“Nahual can’t be allowed this close to people. Besides, it’s our purpose.”
She stared at him a moment, then placed her hand on his cheek and murmured something. He felt a pulse of power and saw lines spiral around him briefly before they disappeared.
“Your purpose, huh?” She rummaged around the small chest and then frowned
“Yes,” Willem said. He watched her walk over to a cabinet and open it. “We fight nahual to keep people safe. It’s one of the things we do to help.”
Bending over, she searched for something on a lower shelf. “Along with saving our butts by delivering vaccine?”
Willem couldn’t help himself. It was her fault she said that while bent over. In those trousers, he couldn’t help but notice that hers was actually pretty nice.
She stood then and turned to face him, a stack of gauze strips in her hands.
His cheeks warmed as he wondered if she’d caught him staring.
“You don’t have to be shy. You’re all doing a good thing. You really are saving us with this vaccine.” She placed all but one of the strips in the small chest.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, well, we couldn’t stand idly by when we had the ability to help.”
She stared at him again. “That’s charmingly noble.”
He didn’t know what to say to that.
She chuckled. “No need to squirm. Though you are kind of cute when you do.” She taped the gauze over the cut.
Willem reached up and touched it. “Thanks.”
“For saying you’re cute, or for taking care of the cut?” Her eyes shone with mischief.
“Uh, I, ah—”
Laughing, she stood. “You really are too much fun. I should stop by Caer Baronel more often.”
“I can introduce you to my boyfriend when you do.”
“Taken, are you?”
“I am. Though you won’t convince me that you’re wanting for suitors.”
She smiled. “Who said I was? Let’s see how they’re coming along with the vaccine.”
Riders were already heading off to deliver ampules.
“My thanks to you and your friend.” The postmaster eyed Balam. “Your efforts will save many horses.”
“And jobs,” Willem added.
“There is that,” Jen said.
The postmaster turned to him. “Many don’t understand how dependent we are on horses.”
“I know exactly how dependent a person can be on another, be they human or not.” He walked to Balam and patted his neck. The dragon let out a happy rumble.
Willem turned back to them. “It is late, however, and I want to get back to”—a certain tousle-haired boy came to mind—“Caer Baronel.”
Willem watched the gateway fade away, leaving only stars in the sky. While landing, Balam informed him that they were the last to return.
Please don’t tell anyone of the nahual until I do.
As you wish.
They walked together into Anaya’s den. As expected, the others were all in the investigation office.
“Look who’s finally here.” Fillion grinned.
Willem returned a weak smile. “Well, we did run into a little snag on the way.”
Aeron stood and walked over. “Hey. What happened to your face?”
“Now three of us have killed a nahual.”
“What?” Aeron’s eyes grew large.
Everyone started asking questions at once.
Willem’s legs suddenly felt weak. He sat and said, “Can I get a hot drink?” The wet riding gear felt unaccountably cold.
“Alright!” Aeron looked around and everyone stopped talking. “He can tell us what happened after I get him some hot cider.” He ran off to his study.
Willem was grateful when Aeron returned a short time later with a large, steaming mug and a coat.
“Here.” Aeron handed him the mug. “And use this until you can change.” The coat was placed over his shoulders.
“Thank you.” After a swallow, Willem recounted what happened.
Telling everyone about it brought the fight back in alarming detail. The remembered fear and desperation made his hands shake. He tried to hide it by holding the mug tightly between them.
“If anyone ever complains about having to practice countering spells,” he said to Master Millinith, “please remind them that those drills may have saved my life tonight.”
“Indeed,” she said. “I think we will also focus a bit more on combat spell drills, to ensure that they can be cast quickly.”
He nodded.
“I’m sure she did a good job,” Gregor said, “Jen, I think you said her name was? But I’d like to check the wound.”
“Of course.”
As Gregor examined the cut, Aeron watched over his shoulder.
“Hmm. She did do a very good job.” Gregor nodded, apparently impressed, and re-applied the bandage.
“Well, we’re certainly glad you came through with merely a scratch,” Master Millinith said. “Your training served you well.” She turned to everyone. “Though it is unlikely you will run across a nahual during the day, bear his experience in mind tomorrow.” She stood. “Do not to stay up too late, we’re getting an early start in the morning.” With that, she left.
“This feels right.” Jessip nodded. “This is what we should be.”
“It does feel good to do good.” Fillion quirked his lips into a wry smile.
“Here’s hoping the guild is approved.” Cheddar raised his mug of cider.
“Hoping?” Sharrah shook her head and smiled. “No. I don’t like the idea of leaving the guild’s fate to chance. We’re going to have to work for this.”
“Agreed,” Aeron said. “But for now,” he turned to Willem, “you need to get out of that wet riding gear.”
Willem changed into warm, dry clothing, and they all spent a few hours talking about the mysterious enemy, the guild, and what more they could do to to help with its approval. Eventually, people headed off for the night, though Willem was sure the excitement everyone felt would keep them awake for a while.
Aeron was already in his bed by the time Willem finished in the water closet. Trying to be quiet, he changed into nightclothes and then sat on the edge of the cot.
The fight still had him shaken. If any number of things had gone differently, he very well might not be here right now. What would have happened to Balam? Who would have taken care of him? And who would have taken care of Aeron? Leaning over, he placed his face in his hands.
It had been so close.
“No.”
Willem looked up. Aeron lay on his back, awake and watching him.
“You’re sleeping with me tonight. I saw how your hands shook while you told us of the nahual. It wasn’t from the cold.”
A tiny sound escaped Willem before he could stop it. He nodded and stood. Aeron held open the blankets and he climbed in. Turning over on his stomach, he lay partly atop Aeron, cheek to warm chest.
Eventually, the sound of Aeron’s even breathing and his steady heartbeat made Willem drowsy. He fell asleep, Aeron’s arms around him.
+ + + + +
Lord Eldin needed to control his anger or his writing would become illegible. Being wakened in the middle of the night because of an incoming message on his private ether-writer made that difficult.
You do realize what part of the night it is here? ~
Of course. I wouldn’t wake you for no reason. Keep in mind, it’s even later here. ~
Why Lady Helena couldn’t wait until the morrow to contact him, he had no idea.
Well, get on with it. I’d like to at least try to get back to sleep soon. ~
I just received word that Lord Baronel has more than one dragon. ~
I know. ~
You know? Why didn’t you inform us? ~
He only has three. There isn’t much he can do with three. Remember, it has taken him over a year to acquire those. When I learned of them I sent someone to the Investigation Guild. We
have Baronel’s business applications under control. We will continue to address anything he comes up with. ~
He’d worried about what his partners’ reaction might be when they discovered Baronel had three dragons. He would never admit it, but he was nervous as he watched Lady Helena’s response appear, word by word.
Lord Baronel has more than three dragons! He used them to assist with some sort of package delivery in his region. Out-delivered horses by an incredible margin, too. ~
Lord Eldin was stunned. He hadn’t heard anything of the sort.
How did you learn this? ~
I sent a contact of my own to Caer Baronel a few weeks ago who arrived yesterday. Many eyes see more than two, after all. I received a ‘writer message from the contact with the information only moments ago. ~
I see. What do you suppose Baronel’s ploy is with this? Why help with delivering packages? It only shows his hand. ~
His motives are unclear. ~
Still, this could helps us. Now the threat that dragons pose to horses and businesses that use them is in the open for all to see. ~
True. And what’s more, apparently one of the children that use the dragons was injured while making a delivery. ~
And? ~
It’s a terrible business, no? Putting children in danger like that. I wonder what people would think? ~
Lord Eldin smiled. How utterly devious Lady Helena could be.
I see. Yes. It would be a pity if there were a public scandal just before the business approval meeting. I’ll see what I can do. ~ ~
Lord Eldin knew exactly who to contact. It seemed he wouldn’t be getting any more sleep this morning after all. It would be well worth it.
Chapter 25
Leday, Duody 29, 1874.
Early Morning.
Someone was shaking her shoulder.
“Xochi,” Renata mumbled, “I will beat your dragon butt if you don’t let me sleep.”
“Wake up!”
Xochi could speak aloud?
Cracking her eyes open revealed Sharrah and Liara standing over her.
“What is it? A nahual?” Renata sat up quickly and rubbed sleep from her eyes.
“No, no.” Sharrah laughed. “We have to get ready for the trade fair!”
Liara nodded. “Let’s get to the showers before they are overrun.”
“Oh, right.” Renata got up and grabbed a change of clothes from the wardrobe while the other two waited.
The fair had been the topic of many a conversation the past few weeks. Trade caravans had occasionally visited the villages, but there hadn’t been a fair to go with their arrival. People had just stopped by the colorful tents at the traders’ camp, bought what they needed, and gone about their lives. Renata much preferred the festival-like atmosphere of the trade fairs here in the north.
The girls were in luck. The bathing room was nearly empty, and the few who were there were bathing in tubs. All the showers were available. Sharrah and Liara’s plan was a good one. They found a bench nearby and quickly undressed.
The showers were one of Renata’s favorite things at Caer Baronel. It was much easier to control the temperature of the water, and showers were so much faster than a bath. They used much less water, too. The abundance of water up here was one of the differences she’d had to get used to. Another was the idea of separate bathing areas for men and women.
At Bataan-Mok, bathing areas were separated by position, not by gender. If you were a Pesan, boy or girl, you used the Pesan bathing room. Crusani? They all used the one Crusan bathing room. It saved on rooms. Of course, if the Order wasn’t so slavish about rank, only one, large bathing room would have been needed.
Renata shook her head and adjusted the water temperature to her liking. Everyone had their own type of weirdness, she supposed.
The three finished quickly and met up with the boys at breakfast.
Jessip smiled at her as they walked over. She really, really wanted to touch his freckles, see if they rubbed off. Of course, they probably didn’t. Either that, or he was a terrible bather. Which was doubtful as he never stank. In fact, it was the complete opposite. He smelled good. Too good. Why was that? There was much she would like to have the courage to find out about him.
It is the same color. It must be.
Xochi!
Cheeks warming, she sat next to Jessip.
Anyway, I want to see the fair this time. Her bond-mate sounded petulant.
She placed a napkin in her lap and said, “Xochi wants to see the fair. She’s upset she hasn’t been able to before.”
“Hmm.” Aeron’s eyes grew distant as he spoke to his bond-mate. He turned to Renata. “Anaya wants to as well. I don’t see why they can’t all gather in the clear area south of the fair, near the trees.”
“I’d have them wait until we got there, though.” Willem chewed on a piece of bacon. “I don’t want people crowding in on Balam without me there to supervise.”
Aeron nodded. “Good point. Tell your dragons they can go to the fair with us, if they want. But not before!”
Xochi was very happy when she found out.
Eat faster!
Renata laughed. Hush, sweetling, and have patience. We are almost done.
Her bond-mate wasn’t the only one excited about the fair. Everyone talked about what they wanted to do, wanted to see, and items they wanted to purchase.
There were many things that were provided by the Caer and many things that could be purchased from the various craft halls, too. But they did not match the variety of items available from the traders in the caravan.
“I’m going to stop by the dragon stables on the way,” Willem said, “to talk with Master Millinith, let her know the dragons will be going to the fair. I don’t think I’ll have too much trouble convincing her to let at least one of the stable guards stand watch over the dragons while they are there.”
“Good idea,” Aeron said. “That’ll let us wander around the fair instead of having to constantly keep an eye on our dragons.”
As they made their way to the fairgrounds, people filled the streets, chatting excitedly and smiling. Most were heading the same direction as them, toward South Gate. Once through the enormous arch, the wide valley became visible. Swaths of grass gave way to trees, and in the distance, purple-tinted hills formed a ragged line against the sky.
The sun was warm on her face as Renata walked along the cobbled road past the colorful tents. They were going to get the dragons settled in before anything else.
Willem says we can follow him and Balam to the fair!
That’s right, sweetling. We’ll meet you all here.
The fairgrounds, which sat about a hundred yards south of the Caer, were a roughly square area cleared of trees. The grounds were bounded on the west by the cobbled road and to the southeast by what was left of trees near the Caer. Renata waited with the others there, near the corner formed by the tree-lines.
Hawkers shouted their wares, people chatted and laughed, jugglers and minstrels wandered about, and at a few tables, fair-goers occasionally broke out in song, waving tankards and glasses in the air as they did so. All combined for the happy sounds of the trade fair.
A hush fell as dragons glided overhead.
Renata grew concerned. Was this a bad idea? But excited whispers, murmuring, and the rest of the festive din took up again as soon as Xochi and the others landed.
A guard hopped off Balam, followed by Willem.
“Yrdra’s tits, but that was amazing.” The guard turned, saw them, and his eyes grew large. “My apologies, ladies, for my crudeness.”
Renata laughed. “Not to worry. Anyone would be out of sorts after their first ride on a dragon.”
So many people! Xochi and the other dragons looked about with keen interest, heads turning this way and that, eyes taking everything in.
That’s right, love. Renata walked over and patted her neck. There are a lot of people. So you all have to behave. We don’t want to scare anyone, rig
ht?
The guard turned to Willem. “So, just like at the stables, then? People can watch from a distance, but no getting too close?”
“That’s correct. We’ll be near, though, and our dragons will let us know if anything should come up.”
The guard nodded and took up a position between the nearest walkway and the dragons.
“Alright,” Sharrah said. “First things first.”
“You want to visit Trader Delia and Trader Methon.” Aeron smiled at her.
Sharrah grinned. “Of course.” She turned to Renata. “You just have to see her jewelry. It’s fantastic.”
“Jewelry?” Before Jessip could say more, his attention was drawn by Fillion, who’d loudly cleared his throat. The boy made odd motions with his head, eyes locked with Jessip’s. Jessip must have somehow interpreted whatever Fillion was doing, because he nodded and turned back to Sharrah.
Renata, completely baffled by the odd exchange, noted that Sharrah looked just as confused.
“Uh,” she said, with a quick glance at Renata, “yes, jewelry.”
“Excellent. I, ah, I’d like to go see that, too.”
“Well, we can’t all fit in their tent at once,” Willem said, “so you go and see them. I need to go check the leather traders, anyway. But give them my regards and let them know I’ll drop by later.”
“Me too,” Aeron said. “I’ll definitely stop by to see if she has anything new that’s amazing.” He touched the gold dragon pin he always wore on his collar. “And Methon’s tables, too. I want to see what he has.”
“Leathers?” Fillion looked at Willem. “I think I’ll go check on those, too.”
“I may as well tag along,” Cheddar said. “I’m not that interested in jewelry. Though I would like to check on the paper trader, later.”
“We can do that,” Aeron said as they headed off. “Sure.”
The food smells delicious.
Renata turned to her. Don’t you dare go wandering off into the fair! Besides, you do remember what happened when you ate chocolate, right? You can’t eat just anything. There’s no telling what else is bad for dragons.
The Bond (Book 2) Page 37