Embers at Galdrilene

by Audra Trosper

  Bardeck stared into space with moist eyes as if he too saw the images. Emallya laid a hand on his arm, her face filled with compassion. He lifted her hand and kissed the palm. Then cleared his throat and continued.

  “Kumauni spoke with the female dragon for some time and a bargain was struck. Kumauni would bring together other magic users here and the female would bring more females to lay their clutches. Both knew they needed to hurry. Time grew short for the dragons. Their plane was nearly gone.

  “Several weeks later, the remaining females came to this plane and laid their clutches on the slopes of this mountain. They fired the eggs. They struggled to hold on, to guard their eggs, even as they faded and their bodies became weak. Kumauni came as promised with the mages. Several mages tried to bond with the females in order to save them. But the bond only forms upon hatching. As the female dragons died, the draclets hatched and bonded with the mages. Galdrilene was born.”

  Emallya picked up the thread of the story, slowly turning her cup in her hands as she spoke. “At first candidates were brought to the mountain to see if they could hatch an egg. After a few generations, the eggs began to sing to the riders they were meant to have and sometimes would sit for years before they connected with a human and began to sing.”

  Bardeck nodded. “That is the benefit to the dragons. That is how humans and dragons became so intertwined. All humans benefited from the bond. With the enhanced magic of the pairings, Red dragons and their riders controlled forest fires. Yellows and their riders saved many with their healing that would have otherwise perished. Blues calmed winds that would have destroyed homes and cities. They slowed rains that would have flooded and brought rain where it was needed. Silvers handled disputes and sometimes saw the outcomes of events. Golds shielded people from harm, made sure cities were well lit and stopped armies from attacking until the silvers could mediate between the nations. Greens made fertile land where there was none, calmed the land when it shook and sculpted stone into structures. For over a thousand years, humans depended on dragons as much as dragons depended on them.”

  They sat in silence for a while. Kellinar’s mind reeled. How did everything about magic and dragons become so twisted? Why did the rest of the world want magic destroyed?

  Maleena tucked her hair behind her ears and looked at Emallya. “What happened to the scroll after we arrived?”

  Kellinar turned to Emallya. “And Loki? Where is he?”

  “The scroll is safe,” Emallya answered. “I delivered it to Anevay before I came down to the baths. I told you of her when we camped near the lake. She is one who can read it and she is a keeper of such records.” She looked at Kellinar over her cup. “Loki is safe as well and in capable hands. Marda has taken quite a liking to him. She made sure he has everything he needs. Do not worry about him.”

  Kellinar nodded. He doubted if they really had hands capable enough to handle Loki, but he would let them figure that out for themselves. He smiled slightly, feeling somewhat sorry for whoever they had put in charge of the boy.

  The memory of Mernoth watching over the draclets in the morning sun filled his mind. “Why are some of Mernoth’s scales discolored?”

  Bardeck rubbed a hand over his face. His eyes held a distant look as if he saw through them to another time and place. “Mernoth and I were both injured severely in the last battle of the War of Fire. The only reason we survived is because Mernoth jumped into a Slide at the last moment. We were both unconscious for a couple of days. Even after, it was a while before we could get back here.” His eyes cleared and he took a quick drink before continuing. “Blood left on the scales of a mature dragon too long damages the coating that protects the scale from penetration by arrows and the like. Shadow fire and Shadow magic caused damage. The discoloration is that damage.”

  Serena frowned. “Why wasn’t he healed?”

  Bardeck smiled. “The mages tried to heal us once we made it back. I even tried healing him. Injuries made by the flames of black dragons and by the twisted magic of their riders don’t heal quite right. Even normal wounds won’t heal right if left too long.”

  Serena nodded and seemed to retreat into herself as if her mind turned over the limitations of healing with magic.

  Kellinar glanced down at his empty cup. Would it be rude to leave? His dragon drew him. The need to be close was so strong it made a knot in his stomach. Just as he was about to ask, Emallya smiled at him and said, “It is never rude to leave the company of humans when you or your dragon have need. Even if the need is as simple as being close to one another.”

  The sound of Kellinar’s chair scraping back was echoed by the chairs of his companions as they all stood and headed for the door. The others seemed content to let him lead the way. He had a feeling they still weren’t sure which direction to take. He would have to work on finding that short cut; it would make things much easier for all of them.

  When he finally stepped out onto the green grass of the plateau, Shryden was there to greet him, shoving his long wedge-shaped head against Kellinar’s chest and crowding close. Never in his life had he felt such love and acceptance.

  Even with Serena as his friend and Loki with him like a shadow, he’d kept a careful distance from everyone; it was safer that way. With Shryden he didn’t need to keep a distance. More than that, he didn’t want to. Meshed so closely together they were no longer two separate entities–they were one.

  He ran his hand down the dragon’s long neck, admiring the way the sun glinted off the multitude of tiny soft scales. The draclet unfurled his wings and the sun shown off the thin leather-like skin. He’d missed the physical presence of the dragon during the meal.

  “I missed you, too,” came the sending from the young dragon.

  Kellinar spent several minutes reveling in the simple joy of being in the presence of such a magnificent creature.

  “Bardeck wants us,” the draclet sent.

  Kellinar looked up and saw the older man waving them over to join his companions and their draclets near the lake. He ran his hand over the scales one more time, then turned and walked across the grassy plateau to join the gathering group with Shryden walking at his side.

  Bardeck’s gaze wandered over the group. “In two days there will be a celebration in honor of the Hatching and the successful bonding. Normally the celebration would be held a week after Hatching. But it has been long since there were any new riders, you will have to forgive the inhabitants of Galdrilene for their impatience. Under normal conditions the celebration would be attended by all family members of the newly bonded humans. However, unfortunate as it is, the times no longer allow that.

  “As many riders as could come from their posts in outlaying holds would also attend, but again, times have changed. So instead of the great welcoming you should have, there will be only Emallya, myself, and the people of Galdrilene to welcome you to our ranks.”

  A low rumble issued from the massive bulk of the gold dragon that rested behind him. Bardeck turned an affectionate eye on the dragon. “Yes, of course, there is also you to welcome them.”

  Maleena, her violet eyes misty with emotion, looked adoringly at the silver draclet by her side. “The moment Nydara hatched I had all the welcome I could ever want.”

  A smile of understanding crossed Bardeck’s face and Mernoth rumbled approvingly. “I am glad you feel that way,” the older man said. “But even if there will be a lack in some of the attendance there will still be a proper celebration. The entire city of Galdrilene plans on attending as does everyone in the mage towers.”

  “Mage towers?” Kellinar remembered Emallya saying something about people coming to learn how to use magic.

  Bardeck nodded. “Yes, all of those who have not been called by the Dragon Song but can use magic are housed and trained in the mage towers. You will see what I mean and meet them at the celebration.

  “You have the next two days to relax and enjoy your dragon’s company. I suggest you take the time to rest as well. An in
troduction ceremony will begin the celebration. You will be formally introduced to the inhabitants of Galdrilene on the steps of the stairs that lead to the front entrance of the Dragon Hold.

  “After that you will be introduced to the various leaders of the city and its crafts. Galdrilene is completely independent. Even in those terrible years after the war we maintained our independence. We have no need to trade with outside sources. Everything we need is produced in the city, the bay or the surrounding mountains. It makes it easier to be a neutral force in the world if we are beholden to no one for our survival. So there are many different trades and crafts to get to know about and the people involved with them.”

  He smiled. “There will be more about that in training, which won’t begin until after the celebration. I will stop taking up all of your time this morning. Shortly, the head of the Crafts Guild and her assistants will be here to measure you for your celebration clothes. After she is done with you, the day is yours. We do ask that you remain within the hold until after your introduction.”

  Maleena stood inside the doorway to her sleeping chamber where she could dress in private, but still be close to Nydara. The new clothes she wore fit perfect. Formal wear. She’d never owned formal wear of any kind. The yards of silky, silver material that draped her body felt strange. A low neckline left her shoulders bare and the cut of the dress accentuated her slim waist. Dragons and roses embroidered in silver climbed the snug bodice of the dress. A shade darker than the fabric of the dress, they made subtle accents rather than garish decoration.

  Her long, chestnut hair had been pulled up at the sides into an intricate mass of curls while the back, left loose, fell in more curls to her waist with threads of silver worked into it. Marda had delighted in the opportunity to fashion hair for such an important ceremony.

  Hearing a snort, Maleena peeked into the lair, but found Nydara still sound asleep on the smooth stone of the floor. Another snort issued from the long nose accompanied by a tiny curl of smoke. How old were dragons when they began to flame? She would have to remember to ask Emallya or Bardeck.

  As she watched, the young dragon raised her head and blinked open her eyes. Maleena marveled again at the violet color and how beautiful they looked against the silver of her scales.

  “I am hungry,” the young dragon sent.

  Maleena smiled. When wasn’t the draclet hungry? “Well go eat then and don’t forget to wash. But don’t take too long. You slept so late that if you don’t hurry, we’ll miss the ceremony.”

  “Would they start without us?” Nydara asked, sincere worry in the dragon’s sending.

  “No, I don’t think they would. You and the other draclets are the main reason for this celebration,” Maleena reassured the draclet.

  “You are as much a reason as I. Without you, there would be no me.”

  A warm wash of love accompanied Nydara’s sending. The feeling so strong it brought tears to Maleena’s eyes. She blinked back the tears and smiled. “Go eat and bathe. I will wait for you here.”

  The draclet pulled herself up and lumbered out of the cave. Maleena followed her out and settled on the top of the wide steps to watch Nydara’s feeding, shocked at the difference in the draclet’s size from two days before. The draclet seemed to take what she ate in meals and turn it immediately into growth while she slept.

  Nydara joined Mckale’s green Tellnox and Vaddoc’s gold Namir. She saw no sign of either rider or her other companions. Nydara managed to stuff herself full in a very short time and immediately took to the lake, rolling and washing herself.

  After she finished she waddled back toward the lair. Maleena met her at the bottom of the lair steps. “We are supposed to meet Emallya and Bardeck in the Great Hall so they can instruct us on our part in the ceremony.”

  “You are nervous?”

  “Yes, I am,” Maleena said, smoothing her skirts. “Aren’t you?”

  “No, I find it all rather interesting.”

  Maleena smiled. “I can’t believe people have been taught for so long that dragons are evil. You are such a miracle to me. I know there were black dragons and I guess that’s where the stories of evil came from, but still, how did they forget all of the good dragons?”

  The silver’s head drew up and her wings unfolded as a low rumble issued from her. “Soulless Shadows,” she growled in Maleena’s mind.

  Maleena ran a soothing hand down the silver’s neck. “Let us not think of that right now. I think everyone but Mckale and Vaddoc are already up at the Great Hall. We should join them as soon as possible.”

  Nydara furled her wings and blew out her breath in a snort. “I am sorry. I have only seen Shadow Dragons in my memories and still the unnaturalness of them goes against my instincts. I will put the thought of them away.”

  Maleena gave the draclet a final pat and began walking with the silver at her side.

  A blur of activity in the Great Hall greeted them. They wove through the controlled chaos to reach the others. Although not bombarded by the emotions of others since the hatching of Nydara, Maleena could still feel the tension in the air. Whether servants hard at work getting things ready, or her companions who stood nervously around her, the coming ceremony consumed the thoughts of everyone around her.

  Except Kirynn, cool and unconcerned as she leaned against her red Syrakynn, idly toying with her zarhi. Some might think her behavior a facade, but Maleena knew better. The woman truly wasn’t nervous at all about the coming event.

  She eyed Kirynn’s dress. Dark red with a high collar, it clung to every curve of her body. A large oval showed the inner curves of her breasts and a slit up the side exposed one leg nearly to the hip. Pale red dragons and roses climbed the dress and shiny red thread worked through her long braid. Maleena shook her head. The dress seemed scandalous, though Kirynn said it was the style in Boromar.

  Kirynn saw her looking at the dress and smiled. Maleena returned the smile. “Are you sure that dress is proper?”

  The redhead rolled her green eyes and laughed. “It’s entirely proper in Boromar. There are things more scandalous in the world besides this dress. I’ve heard the stories about the women of Calladar.” She looked pointedly at Mckale as he and Vaddoc arrived.

  Startled, Maleena followed her eyes. “Calladar? What do you mean?”

  Kirynn laughed again. “Ask Mckale about the dance they have every spring in Calladar.”

  Maleena watched Mckale come toward them. He looked magnificent in his high collared, deep green doublet and matching undershirt, pants a shade of green so dark they were almost black and boots to match. The collar of the doublet was embroidered on either side in pale green with detailed dragons and roses. The vines of the roses created elaborate scrolls on the material. Kellinar and Vaddoc were dressed in the same style as Mckale only Kellinar wore shades of dark blue while Vaddoc was resplendent in shades of gold.

  Serena looked stunning in her dark yellow dress, the skirt slashed with pale yellow and the bodice subtly embroidered in the same pale yellow with dragons and roses.

  Kellinar kept tugging at his clothes as if unsure of wearing such fine garments. Mckale and Vaddoc stood tall and silent next to their dragons while Serena occasionally swirled the skirt of her dress about her ankles as if she reveled in the pleasure of the fine silk.

  Beyond the immense doors of the Dragon Hold, the murmuring voices of a crowd could be heard. Bardeck explained to them what they were to do when he called their names, and it was simple enough. The idea of being presented before so many people tied Maleena’s stomach into knots. She pushed down her natural inclination to blend into the background; these people wanted her.

  Two large men pulled the heavy doors open and Bardeck stepped out onto the wide, outer stone terrace to stand beside the golden wonder of Mernoth. Emallya soon joined the pair. In the city below, cheers filled the air at the sight of the three. Beyond the terrace, Maleena saw a wall rising high into the air around Galdrilene. Six towers, standing twice again as high,
sat evenly spaced around the wall. Beyond a large valley spread out, its rolling hills covered in crops and vineyards. Farther out, mountains ranged all around, their tall peaks marching out of sight.

  Bardeck’s voice boomed out as he told of the successful Hatching and of the young draclets now residing in the hold. How had he amplified his voice so everyone below could hear?

  Emallya’s voice sounded as loud and clear when she called out Maleena’s name, startling her and making her jump. Somehow, she’d thought at least one of the others would be called first. She felt her draclet’s excitement. Giving herself a little shake she strode forward with Nydara at her side. The sun bathed the stone of the outer terrace in bright light and she had to squint her eyes briefly to adjust her eyes after the relative dark of the Great Hall. She walked forward and came to stand in front of the older couple and Mernoth.

  Emallya stepped forward, a silver chain with a star pendant of gold in her hands. “You are no longer Maleena Wyndam of Lowden, outcast and alone. You are relieved of your old life and the duties that went with it so you can take your place as a Dragon Rider.” Emallya put the chain over Maleena’s head. She felt the weight of the pendant resting just above her breasts.

  Emallya stepped back. “You are now Di’shan Maleena Wyndam, bonded to the Silver dragon, Nydara, and a Guardian of Galdrilene where the rose blooms eternal. May peace favor you and your dragon all the days of your lives.” In a voice only Maleena could hear, she added, “This is the pendant your family guarded for so many generations. It was once Eileanna’s. As her descendant, it is only fitting you now wear it.”

  Maleena smiled, feeling a connection to her grandmother and all of the women in her line. She turned and walked to the massive stone stairs cut into the side of the mountain. Each step more than deep enough from front to back to accommodate a dragon and wide enough that another could perch on the far side of the same step with plenty of room for foot traffic to pass between.

  As Nydara descended with her down the first five steps, Emallya announced what the silver color did and what kind of magic they used. As the older woman finished speaking, Maleena reached the fifth step and stood to the very edge of it with Nydara next to her. Below them, the city of Galdrilene spread out from the base of the volcanic rim, its well-ordered streets packed with people. Her chest constricted and she struggled to stand there when she really wanted to run and hide. So many people staring up at her. Her breath started to come in rapid gasps. Soothing comfort flooded her from the draclet, heading off the building panic attack. She took a slow, deep breath. She could do this.