Tomes Apprentice

by Honor Raconteur

  Shunlei stepped in closer, putting a hand under the baby, the other on top of Mei Li’s. “Sing to her. Sing so she knows you.”

  “The thrumming sound you did with her? I have no idea how to do that.” Mei Li was intrigued, though, not dismissive. She’d love to learn how to do that.

  “Repeat after me.” Shunlei thrummed two low tones, two high, the sound much like a musical melody.

  Mei Li’s brows beetled together as she concentrated. Her visual memorization ability was much better than her oral. “Once more.”

  He repeated it, and this time she tentatively joined him.

  The hatchling between them settled, her mouth slightly open as she breathed deeply.

  Mei Li watched the hatchling with open curiosity. Wow, that had worked instantly. “Just what does that mean, anyway?”

  “Affection. Safety. There are undertones to it—only family or friends would sing those tones to you.”

  “But I’m not duplicating all the vibrations you do.” Mei Li felt both dissatisfaction and worry about that. She didn’t want to accidentally say the wrong thing just because her human throat couldn’t duplicate all the right tones.

  “You’re close enough that the message still gets across,” Rone assured her. “And really, even a professional singer can’t duplicate it much better. Human throats just aren’t designed that way. This isn’t used for just children; you’ll hear adults do it too.”

  So this was universal affection, not just baby talk? “Oh? I learn something new about dragon culture every day. Alright, let’s find a good way to strap her to my chest. I’ve got a thought on how to do it.”

  Shunlei stepped back and allowed her room to work. Dolan came in with the carrier and propped it up against the side of the bed, to make it easier to climb in and out. He stepped close again to give Mei Li a hand in and out. The fit was tight with her and Dolan both inside, but it was apparently doable. Doable enough that neither thought it would be a problem. They would not be able to keep anything in there but bottles and a change of clothes, though, that was clear. Rone would have to carry all the baggage.

  Excellent. They might make Tanguay within the next two days, providing nothing else went wrong. Mei Li sent up a silent prayer that nothing did. They really didn’t have time for more stops.

  Traveling with a hatchling strapped to her chest was a new experience. Mei Li wasn’t sure if it was heartwarming or tiring. A little of both. Dolan helped her out as much as he could, and they switched the little dragon between them as necessary. She handled the changes without fuss, thankfully, as long as they thrummed at her. Mei Li still wasn’t convinced she was doing it right, but the baby responded positively to it, so she kept doing it.

  The rest of the flight to Tanguay fortunately went without any other troubles. They arrived mid-afternoon, and while Mei Li was dying for a peek at the walls from the air, she didn’t dare untie the flaps to do so. The hatchling didn’t need to be chilled and the air up here was brutal. It cut straight to the bone.

  “Capitol Hill in sight,” Shunlei called to them. “We’ll be down in five minutes.”

  Excellent. She was very tired of being in this cramped space. “Alright!”

  They banked a few times, and she could feel the wind currents as they buffered Shunlei’s wings, the air turbulent. It was not a good sign. Likely a storm was coming.

  They settled easily onto something hard and stony, the impression coming clearly as Shunlei’s claws scraped against stone. Mei Li waited only until his weight settled before she reached for the flap tie near her head. Dolan did the same on the opposite side.

  “Let me get out first, then help you,” Dolan volunteered.

  “Sure, thanks.”

  With hatchling in hand, they maneuvered more carefully out of the carrier than normal, and Dolan had them both well in hand as her feet touched pavement. Mei Li got her bearings as she stood, thighs cramping from being half-curled under her for so many hours. Shunlei and Rone had both landed in one of the few clear spots in this crowded city-scape, in the gardens of Capitol Hill. It was nothing more than paved walkways and dormant trees at the moment, of course. The capitol building sprawled out ahead of them, three stories of white granite and columns. To Mei Li, it looked ostentatious and wasn’t to her tastes at all. Also rather bland, with nothing but white on white. She preferred the red buildings and sloped roofs of her native country.

  The doors were abruptly thrown open and three figures hurried toward them. A woman led the three, her strides quick and light, the brilliantly red robes of her office flowing like moving fire around her feet. Her pale hair was piled up high on her head, impeccable despite the strong wind. Mei Li blinked and realized she recognized this woman—Judge Elora of Tanguay. She was one of twelve that ruled this city. Even after two years, she still held her seat? Interesting. That meant she was in her third term of office. She might be the longest running female judge in recent history.

  “Shunlei! Rone!” Judge Elora called out in happy greeting. “You are indeed a welcome sight. We were afraid something had happened. Mage Dolan’s sprite only relayed the message that you were delayed.”

  “That’s because something did happen,” Rone returned dryly. She flicked her left wing, settling it before tucking it into her body. As she did so, Mei Li noticed for the first time that the base of her feathers was much darker than the tips—a sign of her slowly becoming black herself? She was a smaller, more streamlined version of dragon, almost delicate-looking compared to Shunlei. It was easy to think of her as ‘younger,’ but Mei Li shouldn’t think of her as ‘young’ by any means.

  “Is it sorted, whatever it is?”

  “Not quite, but soon enough.”

  Coming to a stop in front of Mei Li, the judge beamed at her. “You must be Mei Li of Tomes. I believe we’ve crossed paths once.”

  Mei Li managed a bow around the baby dragon still strapped to her chest. “I am, Honorable Judge, and you’re correct, we have. Thank you for the welcome.”

  “We are very glad to see you. We feared you lost. Mage Dolan, you are welcome, as always. May we count on your expertise to help us with the Wall, now that a Tomes is here to instruct us?”

  “Of course, Honorable Judge. Mei Li has already requested my aid, and I’ve granted it. I’m relieved to help, really. We’ve spent far too many years running about like chickens with our heads cut off.”

  Grimacing, Judge Elora muttered, “Unfortunately accurate. I will notify the two mages working on the Walls to stop their studies and prepare to aid you. And who does the hatchling belong to?”

  “That’s the situation,” Shunlei informed her, coming to stand next to Mei Li like a wind blocker. “We discovered the hatchling in the hands of thieves. Her parents have been informed and are on their way to collect her.”

  “I almost feel pity for the thieves. Well, I won’t leave us all standing here. Come in, come in. I’ll update you on the situation now and make arrangements for your stay here. Tomes, may I have the story of the hatchling?”

  Mei Li told her a succinct version of the story as they walked into the building. It was just as bland and white on the inside, with gold accent trims in the molding and tile to offset it all. The hallways were wider than necessary and sound echoed along the tile in an unnerving manner. Mei Li felt like she was tromping through a mausoleum.

  Judge Elora led them into her office, a warmer space than the rest of the building. A cheery fire burned in the fireplace and thick, multi-colored rugs softened the tile of the floor. Mei Li didn’t wish to sit just yet, even though the chairs looked quite comfortable, and chose instead to hover near the fire. The hatchling agreed with her choice and cooed briefly before falling asleep again. Mei Li looked down at her sardonically. Being a baby was so rough. All those naps to get through.

  Rone came to stand next to her and offered, “Let me give you a break.”

  “My back will thank you.” Mei Li gratefully handed
her over, then stretched out her shoulders and neck, trying to get her muscles to unclench. She’d definitely have to seek out a hot bath tonight or else risk a severe crick in her back.

  Everyone found seats or joined Mei Li near the fire. Judge Elora didn’t think anything odd of their behavior if they did choose to stand. She took the chair at the head of the coffee table and settled with one leg crossed over another. “Well. Tomes, any idea where your master is?”

  “Absolutely none,” Mei Li answered glumly. Internally, she winced at being addressed so. She was a Tomes APPRENTICE. She’d not passed the final test to be a master, and it made her squirm to be addressed as one. “He went out to make arrangements for our evacuation and I haven’t seen him since.”

  “I was afraid that would be the answer.” Judge Elora let out a low breath and the crow’s feet around her eyes deepened, aging her another ten years so that she looked seventy. She looked strained, but then, with the state of the world, was that any surprise? “Alright. Here’s the situation as it stands now. I’m sure everyone told you the problems that have arisen. Are you aware the Walls are on the verge of collapse?”

  “I am.”

  “Are you aware we’re steadily losing the unwary to Lost Souls Bridge?”

  Mei Li’s heart sank further. Hadn’t they already effectively blocked that stupid bridge off by now? “How many so far?”

  “We’re not sure of an exact count, but we’ve had sixty-three reported so far.”

  That was far worse than she’d expected. Not wanting to know, but needing to, Mei Li forced the words out of her mouth. “Has anyone attempted a rescue?”

  “Unfortunately. They’re now part of the sixty-three.”

  Lovely. “Please tell me someone has put guards up near the bridge to keep people out?”

  “The Prince of Horvath did. He’ll be willing to help with the rescue party, too, when you’re ready to put one together.”

  At least there was that. Mei Li hated they’d lost so many already, but at least with guards up they wouldn’t lose even more. And look, she even had someone volunteering aid! She would take any silver lining offered. “I’m afraid I must add to the problem. Of the missing tomes, I have not read eighty.”

  Judge Elora’s face became tightly pinched from horror. “Eighty records? You’re quite certain?”

  Shunlei took this one. “Two of the tomes I rescued are a catalogue for the rest. I kept it on hand for Mei Li to reference. She’s quite certain which ones are missing.”

  Judge Elora visibly deflated. “So the only record we have of those cases is residing in Abe of Tomes’ head?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  She didn’t have a heart attack on the spot, but the judge was clearly tempted by one. “That was not the news I’d hoped for. But of course our luck is running that poorly. Shunlei, how much do you remember? Surely you lived through or helped with some of that.”

  Shunlei shook his head before she could even finish. “Human magic doesn’t make much sense to us dragons. Yes, I was there for some of those events. So was Rone. But neither of us could tell you what they did to seal the problems away. We only understood the generalities, not the nuances.”

  “It was often explained to us, but we don’t understand much about human magic, so the explanation went more or less over our heads,” Rone further elaborated. An unhappy twist to her mouth, she splayed her free hand in an open shrug. “We can’t tell you exactly what to do, not in any way that’s helpful.”

  “I’ve asked some of the experts to study the seals in danger of breaking next,” Dolan pitched in from where he sprawled across one of the chairs. “Maybe they can figure it out.”

  Judge Elora looked only slightly mollified by this news. “I hope that will be the case. Very well, let’s focus on what we can immediately fix. Tomes, what do you need to repair my Wall?”

  “Eight mages and their dedicated help for about two days,” Mei Li answered promptly. “Dolan has already volunteered, and he’s been in contact with some colleagues, so I don’t think we need to call for anyone.”

  Dolan nodded in affirmation. “Correct. They’re either here or will be here by tomorrow.”

  “Excellent. Thank you both. I don’t wish to see my city destroyed. I’ll of course offer hospitality to anyone who comes and will pay them a stipend for their work.”

  That had been Mei Li’s next question, and she was grateful the judge was already on board. “Thank you. I had wondered how to pay people.”

  “I’ve been in communication with the other governments, and everyone has agreed to pay for the magical expertise in their own country. It seems the only way to fairly pay for things, really. Tomes, all your records are currently stored here. I’ve arranged for a house you can move into—”

  Shunlei’s hand slashed sharply downwards, negating this. “She stays with me.”

  Judge Elora’s eyes flew to him and sharpened, her expression weighing and shrewd. “Oh?”

  Hoping to head off a brewing argument, Mei Li stepped in. “Shunlei offered to take me under his wing. I accepted. Truthfully, Judge Elora, I feel safest at Dragon’s Peak. I won’t be caught in any political tug of war there, and no one’s foolhardy enough to take on an entire mountain of dragons. Shunlei has been incredibly thoughtful and supportive since the moment we met. I have no wish to stay anywhere else.”

  Judge Elora’s pale blue eyes watched Mei Li’s every twitch, reading her in a disturbingly penetrative manner. Whatever conclusions she mentally came to, all the judge said in return was, “Is that right. I do agree Dragon’s Peak is the most politically neutral place to be. However, you are aware that we would be overjoyed to have you. That was the original plan, you understand, that you would stay in Tanguay.”

  “I’m aware,” Mei Li returned levelly. “But if I stay here in Tanguay, it will open the argument that a Tomes has been brought to heel by Tanguay politics. Do you really want that to happen?”

  Elora’s hands clenched together in her lap. “And you think being adopted by Shunlei will side-step that potential hot bed of trouble?”

  “I think after five thousand years he well knows the fate of the world is his primary concern. Human politics don’t faze him. Would you care to argue that point with him?” Mei Li waved a hand to the man silently watching this argument play out, her manner saying, Be my guest.

  Shunlei and Judge Elora stared at each other for a moment. Then Judge Elora sighed, her hands relaxing as she did so. “No. I’m not that foolish. I don’t think any of the countries’ leaders will be. Very well, Tomes. You made your point admirably. You’ll have the records shipped to Dragon’s Peak, then?”

  “Yes. Well, I wish to oversee them when they’re moved. For now, I’ll take the volumes I will immediately need with me. Do you mind hosting them for a while longer?”

  “Not at all. It’s our privilege to help a Tomes in whatever way you need from us.” Something about the woman’s manner made it clear this would not be the end of the matter. Mei Li suspected that out of Shunlei’s hearing, she’d be brought this question again, and have to answer. For now, the judge was willing to let it lie. “A hotel near the harbor has generously offered to host everyone. I’ll lead you there.”

  “I want to look at the Walls today, see for my own eyes their condition. I can teach anyone already here the right technique to renew them.” Mei Li didn’t expect any objections to that and didn’t get any.

  The impromptu meeting broke up as Judge Elora led them to their hotel. They split up into two carriages to make the ride, she and Shunlei in one, everyone else in the other. Shunlei somehow ended up with the hatchling. She lay on his legs, staring up at the elder with a curious expression. Shunlei offered her a finger, and she took it with both claws, giving it serious attention.

  “Be careful. Her claws caught me more than once,” Mei Li cautioned. “But then, I suppose you’re familiar with tiny, baby dragon claws.”

  �
�That I am,” Shunlei assured her, a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as he looked down at the baby.

  With no one else in the carriage with them, it seemed a good moment to speak with him one-on-one. “You’re so comfortable with her. How many hatchlings have you held?”

  “Countless.” He turned his head to regard her, dark hair shifting over his shoulder as he moved, his manner relaxed and gentle. “In the early days, when dragons were mankind’s enemy, we often had orphaned children. I took them in as I found them. As sad as it was, it gave our race an advantage. I could teach them laws and control that way. With every successive generation, fewer dragons were inclined to decimate the countryside.”

  “Surely that wasn’t the only method you used.” Mei Li knew for a fact it wasn’t. But she liked this, that he was openly discussing the past with her. How many got the opportunity to pick this man’s brain?

  “No, of course I tried every means I could think of. Some responded to reason. Some I defeated in duels and forced them to abide by my rules. Others…” A strange, enigmatic smile flitted over his face. “My wife tamed quite a few.”

  Mei Li’s brain stuttered to a halt. She hadn’t expected that at all. “Your wife? Your human wife?”

  “I’ve only ever had one,” he responded, smile widening. “Yes, her. She spoke Long-go fluently from the day I met her. Any dragon who tried to give her trouble, she’d scold them in their own language and then offer to preen them. Or feed them. They were so disarmed by her attitude, they ended up doing her bidding without really realizing. I was initially alarmed, watching her do that. After the sixth or seventh dragon, I sat back and enjoyed the show. My wife was a force to be reckoned with.”

  He spoke of her as if they’d only parted yesterday. Mei Li pressed—not just out of curiosity, either. She was getting valuable insight into the past right now and wanted to take advantage of the moment. “There’s very few records of her. Most of the dragons living now weren’t even born when you two were married. The records say she helped you with the dragons.”