A Storm in the Desert: Dragonlinked Chronicles Voume 3

by Adolfo Garza Jr.

  Your son speaks the truth.

  “Thank you, Coatl.” Gregor turned to the large dragon.

  “That was him?” His mother stared.

  “Forgive me,” Fillion said. “This is Coatl, my bond-mate.”

  Lady Lora. Coatl bowed his head.

  “Goodness.” She placed her hand on her chest.

  “And this is Kisa.” Gregor reached down and patted her. “She’s my bond-mate.”

  Kisa chirped. Hi Gregor’s mom. Fillion is right. You are pretty.

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling. She looked the young dragon over. “And you, my dear, are adorable.”

  Kisa let out a happy rumble and Gregor smiled.

  Thank the gods. They all seemed to be getting along.

  His mother looked from Kisa to Coatl, then to Fillion and, finally, back to him. She sighed. “It seems there is much we need to catch up on. Can I come by your room soon and spend some time with you?”

  “Of course,” Gregor said. “How about tomorrow afternoon? That’ll give you all time to get settled in, visit with Aunt Rora and Uncle Baronel, and rest up after the long trip.”

  “That would be perfect.” She smiled. “For now, though, we need to do as you said, get settled in. Then we have a late lunch with Rora and Baronel—”

  “Can I go to lunch with Gregor and Fillion?” Elise wrapped her other arm in Gregor’s. “Please, mom? I’d rather not spend lunch listening to Caer talk, which I’m sure most of the conversation will be about.” She clutched Gregor’s arm tighter. “I haven’t seen my brother in years!”

  “I suppose. But you will spend some time with your aunt and uncle and your cousins. Do you understand, young lady? They haven’t seen you in ages, either.”

  “I promise!”

  “Mmm hmm.” She took Lord Eldin’s arm. “You’ll need to unpack your bags, too, at some point, don’t forget.” They turned and made for the Residence.

  Gregor let out a breath. “That went as well as I could have hoped for.”

  Elise looked at Fillion and smiled. “You were perfect.”

  He chuckled and shrugged. “I meant everything I said.”

  She looked up at Gregor. “I missed you, big brother. But I’m glad you finally found things that make you happy.”

  “Me, too, cupcake. Me, too.” He smiled. “Hey, would you like a dragon ride to the stables?”

  “I swear to all the gods, if you’re making fun of me again, I will break your other arm.”

  Fillion chuckled. “That must be a family expression.”

  Laughing, Gregor said, “I’m serious, Elise. We have spare riding belts. Would you like to?’

  “Of course!”

  + + + + +

  Aeron ate the last of the stew. It had been as tasty as ever, but he was getting tired of it. Casseroles, stews, soups, and meat pies. After months of it, winter fare was beginning to lose its appeal. He couldn’t wait for spring and the change in food it would bring.

  She is nearly ready.

  Aeron nodded. Okay, I’m just about done here, anyway.

  Master Gella would announce her findings in about—he checked his wrist-watch—thirty minutes. He stood. It was later than he’d realized.

  “Leaving?” Willem looked up at him.

  “Yeah. The Guildmaster’s just about ready.” Aeron gathered up his dishes.

  “Be careful. I know Master Gella and Capu Cirtis have probably rounded up all those who wish ill to dragons, but still . . .”

  “We’ll be careful.” He leaned down and gave Willem a quick kiss.

  “Korrie!”

  “Elise?”

  Gregor and Fillion walked over. A girl with them hurried to Korrie. After setting her tray down, she hugged the surprised candidate. As they embraced, the two jumped up and down, squealing, clearly excited to see each other.

  “That must be Gregor’s sister, Korrie’s cousin.” Sharrah smiled. “Wasn’t his family supposed to arrive around now?”

  Aeron glanced at her and nodded. “I think so.” Picking up his tray, he headed for the bus bins.

  Fillion turned to him. “Heading out?”

  “Yeah. The meeting’s soon.”

  Fillion glanced at the three cousins, chatting away. “We’ll have to introduce you to Elise later. Be sure to give us all the details when you get back!”

  Aeron chuckled. “I will.”

  As he walked along the cobbled street to the stables, Aeron tried to make sense of how he was feeling. He should be excited, but instead he felt . . . dull? Numb? He couldn’t quite put a name to it. He felt a little sad, too.

  Come to think of it, the feeling reminded him of how he felt after taking a test for spells he’d worked very hard to master. The excitement, the fear, was over and he was left with nothing, wondering what he’d be tasked with next. With the Corpus Order taken care of, a great weight had been lifted from the guild’s, from his, shoulders. What was next to take care of?

  He twisted his lips. There was plenty to do, actually. The eggs would hatch, soon. That would be very exciting, seeing the choosing. They could certainly use more dragonlinked for the expanded patrols. Would they continue to do them for free? Could they afford to?

  And speaking of eggs, there was a lot of work left to do to get the moss and fungi going in the clutching room and beyond. Anaya was taking care of the small starting garden they had. More dragons would have to take up being moss-tenders, though. She wouldn’t be able to take care of it across the entire Guildhall.

  Construction of the Guildhall itself was almost complete, too. There would be a great deal of moving around involved with that. Classes would start to be held there. It’ll be nice to have actual classrooms for them. Though, to be honest, the investigation office was pretty much a classroom, now.

  Aeron grunted. Yeah, there was plenty left to do. His odd feelings would catch up to reality soon enough.

  He peeked in the den after walking in. Hi, dear-heart. I’ll saddle you up after I visit the water closet.

  Anaya raised her head and chirped. Millinith has gone to her room in the Magic Hall to change. She will return soon.

  Alright.

  A few minutes later, Aeron checked the straps on the saddle and frowned. What should I wear, do you think? A robe?

  You should wear your riding gear, though you may need to remove the jacket once we arrive. It is the dragonlinked uniform, of sorts, is it not?

  Good point, dear-heart. He patted her neck.

  “Ah, good.” Guildmaster Millinith walked in the dragon doors. “You’re ready, then?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Aeron nodded.

  She took a breath and let it out. “Let’s go hear her findings, shall we?”

  When Anaya banked down for a landing in Daelon’s Plaza, Aeron noted two manisi standing at the pool, the remains of the platform. He thought they might from those three who’d helped during the surprise attack.

  They are.

  Aeron patted Anaya’s neck. Good. I trust them, at least.

  One of the two manisi, the woman, bowed after they dismounted. “Guildmaster, Dragonlinked, Dragon. Welcome to Bataan-Mok.” She turned and waved to the guards at the top of the tiered section. One approached. “He will escort you to the meeting room.” She nodded to the other manis. “We’ll keep watch over Anaya.”

  Surprise came through the link.

  She knows my name. Anaya chirped at the manis.

  I would imagine that everyone here does now. The dragon who survived three attempts on her life.

  “Thank you.” Guildmaster Millinith bowed her head. She glanced at Aeron and started toward the guard.

  Aeron followed.

  “Guildmaster, Dragonlinked. This way, please.” The guard turned and made for the archway at the top of the tiered section.

  Aeron soon lost track of where they were going. It was not the way he had come with Capu Cirtis the day of the ‘celebration.’ The furnishings and halls were similar, though. Paintings, vases, and sm
all statues lined the hallways, and their footsteps echoed off the stone floors and walls. This place is huge. I would get lost if I tried to find my way back out.

  Hopefully you will be shown the way back after the meeting.

  Aeron smiled. Hopefully.

  People stopped and stared when they caught sight of the three walking down the hallways. Whispers and murmurs were left in their wake. No one looked angry, though, just curious. A good sign, perhaps.

  Their escort led them to a door flanked by two guards. Aeron and Millinith followed him in. A walk down a short hallway ended at a large, circular room. Chairs lined the walls, in tiers. In the center of the room was a podium. The guard led them down an aisle and past the lectern to where Capu Cirtis sat. The leader of the Corpus Order stood.

  “Thank you.” He nodded to the guard, who bowed, turned, and left.

  “Guildmaster, Dragonlinked, please, be seated.” Capu Cirtis gestured to two empty seats, one on either side of his.

  Guildmaster Millinith sat in the seat to his left, and Aeron sat in the other.

  “Special Investigator Gella will begin in a few minutes.” Capu Cirtis sat.

  We’re here, at the meeting room. Master Gella hasn’t arrived yet, though. How is it out there?

  It is fine. A few people have arrived, looking at me. The guards keep them back.

  Are any of them upset?

  None. They are curious. One or two are even excited to see me.

  That’s good to hear. I’ll let you know what Gella has to say.

  Alright.

  He could almost see her lay her head on the ground, chin on her forepaws, eyes on those watching her. He smiled and glanced at Capu Cirtis. He and Millinith were leaning toward each other in a whispered conversation.

  Aeron looked about the room. The lighting was subdued, though not too dim to make out details. Enormous tapestries covered the walls between large columns that divided the room into five sections. From the bits visible behind the hangings, it looked like the walls were constructed of granite like most of the the rest of Bataan-Mok. Two rows of seats circled the room, though the section they sat in had one more row at the bottom. The chairs were tall-backed, leather covered, and fairly comfortable, he found. Most of them had occupants, though several around the room were empty. Aeron didn’t understand why any umeri would miss this meeting. Surprisingly, Nesch Takatin wasn’t in attendance yet.

  The door opened, and it was so loud in the near silence that Aeron twitched a little in surprise.

  What is it?

  Master Gella arrived. It’s very quiet in here, and the door was loud. It caught me off guard when it opened.

  Humor came through the link.

  Smiling, Aeron glanced at Capu Cirtis. The blank expression on the man’s face made his own smile fade. Why did Capu Cirtis look that way?

  “My apologies for making you wait.” Master Gella opened a folder and set it on the podium. “I’ll try to be as brief as possible. The Corpus Order sold a strip of land to National Transportation some several months back. All well and good. The transportation company was in the process of preparing the land for a rail line that would connect the deep southern lands with those north of the desert. In the process of doing so, they made a discovery on the land the specifics of which I am not at liberty to discuss at this time.”

  Aeron wasn’t exactly sure what they’d found. Guildmaster Millinith, Gregor and Fillion had all refused to divulge any specifics regarding Master Gella’s investigation. Whatever had been discovered, it was apparently of critical importance.

  Master Gella flipped a paper over in the folder. “National Transportation understood the implications of the discovery, but instead of reporting it to the High Council, they decided to sell what they discovered to a criminal organization.”

  Murmurs broke out in the room.

  Master Gella glanced up. “If that were the end of it, I would not be here.” She looked at the open folder. “Alas, that was not the case. Again, fully aware of what they discovered, National Transportation knew they needed to protect it. They contacted Nesch Takatin and requested his assistance. He would be compensated monetarily for his help. He agreed to their offer and he and his allies in the Corpus Order proceeded to assist National Transportation. The most obvious help they provided was sending half the manisi to guard National Transportation’s camp in Ghost Flats.”

  “What?” An umeron was standing. “We thought they were searching for dragons. Where is Nesch Takatin? He should answer these accusations. I’d like to hear his reasons for doing all this, if he has any.”

  Capu Cirtis stood. “Please. Reserve your questions until after Special Investigator Gella concludes her report of findings.”

  The umeron frowned, but nodded and sat.

  Capu Cirtis turned to Master Gella. “Please, continue.” He sat and looked at her.

  She nodded and looked again at her papers. “There were a few other members of the Order that were provided to National Transportation. Those had specialized skills for working with substances similar to what was discovered. For its own part, National Transportation killed several villagers and made it seem as if dragons had done so in a further effort to keep people from their site in Ghost Flats. Nesch Takatin and almost everyone of his allies in the Corpus Order were aware of this.”

  Several umeri were on their feet, shouting. “Monstrous!” “Impossible!” “Where is he? Where is Nesch Takatin?”

  Master Gella raised her hands. “Please. Umeri. Please be seated. Nesch Takatin is in custody. All those empty seats you see in the gallery? They are his allies who, along with him and my report, are already on their way to Delcimaar.”

  “And Nesch Takatin?” Anger was writ large across the woman’s face. “Will he stand trial?”

  “Indeed he will, all of them will.” Capu Cirtis stood. “It is shocking, learning the depth of his betrayal, but please, let the investigator continue. We will have time for questions afterwards.”

  Amid angry grumbles, the umeri returned to their seats.

  Aeron felt sympathy for them. As the Capu said, learning all this must be a shock. He looked at Capu Cirtis. No wonder his expression had been one of loss, earlier. Master Gella had probably gone over the findings with him beforehand.

  “These incidents are not the extent of Takatin’s actions. Unbeknownst to his allies, Takatin had another goal in mind. He wanted to destroy the Corpus Order.” She raised her voice over the shocked protests. “Or at the very least, have it damaged permanently. It was he who intercepted the manis Capu Cirtis sent to the Dragon Craft Guild, intercepted him and gave new instructions. Instead of setting up a meeting with the guild, Takatin told the manis to kill Anaya.”

  More murmurs came from the umeri.

  “In addition, while he was working with National Transportation, he also provided information to a special investigator that pointed to National Transportation and their involvement with the Corpus Order. He also revealed to me that he’d worked with—”

  Aeron stood. “Nesch Takatin was the one who instigated all those events. It was not the Corpus Order, as a whole, who did so.”

  “That is correct.”

  Why was Master Gella’s expression so sad?

  “And he will be punished for those actions. Unfortunately, even without all the rest, it was his and his allies’ involvement with National Transportation’s work in Ghost Flats that dictated the result of my findings.”

  That didn’t sound good. Aeron looked at Capu Cirtis. The man’s face was ashen and his shoulders were slumped.

  “The Corpus Order will have to be shut down.”

  Umeri were on their feet again, protesting, shouting, their voices desperate.

  Aeron stared at Master Gella. “No.”

  Aeron, what is wrong?

  “You can’t do this!” Aeron had to shout to be heard over the others.

  “I’m sorry,” Master Gella said. “It is beyond my control.”

  A few u
meri were leaving. Rats fleeing a sinking ship?

  He took a step. “You cannot do this! Do you fully understand what will happen if the Corpus Order is forced into dissolution?” He gestured to the people in the room. “The Order is more than just them. Bataan-Mok is the lifeblood of this entire region. The villages, the people, the families, they’re all dependent on the Order.”

  “Aeron,” Capu Cirtis looked at him. “Perhaps it is for the bes—”

  “No!” He shook his head. “She has to understand what she does by this.”

  The remaining umeri had stopped talking and were watching him.

  He looked back at Master Gella. “People will lose their livelihoods. They’ll be forced to move away or die. This region will revert to how it was when the Corpus Order was formed over a century ago. Is that what you want? We asked you to help us, but instead, you’re bringing about exactly what Nesch Takatin was hoping for.”

  Aeron, what is happening?

  Something terrible.

  “I’m sorry, Aeron. Even had there only been sixteen involved and fully aware of what they did . . . . but with Nesch Takatin there were eighteen. That’s well over a third of management. The law is quite clear on this.”

  “Then the law is stupid!”

  “Aeron.” Guildmaster Millinith stared at him. Her expression was as bleak as Capu Cirtis’s.

  “The law is not stupid.” Master Gella looked angry. “Laws are there to protect people.”

  Aeron couldn’t help the laugh that escaped his lips. “Protect? Are you serious? How is this law protecting the hundreds of members of the Order who will be left homeless and without any source of income? Members who had nothing to do with helping National Transportation. How is it helping them? How is it helping the villagers who will be forced to leave homes their families have lived in for generations?”

  “It isn’t as simple as all that, Aeron.” Master Gella sighed.

  How could she say that? He stared at her. “Isn’t it?”

  “I really am sorry.”

  Aeron clenched his jaws. It’s over. And everything we did was for nothing.

  What?

  You. Me. Us nearly dying, again and again. The nahual hunts down here. All of us coming down for the talks. It was all for nothing.