Rules of Justice (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 8)

by Sarah Noffke

  “I can take the lead on that, sir,” Evan chimed in.

  Sophia coughed, and it sounded very much like, “Suck up.”

  Hiker drew in a breath. “Actually, I thought Soph—”

  “I have a mission for her,” Mama Jamba interrupted.

  “You do?” Hiker questioned. “That’s what you’re going to help us with?”

  Mother Nature nodded. “Yes, if you, Sophia, go and get me a certain ingredient, then I can use that to show you where the dragonettes are. It won’t be exact, but it will give you enough.”

  Hiker shook his head. “I’m just not used to having your willing help on things. This will take some getting used to.”

  “You shouldn’t get used to it,” Mama Jamba told him. “Remember, finding the dragonettes isn’t the same as bringing them back. You can’t force a dragon to do anything. Really, you should never force anyone, but especially not a dragon.”

  “I just need to know where they are. Then we can keep an eye on them and ensure that even if they are protected with the shielding spell, they aren’t causing trouble. Not to mention that magicians and other magical creatures can still see them, and I worry how much influence this Nevin Gooseman has.”

  “What do you need me to do?” Sophia asked, looking at Mama Jamba.

  Pressing her finger to the Elite globe, Mother Nature smiled. The area glowed brightly for a moment before dimming once more. “You should go to Sherwood Forest in England and forage for mushrooms.”

  “Glamourous!” Evan exclaimed.

  Ignoring him, Sophia squinted at the old woman. “What kind of mushrooms?”

  Mama Jamba shrugged. “I’m not sure. Get them all.”

  Sophia lowered her chin. “All of them?”

  Mother Nature nodded. “Yes, I’ve created a nice breeding ground for the types of mushrooms I need for the tracking spell, but it usually works too well. It will create all sorts of different varieties and do lovely and bizarre things to other plants and animals.”

  “Bizarre?” Sophia questioned.

  “There will be man-eating squirrels now,” Wilder joked.

  Sophia didn’t think he was wrong. “Okay, Sherwood Forest. To get mushrooms. All of them.”

  “Oh, look at our new illustrious leader, Little Pink Riding Hood.” Evan was enjoying this too much.

  “You are going to Yemen, Evan,” Hiker said, changing the subject.

  “Say what?” he complained at once. “Why?”

  “Because there’s a dispute over land, and I want you to intervene,” Hiker explained. “It’s more important than ever that we be the adjudicators the world needs. It’s needed and it will help with world views.”

  “Yemen…” Evan growled.

  “At least it’s not Florida,” Wilder teased.

  “Wilder, I’ll need you on the goodwill tour,” Hiker continued. “The world needs to see us as brave and dependable and god-like.”

  “Then why are you sending him, sir, and not me?” Evan questioned.

  “Because they don’t need to see us as clowns,” Wilder shot back.

  Evan stood and NO10JO joined him. “That’s fine. I’ll go do the tough work while you flash a toothy grin and wink at mortals.”

  “You bring me back a souvenir from Yemen, you lucky dog,” Wilder joked.

  Apparently thinking he was talking to him, NO10JO turned back into an ottoman, obviously nervous he was being sent on a case.

  Hiker looked at them, his patience obviously waning. However, when his eyes drifted to the ottoman dog, he hid a smile. “All right. You all have your orders. Get out there and make me proud. Or at least, make it so I don’t want to kill you when you return.”

  Chapter Four

  Where in Sherwood Forest? Lunis asked, giving Sophia a speculative glare. He swished his tail back and forth as they stood on the Expanse, creating a gentle wind. He was like a cat and wagged his tail when angry, irritated, or excited.

  Getting away from the Gullington would be good for the blue dragon because the dragonettes, even the angel ones, were grating on his nerves. He had the privilege and “curse” of watching after the young dragons. Mahkah thought he was the best suited for it, being closer in age to them, but Lunis hadn’t found the responsibility to be that much of an honor.

  “Mama Jamba didn’t say where in Sherwood Forest the mushrooms could be found,” Sophia answered, watching as angel dragonettes leaped over unhatched eggs, playing leapfrog.

  It’s over one thousand acres of overgrown forest, Lunis stated dryly.

  “So, we should leave early.”

  What kind of mushrooms and how many?

  “All of the kinds of mushrooms, apparently,” Sophia answered. “And all of them.”

  Lunis batted his eyes at her, not appearing amused. This is sounding better by the moment.

  “Want to stay here and mind the dragonettes?” Sophia teased.

  Not on your life.

  Sophia laughed. “What about your life?”

  Lunis lowered his head and gave her an annoyed expression. Make me hang out with these rug rats any longer, and I’ll probably end myself.

  “They can’t be all that bad,” Sophia reasoned.

  They are all teething and guess what they like to gnaw on? Lunis asked.

  “Your bad jokes?” she questioned.

  They don’t get my jokes, he retorted. And no, my tail. My scales. My horns. My everything.

  “Sounds like they love nanny Lunis,” Sophia teased.

  He glared at her. If killing you didn’t end me, I might consider it at this point.

  She threw up her hands. “Your hostility is palpable. Let’s get out of here and get your attention on a dangerous mission that will no doubt be a convoluted series of tasks and offer way more than we bargained for.”

  To Sophia’s surprise, Lunis grinned. It was a strange expression for a dragon to wear unless they were him, and he got away with such weird behavior. Most dragons didn’t smile and had serious expressions. Lunis was nothing like most.

  You really know the way to my heart, he responded as Mahkah strode up, one of the dragonettes perched on his shoulder like a very strange bird.

  There’s something different about you, Mahkah, Lunis joked. Did you get a haircut?

  Mahkah, who wasn’t good at jokes and hadn’t cut his long hair in many decades, glanced over his back at his long black braid. “No, but maybe I’ve gotten a bit more sun lately, working with the angel dragonettes.”

  Sophia laughed. “I think he’s referring to the growth you have on your shoulder.”

  Looking up at the creature, which was about the size of a barn owl, Mahkah smiled mildly. “Oh, this one has taken a liking to me,” he replied, giving the lavender dragonette an affectionate expression.

  “Is that typical when you’ve already magnetized to a dragon?” Sophia asked, not having found much on that subject in The Complete History of Dragonriders.

  He frowned. “I don’t think so, but not much is typical about the new generation of dragons, which Lunis is evidence of.”

  Sophia looked at her dragon proudly. “Yeah, he’s not your typical dragon.”

  Mahkah stared out at the Expanse where dragons were frolicking and playing in very un-dragonlike fashion. “The new generation seems to be taking after our famed Lunis. They are more light-hearted than the dragons we once knew, the ones I grew up with. They are playful. That’s why I elected Lunis to watch after them. I hope that’s all right.” He gave the blue dragon a questioning expression.

  Let’s put it this way, Lunis began, you’re not getting anything for Christmas.

  Not having gotten the joke, Mahkah nodded.

  “Well, I appreciate it,” the old dragonrider said. “The other dragons aren’t as well suited for this job, being from different generations and all.”

  Sophia, as with Wilder, often forgot how old Mahkah was, being the second oldest dragonrider at the Gullington, right after Hiker. He had been around and witnessed t
he behavior of many dragons, making him the resident expert on caring for the magical creatures.

  “A dragon won’t magnetize to more than one rider, right?” Sophia asked, looking at the little dragon who was nibbling on Mahkah’s hair as though it were hay.

  He didn’t seem to mind. “I don’t think so. It wouldn’t work in a technical sense. I don’t suspect the new generation will magnetize for a while. Lunis did before hatching, but that’s rare. Well, actually, it’s the only one I know of. Just like you.”

  Sophia blushed, always feeling a strange bit of pride about being the first and only female dragonrider. She didn’t know if one day she’d be joined by other women or how long she’d be the only female among the “guys.” It didn’t matter to her either way, but as a new leader for the Dragon Elite, she did want some diversity. She looked forward to other riders joining them. That was the reason she’d been elected—in the hope there would be more riders to manage one day…hopefully soon.

  “What do you need help with?” Sophia asked, remembering she’d volunteered.

  “Honestly, I’m still studying what the new generation needs most,” Mahkah answered. “They are a handful, but different than Coral, Simi, Bell, and Tala. They needed more physical maintenance, and these tend to want more emotional support.”

  Very much like the rider who spawned them, Lunis observed.

  That made sense to Sophia. The first one-thousand dragon eggs had been spawned by the first male rider. She’d spawned the second set—the last remaining dragon eggs.

  “I think,” Mahkah began thoughtfully, “if Mama Jamba has given you a mission to find ingredients that will help track down the demon dragons, it would be the best use of your attention. I’m terribly worried about what could be happening to them. They are wild and in a world that doesn’t understand them. We might not be able to control them, but at least if we can find them, we can keep an eye on the dragonettes. Although I’d prefer Lunis’ help, he should go along with you, obviously.”

  Sophia agreed with a nod. “So, you want us to set off for Sherwood Forest right away then?”

  He nodded. “The sooner, the better. I fear tracking them down will be a process. I’m grateful Mama Jamba is assisting in the matter.”

  “Yes, I think it speaks to the severity of the situation,” Sophia agreed, realizing it had to be important if Mother Nature was helping.

  Lunis gave her a meaningful expression. “Grab some sandwiches, and let’s get on the road.”

  Sophia laughed, always enjoying the light nature of her dragon. She was glad she was born to this generation, although she secretly wondered if they were different because of who she was.

  Chapter Five

  The excitement Lunis felt leaving the Gullington was palpable as Sophia rode with him over the Barrier. The wind tore through her hair, whistling a tune like it was excited too.

  Lunis, like Sophia, was always eager to soar into the skies, whether they be blue, gray, or dark. The air was where they both felt most alive. That was never truer than as they sped for Sherwood Forest, away from the Expanse and, more importantly for Lunis—away from the dragonettes.

  Mahkah was right to assign Lunis to oversee the small dragons. He wouldn’t stifle their spirits like the older, more rigid dragons. They were about customs and doing things as they had always been done, whereas Lunis held an extra room inside his head that was full of possibilities. The new generation had that too. Sophia, as well as Mahkah, didn’t want those rooms locked. However, at the end of the day, Lunis was a dragon meant to soar and battle and explore, not a nanny. It was best for him to get out, leaving the charge of caring for the young dragons to Mahkah for the time being.

  Where should we land? Lunis asked in Sophia’s head. It was a beautiful thing shared between practiced rider and dragon, making them one. Her inclination made him veer right. Her slightest hesitations made him slow. The reins remained in her hands, but they were mostly useless since all steering was done purely by her thoughts.

  She mused for a moment, considering their options. It was like randomly picking a spot on a rotating globe. Sherwood Forest from the sky looked all the same. Green, green, green. Punctuated every so often by patches of lighter shades of green.

  Although Sophia had loved to play roulette with world globes when she was little, that seemed like haphazardly leaving a little too much to chance.

  What about over there? she responded, indicating the area to the east.

  Because your GPS tells you that’s where a Starbucks is located, he joked.

  She laughed. No, because there’s a stream and where there is water, there are mushrooms.

  This is a British forest though, he argued. There will be moisture everywhere. I’m guessing this place is jam-packed with mushrooms. I hope you didn’t have plans for Christmas because we’ll be spending it here, foraging.

  Sophia shook her head. Mama Jamba wouldn’t have sent us here for something so extensive.

  But she wants all of the mushrooms, he complained. He wasn’t really complaining, rather sounding excitedly challenged.

  There has to be a trick or something, Sophia reasoned, looking at the luscious forest.

  To her surprise, Lunis sighed. Maybe, sometimes, our job is just to collect mushrooms. He sped toward the babbling brook in the distance and then added—all of them.

  Our mission is to protect the dragonettes, she stated with confidence. That has to happen sooner rather than later and especially before Christmas. My reasoning says to land by the water. Then we will explore from there, letting our intuition guide us.

  She felt Lunis smile underneath her. Although she couldn’t see his face or his ancient eyes, she could feel the grin—such was the beautiful connection between the two, dragon and rider. His expressions etched themselves on her heart and vice versa.

  Don’t ever lose that part of yourself, Sophia.

  She peeled back, holding the reins, more for comfort than necessity. What? What part of myself?

  The part that keeps you faithful, he answered. You might be brave. You might be smart. No one will argue that you’re damn easy on the eyes, but the very best part of you is that you believe there’s always a way.

  Well, okay, she said, blushing for many reasons.

  That’s the reason you’re successful so often, he continued. You believe. You hold onto hope.

  Sophia lowered herself because she felt a fondness for her dragon and the need to be close to him and also because they were coming in for the landing.

  If I learned anything about hope, it’s because of you, Lun. I was born very much alone, in a busy family, with few friends in the world until you came along.

  He shook his head, and she spied it from her place low on his back. That’s not the way the story goes. Sophia Beaufont could have had any friend she wanted, but she stayed to herself, saving her energy for the ones who would be not just companions to her, but the best ones for her.

  Oh? she asked, pretending this part of their history was new to her.

  Yes, and that is the day I felt your presence and knew I wanted no other, he went on. One day you’ll come to terms with the truth.

  Which is? she asked with sincere curiosity.

  That you know how to draw the ones you want to you, he answered. You don’t put out a pot of honey for bees, like most.

  I think you’re overthinking things, she said, bracing herself as the winds intensified as they descended. Lunis’ wings flapped, compensating for the rush of wind whisking through the old trees.

  I don’t think I am, he argued. You, Sophia, fly fish, looking for a specific variety. That’s how you found me. And Wilder and so many others. You don’t settle. Which is why we always feel like the winners when you pick us.

  Sophia didn’t know what to say to these words from her dragon, so she didn’t say anything as he landed on the soft meadow that sparkled with possibilities.

  Chapter Six

  Everything was too quiet as Sophia got down o
ff Lunis upon reaching the clearing between the trees and creek. The trees, full of leaves, didn’t move when she gazed at them like they were having a strange staring contest. To her surprise, the brook she could have sworn had been rustling from the air was still and quiet.

  Sophia tensed, sensing that something was awry. Not wrong, but definitely not right.

  “What do you suppose?” she asked Lunis, knowing he’d fill in the gaps.

  There’s snipes hiding in these parts that have quieted the forest, he joked.

  She gave him an annoyed expression. “You’ve already tried to get me to go snipe hunting. It won’t work.”

  The dragon, who reached up well above her head, shrugged. If you don’t want to find small, cuddly creatures buried in the ground, that’s your call.

  “They don’t exist,” she seethed. “That’s just a prank that older siblings tell younger ones to keep them occupied and give themselves entertainment.”

  Maybe, he reasoned. Only one way to tell. Do you want me to retrieve your bat and sack so you can find out for yourself?

  Snipe hunting, Sophia had learned, was a cruel joke that people played on naive children, telling them to go into the middle of the woods to find fictional creatures by pounding the ground with a bat while waiting patiently and quietly with a burlap sack. After hours or days, depending on the child, they gave up, realizing they’d been duped. Lunis had tried to play the prank on Sophia and Wilder, but a quick search on Snopes.com had extinguished his trick.

  “I don’t think there are snipes here,” she said, chewing on the words as she strode carefully for the creek. “But something is hiding, I believe.”

  Like, it all went quiet when we landed, Lunis agreed.

  “Yeah,” she replied, feeling very much like Dorothy when her house fell on the yellow brick road. She tensed suddenly, waiting for all the munchkins to spill out and start singing. Sophia wasn’t sure if that would be a welcome surprise or a jarring one.