The Bond (Book 2)

by Adolfo Garza Jr.

  Standing again, beaming at the hushed crowd, Lord Eldin said, “All these luxurious accommodations and more will be available to see and enjoy during the passenger demonstration which we will announce soon. I look forward to seeing you all there.”

  Shaking hands and happily accepting the occasional congratulations, Lord Eldin walked across the platform on the way back to the train. Ahead, standing next to the door of the last car, Lady Helena waited.

  “Lord Eldin.”

  “After you.” He gestured to the door, bowing his head slightly.

  “I do hope we can produce the accommodations you just committed us to providing.” She stared at him only a moment before taking the two steps into the car.

  “So good to see you made it.”

  “Lord Eldin!”

  One foot on the first step and gripping the handrail, Lord Eldin turned to the speaker. “Yes?”

  “There will be a delay.”

  Frowning, he said, “A delay? I was assured your people could handle this.”

  “Yes, my lord, but our supplier—”

  “I’m not interested in your excuses. I paid for a service and I expect it to be performed as agreed.”

  “Of course, sir. The delay will be short, only ten minutes, but I wanted to be sure you knew beforehand.”

  “Well, ten minutes isn’t too long. That is satisfactory. I’ll be reducing the payment, however, due to the delay.”

  “Ah, yes, sir. We’ll have lunch ready to serve in fifteen minutes, then.” The young man turned and hurried away.

  “We’re having lunch?” Lady Helena walked ahead of Lord Eldin toward the front of the train.

  “Yes. It was meant to be a surprise. A last-minute demonstration for you and the others of the dining car experience I talked about.”

  “Dining car? Hmm, yes. The meeting room is similar to a private dining room.”

  “Exactly. Though I envision a less exclusive dining car. Benches will be arranged along both sides of the car in pairs, facing each other, with tables between. But the food, the service, the table settings, everything will be of the highest quality.”

  Master Brutten and Lord Paxton awaited them in the meeting car, seated at the large table, drinks in hand.

  “You’re quite the showman, Lord Eldin.” Lord Paxton raised his glass.

  “A show catches the imagination, gets the stories and articles written.”

  “Everyone was impressed with the demonstration.” Master Brutten swirled the drink in his glass. Looking up, he said, “Just as you said they would be.”

  “As I said to the people, I’ve ridden the trains many times. I know what they are capable of.”

  “The sabotage attempt is troubling, however.” Lady Helena made herself a cup of tea.

  “Indeed.” Lord Eldin glanced at their faces. “We’re going to have to address that, somehow. Perhaps by expanding our security section. Or mayhap we can contract with some of the landowners. Fare or shipping cost concessions might be an inducement to have them patrol the track lines for us.”

  He looked at Master Brutten. The man looked pensive, but had not offered an argument against the idea. “No disagreement, Master Brutten?”

  The archivist glanced at him, then finished his drink. “No. The trains perform just as you said they would, and thus, we’re well on the way to dominating the industry. A little expense to defend that position against competition is a small thing.”

  Lord Paxton laughed. “Competition? We have none. We’re miles ahead of everyone else.”

  Lady Helena said, “Quite literally. We have hundreds of miles of tracks already laid or land purchased and ready for them. Lord Eldin’s insistence that we lock up land purchase agreements before the demonstration was prudent. As word gets out about locomotives, about trains and railroads, people will understand just how valuable their land can be. The price we paid was so low, I almost feel bad for the landowners.”

  Lord Paxton chuckled. “Almost.”

  Smiling, Lady Helena took a sip of tea.

  “What news of Lord Baronel?” Master Brutten was pouring himself another drink. “Even I’ve heard tell of how fast the thing can travel. His dragon could pose a threat.”

  “It could,” Lord Eldon said. “And as much of a lead as we have on other companies, we need time to build our reputation as being the shipping and transportation company to turn to.”

  Shifting in his chair, he said, “I received disturbing news last night on my ‘writer.”

  “Oh?” Lady Helena set her cup on its saucer.

  “I had put in motion a plan to turn the Animal Craft Guild against him. Much like they battled us in the formation of our company, I sent a letter, anonymously, hoping to set them against any shipping company Lord Baronel might attempt to start. A direct move against him or his dragon might raise his suspicion, so instead, I worked behind the scenes. A wise move, it turns out, as he did put in an application for a company that would use his dragon. However, I learned that Lord Baronel submitted a second business application a day later. A company with a different focus.”

  “The man’s not stupid,” Master Brutten said.

  “No, he’s not. My plans with Animal Craft have succeeded. I’m sure they oppose using dragons for transportation, and I believe they will vote against his company at the approval meeting. However, this second company appears to be an investigation company. That focus aligns with the smokescreen Baronel’s been spreading about investigating nahual. But I don’t believe it. Once he gets a company formed, it’s a much easier task to shift its focus.”

  He looked at his partners. “We can’t afford for that to happen. I’ve put in motion a plan to make approval more difficult for any company he tries to form, but I don’t want to just rely on that. We’ve got to block him through the Investigation Craft Guild.”

  “My brother’s a detective,” Lord Paxton said. “A master investigator. I can speak with him about this, see if he has influence with anyone at the guildhall.”

  “Excellent. We’ll need to work out an angle to set them against dragon use, but once we have that, we can block Baronel there as well.”

  Lady Helena stroked the rim of her teacup. “What about financially?”

  Master Brutten turned to her. “What do you mean?”

  “He just started his light-globe business, what, two years ago? Starting another will require more investment. Surely he’s still extended from his first company. Perhaps there is something we can do on the financial side as well to slow him.”

  “Yes.” A smile spread across the master archivist’s face. “I actually have some old business partners that may be able to assist with that.”

  A soft knock on the door interrupted them.

  Lord Eldin said, “Come in.”

  “Lunch, Lord Eldin.”

  “Lunch?” Lord Paxton raised his brows.

  “Excellent,” Lord Eldin said, “I’m quite ready, famished, even.”

  “I do recall something in your little speech about a dining car,” Master Brutten said as he watched the servers set out place settings.

  “Yes.” Lord Eldin leaned back a touch as a linen napkin was placed in his lap. “Master Phillipa has been working on sleeping cars for a month. I thought of the others while on the train. Luxury accommodations and amenities will demand luxury fares.”

  “Indeed they will.” Lady Helena smiled as a plate of smoked salmon was placed before her.

  + + + + +

  “You should go talk to him.”

  Aeron turned from staring at the second dragon stable to look at Willem. “What?”

  “You’ve been glancing over there for the last ten minutes.”

  “Oh. Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. Listen, I’m going to head to the dorms and look over this week’s lessons before bed. You go and talk to Fillion.”

  Willem gave him a peck on the cheek, put the brushes back in the grooming kit, and left.

  Aeron turned back t
o the other stable. Should he speak to Fillion? Probably. What would he tell him, though? Grabbing the kit, Aeron lead Anaya back into her den.

  He is right. You should talk to the boy. But he is not in his room.

  Huh? What do you mean he’s not?

  Fillion is not in the second stable.

  Aeron frowned. Where was he then? Neither he nor Liara had attended the review session yesterday. And neither had sat with them at dinner last night or tonight. In fact, Aeron hadn’t seen Fillion at all since the night Liara had run off. A cold feeling entered his gut.

  What is it?

  He didn’t answer, instead he ran out the doors. Fillion wouldn’t do that, would he?

  It was dark in the study, so he opened a sconce. The desk was bare, only pencils and pens sat upon it, neatly arrayed. The counters were clean as well, everything put away and organized. The coat hooks were empty, too. Their thin metal claws pointed upward, grasping at nothing.

  Aeron said, “Fillion?” and immediately felt stupid. Anaya had said he wasn’t here.

  The bedroom was just as neat and just as empty. The bed was made, with blankets and sheets crisply folded. A small white envelope sat atop the dark blanket. His name was scrawled on its face.

  Aeron,

  One of the reasons I came was to see Anaya. She’s just as beautiful as ever, so you must be taking good care of her. I had no real plan other than to get away from Cotter’s Grove for a little while, you know? But when they asked me to join in dragonlinked training, I got very excited. The chance to have a dragon was something I couldn’t pass up.

  The main reason I came, though, was to see you. I just couldn’t stop thinking about you. At first I was happy, even after I found out that you were seeing Willem. (He’s a really nice guy, by the way) I wanted to see what your life was like, you know? You and Anaya. It wasn’t as exciting as I had imagined. There’s more work to it than I thought. Still, it was very fun.

  Then you started acting distant, like you were troubled by something. I almost asked you why, but I didn’t want to get between you and Willem. Well, we all found out why the other night, didn’t we?

  I can’t blame you for feeling that way. Who in your position wouldn’t? But after everyone heard you say those things, I thought for sure you’d eventually take responsibility, do something, anything. But you didn’t. I thought you would. I really thought the leader of the dragonlinked would.

  Anyway, it’s probably time for me to go home. I think I’ve been away long enough.

  —Fillion.

  P. S. Can you say goodbye to Anaya for me? She’s sleeping right now, and I don’t want to wake her.

  His chest hurt. The giant’s fist was back, pulling on his heart, tugging it down.

  Aeron?

  He’s gone, Anaya. Fillion went back home.

  Why?

  It’s my fault. He left because I didn’t do anything after my stupid words in front of them. He said he thought the leader of the dragonlinked would have done something. Why would he think that I was the leader?

  You and I were the first bonded. We are all that is here. It is not beyond reason for someone to think that.

  I guess. But I don’t think I want to be leader. I’m a terrible dragonlinked as it is. I failed at using combat magic with that last nahual, I ruined our chances at getting dragons from House Yaot, and now I’ve chased off Fillion and probably Liara. I would make a terrible leader.

  Stop it. You are training with Master Doronal to do better with fighting spells. You used that training while we were in House Yaot.

  And look what that got us!

  I said stop it. Do not blame yourself for everything. What happened at House Yaot was not your fault alone. And we actually succeeded. Nenet is proof of that.

  I suppose.

  Still, Aeron could only blame himself for Fillion leaving. And for Liara. She’d probably given up, too.

  What else would he ruin?

  Chapter 13

  Hemday, Tershy 15, 1874.

  Afternoon.

  “Father? What are you doing here?”

  She was so beautiful. He and Martha must have had Ulthis’s own luck in her creation. His wife was pretty enough, but he was beyond plain. Somehow, Violet had been born to them.

  “I just wanted to drop by and say hello to my baby girl.”

  “Daaa-aad.”

  She looked so embarrassed. The blush and her expression were the same as when she really had been a little girl. He forced himself not to wrap his arms around her in a massive hug.

  “I’m not a baby anymore.”

  “Oh, Vi. You’ll always be my baby.”

  The lines between her brows faded. “And you’ll always be my daddy. Still, I’m not supposed to have visitors.” She looked around the lobby of the hotel before turning back to him. “Now, unless you need information or are booking a room, scuttle off, and I’ll meet you for lunch like we planned.”

  He smiled. “Alright. I’ll see you then, sweetheart.”

  With Martha’s passing, Violet was all he had left. She’d done well at The Whispering Boughs, arguably Delcimaar’s best hotel, and was now the assistant host. Her self-reliance made him incredibly proud.

  She returned to the welcome counter. The wallpaper on the wall behind her was dark blue, with little diamond shapes in silver.

  He ground his teeth and made for the entrance.

  Someone had sat in this lobby. Someone had sat here long enough, watched Vi long enough, to create that sketch, capturing her face and expression perfectly. And in the background of the drawing, a blue expanse with silver diamonds. From the inner pocket of his coat, the letter and sketch pressed against his chest.

  Whoever had sent the letter was a bastard. And a well-informed bastard at that. Whoever it was knew he worked for the Bureau of Business Affairs, knew he had a daughter and where she worked, and knew exactly how to get him to do what they wanted.

  He thought on it the entire carriage ride back to work, but he couldn’t think of a way to get out of it. The letter was post-marked here in Delcimaar. That meant the sender could very well be watching him.

  “Good morning, sir.”

  “Good morning, Milly. I understand there is an application from a Lord Baronel and another from a Lady Rora. Could you bring me those files?”

  + + + + +

  I do not wish to stay here. Xochi adopted her stubborn stance: sitting on her haunches, forepaws planted on the ground in front of her.

  To Renata, the young dragon looked like a cat, head raised, aloof. The similarity was lessened somewhat with Xochi staring to the side, away from her bond-mate, pouting.

  Renata sighed. Sweetling, how far away can you sense animals and people?

  A quick glance at her, then away. You said it was called a mile.

  Yes. Just over a mile or so.

  One of Xochi’s ears turned toward her. After a moment, sparkling, gold eyes did as well. Stubborn though the dragon might be, her curiosity was stronger. Why?

  Because, love of my life, I set up this camp just beyond that range.

  Which is why I will not be able to sense what is happening to you if I stay here!

  And neither will Anaya be able to sense you.

  Xochi blinked.

  We have to assume she has the same abilities you do, sweetling. That is why I rode ahead the last few days, remember?

  I forgot.

  Like you, she can probably sense animals and people. I just hope that that her range is the same as yours.

  Xochi lay down, chin resting on her forepaws. Once she saw the logic of something, she accepted it. I am going to hate not knowing what is happening. We have searched for them for so long, and now you are going to meet them alone.

  Renata understood her bond-mate’s feelings. Just about a month had passed since they’d left the caves. Their journey was now nearly complete. Even so, she wanted to be cautious.

  We do not know what his reaction will be. I want to meet him, me
et them both, see what kind of people they are before I tell them about us.

  Everyone you talked to recently said he was a nice person.

  That’s true.

  Xochi let out a pleading whine. Then let me go with you. I can protect you from them if I need to.

  Please, sweetling. We’ve been looking for almost a month. We can take a few days to be sure the tales and rumors are true before we risk our true selves.

  I want to be with you when you go. I want to know what happens.

  Silly, I’ll be able to tell you what’s happening. We have yet to discover a distance where we cannot speak to each other.

  Xochi lifted her head. That is true. The dragon’s gaze locked on Renata. You must tell me everything.

  Laughing, she said, Of course.

  The laughter didn’t last long, however. She was too nervous for that.

  Might as well get ready, she thought.

  It had taken a little over an hour to set up camp once they arrived. Knowing they were close, Renata had ridden ahead of Xochi the last couple of days. And last night, she’d found it. Caer Baronel.

  The settlement looked like a little constellation of stars amongst the trees, a pocket of light at the north end of the large valley. She’d spied it after topping a line of hills. Miles to the east was another smaller glow, but she was sure this one, the big one, was their destination. And now, she was finally going to meet the dragon boy, Aeron.

  She threw the last item into her backpack and turned to Xochi. Be patient, sweetling. I will let you know what goes on.

  If you need me, let me know. I can be there in moments.

  I will, love. She stroked Xochi’s cheek and gave her a loving pat on the neck.

  After mounting up, she lead Muffin to Caer Baronel.

  + + + + +

  Aeron felt a little uncomfortable walking with Jessip to the dragon stables after lunch. Everyone else had returned to their craft halls to complete their chores. That left him alone with the older boy.