Mckale stood proudly next to Tellnox on the terrace and Emallya’s voice echoed out over the city, “You are no longer Mckale Mandarran, Watch Keeper and Border Guard of Calladar. You are relieved of your old life and the duties that went with it so you can take your place as a Dragon Rider.”
He bent so the chain and pendant could be placed around his neck as Emallya said, “You are now Di’shan Mckale Mandarran, bonded to the Green dragon, Tellnox, and a Guardian of Galdrilene where the rose blooms eternal. May peace favor you and your dragon all the days of your lives.”
Mckale and Tellnox came to stand on the far side of Maleena’s step. Mckale’s silver eyes met hers and his smile held encouragement.
Bardeck called out Vaddoc’s name. The Shaderian stepped into the sun and walked over to stand before Emallya. “You are no longer Vaddoc Eldark, Watch Keeper and Border Guard of Shadereen. 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 reached up and like Mckale before him, Vaddoc had to bend so she could slip the chain over his head. “You are now Di’shan Vaddoc Eldark, bonded to the Gold dragon, Namir, and a Guardian of Galdrilene where the rose blooms eternal. May peace favor you and your dragon all the days of your lives.”
Vaddoc and Namir made their way to stand five steps below where Maleena stood.
Emallya then addressed the red haired woman that faced her on the terrace. “You are no longer Kirynn Izenar, soldier of the Boromari army, defender of Boromar. You are relieved of your old life and the duties that went with it so you can take your place as a Dragon Rider.”
Kirynn accepted her chain and pendant as Emallya continued, “You are now Di’shan Kirynn Izenar, bonded to the Red dragon, Syrakynn, and a Guardian of Galdrilene where the rose blooms eternal. May peace favor you and your dragon all the days of your lives.” Kirynn and her dragon joined Vaddoc on his step.
Then Serena and her yellow stood in front of Emallya. “You are no longer Serena Cyen of Trilene, discarded apprentice and daughter. 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 settled the chain over Serena’s head. “You are now Di’shan Serena Cyen, bonded to the Yellow dragon, Miya, and a Guardian of Galdrilene where the rose blooms eternal. May peace favor you and your dragon all the days of your lives.” Serena and Miya went to stand five steps lower than Vaddoc and Kirynn. And finally, Kellinar and his blue stood on the terrace.
“You are no longer Kellinar Doryne, Thief Lord of Trilene, and master of the young apprentice Loki. You are relieved of your old life and the duties that went with it so you can take your place as a Dragon Rider.”
She put the chain around his neck, the pendant shining in the afternoon sunlight. “You are now Di’shan Kellinar Doryne, bonded to the Blue dragon, Shryden, and a Guardian of Galdrilene where the rose blooms eternal. May peace favor you and your dragon all the days of your lives.”
Bardeck’s voice rose above them once Kellinar and his dragon stood across from Serena, “Di’shan of Galdrilene, these pendants represent the magic of the world, how it is connected one to the other, and how magic ties you together as a group. It also signifies you as a Dragon Rider and should be worn during formal occasions or when you will be out of the Dragon Hold without the company of your dragon.”
As the crowd cheered the draclets and their riders, Bardeck and Emallya called for people of Galdrilene to join them in the hold and meet the new riders and their dragons face-to-face.
The people climbed the stairs in an orderly fashion. Maleena knew they were aware the young dragons were not to be overwhelmed. Still, the need to protect Nydara nearly pushed her to place herself between the people and the draclet. She reminded herself that Emallya said living in Galdrilene taught even the youngest to have the highest respect for dragons and their riders. The lessons had been drilled into them all their lives. Maleena was relieved they seemed to remember those lessons now as they respectfully approached each rider on the stairs. No one pushed or shoved, each patiently awaited their turn to personally welcome the newcomers and express their great hopes for the future.
Maleena smiled and nodded at the multitude of people, the faces and words of welcome so numerous, they faded together into a blur. Beside her, Nydara eagerly took in each new face. It seemed to take forever for everyone to file past. Maleena heaved a sigh of relief when the last person entered the hold.
She glanced at Mckale as she ascended the steps with Nydara. He leaned toward her and whispered, “I think you handled your first crowd of humanity quite well.”
She flashed him a smile that belied the nervous tension in her stomach. “I don’t know if I will ever get used to so many people in one place.”
“I have no doubt you will someday walk without worry through a roomful of people.”
“I wish I shared your confidence.”
He reached out and squeezed her hand gently as they climbed the stairs with their companions.
They made their way to the Dining Hall where the tables stood prepared with a huge feast. Maleena paused outside the doorway. Nydara’s violet eyes took in the crowded room and the food laden tables and she asked, “Must I stay? I didn’t eat as much as I would have liked and the meat on the tables looks too good to resist but I don’t think it is meant for me.”
Maleena smiled affectionately at her. “No, you do not have to stay.”
The silver turned and left, followed by her hatchmates who had obviously finished similar conversations with their own riders.
Bardeck and Emallya met Maleena and her fellow riders inside the Dining Hall and walked with the companions to the center table where two mornings ago none of them had wanted to sit. Bardeck and Emallya took the two end chairs nearest the doors. At the other end sat a broad shouldered man whose dark red hair and neatly trimmed beard were streaked with gray. The hard planes of his face showed the lines of age and hard work, yet a twinkle in his blue eyes and a warmth in his smile suggested humor and kindness under the stern exterior. Next to him sat a short, plump woman with deep brown eyes, her long brown hair frosted with gray. Her open and friendly face creased with lines that readily crinkled into a smile.
The riders took chairs in the middle of the table. They were introduced to everyone seated with them. The couple on the end was the city leader, Tarik Koehvain and his wife Anira, both born and raised in the city. A rock of a man named Hemmen Warrick from Shadereen was introduced as the General of the Defenders, the soldiers of Galdrilene. Davin Po, the University Headmaster, and Anevay Sundari, the Keeper of Records, were also introduced.
More names and smiling faces as the Guildmasters of agriculture, building, fishing, forestry, mining, the arts, tanning, weaving, silversmithing, the crafts, blacksmithing, masonry, glassmaking, and the members of the Council of Mages greeted them as they were all introduced.
Maleena’s head spun. She couldn’t remember all the names. She surveyed the tables, nodding and smiling at the people around her, but with so many talking in the room, she heard none of the words they spoke. Mckale sat next to her, the shield of their bond keeping the emotions in the room at bay. The bond didn’t protect her from her own emotions, though. The crowded room felt uncomfortable and without realizing it, she found herself scooting closer to Mckale. So many people, so close together, would take some getting used to.
Her stomach rumbled and she turned her attention to the food. The dishes sported several different types of meat, stews and soups. Wedges of yellow cheese, and small white balls of goat cheese coated in oil and herbs, filled small, round plates. Loaves of bread added their own delicious scent; some soft, some crusty, and others with various herbs or seeds in them.
Maleena tasted a dish of chicken coated in a thick, yellow sauce and found it to be both sweet and sour at the same time. She tried a red fleshed fish topped with bacon and a crumbly cheese. She also sampled several varieties of wine, each wel
l-aged and flavored.
After the main meal had been consumed and removed from the table, small flaky pastries filled with fruit and topped with sweet syrup were passed out along with coffee. Maleena took a bite of the delicate pastry. Lightly sweet on her tongue, it practically melted in her mouth. She wiped away the syrup that dripped on her chin and took another bite.
The servants cleared the tables and everyone began filing through the Great Hall out onto the inner terrace of the caldera. On one side of the massive doorway a large group of musicians tuned their instruments on the recently erected stage. Mernoth and the young dragons found perches on a large pile of boulders by the lake as the humans spread out from the door.
It didn’t take long for the musicians to set up. Within a few short minutes, lively music filled the air and dancers moved onto the smooth rock of the terrace. The towering rock walls of the caldera rim made for perfect acoustics and the music traveled easily over the massive plateau. The setting sun silhouetted the dragons and washed the dancers in rosy golden light.
Kellinar roared with laughter when Marda snatched Vaddoc from where he leaned against the wall and pulled him out onto the terrace. The plump older woman pushed him into dancing over his protests. Kellinar’s laughter cut short when Serena grabbed his hand and pranced out onto the smooth stone, towing him behind her.
Maleena smiled at the look on the two men’s faces as they were dragged away. Kirynn plainly enjoyed their discomfort as well. She laughed and called out friendly jibes at the two men until Mckale stepped in front of her. He smiled. “You’re not getting off that easy, warrior woman.” He grabbed her arm and twirled her into the dancing.
“Oh, now you’re asking for it borderman. I will dance you into the ground!” She laughed at him as the musicians picked up the tempo of the music and a fast paced, intricate dance began.
Maleena clapped her hands in tune to the music and called laughing encouragement to the men as the women put them through their paces. Despite her age and weight, Marda was light on her feet and possessed plenty of stamina.
A tall, rail thin man with an age lined face stepped forward and offered his hand to Maleena. He had wispy white hair, bushy eyebrows of the same color and sharp blue eyes. She recognized him as the Headmaster of the University. His mind was quiet and with Mckale so close, coming into contact with the man wouldn’t cause discomfort. She happily took his hand, eager to join in the fun. Soon the only people not dancing were the musicians. Maleena laughed with pleasure when her partner proved to be quite spry and a very capable dancer.
When the music changed tempo again, her partner twirled her into the arms of another man. Delighted at the lack of pain, she greeted him with a smile then burst out laughing when she looked over his shoulder and saw Kellinar tripping over his feet as Emallya twirled into his arms. Kirynn now danced with a townsman; Mckale with a serving maid. Marda pressed Bardeck and Vaddoc swept Serena around.
Each time the music changed, the women twirled into the arms of a new partner. Maleena danced with Kellinar, Vaddoc and several men from the city before ending up in Mckale’s arms.
His eyes twinkled with merriment as they moved about the floor. He wasn’t even breathing hard. The same could not be said of all the participants. One man stood with his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath and a serving maid leaned against a wall fanning herself.
Bardeck and Serena whirled past as did Hemmen and Anira. Marda had hold of Kellinar, but Vaddoc and Kirynn paused to get a drink from the pitchers of tea set out on a long table.
When the song ended, everyone stopped to applaud the musicians and take time to crowd around the tables for a drink. Conversation and laughter filled the interval as the musicians also took a moment to take in refreshments.
When the music struck up again, it was a slower beat interwoven with haunting notes. Maleena marveled at the skill of the musicians. The most she’d ever heard was a couple of villagers who could play a fiddle and a flute. These notes and beats were made by instruments she’d never seen before.
She closed her eyes and allowed the beautiful sounds to flow through her, enjoying the feel of Mckale’s arms around her as they moved slowly to music.
“I like this,” came the sending from Nydara.
Maleena smiled. “You like the music?”
“And the dancing.”
“But you’re a dragon, you don’t dance.”
“You are dancing and we are one. I can feel what it’s like through you. It is nice. So is the man. I like him and his Tellnox.”
The dragon enjoying the experience of dancing through her, surprised Maleena. As did the dragon’s obvious fondness for Mckale and his dragon. She remembered what Emallya said about bondmates and realized she’d felt somewhat worried the older woman might be wrong. This was the first time they’d really spent any time together since the Hatching.
Mckale looked down at her. “Is something the matter? For a moment, it seemed as if your mind was somewhere else.”
She smiled up at him. “I was talking with Nydara.”
Mckale nodded in understanding. “I still find it hard to believe all of this is real. That my father really knows about this place and he actually knows Emallya and Bardeck. I wonder if he knew I would bond with a dragon, or if he just thought I would be safe and become a mage. I wonder if I will get a chance to tell him about it. I would love to introduce him to Tellnox.”
“I’m sure you’ll get the chance. Eventually the secret will get out and the dragons will be known to the world again.”
“Do you think so?”
“If there are still Benduiren out there and they are still trying to get hold of magic users, there has to be a reason. The only reason I can think of would be because there are still black eggs to be hatched,” Maleena said, a small shiver running through her body at the thought.
Mckale looked over her head out into the fading evening, his eyes troubled. “You’re most likely right. I hope it doesn’t come to another war with black dragons though.”
“I hope not either.” She sighed. “Let us not think of such things tonight. Let’s take tonight and enjoy the fact that we are surrounded by people who not only know we can use magic, but are honored to have us here.”
He smiled down at her, his silver eyes catching the sunset. “And so we shall my beautiful and wise woman.”
“Mckale, what is the dance they have in the spring in Calladar?”
His arms tightened around her as he laughed softly. The deep timbre of it warmed her heart. “Who told you about the Spring Dance?”
A smile tugged at her lips. “Kirynn mentioned it earlier, when I asked if her dress was appropriate. She said the dance they do in Calladar in the spring is more scandalous than her dress. What dance do they do?”
He shook his head, amusement in his eyes. “It’s a dance the women do in the spring when they are ready to choose a husband.”
“When they are ready to choose a husband? Do the men not decide that?”
He laughed again. “In Calladar, it’s not a man’s place to ask a woman. It’s up to her. And when they ask during the Spring Dance, the man had better not refuse or he risks the honor of both his family and the woman’s.”
“But what if he doesn’t want to marry her? Or at all?”
“If he doesn’t want to marry, or believes a woman he might not want is going to ask him, he makes sure he is nowhere to be found when it’s time for the dance.”
They danced in silence for a while. Then Maleena asked, “So how do the women dance?”
Mckale cleared his throat and hesitated. “I’m…I can’t…It’s not my place to discuss such things.”
She tipped her head back and looked at him. “Why? What harm is there?”
He sighed. “If we ever go to Calladar and my grandmother finds out I’ve been discussing the particulars of how the women dance, she’ll take my ears off. Only a woman is allowed to talk about it with another woman.”
Ma
leena smiled. “Alright then. I guess I will have to make sure we go to Calladar sometime. Maybe in the spring.”
Laughter rumbled in his chest again and he brushed her lips with a soft kiss. “If you wish.”
The music and dancing lasted well after dark and the moon rode high in the sky when the Dragon Hold finally cleared of its last visitor. After Nydara ate and washed one last time, Maleena fell exhausted onto the sleeping platform in the lair.
Mckale woke early the next morning. It was habit. Never able to sleep late as a child his training as a Border Guard only reinforced his natural tendencies. Tellnox opened one large silver eye when Mckale stood up, but soon closed it again and he settled back into a heavy sleep. It would be some time before the young dragon woke.
He placed the blankets in order on the platform and moved quietly into the sleeping chamber adjacent to the dragon’s lair. He opened the wardrobe and pulled clean clothing out. The Crafts Guild had worked over time in the days since he and his companions arrived. Each of them had several articles of comfortable, sensible clothing made from high grade material.
The everyday wear bore no embroidery, no scroll work. He liked it better. The plain clothes suited him. The soft, supple clothing fit well and didn’t restrict his movement in any way.
After he dressed, he crossed the plateau. Rather than trying to find the small private dining room, he made his way up to the inner terrace and the open faced cavern of the kitchen with its many long tables.
Embers at Galdrilene Page 21