The Bond (Book 2)

by Adolfo Garza Jr.

  Sharp tapping, loud in the quiet of the cavern, drew everyone’s eyes to the egg. It shook on its bed as sounds of struggle came from within. With a loud bang, the egg lurched and tipped a few inches to the side. A long crack appeared in the shell, running from the side up to the top.

  All the dragons, even Nenet, encouraged the young dragon with chirps, barks, and hums.

  Keep working, little one. You are almost free.

  Anaya’s words were picked up by others, who called out support to the dragon attempting to escape its shell.

  “That’s a boy,” Fillion said. “Keep at it, you’re almost there!”

  “You can do this,” Sharrah said, eyes on the wobbling egg. “Don’t stop, keep going.”

  Jessip was murmuring something, but he was too far away for Renata to hear him.

  Even the three masters and Gregor gave the hatchling encouragement. Renata glanced at Aeron, who caught her look. With a big smile he turned back to the egg, adding his own shouted support.

  “Keep going! We’re all rooting for you!”

  He is free!

  Xochi’s words drew her gaze back to the egg. A large, ragged hole ran down its side nearly from top to bottom, and a little dragon lay between its former prison and the candidates standing a few feet away.

  The hatchling was mostly black, shading to dark gray at the paws, and he had a patch of white in a distorted diamond shape under his chin. Struggling to his feet, wings lifted clear, the hatchling took in everyone, gold eyes flicking from one person to the next. His wings furled and unfurled and his tail twitched slowly. Letting out a little nervous bark, he ran to Jessip and hid behind his legs.

  Jessip crouched down. “Hey, now. There’s no need to worry. All here are friends.” He lifted the little dragon’s head and their gazes met. Jessip smiled. “Come on little man, take a look around. We’re all here for you.”

  It is t–true, my son. They are all friends. Nenet let out a happy chirp.

  What is your name, little one? Renata walked over to the candidates.

  M–My name is Zolin. Gold eyes turned from Renata back to Jessip.

  “He says he’s very hungry,” Jessip said. He gazed into the dragon’s eyes, a beatific smile on his face.

  Renata stared at the young man. His appearance . . . his face seemed to be glowing. The sheer joy was almost embarrassing to witness. Looking away, she caught sight of the other candidates. Resignation and disappointment marked most of their faces.

  “So, has he chosen?” Fillion’s lips were curved in a slight frown, and his brows were drawn together. It seemed as if he suspected that the answer was yes.

  Aeron strode over quickly, carrying a sack. He dumped its contents on the ground next to Jessip and Zolin. It was scraps and cuts of meat.

  Jessip picked up a piece and held it out to the little dragon who grabbed it with his forepaws.

  Sitting on his haunches, Zolin made quick work of it, staring at Jessip all the while. Swallowing the last bit, he made a questioning chirp.

  “Of course I do, little one,” Jessip said, handing the hatchling another piece of meat. He gestured to everyone and said, “We all want dragons to be happy and safe.”

  The little dragon closed his eyes and stretched his neck out toward Jessip.

  Remembering her own bonding experience, and what had happened during, Renata called out. Zolin! Have you chosen?

  Gold eyes flew open and fixed on her. I–I have. Turning to the young man crouched next to him, Zolin said, Jessip and I are one.

  A collective sigh was released by the other candidates.

  “Could everyone else come over next to the masters, please?” Renata gestured as she walked over herself. “You, too, Nenet. Please.”

  I h–have not even had a chance to meet my child.

  “You will. But please, we cannot be near them until the bonding is complete.” Renata gestured for the mother dragon to join them near the ramp.

  After some hesitation, Nenet moved away from her child and Jessip.

  “And do not be alarmed when you see the bright light, Nenet,” Renata said. “It is expected, and Zolin will not be harmed by it. It is part of the Bond.”

  “Why can’t we be near them?” Gregor asked. “I don’t recall reading anything about Aeron’s bonding experience that warranted keeping away.”

  “What is it that concerns you?” Master Doronal said.

  “Yeah,” Aeron said. “Did I forget something?”

  Renata looked at Jessip. He gazed at Zolin, a look of love and adoration on his face. She was shocked to feel a little jealous.

  “When I bonded Xochi,” she said, turning to Aeron, “her mother, Nayra, was with us. During the bonding, an invisible dome surrounds the bond-mates. A dome which Nayra couldn’t break through with all her strength.”

  “What?” Aeron’s surprise was echoed in the looks everyone gave her.

  “She was scared, you see, when the bright light began covering us, and she wanted to help Xochi. But she ran into the dome. The collision and her pounding on it made it visible.”

  “That sounds like Francisco’s Barrier, sort of,” Aeron said. “But why is that a problem?”

  “What concerns me,” she said, looking at Master Doronal, “is if people are standing too close, the dome could form through someone. What will happen to them?”

  “A good question,” Master Doronal said. “Keeping everyone back is a wise precaution.”

  “Even with matters we think we know about,” Master Canneth murmured, “there is much to learn.”

  Master Millinith nodded. “I’m sure we’ll be learning about dragons for years, if not decades, to come.”

  Gregor rubbed his hands together. “Isn’t it exciting?” His smile was large.

  A pulse of magic and bright light drew their attention to Jessip and Zolin.

  Veins of brilliance, violet lines of light, branched out from where Jessip’s hand lay upon Zolin’s nose. Like thin, grasping fingers, the illuminated tracery spread over their bodies, giving off more and more light. Everyone had to look away or shield their eyes when the intensity became too much.

  Eyes closed, Renata remembered her own bonding. The incredible joy, the melding of minds and souls, had been overwhelming and exquisite. Jessip would be feeling that right now.

  Thank you for choosing me, sweetling.

  Even were there others present, I still would have chosen you. We are one.

  Another pulse of magic washed over Renata, and with it, the light began to fade.

  The newest bond-mates had their eyes shut. Jessip, kneeling, was enclosed in dragon wings. His cheek lay on Zolin’s chest, and the dragon’s head rested atop his.

  Renata smiled. It was such a beautiful, personal little moment.

  No doubt remembering they weren’t alone, Zolin and Jessip opened their eyes. Zolin let out a chirp, unwrapped his wings, and sat back on his haunches. Jessip, smiling, stood and stroked Zolin’s cheek.

  “I had no idea.” His words were so quiet, they would have been unheard, save for the absolute silence on the ledge. Turning to the watchers, he said, “I guess I’m a dragonlinked, now.”

  Aeron strode over and embraced him. “Congratulations. Your life will never be the same.” He stepped back, smiling.

  “Indeed,” Master Doronal said. “Congratulations are in order, young man.”

  “Congratulations.” Master Canneth walked over to the black dragon. “And welcome to Caer Baronel, Zolin.”

  Everyone had words of congratulations for the pair. There was pounding of Jessip’s back, several hugs, and much shaking of his hand before Sharrah strode over.

  “Alright everyone,” she said. “How about we let his mother meet him?”

  “Of course,” Master Doronal said. He turned to the mother dragon and bowed. “My apologies, Nenet. Please, come see your child.”

  Slowly, she made her way to Zolin. The little dragon let out a happy chirp and they touched noses.

  �
��That’s just too adorable,” Sharrah said. She reached over and clasped Cheddar’s hand.

  Aeron walked to Willem and embraced him.

  “It’ll happen eventually.”

  Renata wasn’t sure which of them had whispered those words. How were the other candidates taking it? She located Fillion. The boy stood next to Liara. Both of them looked sad. Liara hugged Fillion, who looked surprised by the act.

  “We’ll all get one soon enough,” she said, “so don’t feel too badly.”

  “You’re right,” he said, after she released him. “We should be glad for Jessip. And isn’t Zolin just the cutest? His coloration is amazing.”

  “It’s too bad he didn’t choose me,” Liara told him. “He would have gone very well with my hair color.”

  Fillion laughed and Liara joined in. They parted, giving consolation hugs and words to the remaining candidates, their friends.

  Renata took in everything around her: the people, the good cheer, the sense of a place she could belong, and most of all, the dragons. She felt like she was floating. That’s the best way she could describe it.

  They are good people.

  They are, aren’t they?

  Perhaps it was time she sent a letter to Isandath, letting him know what she’d discovered—people who shared their ideals. And more dragons. Which should have been obvious, she supposed. If there were none, there would have been no dragon boy. And no new dragon boy, either.

  She looked at Jessip. Even now, with just a ‘normal’ smile, he still had a little of the radiant glow about him. Was that a part of being bonded? Or was it something else? He was alone, now, with Zolin, everyone else having separated into groups, talking. Renata walked over to him.

  “Congratulations,” she said.

  “T–Thank you.” He looked at Zolin. “You know, I had no idea the . . . connection you had to Xochi. It’s amazing.”

  “Tell me that again when your dragon is being annoying.”

  He chuckled.

  I am not annoying!

  You can be, sweetling. But I still love you. Always.

  I am not annoying. Xochi sounded upset, but her feelings through the link revealed the opposite.

  “If, ah, you have any questions about dragons,” she said, “I’d be glad to help. Though, Aeron probably knows as much, if not more. He’s had Anaya long—”

  “No,” he said.

  No? Just like that?

  His face contorted. “Gods, that came out wrong. I mean, no, I won’t ask Aeron first, I–I’ll ask you.”

  Her heart started beating really fast. She smiled. “Okay.”

  “We must do something about the amount of room in here,” Master Millinith said.

  “I agree.” Master Doronal looked critically about the ledge. “We had but six candidates tonight. Imagine if there were more.”

  “And I do not doubt there will be more,” Master Canneth said, gazing at Zolin. “There was an increase in the number of people dropping by when Renata arrived with Xochi, but once this young dragon appears at the dragon stables, an obvious hatchling, there will be a flood of interest and questions about how others can get their own dragon.”

  “And while we do not need more candidates currently,” Master Millinith remarked, “we will eventually have applicants, many of whom will become candidates.”

  “Point being,” Master Doronal said, “this place is too small. It may be time to consider our other option.”

  Renata looked around the ledge. The cavern itself seemed to be enormous, but this ledge and the one above were fairly cramped.

  It is pretty, though.

  She looked up at Xochi. Her bond-mate was staring down at a large mushroom near the base of the ramp. It, along with other plants and fungi clustered around the small pool of water, seemed to give off a faint glow. The light from the lanterns made it difficult to be sure, though.

  “For now,” Master Canneth said, “let’s move Jessip into the fourth den.”

  “I’m afraid we’re going to have to move you out of the second den, Fillion.” Master Doronal looked apologetic. “I think we should reserve the dens for bond-mates. You’ll need to move into the boys’ dorm.”

  “I understand,” Fillion said. “It makes sense.”

  “Don’t worry,” Cheddar said. “The dorms are very comfortable. Besides, I’m there, and Sharrah and Liara are in the girls’ dorms at the other end of the hallway. You’ll have friends nearby.”

  “What about Zolin?” Jessip had his hand on his bond-mate’s shoulder. “Does he go back with me? I feel bad taking him from his mother.”

  “Actually,” Renata said, “you may want to let him stay here with his mother until she finishes teaching him how to fly.”

  Aeron’s eyes were large. “Is that how Xochi learned to fly?”

  “Didn’t Anaya’s mother teach her?”

  “Anaya never met her mother,” Aeron said. “Malina did not stay with her eggs. We don’t know where she is.”

  Renata looked up at the tawny dragon. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Turning back to Aeron and the others, she said, “Xochi’s mother, Nayra, told me that in the south, they teach hatchlings to fly as soon as possible. That way they can take to the air if they need to escape danger.”

  Aeron snorted. “Danger? What could harm a dragon? Especially a baby and mother together.”

  Renata frowned, unsure how much she should say at the moment. “There . . . is danger to dragons there.”

  “Really?” Master Millinith seemed as doubtful as Aeron had been.

  “At any rate,” Renata said, “it took Xochi a few days to learn how to fly and become fairly proficient at it. I would recommend letting Zolin stay here with Nenet for that. It will also give them time to be together.”

  “I can bring you here on Anaya, Jessip, so you can visit them in the meantime,” Aeron said.

  “That would be great.” He smiled.

  I am getting sleepy.

  She looked up at her bond-mate and smiled. Alright, sweetling.

  “Is anyone going back soon?” Renata asked. “I’d stay longer, but Xochi is getting tired.”

  “It is getting rather late,” Master Doronal said. “We should all probably head back.”

  As she rode back with Jessip, Renata wondered what the ‘other option’ was that Master Doronal had mentioned. She didn’t remember seeing anything near the dragon stables big enough to use as a hatching area. Maybe there was another cavern or something.

  She looked up, but couldn’t locate Xochi among the stars. Tired as her bond-mate was, she loved flying. Especially now that she could do so with Anaya. Renata still remembered how happy Xochi had been when she’d learned to fly. Nayra had been very patient with the danger-seeking tiny terror. But Nayra put up with the antics, adamant that Xochi learn to fly quickly, to escape the Order, if need be.

  When would she tell her new friends about the Order? And more importantly, would she tell them that she was once a member, a Manis? What if they threw her and Xochi out? They’d be without a home. Again. That didn’t seem likely, though. They were good people. Besides, she’d already decided to tell them everything, hadn’t she? But when would be the right time? Was there even such a thing as a right time for news like this?

  She sighed and leaned against Jessip. His back was warm and felt strong.

  It wasn’t until later, while laying in bed in the third stable, that she fully realized what she had done. That she had leaned against him—and liked it—made her blush furiously.

  Chapter 20

  Leday, Quartus 5, 1874.

  Morning.

  “Nenet returned to House Yaot three days ago.” Master Millinith glanced at Master Doronal. The magic master had told her she would lead this meeting with the Caer’s lord. “She spent the time before that training Zolin to fly and getting comfortable with the idea of leaving him with Jessip and with us.”

  “Good.” Lord Baronel smacked his fist on the armrest of his chair. “If
she is happy with us, she may return with more of her children. Now that we have a male to go with our two females, we will eventually be able to produce our own dragons. Even so, we need more dragons. I don’t like that four dragon requirement hanging over our heads.”

  “Nenet mentioned that she knows dragons in House Yaot who are of a mind with her,” Master Canneth said. “She said she would tell them of her experience with us.”

  “Thus,” Master Doronal added, “we can hope for more dragons to bring their children to us for an opportunity to find a bond-mate.”

  “What of Renata?” Lord Baronel turned to Master Millinith. “Where did she get Xochi?”

  “Renata has been eager to tell us much of her village and the desert lands of her home,” she said. “There are dragons there, though their numbers are not great. Once she has sufficient training in Magic Craft, and once Xochi can carry her, we will certainly entertain the idea of taking a portal there to contact that dragon House.” Master Millinith was certain the girl was holding something back, though. What it was, she had no idea.

  Lord Baronel nodded. “Good, because more dragons will shore up our approval in other ways. Guild members are one thing, but if we can show a fair number of bond-mates, dragonlinked and their dragons, their mere presence can go a long way to helping us get approved.”

  “How so?” Master Millinith asked.

  “A craft guild provides additional opportunities and protections to its members they would not have were they not in a guild,” Lord Baronel said, “but so, too, does it provide limitations. It is those limits that I hope will loom in the minds of members of the Council.”

  “I’m still not sure I follow.”

  “Imagine,” Master Doronal said, “if there were no Magic Craft Guild, if sorcerers practiced magic with no training, no guidance—”

  “And no regulation.” Master Millinith nodded. “We show them as many bond-mates as we can, so they see us not only as protectors, but also as something they want controlled.”

  “Exactly,” Lord Baronel said. “Though we will need to be cautious. We don’t want them so frightened of dragons and dragonlinked that they want them banned, or worse, destroyed.”