Drogoya: Book 3 Circles of Light series, page 10
Ren was still trying to adjust to being here in what he had always believed were the virtually mythical Night Lands. The previous three years he had spent secluded within the Menedula, and just travelling with Voron to the Oblaka had been strange enough. Six days on the back of a Plavat, meeting great Dragons within the Stronghold of that changeling boy, the Dragon Lord, travelling the mysterious circles, and now riding these horse like creatures across a barren land. Ren suddenly longed for his quiet rooms in the Menedula and old Babach’s gentle company.
‘I had thought to stay here another day, to allow Navan more time to recover.’ Olam looked at Gan as he spoke. ‘I think now that we should make what progress we can at once.’
Riff and Pallin were already saddling the koninas, redistributing the packs from one of the spare animals to give Navan a mount. After Sket had assured himself Tika was her normal self again, he hurried to help take down the awnings.
‘Would the Dragons know of any defensive locations ahead?’ Olam asked Tika.
A rumbling laugh echoed in their minds.
‘Olam, you are able to mind speak me yourself you know,’ Brin chided gently. ‘But no. It is all open country until we reach the high cliffs along the coast.’
‘Which is five days travel I think you said?’ Olam attempted to sound as though he had always conversed with Dragons using the mind speech.
‘Yes. The next water place is two days more from here, but it has no trees or large rocks from where you might make a fight.’
‘And if we are caught between watering places,’ Gan started to say.
‘We would be in bad trouble.’ Olam finished for him.
Brin went carefully over the route with Farn, using stars as sight guides. Farn was to stay close to the front of the armsmen and Ren, while Brin would fly at the rear. And so they proceeded each night, setting a watch during the day as well as relying on the Dragons or Khosa to sense any unwanted followers.
Ren had never been garrulous but during these days he became almost taciturn. The first time that he ignored a question from Olam, the Armschief was inclined to irritation. It was Sket who informed him that judging by the vacant unfocused look of Offering Ren, he believed him to be either deep in thought or trying to far speak someone. Sket advised Olam to leave Ren be.
‘Even my Lady Tika can be a little odd sometimes,’ he admitted, but with a look which plainly said others might be ill advised to criticise Tika even thus far.
Shortly before dawn on the fifteenth day from Far, the party began their routine of raising their awnings, making a meal and preparing to sleep through the heat of the day. The temperature reached the highest yet and by midday they were all uncomfortably awake. Farn could scarcely contain his excitement, his eyes whirring and flashing as he stared at the western horizon. Light seemed to glitter all along the line where sky met land, and it was only slowly that Tika realised that the sparkling line must be the sea.
‘How much further Brin?’ she asked.
‘If you left now, you would be there well before nightfall – it is truly not a great distance now.’
Tika called Gan and Olam to the edge of the awning. ‘The sea.’ She pointed. ‘I think we should move on now, despite the heat.’
‘It would be cooler beside the great water,’ Ren said unexpectedly. ‘There is usually a breeze at least.’
Gan nodded and turned to give orders to the armsmen. Farn’s excitement was contagious: all of the riders, with the possible exception of Ren, sat their koninas straighter, staring eagerly ahead at the line of brightness. Farn’s delight rang through their minds when he lifted from the ground, carrying Tika and Khosa higher, where they could see the narrow line broadening into a vast expanse of water.
Ren proved correct: half a league from rising cliffs, a breeze swept in over the land. It had an odd tang to it, a smell unfamiliar to all except the Offering. The water was hidden as they made the final approach. Although the land they had ridden across had appeared flat, in fact it rose and fell in gentle waves, and now they were angling down behind a sharply rising band of high grey cliffs. Now the travellers could hear a steady noise, a regular sighing and booming as though some monstrous creature slept on the other side of those cliffs.
There was a narrow split in the cliffs directly before them and while Brin and Farn swooped and soared over the beach and water beyond, Tika released Khosa from her carry sack. She joined Gan and Olam as they chose the best place to camp. Maressa had been unusually subdued throughout the previous night and this day, which Tika attributed to the heat. But now, as the koninas were led into a small curved section of the cliff, Maressa stiffened, turning to stare back the way they had come.
Ren spun round at the same moment and Khosa, every hair standing out from her small body, leaped onto a boulder, spitting and hissing. Olam looked round, his newly awakened mind sensing the urgency filling the air. Tika sent her mind out into the quickly gathering twilight and once more hit a solid wall of shielding.
‘Everyone back in here. Now!’ Gan barked, even as Tika summoned Farn and Brin from their play.
She grabbed Khosa with one hand and pulled Maressa with the other, back against the cliff. Swords were loosened in sheaths and arrows nocked and ready to fly.
‘Do you know what it is?’ Gan asked calmly, his eyes never ceasing to scan the darkening ground in front of them.
Tika glanced at Maressa. ‘It is almost like a huge ball, a round shield, but stars know what it may hold.’
The air quivered and there was a sound similar to fabric being torn. Pain lanced through Tika’s head and she knew that Maressa, Olam and Ren, also felt it. She forced herself to stay where she was, Gan and Sket to either side of her.
Ten or maybe more, figures suddenly formed, solidifying as Tika watched. Eyes red as coals burned with hungry hatred when the figures swung to face the group backed against the cliff. Arrows hummed past Tika and half the number of creatures fell. The cheer died in her throat when she saw them rise, arrows protruding from necks and chests, and continue their shambling advance.
Ren reached for Maressa’s hand, pushing his other hand between Gan and Sket to grasp Tika’s shoulder. Immediately, Tika felt the immense power within the Offering, and she willingly linked her mind to his. Ten paces, and Riff danced forward, dealing a massive down sweep of his sword which almost cut one of the things in half. As Riff was jerked back by a scowling Pallin, the creature climbed back to its feet, its eyes redder than before.
Suddenly two of the things screamed, their bodies convulsing into positions impossible for a normal human form. Their comrades spared them not a glance, moving another step forward even as more screams ripped from two more creatures. Tika felt power surging through her from Ren and was also distantly aware of the pendant she wore beginning to burn her chest. She would have fallen if not for Sket’s support and felt rather than saw Navan hold Ren’s body upright. Her teeth were chattering as power such as she had never imagined shrieked through her again, and Brin and Farn dived from the sky.
Flames scoured the earth a mere pace from the defenders. Flames, and more flames, until nothing remained but a greasy black ash. Ren fell senseless and was laid gently against the cliff. Tika’s head rang and echoed like an empty chamber. She saw Olam sitting on the ground, clutching his head in his hands, and Pallin carrying Maressa’s limp form to lay beside Ren. Farn’s long beautiful face wavered in front of her, then she too fainted.
Chapter Nine
Babach’s recovery was slow but steady. The shock to his entire system was the main obstacle to overcome, although the major burns were now only tender patches of skin. He wore loose robes provided by the Delvers, which rested lightly on his frame. Sava had taken up residence in Lorak’s workroom, from whence he emerged only when he was certain Baryet was absent from the hall. Lorak was highly amused by the owl, although both Kera and Chakar suspected he was encouraging Sava to develop a taste for his infamous restorative. Sava was seen to wobble rather more frequently in his erratic flights across the Stronghold’s great hall.
Despite being much weakened, once the healers allowed him to sleep less, Babach insisted on being brought up to date on all that had happened. Chakar had gone into the Domain to visit Kadi the first day Babach roused properly so it fell to Voron to describe the appalling journey on the Plavat’s back to this Stronghold. There were few in the hall at this time of day and Babach had assumed that he and Voron were quite alone. Then a long golden face lowered over his pallet and he recognised Kija. He stretched up a hand still wrapped in dressings to the Dragon.
‘You spoke to me, before the healing was performed.’
Kija inclined her head, her prismed eyes whirring a soft butter shade.
‘I did indeed Observer. The healing was a mighty task and we could not risk you deciding to fight against us. So many minds had to help you, you might have feared they were attacking you rather than trying to help.’
‘When might I be allowed out of this bed, I wonder?’
Kija’s laughter was a joyful sound. ‘I see no reason why you must stay helpless in your nest, but then, I am of a different race.’
‘Speaking of nests,’ a voice said from behind them. Mim and Ashta stood there, Mim smiling at Babach. ‘Have you yet learned that Baryet’s wife has occupied my chamber? She is apparently with egg.’
The pale blue eyes inset in silver, sparkled, then Babach winced as his grin pulled at the tender skin of his cheeks. The grin grew no smaller though when Mim sat on the edge of the pallet.
‘Ashta and I went to the chamber and Syecha made the most excruciating squawks and tried to peck my poor Ashta. Baryet was most annoyed that I had disturbed his delicate wife.’
‘Oh stop,’ Babach groaned. ‘I can see it perfectly. I always thought Plavats the most ghastly birds ever created.’
‘And I thought you liked the things,’ Voron said indignantly.
‘Are you all supposed to be bothering my patient?’ Dessi came round the end of the pallet, a mock glare on her still pale face.
Babach instantly held out both bandaged hands to her when she perched opposite Mim.
‘And I have you to thank for my life,’ he said softly.
Dessi rested her tiny hands gently on Babach’s burnt ones and he lifted them to his brow.
‘To use so much of your strength on this old man is a debt I can never hope to repay.’
Dessi studied him for a moment then, smiling, changed the subject.
‘There is talk of Kadi moving up here,’ she said.
Mim nodded. ‘We saw her take her first flight a day or so ago. The space there is cramped and the Delvers need to plant their crops,’ he added to Voron and Babach.
‘Kadi is a great Dragon who was dreadfully injured.’ Voron murmured a quick explanation to the Observer.
‘And she still has not told us how she was injured,’ Kija remarked. ‘Or given any hint of where the child might be, whom she carried on her back when last I saw her.’
Babach gradually regained his strength and pottered about the hall in the days that followed. He found a great pleasure in spending the afternoons sitting with Fenj, who appreciated Babach’s conversation greatly. Lula so far accepted the Observer as to curl on his knees when he came visiting. He was surreptitiously introduced to Lorak’s medicine and instantly agreed with Fenj’s view that the old gardener was indeed a splendid fellow.
Voron noticed, trailing in the old man’s wake, that Babach’s bandaged hand rested frequently on the egg that hung at his chest. When the dressings on his burnt hands were changed on the fourth day since he had risen from his bed, the healers agreed that his right hand could remain uncovered. The palm was healed but scarred and he was told to be cautious in using it for a while longer.
That same day, as Babach sat with Fenj, a melodious call sounded from without the gate. Fenj pushed himself up to a sitting position, his eyes glittering with sudden excitement. Lula deserted Babach’s knees and flew up Fenj’s spine to perch in her usual place atop his head. Mim and Ashta hurried in from the gateway, a broad smile on Mim’s face and happiness radiating from Ashta.
‘It is Kadi,’ Fenj murmured to Babach and Voron.
Hastily they stood, awaiting the appearance of this new Dragon. Voron caught his breath when the huge, midnight blue Dragon paced into the hall, Chakar trotting at her side. The Dragon came straight to Fenj, leaning her head towards him to touch his brow with hers.
‘It is good to see you here Kadi, and to know you are strong enough to fly once more.’
Kadi’s eyes whirred all shades of blue as she turned to survey Babach and Voron. Babach bowed formally.
‘I am truly honoured to meet you Kadi. We have both been invalids over long I think.’ He smiled up at her then saw the pendant on its obsidian links that hung just below her long jaw. He looked back to her face and saw that she was staring at his pendant.
‘You and I must speak Observer Babach,’ Kadi spoke to his mind alone before turning to greet Kera and Jal.
Babach watched her move towards the long tables where Guards were beginning to gather. He noted the many places on the great body where there were no scales, only dark blue hide. Lines ran down and across her wings, of a much lighter blue: surely scarring from her recent wounds. He sniffed. There was a faint scent of mint, he could swear to it. Perhaps it was being used in one of the supper dishes. He swayed slightly and Voron caught his arm, leading him to the table to join Chakar.
Chakar hugged the old man tightly, then sprang away, remembering his burns.
‘Forgive me for marching straight past you, old friend. I was not expecting to see you vertical yet and I had a private message to give to Dessi. How are you feeling? I must say you look greatly improved to when I left.’ She peered more closely, the dark green eyes surrounded by silver examining him minutely. ‘Sit here with me.’ She dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘Have you discovered Lorak’s restorative?’
Babach chuckled. ‘I have indeed. He could make a fortune in Drogoya with it.’ His face clouded. ‘Probably not right now though.’
Daro and Nesh came from the upper levels to greet Chakar and conversation became general. Mim sat next to Babach but ate very little the Observer noted.
‘Are you not hungry, Dragon Lord?’ he asked quietly.
Mim tilted his head and looked at Babach. Equally softly he replied: ‘I prefer less cooked food now, since my body began to change. Only Dessi knows, within the Stronghold, how sick I feel eating these cooked dishes.’
The turquoise eyes with the odd vertical pupils surrounded now with gold scaling, stared at Babach almost in challenge. Babach placed his unbound hand on Mim’s scaled forearm.
‘It must be difficult, for you and for your friends, to understand and deal with what is happening to you Dragon Lord. If there is anything at all that I may help with?’
Mim continued to stare at Babach for a while longer, then smiled his sweet smile.
‘To begin with, you must only call me Mim.’ He raised a mug of water and drank it down. He frowned. ‘Have you heard singing since you have been here?’ he asked.
Babach frowned in turn and studied the various dishes scattered along the table.
‘I have heard no singing Mim. But can you smell mint?’
Mim sniffed. Ashta, at his shoulder, sniffed. Chakar paused in her conversation and gave them a concerned stare. Kera coughed.
‘Is there a problem?’ she asked brightly.
‘Hmm? Oh no, no. Nothing at all. We erm were deciding what spices might be in this delicious pastry.’ Babach gazed innocently along the table, and the babble of talk resumed.
Chakar slid along the bench towards Babach. ‘You never could lie to me and get away with it old man. What are you up to?’
Mim grinned but Babach merely looked hurt. ‘I am still convalescent Chakar dear. It is most unfair of you to bully me.’
Chakar snorted in disgust and moved back down the bench.
‘Are you weary Babach?’ Mim asked. When Babach shook his head he added: ‘Come to my chamber – my new and temporary chamber – when the meal is finished, and we will speak without interruption.’ His strange eyes rested briefly on Chakar.
‘Voron will not let me out of his sight,’ Babach warned.
‘Nonsense. He is about to be occupied with Daro and Nesh.’
Mim moved down the table, bending to murmur to Nesh then crossing to speak with the great Dragons, Kija and Kadi, who reclined near Fenj.
Sava was on Lorak’s shoulder, where the gardener sat with Bikram and some of the Guards when a shriek at the gate heralded Baryet’s arrival. Sava hooted dolefully and burrowed under Lorak’s jacket as the giant Plavat stilted into the hall. Baryet stayed on his feet, staring at the hall’s occupants, head tilting one way then the other. He eventually spotted Chakar and stalked a few steps towards her.
‘There are three eggs now, my Chakar.’ The pride in his mind tone was quite unbearable.
Heads bent low over plates along the tables while Chakar got slowly to her feet.
‘I am sure that is quite remarkable Baryet. Do give Syecha our warmest congratulations.’
Baryet’s neck feathers lifted into a crest, his chest puffed out.
‘There will be more,’ he confided, causing an outburst of muffled choking amongst his audience. He stilted back to the gate, ignored Lula’s spitting and returned to his wife’s nesting chamber.
Kera listened to the laughter ringing through the hall and wondered how long it had been since such a sound had been heard here. She leaned across the table to Chakar, pitching her voice to cut through the noise.
‘How many eggs do Plavats lay at one time?’
