Dragon Fate

by J. D. Hallowell

  “Well,” Delno said, “Since the threat is real, you have no choice but to help the people of Horne. However, you must be doubly on your guard when you get there. The Roracks are a threat, but if one Rider can betray you, then others may as well.”

  “I don’t like the idea of Riders mixed up with these creatures,” Brock stated flatly, “nor do I understand it. These men are bonded to dragons, who are basically good, and dragons hate the Roracks; it’s instinctive to them. How can they not only work with such creatures, but get their dragons to accept the alliance?”

  “Well,” Nat offered, “you three have gotten your dragons to go against their instincts without too much trouble.”

  The three Riders stared at him waiting for an explanation. He continued, “From everything I’ve read about them, dragons are solitary creatures. They won’t tolerate another dragon within miles of them unless it’s for mating. Yet, just outside the gates of this city are three dragons all nearly laying on top of each other contentedly.”

  “That’s different,” Rita said, “they are with us.”

  “It’s not different,” the physician replied. “They are not fighting with each other because the humans they are bonded to wish to congregate here: they simply have to get along, and there is no reason not to do so. Instincts aren’t as strong as most people think. We train animals to do things that go against their instincts all the time. The horse is a perfect example. In the wild, they live in family groups led by a stallion. They instinctively run from danger and resist being caught or penned in. We not only keep them penned, we train them to work for us, or did you think a war horse instinctively runs into battle? In fact, the very act of allowing someone on his back goes against the deepest instincts of a horse, but he allows himself to be trained and ridden for social acceptance.”

  “But dragons aren’t horses, they are much more intelligent,” she responded.

  “Exactly!” Nat exclaimed warming to his subject, “they are intelligent. The more intelligent a creature is, the easier it is for that creature to do something that goes against instinct. Humans suppress their instincts all the time for the sake of social acceptance. Dragons do the same. The idea of working with an instinctive enemy may be repugnant, but if that idea is introduced and reinforced over time, it will eventually become acceptable.”

  Everyone was thoughtful for a few moments, then Delno spoke, “Well, if one or more Riders are working with the Roracks, they haven’t shown themselves yet, at least not by the time that messenger from Horne left for Trent, or he would have mentioned it. At this point, we don’t even have any proof that Simcha has gone to join them. All we have is conjecture, although I do believe we are right.”

  “Yes,” Brock responded, “conjecture and erratic behavior from Simcha aren’t going to convince any other Riders that there is some conspiracy in the works. In the mean time, Rita and I have to travel into the jaws of the beast not knowing for sure who is friend and who is foe.”

  “At this point, the only people we can trust with any certainty are right here in this room,” Delno observed. “You and Rita must be extremely careful from now on; just traveling to Horne is perilous. Simcha may be out there waiting for you. Be on your guard at all times.”

  “I wish you had killed him,” Rita said coldly. “Then he would be out of this, and we would have one less enemy.”

  Nat shook his head and said, “We hadn’t put this all together before now. If Delno had killed Simcha before, it would have been for simple vengeance, and he is too good a man to sink to such a level.”

  “Thank you, my friend,” Delno responded. “However that may be, though, I feel that bird will come home to roost eventually.” Then he turned to Brock and said, “When you two reach Horne, trust no one, and don’t allow yourselves to be separated. Watch each other’s backs. Make sure you scan anyone who is close enough to harm you.” Then he turned to Nat and remarked, “That reminds me, though, the day that Brock arrived, you and Pearce were shielding your thoughts from being read. I know this because I tried to shield you and found you already protected. How is it that you both can do that?”

  Nat smiled and said, “That is something that the elves teach all of their children. I decided early on that all of my apprentices should know the technique, also. All people can connect to the magic to some degree, even if they don’t realize it, so anyone can learn to shield his thoughts even if he can’t work any other magic.”

  Pearce spoke up, “I am still trying to put this all together. What still doesn’t fall into place is Delno’s connection. Obviously he is a Rider, and Geneva is the daughter of Corolan’s dragon. But why was Corolan so important, and why his connection to Delno?”

  “Well,” Brock replied, “Corolan was the oldest Rider in the world. He was well respected by every other Rider. He would never have joined forces with the Roracks or even with any plot to overthrow the rightful ruler of any kingdom. If he got wind of some plot, he may have been killed to silence him, since he certainly wouldn’t have willingly joined. With Corolan standing against them, they would have a much tougher time swaying other Riders.”

  He stopped and slammed his fist down on his own thigh so hard that everyone else in the room winced. “Damn me for a fool; Corolan was also a holder of a Dragon Blade, and that blade was not recovered. It was because his blade and body weren’t found that I held some small hope that he was still alive, even though Leera also felt her mother’s passing. But his dragon confirmed his death, and Geneva has confirmed hers. Not finding the body is no great surprise: it pains me to think of it, but the Roracks usually eat their victims; the lucky ones are dead before the feasting starts. However, the Roracks wouldn’t have use for a blade like that, and they would shun anything that was made by dragons or magic.”

  He turned to Delno and said, “You see, Corolan was originally from Palamore, but he had traveled to Horne as a caravan guard. The story of Corolan becoming a Rider begins during one of the many invasions the Roracks have made over the years. A group of Roracks attacked a village that his caravan was passing through, and the vanners were fighting along side the villagers. A dragon and Rider who were helping the ground troops had used all of their flame and were trying to retreat. For some reason, the dragon couldn’t get out of arrow range fast enough, and she was pierced several times through one wing. It was enough to bring her down. Corolan saw her land, and, with his own quiver empty, he drew his sword and ran to their rescue. According to the tales, his attack was so fierce that a score of Roracks broke and ran. Then he stood his ground and covered the retreat of the dragon and Rider. As you might have guessed, that dragon was Geneva’s grandmother, and she was pregnant. She laid her eggs that afternoon, and Corolan became bonded to Geneva’s mother almost immediately after the egg was laid. The old female breathed a Dragon Blade onto the shell for Corolan’s service to her.”

  “Well, I certainly didn’t do anything that brave to earn my blade,” Delno said.

  Brock laughed out loud. Rita, thinking that he was mocking Delno demanded, “What is so funny?”

  Brock held up both hands in mock surrender and said, “Peace, Woman, I’m not insulting the man. It’s just that that was exactly what Corolan used to say about the deed that earned him his blade. He told me that he was so scared it was a wonder he didn’t wet his trousers. Said that after almost three thousand years, he still hadn’t figured out why he made what should have been a suicidal charge in the first place.”

  Rita relaxed and chuckled with everyone else. Brock continued, “Corolan was actually a small man, not too terribly much larger than Rita. He carried a blade that was similar to your saber, but a little lighter. I remember he went north twenty or so years ago to find a smith he had heard had the skill to remake the guard for the blade.”

  “That must have been Elom’s father. When I took my blade to Elom, he told me that he had seen one like it. He said that a southern man had brought it in and called it a Dragon Blade. His father crafted a new guard
for it, and the man was quite pleased. After the man retrieved the blade, Elom’s father became so busy with work from the caravans that he had to expand his operation.”

  “That would explain why Geneva’s mother went north,” Brock said, “it was far away from everything she knew could be harmful to her eggs, and she was familiar with it. The rest was guided by fate, magic, and pure chance.”

  “Yes,” Delno replied, “and, it is obvious that the two missing Dragon Blades are somehow linked to this. I think that it is more important than ever now that I go to Palamore and find out about that stolen Dragon Blade.”

  “Well, since we’ve decided that everything does fit together,” Rita broke in, “now all we have to do is come up with a plan.”

  “What we need,” Brock commented, “is a way to communicate with each other despite the distances involved. Unfortunately, the dragons need to be much closer to each other to use telepathy.”

  “I may have a solution,” Delno said. Then he told them about the Dream State of the dragons. Both of the other Riders knew of it and had been taken there by their own dragons. “Good; I’ll talk to Geneva and see if we can use that as a way of communicating. I don’t think the other dragons will have a problem with it providing that we control our emotions and not disrupt their communion.” They all agreed that was a good idea.

  Nat said, “Since Orlean is as close as we are likely to get to a central location, with Pearce’s approval we can use this place as a fall back house, and a safe place to leave messages for each other.”

  At Pearce’s nod of approval, Delno said, “Good, I have the beginning of a plan.”

  Chapter 39

  Later that night, lying in bed with Rita sleeping next to him, he thought about how much he had come to care for her in such a short time. He was completely enthralled by everything about her. It wasn’t just the love making, though that was certainly pleasurable enough. It was everything; her beauty, though at first he had thought her just a bit on the plain side, her hair, her body, her mannerisms, the way her voice modulated with her emotion and enthusiasm on a subject, just everything. Even the way she slept was enchanting. She was laying half on top of him, as if she couldn’t quite get close enough even with their skin pressed together like this. He knew he should sleep, he had a big day ahead of him tomorrow, but he was too content to lay there and feel Rita pressed against him, breathing peacefully.

  “You aren’t contemplating a permanent situation here are you, Dear One?” Geneva broke into his thoughts.

  “Contemplating it, but I know it isn’t possible. Brock has told me that Dragon Riders tend not to marry, or form lasting bonds. Of course, that is because male Riders out number females by about six to one. Most male Riders have to take lovers who don’t share their long life spans.”

  “Well, I am mature enough to understand that you want the companionship of a female of your species, but I am still young enough to be quite jealous.”

  Delno nearly laughed out loud, and Rita wiggled even more tightly against him. “Dear Heart, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. My love for you is on a different level and will not diminish because of my feelings for this woman.”

  “As I said, I understand intellectually, but emotionally, I am still very young.”

  “Look at it this way, Love; at least I have taken up with a woman who is a bonded Rider and will know better than to try and get between us.”

  “There is some truth to that. I am content with Fahwn’s company, provided that she continues to give me space to hunt and eat by myself.”

  “There is something I need to ask you about, Love.”

  “I will answer what I can, Dear One.”

  Delno told her about his plan to use the Dream State to maintain communication with Brock and Rita once they separated. She said that she would do some research into the possibility and give him an answer in the morning. Then they said good night, and he settled down to sleep.

  The next day they woke early and had breakfast at the garrison, but this morning he and Rita begged the pardon of the officers and men for not being able to practice with them. They needed to gather their gear and set out immediately on an errand that could take several days. Winston saw to it that they had enough supplies. The soldiers put so much in their packs they had to take nearly half of it out so as not to overburden the dragons. Then, with their packs and saddles ready, they met with Brock at the garrison gate.

  “We should have everything we need for the journey,” Delno told Brock. “Geneva has given me the image of Connor that Leera relayed to her, so I know who I am looking for. Rita has met the boy, so she will be a familiar face. I have concentrated on him some and have the direction, and I feel that he is close. We should be back soon.”

  “That’s a pretty handy talent you have, my friend,” the older Rider responded. “I’ll have the arrangements made so that we can set out within two days of your return. That should give Fahwn enough rest and still get us to Horne in time to be of assistance.”

  “Speaking of assistance,” Delno observed dryly, “Robbie wants to thank you for introducing him to Jennie. He says he never would have thought he could meet such a wonderful young woman in this backwater post. He seems quite taken with her.”

  “Yes, well, that,” Brock said, a little flustered. “Look, Delno, it’s a bad idea for a new Rider to get romantically involved, especially when his dragon is so young. I knew you were trying to put the girl off anyway, not wanting to take advantage of the situation, so I just pointed two young people at each other and let nature take its course.” He smiled a bit sheepishly and added, “I thought I was doing you a favor.”

  Delno smiled and replied, “Well, no harm done, my friend, but in the future remember that I am a grown man and can handle my own love life.”

  Brock smiled back and, looking over Delno’s shoulder he lowered his voice and said, “Speaking of which. . . .”

  “Are we all set?” Rita said as she walked up behind him.

  “Ready when you are, Beautiful,” he said.

  “You lead, Handsome, I’ll follow,” she said, and they both laughed.

  They grabbed their saddles and Tom and Jim grabbed up their packs. The boys were eager to help them since it afforded them another opportunity to get close to the dragons. It seemed that their familiarity with the Riders and their Partners had given the two lads, who were from two of the poorest families in the area, quite a bit of status with the other children in the community.

  The dragons were waiting near the gates. There was a large gathering, mostly boys about the same ages as the two orderlies. Delno and Rita each saddled their own dragon but let the boys help with their packs. Delno looked at the other children and, on impulse, picked up Tim, the larger of the two boys, and put him up on Geneva’s saddle. Rita shrugged and did the same, putting the other boy up on Fahwn. They let them sit there for a few moments while their friends got an eye full, then Rita smiled and said, “Ok, boys, you’ve impressed the crowd, but we have to go; time to climb down. The boys were nearly beside themselves as they got down. They thanked the Riders and sauntered past the other boys in the crowd.

  As the boys walked away, Rita pulled him down and gave him a quick kiss. “That was a sweet thing you did for them, Handsome.”

  “It wasn’t much,” he replied, “but when you’re that age, real bragging rights can be worth a lot.”

  Laughing, they mounted up. The dragons gathered themselves and launched into the sky. As always, Delno felt a surge of elation as they gained altitude. He also felt great pride in Geneva; she had grown visibly in just the last few days, and she was as large as Fahwn now. He could feel the powerful muscles beneath her hide working as she pumped her wings. Once they turned toward the direction his talent indicated, they spoke to each other.

  “You’ve grown again, Dear Heart; you’re as big as Fahwn now, and she is full grown.”

  “Yes, the old female I have been speaking to in the Dream State believes th
at because our connection to each other and to the magic is so strong that I am maturing at a much accelerated rate. She thinks it might actually be possible that I will even be able to produce flame months ahead of what would be normal.”

  “We will see, Love, but I am not concerned. You have proven yourself fit to face whatever comes at us.”

  Geneva nearly glowed with pride at his words. Then she said, “Oh, yes, I have done some research concerning using the Dream State for communication. None of the wild dragons seemed too concerned, though one or two weren’t sure they approved, and the old female said that as long as you keep your emotions under control so you don’t cause a disturbance, there should be no problem.”

  “That is wonderful news, Geneva; we will take great pains not to abuse the privilege.”

  They flew for over three hours before Fahwn relayed that Rita wanted to take a break. Delno looked over at her and waved his assent. They angled their flight towards a clearing next to a large stream. When they landed, Rita quickly hopped down off of Fahwn and ran for the bushes next to the bank. Delno wasn’t in dire need, but decided that he should take similar action.

  Once they were both back in the clearing, and he had extended his senses as far as he was able, which was now about three miles, and determined that they had no unwanted company, they relaxed a bit. He used his talent to make sure they were still on course, and was rewarded with an increase in the feeling that they were going the right direction. His talent wasn’t so precise that it gave him exact distance, but he was fairly sure that, at the speed they were traveling, even with having to stop early to allow Geneva to hunt, they would most likely find their quarry some time the next day.

  They decided to have lunch before continuing. Rita pulled out a small bundle and said, “Brock sent this along; he said you would like it.”