, yes, but also for Coatl and Gregor.” Fillion opened the waist pouch and removed the six small cookies.

  Both dragons rumbled happily at the sight of baked goods.

  Handing four to Gregor, Fillion said, “Try to at least have one? They’re really good.”

  Gregor chuckled and stuck one in his mouth. “Mmm. These are good.” He bent and offered one to Kisa.

  Coatl already had his large mouth open.

  Fillion chuckled and tossed two cookies in. “Here you go.”

  Delicious.

  “I saw the guy with the Guildmaster,” Gregor said as they followed the dragons into the den. “Are the rest of the Magic Craft representatives coming via stagecoach?”

  Fillion let out a breath. “He is all we’re getting.”

  “What?”

  “We didn’t get to speak with their guildmaster, only an adjunct. And he didn’t think we needed more. He only gave us our auditor.”

  Gregor looked angry. “Is he stupid? Didn’t Millinith explain what the Order has done?”

  “She did. The adjunct played it all off as if none of it was definite. Anaya wasn’t actually executed, Master Gella hasn’t yet proved the Order is involved, we don’t know that there will actually be manisi waiti—”

  “Are you kidding me?” Gregor looked about to explode.

  “But that’s fine.”

  “How is that fine?”

  “We ran into an old friend of Millinith’s, Master Enora. She’s going to see if she can’t get some sorcerers together to go with us as interested parties.”

  Gregor frowned. “I hope she’s successful. I don’t trust Takatin even as far as I could throw him.”

  At lunch, the other dragonlinked shared Gregor’s concern.

  Willem shoved his plate away. “I don’t like it. Those bastards tried to kill Anaya and threw Aeron in gaol. We need more people to go with us in case they try something.”

  “Takatin was the one who wanted to kill Anaya,” Aeron said.

  “Many in the Order feel the same as he does.” Renata pushed a few peas around her plate with a fork.

  “Not all of them,” Polandra said. “In fact, most of them do not.”

  “The Guildmaster trusts Master Enora,” Fillion said. “We shouldn’t worry so much until we learn how many the woman can round up.”

  “Fillion has a point,” Sharrah said.

  Cheddar nodded. “Yeah. Let’s worry about something else.”

  “What exactly are we going to do when we go back?” Jessip looked from one to another.

  “The Guildmaster told Enora that we were going back when Capu Cirtis feels the time is right,” Fillion said, “when the Order is ready to listen to us. I’m assuming she meant once enough of the umeri were willing to listen. They’re the ones who vote on things, after all. That part of our plans hasn’t changed. We’ll introduce the umeri to our dragons, like we did here in the Caer with Anaya’s question and answer.”

  “Assuming we can stop Takatin’s plans,” Gregor said. “Otherwise there won’t be an Order.”

  “We’ll stop his plans,” Aeron said. “Part of what we need to do for that to happen is to let the people in the Order know that there are still dragons to save. We’re going to have all our dragons there, even Mia and Kisa.”

  Fillion frowned. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea. “What if having that many dragons there scares people?”

  “Anaya said that most of the people who came to see the ‘evil dragon’ turned out to actually like her,” Aeron said. “I’m sure a big part of that was because she was the calm, amazing dragon she normally is. We’ll talk to our dragons to be sure they’re well-behaved. Nice and mannerly.”

  “Mannerly, huh?” Polandra stared at Aeron. She had one brow raised. “How is Anaya, by the way? I heard a ruckus last night, and when I stepped outside to see what it was about, I saw her tear out of the courtyard, Balam fast on her tail.”

  Aeron’s cheeks flushed crimson. Fillion wondered why that was. And Willem, too, was blushing. Fillion narrowed his eyes. Had he missed something last night?

  “S–She’s fine.” Aeron cleared his throat and looked around at everyone. “Perhaps it’s that the clutching room is complete, or perhaps it’s that she’s happy to have escaped from the Order, but for whatever reason, last night . . . well, she’s, ah, she’s going to be a mother.”

  Fillion raised his brows. He had definitely missed something!

  “Congratulations!” Sharrah leapt up, ran around the table, and wrapped her arms around Willem and Aeron.

  Everyone offered well-wishes, pats on the back, and slugs on the shoulders.

  “How is she doing?” Liara asked.

  Aeron shrugged. “Good. She feels happy. Her and Balam have been in the den since they returned, soaking wet, last night.”

  “Soaking wet?” Gregor’s brows were furrowed.

  “They were in the lake,” Willem explained.

  “Why were they in the lake?” Fillion said.

  “That’s where they went to, ah—” Aeron cleared his throat. “Let’s just say that the lake is much less cramped than a den in the stables.”

  “Dragons can hold their breath for a surprisingly long time,” Willem murmured.

  “I see.” Sharrah opened her backpack and removed a notebook. She scratched away in it then looked up. “Does she know how many eggs she will lay?”

  Cheddar burst out laughing. “Gods, Sharrah, always taking notes.”

  “Hush,” she said and looked back at Aeron.

  “No. This morning she only knew that she would lay eggs soon. Dragons, wild ones, can’t sense life, so she was unable to check her memories to know when she will be able to tell how many. We’ll have to find that out as we go. However many there are, they will be laid within about a week. That was one thing she was able to remember. How long it takes, after, you know.”

  Liara chuckled. She had a wicked g
leam in her eye. “It must have been interesting.”

  Aeron’s face grew very flushed. “You may think you’re close to your dragon through the link, but let me tell you, when they’re . . . like that, it’s almost as if you become your dragon.”

  “It was most definitely interesting.” Willem had a smile on his face, though he seemed to not want to meet anyone’s gaze directly.

  “And I would be remiss,” Aeron said, “if I didn’t give you all some advice. At least those of you bonded with female dragons.” Aeron cleared his throat again. “As I said, when they get like that, the difference, the distance between you and your dragon, fades.” He glanced at Willem. “We realized that this might be something that would have to be dealt with, so we prepared.” Aeron looked at his hands resting on the table. “You do not want your shared experiences with your dragons to be bad, so if it isn’t how you and your partner normally, ah, interact, or, I guess, if you never have, you should think about, um, practicing.”

  Fillion grunted. That potential issue had never occurred to him. Not that it would be a problem for him and Gregor.

  Aeron stood. “Well, I need to cut out early to get ready for my CTC patrol. See you all later.” He grabbed his tray and practically ran for the bus bins.

  “He’s to be commend for sharing that information,” Gregor said. “I’m embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t considered the implications of that aspect of dragon life.” He glanced at the faces around him. “And it looks like most of you hadn’t either. All the more reason to be grateful Aeron mentioned it. After all, we’re dragonlinked. We need to know everything about our companions, including how the link affects them and us under different circumstances.”

  “Think well on all Aeron’s words,” Liara said. “Preparing beforehand is prudent advice. I imagine dragons could be . . . energetic.”

  Willem chuckled. “Yeah.” The blond boy was staring at his plate, a faint smile on his lips. When he glanced up, however, and saw everyone looking him, the smile vanished and his cheeks turned crimson.

  He grabbed his tray and said, “I, ah, should probably help get Anaya ready for the patrol.”

  Fillion watched Willem rush off. With Anaya and Nenet laying eggs soon, there would be potentially up to six eggs waiting to hatch. There were only two candidates ready. He glanced at Sharrah and Cheddar. Whether or not the guild was ready, it needed to start accepting applications.

  Fillion stood. “See you guys at lessons. I’ve got an errand to run.”

  Coatl, is Millinith in her office?

  She is.

  Perfect.

  Fillion thought about how best to get a number of candidates quickly. From what they understood, it took almost a month for eggs to hatch. That should give them time to get the accepted some initial training beforehand. As long as there were accepted to train, and soon.

  He glanced in the dragon door as he passed Aeron and Willem’s stable. They were saddling Anaya. Balam sat on his haunches, watching. Fillion lifted a hand in hello and continued on.

  The office door was open, so he walked in. Surprisingly, Master Doronal was there too. They were eating lunch together? Fillion smiled.

  “Guildmaster,” he said, “do you have a moment?”

  They looked up from their meal.

  “Did you have a question about this afternoon’s lesson?” she asked.

  “No.” Fillion shook his head. “We need more candidates.”

  She sighed.

  Master Doronal chuckled. “It seems I’m not the only one of that opinion.”

  “I know we need more candidates,” she said. “I just haven’t had time to think about where to put them. The living quarters aren’t complete yet.”

  “They don’t need to be put anywhere,” Fillion said. “That is, if we limit initial applications to people from the Caer. They’re already living somewhere. They would just stay there until they could be moved into the Guildhall.”

  She toyed with a lock of hair. “Hmm. That’s true. And if a few from the Farm were accepted, we could place them in the dorms or the Housing Hall for the time being.”

  “All we’ll need to work out,” Master Doronal said, “is when and where to hold the classes for the new bunch.”

  “And how.” Guildmaster Millinith frowned. “I’m stretched thin as it is. Who will teach them?”

  “The instructors you hired.” Master Doronal stabbed a chunk of what looked like roasted potato with a fork. “They’re well enough along to start training accepted while they continue with their own lessons.” He ate the root vegetable. “It’s just a matter of scheduling.”

  “Renata’s great with that kind of thing,” Fillion pointed out.

  “Yes,” Guildmaster Millinith said, “she is. I’ll pull her aside after today’s lessons. Cheddar, too. We’ll need to have some specific applications printed up as well as copies of the recently revised lesson plans to give the instructors.”

  “We’ll need to ask the dragons for assistance with selecting applicants who are candidates,” Master Doronal said. “Applicants for positions in the guild other than dragonlinked are being handled differently, are they not?”

  Guildmaster Millinith nodded. “That’s correct. These applications will only be for dragonlinked.”

  “That shouldn’t be an issue,” Fillion said. “Any of the dragons who are available can do that. Just bring out the applicants and have a dragon look them over.”

  “What do we tell those that a dragon says are not candidates?”

  “It sounded like that was fairly rare,” Master Doronal said, “and usually because the person is magic blind or, ah, dragon deaf?”

  “Dragon deaf.” The Guildmaster raised her brows. “I suppose that’s as good a name as any. Well, in those instances, the explanation to the applicant would be easy, I suppose.”

  Fillion twisted his lips. “And in other instances?”

  Master Doronal stared at the Guildmaster. “We’ll think of something.”

  Chapter 25

  Leday, Secundy 23, 1875.

  Late Morning

  A bench had been dragged into Ikan’s den for the auditors. They sat upon it, eyes on the big dragon, while they asked their questions. Polandra, leaning on the wall next to them, watched the proceedings and wondered what exactly it was they were trying to learn.

  “Last question in this line of inquiry,” Adept Oran said. “What is six times four? Six groups of four items?”

  Twenty-four. Ikan’s rumble indicated he was beginning to tire of this questioning angle. Chin on his forepaws, he stared at the two on the bench.

  “Why are you asking him math questions,” Polandra asked. “I thought you were trying to determine if he’s a person, if he is ‘sentient,’ as you named it.”

  “We talked about it,” Adept Oran said, glancing at the other auditor, “and we feel we should be as thorough as we can with our questions for him.”

  “There have been a number of claims made over the years,” Adept Komako said, “regarding animals that were ‘smart.’ They could count, or respond to questions, or perform tasks seemingly impossible for a mere animal.”

  The auditors looked at each other.

  “We need to be sure,” Adept Oran said, “that Ikan has not been coached.” He turned to Polandra. “And part of that is to ask you to leave us. We will begin the next part of the session with you not present.”

  “If you’ll recall the explanation of how dragon communication works,” Polandra said, “it matters not whether I am present. We can still speak to each other. Me not being physically here doesn’t change anything.”

  “What if you went to Delcimaar?” Adept Komako asked. “Or anywhere far away. What is the maximum range of your communication with Ikan?”

  “There is none,” Polandra said. “At least not that we’ve found. Not for bond-mates. There is a limit for dragon to human communication, but the enchantment that links bond-mates, the Bond, uses ether focus.” She glanced at Adept Oran. �
��We believe the link pierces the ether itself.”

  “And as such,” he said, “distance means nothing to bond-mates.” He sighed. “I see.”

  Adept Komako clasped her hands in her lap. “We can never be certain that you are not helping him answer.” She glanced at Ikan. “What of unbonded dragons? What is the range of their communications with people?”

  “With humans?” Polandra said. “Five, maybe ten miles? Dragons can speak to one another over longer distances—perhaps double that—but a few miles seems to be about the limit for dragon to human.”

  “Hmm.” Adept Oran rubbed his chin. “So, if we could interview an unbonded dragon somewhere far enough away from humans and bonded dragons, we could be reasonably sure we were getting true answers.”

  “That could be arranged,” Polandra allowed, “but we’d need to find an unbonded dragon willing to do so. They are very anxious creatures, wild dragons.”

  Adept Komako raised her brows. “Oh?”

  “Absolutely.” Polandra nodded. “That’s why they seem so uncommon. They keep to themselves, far away from any settlements. Dragons are skittish. At least until they’re bonded.”

  “Why is that?” Adept Komako opened her notebook.

  Polandra shrugged. “We think—”

  Dragons are not complete until they are bonded.

  Adept Komako turned to Ikan. “Could you explain that statement, please?”

  He blinked large amber eyes at her. We were . . . made to be bonded, are supposed to be. Our bond-mate completes us. Unfortunately, we do not fully understand that until we are bonded. And yet, there is a . . . feeling of incompleteness, a feeling of not being whole that weighs on you your entire life. It has had an effect on us and our people.

  “That’s a good explanation about the plight of dragons,” Liara said.

  Polandra turned and smiled. “Liara.”

  The raven-haired girl walked in the dragon door. “I was wondering how the interview was going.”