by Dave Skinner
Tamican smiled at him. There it was: “leatherworker.” Dominic’s bigotry had been revealed, and Airis heard it.
“That is enough from both of you,” Airis ordered. “Leave us, Tamican, and wipe that smirk off your face.”
Tamican left, slamming the door on his way out. He heard Airis order Shanic to leave too as he walked off towards home. His mother was standing at the door when he arrived.
“I am sorry, Tamican,” she said without asking how the meeting had gone. “You should just remove the pendant.”
“I cannot do that, Mother.”
“What other choice do you have?”
“I will walk to Lower Thesia and book passage on a ship.”
“Is that wise, Son?” Ara asked.
“As you said, Mother, what other choice do I have?”
“I can think of one,” a voice said from the doorway.
Tamican spun around. Shanic was standing at the door.
“Get your gear together,” he said. We fly, my friend.”
“You cannot do that, Shanic. Dominic will ground you.”
“We are the best rider and bird he has. The grounding will not last for long.”
Chapter 36
Missica had smelt the meat before she detoured to the cabin. Hunger was gnawing at her insides. She had been headed towards the carcass when she sensed the magic inside the structure. There was magic in the larger building also, but not like what she felt in the smaller one. The magic in it had the feel of her mother, Milintica. She had never met her mother, but she contained all her memories, as well as those of every Queen dragon who came before her. In the small building, there was a magic that her mother would have recognized. It was the communicator worn by the man Milintica had allowed to ride her. He had used it to speak with her while they flew. Missica had gone straight to the magic. It was her only hope.
She would never admit to her father, if she ever saw him again, that she had made a terrible mistake in coming through the rift to this world. She thought she could handle the passage; after all, she was the dragon queen, but she had been mistaken. She was too young. The passage had drained her. As time passed, she had tried to find enough to eat to renew her magic, but that too had failed. If she were a winged dragon, she would have been fine, but she was a young cave worm, forced to crawl along the ground to find food. Despite her memories, she had not understood how much energy was required to travel across the void.
If she ever saw her father again, she would say her predicament was his fault. He was the one who had filled her with stories of her mother and how the two of them had helped to defeat the Demon Lord. As her father told his stories, her mother’s memories were called to the forefront of her mind. She had seen the man who rode. She had seen the fight with the Demon Lord’s dragons, her mother’s victory and then the searing pain that marked the beginning of her death. Missica had wanted to see the place it happened, to walk the ground on which Milintica had fought. As her father told the story over and over, the details had solidified. She had built the picture needed to cross the void. Her idea was just to stand where her mother had stood and then return but making the crossing had depleted her, and she could not capture enough food to rebuild her energy. There were plenty of beasts available, but all were faster than her. Soon, almost all of the herds had moved out of her area or were so skittish she could not get close. Out of desperation, she had turned to the slow-moving beasts the people used. As the herds moved away, the cats had turned their attention to the farmsteads also. She realized she needed help, and when she sensed the magic, she thought she had found it. But as she broke through the door, she did not see the face she expected, the one from her mother’s memories. Instead, she was facing a young woman holding a sword and a witch attempting a spell. Neither the magic nor the sword could hurt her. Suddenly, a small child ran into the room. Missica turned towards her, and the swordswoman yelled something and jumped in front of the child. Missica turned away and spoke to the witch.
“That spell will not work,” she said. She turned back to the swordswoman. “Your sword is useless. Even as young as I am, my scales will protect me.” She had looked directly at the woman with the sword. “Where did you get that pendant?”
“It belongs to my father.”
“Is his name Ran?”
“Yes.”
“Then your father rode my mother to battle the Demon Lord’s dragons. I need your help. I am starving.”
It was at that moment she felt something smash across her tail and had turned to confront it. She was about to kill her attackers when the girl ordered everyone to stop. Now, after appeasing her hunger a little with the meat, she had been introduced to a wizard and had explained her predicament.
“I believe we can help,” the wizard said. “Have you previously tasted the meat you just ate?”
“Yes.”
“Are you familiar with the creature it comes from?”
“Yes, I managed to catch one that was being chased by one of the large cats. The creatures are too swift for me to chase, but I can strike fast enough from ambush.”
“How many of those would you need to fill you?”
“Twenty-five or thirty would do.”
“I will see what can be arranged,” the wizard had said.
For three days, she waited. They brought her food each day, a beast or two to appease her hunger. It kept her alive. Now the wizard said they were ready, he led her out onto the grassland and up to a place where two gullies met.
“I will try to hide your scent with a spell,” Andoo told her. “It would still be best if you remained hidden in the gully until the antelope have been captured. The hunters will drive the herd this way, but the gully will stop them. We have fires prepared beside it, and as soon as they are past, the fires will be lit. We hope that will contain them. If not, we will try something else.
“Thank you,” Missica said.
“There is no need for thanks. Your father and mother helped us defeat the Demon Lord’s army. We owe them. Now, if you will hide, I will signal the hunters to start.”
Missica slipped over the embankment and waited. She could not see the wizard, but she sensed his magic build before she saw a flash of light streak into the sky. Nothing happened, but she told herself to be patient. Still nothing happened, and then she felt a rumble through the ground. It grew and grew until a great herd of animals thundered by. She smelt smoke on top of the dust from the herd’s passage. It was her signal to move. Missica slithered up the side of the gully and attacked. She killed and killed, not stopping to eat until she was sure she had enough. Then she ate. She stuffed herself, slept, and ate again. By the end of the second day, she was satiated.
That night the pendant wearer brought someone to meet her. She had spoken often with this girl and with the wizard, but few of the others. As the pendant wearer ushered him forward, Missica recognized him as the one who had struck her with his sword.
“Missica, this is my friend, Nails.”
Nails bowed to her. “I am sorry I struck you,” he said. “I thought you were trying to harm Reese.”
“I understand your actions. Reese explained them to me,” she said. Suddenly, she became aware of more magic approaching, and she looked towards the sky. “Another pendant comes.”
***
Brayson was standing in the corral rubbing down Patches as Flitter was lazing on the horse’s back.
“That is a big bird,” he heard her say.
Brayson looked skyward. At first, he thought the bird was a vulture. It had white feathers in a ring around its neck. The bird was circling lower as if it was going to land. As he realized there were two people riding on its back, his mouth dropped open. Proportions corrected themselves, and he realized the bird was huge.
“It is a territone,” he said, “carrying two riders.”
“Do not let that monster come close to me,” Flitter told him.
“Relax, Flitte
r. It will not harm you, but just to be sure you can stay here while I go see what is happening.” He could see Feenatay and Missica moving towards the spot where the bird had landed. Two little people, far darrigs he guessed from the red tint of their clothes, slid off the bird’s back and were stretching cramped muscles beside it. Brayson hurried to catch up to Nails and the others. He saw Andoo Toran come from the house and start towards them with a big smile on his face.
Brayson judged the two far darrigs had left their thirtyish name-days behind. Both wore padded leather suits he assumed were specialized for flying. They opened the upper jerkins when they finished stretching. One started stroking the bird’s neck and feeding it what looked like mice from a leather bag that hung at his hip. The other one was watching the people coming towards them.
“Tamican? Well met,” Andoo said as he came close. “What are you doing so far from home?”
“Hello, Andoo,” the far darrig that had been waiting for them said warmly. “Do you remember my friend, Shanic?”
“Shanic. Of course, well met, Skyrider. It looks like your bird recovered well.”
“He is stronger than ever,” Shanic said. “Good to see you again, Andoo.”
Both of the far darrigs were looking from Andoo to Missica, and Shanic’s bird began to back away from the young dragon. Shanic said some soothing words to her, then he reached down and untied the straps that held his saddle in place.
“Go,” he said. “Find some rabbits.”
The bird extended its large wings. The territone was as tall as Nails, and Brayson estimated that one wing would cover the farm’s cabin easily. With a hop, it took to the air.
“Let me introduce everyone,” Andoo said. “These are my apprentices, Feenatay and Brayson.” He looked behind him. “This is Nails, another apprentice and Reese who is Ran and Manda’s daughter. Everyone, this is Shanic, the Skyrider, and Tamican.” He turned to Missica. “Your father might have mentioned him, they flew together. Missica,” he said, as he turned back to Tamican and Shanic, “is the daughter of Malintica and Ichaca.”
Shanic bowed to her, and Tamican stepped closer to bow. “I am so happy to meet you, Your Majesty,” he said. “Is your father well?”
“He is,” Missica said, “and I am happy to meet you. Father has mentioned both of you many times. You are the other pendant wearer, and your friend and his bird saved Ran’s life when he was fighting one of the dragons.”
“Yes,” Tamican said, “and now I think I understand what has been happening to me. Have you been hungry lately, Missica?”
“I have been hungry for as long as I have been here. How did you know?”
“I have been feeling it, and I think I have heard you talking, although I could not make out the words. What brings you here?”
“We should find a place to sit and talk,” Andoo suggested. “How about the barn? The horses are in the corral.”
They all followed Andoo to the barn, leaving the double doors open to let the air circulate. Everyone settled somewhere, and Flitter returned to Brayson’s shoulder, as Missica told Tamican and Shanic how she arrived here and the problems she had experienced.
“Now that you have eaten,” Tamican said, “will you be able to return to your home?”
“I am reluctant to try before I have built more strength, but with you here, another possibility occurs to me. Your pendant was more closely connected to my father than Reese’s was. With both of them available and perhaps a little magic from the wizard, my father may be able to hear me call.” She looked at Andoo. “Are you willing to try, Andoo?”
“I would be happy to.”
“We should move out to the grassland first,” Missica said. “So he will be able to see us if he comes. We will not want him ripping the roof off the barn to get to me.”
“I wouldn’t mind that,” Flitter whispered in Brayson’s ear as he got up to follow the others. “It would get rid of some owls, although, after what I have seen today, I might consider taming an owl and using it as a mount. I like that idea. Brayson, will you climb up, and get one of the newborn owls from a nest. If I feed it and care for it, I think this could work.”
“You have wings, Flitter, why do you need an owl?”
“When Shanic was stroking his bird, I could sense the connection between them. It is strong. Having a large bird that responds to my commands and protects me would be a good thing.”
“All right, but you have to take care of it yourself. Let me know when you want to start, but first you might want to talk with the Skyrider to see what is involved in the connection and care of a bird.”
“Of course,” Flitter said. “I wonder if owls eat dragonflies.”
Flitter continued to talk dreamily as they walked away from the farmstead. Missica stopped finally, and everyone gathered around her.
“Reese and Tamican, will you stand on either side of me, touch me, and hold hands?” Brayson saw them move into place. “Andoo, will you share some magic with us?”
Andoo placed the heel of his staff on Missica’s head, and she closed her eyes. Nothing seemed to happen. Brayson looked around; Feenatay’s eyes were open wide, but Nails’ were closed tight. His brow was furrowed. Brayson realized that his friend was blocking himself off.
“Andoo’s magic is strong,” Flitter said in his ear.
“Can you feel it?”
“Oh yes.”
Suddenly, a loud rip sounded above him. He ducked and then looked up as a shadow passed over them. At first, he thought it was Shanic’s bird returning, but he realized quickly how wrong he was. Circling down from high above was a dragon. He had thought Shanic’s bird was big, but this new creature was enormous. Huge bat-like wings with a claw extending from the middle of each, a long neck, body, and tail added up to the biggest thing he had ever seen. The mouth was closed, but Brayson estimated it was large enough for Nails to stand upright in it. The dragon shone multicoloured in the sun as it descended. Swooping over them, it landed a short distance away, furled its wings and walked towards them on its massive hind legs. Brayson was surprised when the dragon spoke. He expected a bellow of a voice, but it was surprisingly soft, although it did resonate in his head.
“So, Daughter, this is where you have been,” the dragon said. “Are these people bothering you?”
“No, Father, they are helping me.”
The dragon looked down at them. Suddenly, its head dipped down and touched the ground in front of Tamican.
“It is good to see you again, my friend. I have thought of you often.”
“As I have thought of you, Ichaca. You look healthy.”
“I have a good life, except for when my daughter decides to ignore my advice.”
“Then life would probably be boring without her,” Tamican suggested.
“Hello, Wizard,” Ichaca said as he lifted his head slightly. “I recognize your magic, as I recognize the pendants you enhanced with the communication spell for Tamican and Ran. Why does this young person have Ran’s?” One large eye looked directly at Reese.
“I am Ran’s daughter,” Reese said as she stepped forward. “My father told me about you. I am pleased to meet you.”
Ichaca nodded and swung his head back to Missica. “Why did you call me?”
“You were right, Father. I was too young to travel the void. It depleted me. I need your help getting home.”
Chapter 37
For three days Brayson, Nails and Feenatay had little to do. Andoo asked Feenatay to use his communication stone to send a message to Drafter, the Gore wizard. Andoo wanted Ran to know that Reese was all right. Reese, Andoo and Tamican spent all their time talking with Ichaca and Missica. The sabretooth hunters went out each morning on patrol. They were visiting the farms around the area to tell them that the cat problem was resolved, and things would return to normal soon. They were also performing an inventory of animals the farmers had lost. The hope was that Southgate or Bakerstown would help with the
ir replacement. Shanic and his bird spent a lot of time flying about. When not flying, Shanic spent time with Flitter. She had taken to him and his bird, Brightheart, after Shanic had introduced them, and proved to her that she was safe. He even took her flying a few times. The three apprentices were asked to help Manny fix the broken door and wall destroyed by Missica. Manny supplied them with carved wooden tools and showed them where and how to cut patches of sod out of the ground. It was difficult, even with the tools supplied, due to the need to cut underneath the sod before trying to lift it. Feenatay excused herself after their first three attempts ended with handfuls of broken sod.
“I will be back,” she explained. “I have to get something from my pack.”
“Do you think she will try to do this with magic?” Nails asked.
Brayson just shrugged. His thoughts were on Flitter spending so much time with Shanic. He had gotten used to having her around all the time, and although he still did not feel a lovlan connection with her, he was wondering if he could be jealous.
He saw Feenatay come around the barn and start back towards them. She was carrying a sword. As she drew closer, he could see that it had a curved shape; the blade started thin by the hilt and grew wider along its length, before curling in sharply to a point. He had never seen her wear this sword before.
“If you are planning on using that sword to cut sod,” Nails said, as she stopped beside them, “I have to tell you that it isn’t worth it. The earth will dull the blade, and then you will have to sharpen it. That is a long process if you want to do it right. We should just carry on using Manny’s tools.”
“Watch and learn my friends.” She sliced the blade through the soil and grass with an ease that surprised Brayson and Nails. “This is the Sword of Sacrifice,” she told them as she bent down and ran the blade under the cut piece of sod. It looked like she was cutting through water. “It will cut anything, except a person making a sacrifice. My father cut through a magic wall to obtain the Crystals of Blood and Light. Your father, Brayson, stabbed the Destroyer with it, right through his magic barrier. Now, you two lift the pieces away after I cut them and try to keep up.”