The Bond (Book 2)

  Studying the map, it looked like the current gateway destinations they knew would take care of only half the distribution points on Willem’s route. Seven smaller stations would have to be flown to.

  “What is the scale of the map of my route?” He turned to Cheddar.

  “Oh, that line at the bottom right represents ten miles.”

  Willem nodded and sat at the table. He grabbed a pencil and a scrap of paper and began scribbling out some figures.

  Several minutes later, he sat back. If his calculations were correct, the deliveries should easily be completed by tomorrow, even having to fly to one of the gateway destinations. Though, he wouldn’t have to fly to that one if he dared to use five gateways. But no, he didn’t want to risk himself or Balam. It would only save about two hours anyway. Definitely not worth the risk.

  Master Millinith returned then, and told them about her meeting. Willem was glad to hear that Lord Baronel and the masters supported their plan.

  “We will proceed,” she said, “once Aeron has returned.”

  Willem prepared hot cider and then handed out thermal bottles filled with the warming drink to Jessip, Renata and Fillion. “Flying in the rain will no doubt be cold. This should help along the way.”

  “Golden!” Fillion smiled as he accepted his.

  The sound of heavy wing beats in the courtyard meant that Aeron was back. Moments later, he lead Anaya out of the rain and into the den. He shook off his rain slicker, hung it on the wall and began opening Anaya’s saddlebags.

  “Give me a hand with these, will you?”

  Willem and Jessip helped with what turned out to be several packages. Each package contained a dozen small boxes, each labeled with a destination. Opening a box, Willem found it to be filled with little glass ampules.

  “Be gentle with those,” Aeron said. “Each one will save ten horses.”

  Willem reverently ran his fingers over the little glass bottles. So many lives held in his hands. He closed the box carefully.

  They spent a few minutes dividing the boxes up into neat stacks by rider and by distribution point.

  Staring at the five groups of stacks, Willem grew excited and nervous. It was nearly time to be about their tasks. He wasn’t the only one who seemed to feel that way. The other dragonlinked all stared at their own stack, excitement and resolve clear on their faces.

  Gregor walked in bearing small, wrapped bundles. “Sandwiches,” he said, “as you’ll be missing dinner, take these with you and eat them at some point tonight, please.”

  Willem accepted one, going over his delivery route in his head.

  Gregor eyed him, then the other riders. He turned to the den. “Anaya? Balam? If you could let the other dragons know to remind your bond-mates to eat tonight?”

  Two rumbling barks came from the den.

  You will eat, will you not? Balam watched Willem through the door.

  Of course. But remind me if I forget.

  “It’s thrilling to be going on a rescue operation, as it were,” Gregor said, “but do remember to be careful. And to eat!”

  Master Millinith looked around at the riders. “Cheddar gave you your routes?”

  “Just got mine,” Aeron said, nose deep in his map. “I’ll need to study it a bit.”

  “Good.” She walked to the end of the table and turned to face them. “Aeron, Willem, and Jessip, I took the liberty of speaking to your craft masters. You’ve been removed from chores tomorrow. That should allow you and the others plenty of time to complete the deliveries. The area we are to cover is large, but well within you and your dragons’ capabilities. Take time to rest throughout. Tonight, once night has fallen, if any of you or your dragons are too tired to return via gateway, you will make use of sleeping quarters at the nearest mail station.”

  The look she gave them brooked no argument.

  “Now,” she said, “you may encounter nahual. If so, dispatch the beasts. Heed your training and take no chances. You are all we have. Remember that.” She turned to the door. “That goes for the dragons as well. Anaya, Balam? Let the others know. Dragons and dragonlinked alike, keep each other safe.”

  Their rumbles sounded determined.

  A brilliant flash followed by thunder drew Willem’s eyes to the window. “What of lightning?”

  “I thought about that on the way to pick up the vaccine,” Aeron said. “If we stay well below the storm clouds, I think we’ll be much less likely to get struck. Anaya and I did that, and not a one came within miles of us on our trip.”

  “Excellent,” Master Millinith said. “Do as he suggests.” She sat. “Now, make your final preparations. Time and light grow short today.”

  + + + + +

  Willem stood just outside the mail stable, sipping hot cider, as he watched the station crew inoculate their horses. The crew, like all those he’d met tonight, were efficient, coordinated, and generally friendly. The majority of their horses had been sent off last week to help other regions with their distribution efforts. Most of those remaining, now inoculated, would be sent off as well, with a few staying behind, enough to deliver this distribution point’s allotment of vaccine to nearby communities.

  Balam nudged his ear. Willem reached up and stroked the dragon’s cheek. The rain had stopped for now, though it would likely start again soon. The lulls had so far been short. He’d enjoy it while he could.

  “You need a refill?” The young man had been eyeing Willem and Balam off and on for some minutes. Inoculations complete, two workers were now separating the boxes into stacks in preparation for making delivery runs, which left this crewman free to walk over. “Is it cider or coffee?”

  “Cider. And in this weather, I could definitely use more. Thanks.” Willem handed him the bottle.

  Three couriers had galloped away, slickers flapping behind them, by the time the young man returned.

  “Here you go.”

  “Thanks again.” Willem took another sip. The cider was almost hot, now. It warmed him nicely.

  “Is it hard?”

  “I’m sorry?”

  Turning to Balam, the young man said, “Taking care of a dragon. They’re a bit larger than your typical pet.”

  Balam rumbled and turned to the young man.

  The crewman took a step back.

  Willem chuckled. “Make no mistake,” he said, “dragons are not pets.” He slapped the green dragon lovingly on the neck. “It’s best to think of them as people who look different.”

  “If they aren’t your pets, then why do they stay with you? What hold do you have over them?”

  Willem watched another rider race off into the darkening evening. “Are you one of the couriers?”

  “Yeah. But I won’t be needed on the vaccine delivery runs. Why?”

  “When you’re racing along your route on a horse, how does it feel?”

  “Oh, it’s amazing, like you’re one with the horse. You can feel its strength beneath you, its boundless energy. Many times it seems like the rest of the world fades away and it’s just you and your horse, together, racing along with a singular purpose.”

  Willem smiled. “Imagine if the horse were as intelligent as you, could speak with you, and felt exactly the same way as you.”

  The young man’s eyes grew large.

  Gazing into Balam’s eyes, Willem said, “I don’t have a hold on him. We have a hold on each other.”

  “Yrdra’s tits.” The whisper sounded envious. “You’re one lucky bastard, then.”

  “I am,” Willem agreed, “and I’m thankful every single day for it.” He closed the bottle and looked at the sky. “But it’s getting late. I must be off for what looks like my last delivery tonight.”

  His description was fairly accurate.

  Wasn’t it, though? Willem mounted, and Balam launched them into the air. After a wave to the shrinking form below, Willem turned his attention to their next destination.

  Sure enough, the rain was back within minutes. The slicker, water-pro
ofed, was keeping most of it off of him, though his riding pants were long since soaked.

  I can’t wait to get back to the Caer. Flying in the rain was fun for a while, but now I’m just cold and wet.

  Luckily, I provide my own warmth.

  Willem could feel that warmth if he placed his gloved hands on Balam’s neck. Leaning forward like this all night wasn’t possible, however, so he sat up in the saddle. Wind whipped past him, and rain pelted his head, chest, mask, and goggles. Arms pressed tight against his sides, he hunched over a bit, determined to endure the long flight to the next stop.

  About ten miles before the mail station, Willem and Balam both turned their heads to the side.

  Nahual! Balam immediately banked to the northwest.

  Willem grabbed the saddle handholds to keep his seat. His heart seemed to stop for a moment, then began pounding furiously.

  Some kind of light was coming from below, illuminating the rain as they flew through it.

  What is that light?

  It comes from my arms.

  Ah, they talked of this. Willem’s arms were giving off light too, but were covered.

  Moments later, the light faded and was gone.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance as Balam beat his wings powerfully, bringing them closer and closer to the beast. Blood pounded in Willem’s ears. They were going to kill a nahual. Or try to.

  You can do this, he told himself.

  My flame is strong. Your magic is strong. We can do this.

  Willem took a deep, slow breath, trying to calm himself. You’re right. We can.

  They crested a hill and saw the beast at the edge of a clearing below. It stood in the mud, watching them. Willem remembered hearing that nahual might be able to sense people like dragons could. It seemed to be true, for there was no way it could have heard their approach over the storm.

  Balam landed a couple dozen feet or so from the beast just as the rain eased. Hopping off, Willem nearly slipped in the mud. He regained his footing and faced the nahual.

  The dark creature tossed something aside, it might have been a rabbit, and eyed them both. Willem shivered. He had no idea whether it was from the cold wind or the foul creature before them.

  He and Balam separated a few feet and advanced toward the nahual. A terrible scent reached him now, carried by the shifting wind. It must be the nahual smell Aeron, Master Millinith, and Renata had described. They hadn’t lied about how bad it was.

  A pulse of magic came from the beast and intense pain blossomed in his chest.

  Willem!

  The spell had appeared so suddenly! Its graceful, curving lines of magic focus spiraled around him. As he eyed the enchantment, sorcery drills took over, and he wove the counter spell. It disrupted the draining spell’s weak points, causing it to fly apart. The wrenching pain in his chest faded.

  Seemingly surprised, the nahual took a step back.

  Never again would Willem complain about practice sessions for countering spells. I’m fine, love. Let’s kill this thing.

  He lashed out with Saki’s Binding, to root it where it stood. Colorful geometric lines surrounded the creature, curving out and in, wrapping it in formations resembling a flower or an elaborate pinwheel.

  The beast froze and looked at its feet.

  Master Doronal had once told Aeron to take no chances with the beasts. Master Millinith had given them the same instruction earlier. Willem was of no mind to argue. Get ready to burn its body, love.

  He started to cast Neilah's Constriction, to finish it off, when it cast its own spell. He felt a blow, like a kick in the gut, as his binding spell unraveled and fell away.

  The nahual leapt for him.

  Beware!

  Watching the beast arc through the air, Willem ducked and attempted to jump to the side, but his feet lost their purchase and spilled him to the ground.

  As the nahual sailed over, clawed hands swiping, dark eyes staring down at Willem, Balam appeared. Enormous head lowered, the sprinting dragon slammed into the beast. The impact made the nahual grunt and knocked it away.

  After tumbling to the ground, it sprang to its feet and spun to face them. Breathing heavily, the beast pulled lips back from its hideous maw and hissed.

  Balam, lowered in a crouch, legs tensed and ready to attack, let out an answering roar that was frightening.

  Willem stared at the beast, sure it would try something again. What could they do to stop it?

  It leapt for Balam!

  Instinctively, Willem wove Francisco’s Barrier just as it jumped, modifying the spell at the last moment. The nahual hit the unseen wall in front of the dragon, causing the invisible to become visible and quiver with light.

  The beast reacted instantly. It used the barrier to leap back, away from them. But it hit a second wall, which Willem had erected for that reason. The creature fell to the ground, panting.

  Now, Balam!

  Willem removed the barriers as flame shot forth from his bond-mate’s mouth.

  A nerve-shattering screech came from the beast. The sound seemed to crawl under Willem’s skin and made his muscles shiver. The shriek rose above the storm, drowning out the wind and even the distant thunder.

  Trying to ignore the assault on his ears, Willem bound the nahual in place again, hoping the thing was now too distracted to remove the spell.

  The beast’s screams rose in pitch as it burned. Balam adjusted his flame, intensified it, focused it even more on the nahual. It writhed in a cloak of fire, twitching spasmodically and more violently than Willem thought possible.

  Its shriek was almost above hearing, now, though incredibly painful to the ear. Unable to bear it anymore, Willem removed the beast’s head as he had intended to before, ending the terrible screams.

  A flash of lightning lit the area with harsh illumination, creating deep shadows that lived only moments. Willem rose from the muck to his hands and knees, shaking.

  He’d been so close to death.

  Heavy rain returned, throwing up splashes and pelting his head and back. Dirty water dribbled down his face and fell to the ground below as rain washed mud from his head. It couldn’t remove the stench of nahual, however. The foul odor was made even more disgusting with the additional acrid smell of burnt hair and flesh.

  Turning his head, Willem watched the nahual burn.

  Balam moved closer to the body of the beast, held the fire on it a few more seconds, then ended the flame with a satisfied rumble. He lifted his enormous head, mouth open to the rain.

  After shaking out the rainwater and spitting, Balam turned to him. We have done well.

  Willem got to his feet, walked to his bond-mate, and threw his arms around the big dragon’s neck. Closing his eyes, he hugged Balam tightly.

  Distant thunder rumbled, and wind moved in the nearby trees. Raindrops plopped and splashed in the muddy water below, made deep, hollow sounds as they hit Balam’s wings, and trickled down the back of Willem’s neck like cold fingers.

  Another flash of lightning shone red through his eyelids before Willem released his beloved dragon and stood, staring at the dead nahual.

  Yes, love. We have done well.

  After he mounted, they lifted into the stormy sky, leaving the charred head and body behind.

  The sporadic rain stopped again before they reached the last mail station for the day.

  “Good gods, boy, what happened to you?” The postmaster turned to the door of the office. “Jen! Get the medical chest!” He looked at Willem. “Come on, then, let’s get you fixed up.”

  Willem, still reeling from the fight, wasn’t sure what the man was talking about, but followed him inside.

  A girl, it must be Jen, sucked in her breath when she saw him.

  “What have you been doing, playing catch-a-knife with your face?”

  “What?”

  She held out a very shiny metal tin to him, indicating its bottom. Using it as a mirror, he saw that there was a gashes running at an angle from near his l
eft ear down toward his chin. One was about three inches long, though it didn’t look very deep. The blood running down his face made him feel light-headed, though.

  “Hey, now, let’s not pass out, okay?” She took the tin from him. “They’re shallow, so all I’ll need do is clean them and bandage you up. I know a little healing craft, too, so I’ll use a cleansing spell against infection.”

  Willem nodded. Apparently the nahual had landed a claw on him after all.

  “Will your dragon mind if we start unloading the packages?” The postmaster stood staring out the door.

  “No, not at all.”

  They’re going to unpack the vaccine while I get this cut cleaned up.

  You were injured? Worry and shock came through the link, along with a spike of guilt.

  It’s merely a scratch. I guess when the nahual jumped over me it must have clawed me. They are taking care of it. Don’t worry, or you’ll scare the people who will be taking the vaccine.

  I—Well, as long as you are okay.

  I am, love. You’ll see when we get home.

  “So, what happened?” Jen washed his cheek.

  “We found a nahual about ten miles back and killed it.”

  She looked at him. “A nahual? Ten miles from here?”

  “Yeah. It’s dead now, though. We killed it.”

  “Hmm, the one is hardly more than a scratch. Won’t even leave a scar. But this one will need some cleaning.”

  She rubbed his cheek with a washcloth. It felt like something was fizzing or bubbling. “So, you happened to run across a nahual and decided to kill it? Do you have a death wish?”

  He frowned. Death wish? Hardly.

  Wiping his face dry, she said, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful. Those things put a worm up my spine. I just don’t understand why you’d do that.”

  He flinched as she treated the cuts with a cloth soaked in something that stung and was cold. “We didn’t just run across it, truth be told. Dragonlinked and their dragons, we can sense nahual nearby. We sensed it, flew off to kill it, then resumed our delivery.”

  She looked upset.

  “You don’t approve?”

  “It’s not that I don’t approve. But, you’re so young. Shouldn’t you leave that kind of work to others?”