“I’d rather any of the other winter work than this.”
“Oh, is princess tired?” Ash asked with mock concern and then smiled.
Jessip laughed. “No, I don’t mind the work. I just don’t like the smell, is all.”
Ash sniffed. “Well, the smell from the lower layers should be gone now, but it’s hard to tell. I do believe it’s soaked into the lining of my nose.” He twitched his nose around. “I think I’ll be smelling ghost piss for at least a day.”
Assistant Marcus returned and looked over the stall. “Well done. And tomorrow afternoon, you two can do the next stall over.”
Jessip and Ash grimaced but knew better than to complain.
“Not to worry, boys, tomorrow’s will be the last stall for you two this year. We have enough workers that each will only have to work on two.”
Jessip was relieved. He could survive one more stall.
“Now, you two get cleaned up,” Assistant Marcus paused and sniffed the air, “and changed, and then it’ll be close to lights out.”
As Jessip and Ash made their way out of the stable, Assistant Marcus could be heard bellowing, “Where’s the straw for this stall?”
“Fifty-five miles per hour?” Lord Baronel sat in his large chair in his private meeting room at The Residence.
Doronal nodded. “Yes, my lord, with Aeron on her. I imagine the speed will drop even more should two people be riding her.”
“So, perhaps forty miles per hour with a second person riding her,” Canneth added.
Doronal said, “We’ll know exactly how fast once we have verified she can carry a second person safely.”
Lord Baronel smiled. “Of course you have guessed my intent, eh Doronal?”
“Well, my lord, I have an idea as to what it might be, but I am not certain.”
“Speed!” Lord Baronel pounded his fist on the arm of his chair. “The faster we can get your Millinith to an attack site, the better chance there will be to learn more than we have about those damned nahual. And forty miles an hour is four times faster than a horse.”
Doronal smiled. “Ah, yes, so I did indeed discern your intent correctly.”
Lord Baronel laughed. “You always do! One can’t keep you in the dark for long, not at all.” He looked from one master to the other. “How long do you think it will take to get Anaya where she can carry both Aeron and Millinith?”
Doronal glanced at Canneth. “Perhaps a week?”
The zoology master nodded. “Yes. There is already a forty pound differential from Aeron’s weight, so adding ten pounds a day should get the weight Anaya can carry up to where it needs to be in six or seven days or so, depending on Millinith’s weight, and of course, on Anaya’s ability to carry her weight that soon.”
“Excellent!” Lord Baronel was in high spirits. “You both know how eager I am to learn as much as we can about those damned creatures. I fear we have learned the vast majority of what we can without being able to get Millinith to attack sites faster. We need to know more.”
His expression turned grim. “We must find a way for my people to be able to live outside the Caer in safety. The prosperity of this community requires it. And all hells, I require it. I am hoping Aeron and Anaya can help us discover a way to do so.” He looked at Master Doronal. “It is time to bring Aeron and his dragon into the investigation.”
Doronal grimaced. “If Aeron is brought in, I am not sure how to keep Sharrah and Willem out. They are very close friends.”
“Bring them in as well. And that Cheddar boy, he’s an archivist, I think. Might need to bring him in at some point too, for records. They all seem to have smart heads on their shoulders. Always good to have several sharp minds working on something like this. But,” and he stared at the magic master intently, “do impress on them the need for discretion. I don’t need too much information released too soon. I will not have panic.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Chapter 22
Sulday, Primory 24, 1874
Morning
The bright morning light was amplified by the white, wintry landscape that extended for miles around below them. Aeron looked down as the pristine snow-covered ground flew past. Millinith’s arms tightened around his waist as Anaya banked slightly to their left to catch an uprising of air. The sorcerer adept was still a little nervous on dragonback. This was the first time they were flying to a site, and she only had maybe thirty minutes total experience riding Anaya before today.
Aeron leaned his head back and Millinith leaned forward. “You’re sure we’re heading the right direction?” he shouted over the rush of air. In addition to their flying masks, both his and Millinith’s words were also muffled by the wind.
“For the fifth time, yes!”
Aeron frowned as he returned to his normal riding position.
You should trust her. She knows where she is going.
Aeron sighed. I suppose so. I just don’t like not knowing for myself. And how about you? How are you feeling? Tired at all?
I am not tired.
Alright. Just be sure and let me know when you need some rest.
I always do.
Aeron smiled and gave Anaya a loving slap on the neck. From the flight testing they had done, they knew that with Aeron and Millinith’s weight on her back she could fly for several hours before she needed rest. He actually needed to take breaks before she did. The first lesson he had learned on the long endurance test flights was not to drink too much before a flight. If he did, the cold and the length of time in the saddle combined to make toilet breaks an unwelcome but necessary need. The next lesson had been to always check that there was ample toilet paper in the saddlebags. There were a lot of things he could endure, but lack of toilet paper was something he hoped never to have to live through again.
The most important lesson had been learning just exactly how cold it was flying for any length of time in the winter. The cold-weather riding gear Willem had made was perfectly okay for short flights, say less than an hour, and it would probably suffice for long flights during the fall. But the frosty temperatures during the winter along with the wind whipping across the rider as Anaya cut through the frigid air combined to make for a very, very cold and possibly life-threatening ride.
The solution Willem came up with was to create separate gear for long winter flights. The winter flying gear consisted of a mask that covered the face more fully, along with thick coat-like tunics, leggings and gloves, which were worn over the riding gear. It was removed upon landing because it was much too warm to be worn except when flying. The initial testing flights after Aeron’s first had to be kept short until the new flying gear was ready. But once it was ready, Aeron spent as much of his time as possible flying with Anaya.
It had taken them exactly a week to verify that Anaya could carry his weight along with Millinith’s. Since then, Willem, Sharrah, and Millinith, had all gotten to ride Anaya with Aeron. Willem had been the most excited. Aeron smiled thinking on how happy Willem was each time Aeron took him for a flight. Sharrah had been happy to try it, but said she thought she still preferred horses. Millinith had been nervous, and still was, it seemed. They had learned that Anaya would need to be able carry Millinith the day after his birthing day. It had been very exciting.
Master Doronal and Master Canneth had finally told them everything about their nahual investigations and added the three friends to the investigative team. The office at the dragon stable was now used for dragon studies and the nahual investigation. The three friends and Millinith had spent many an evening in there pouring over the reports the one-time lone investigator had compiled.
Her reports were very thorough, even Sharrah had been impressed. But the reports were still somewhat sketchy when it came to specific information about nahual. There was only so much that had been able to be learned about them directly.
In cases where there was a nahual corpse, where people had been able to fight back and defeat the attacking creature, the corps
e tended to be burned or buried. Due to anger or bereavement or for whatever reason, most corpses were disposed of. Of those that were not, by the time Millinith reached them, they had been decaying for several days, if not longer. That didn’t leave much for her to examine.
Another thing the reports revealed was just how few attacks the general public heard about. Not that anyone was trying to cover anything up, it’s just that news that the public knew about didn’t seem to travel as far as Aeron and his friends had supposed. The reports, on the other hand, showed that there was at least an attack every week, sometimes more, and this worried Aeron. True, the area under investigation was everything within eight or nine day’s travel from the Caer, which was all that had been practical to monitor, and that was indeed an enormous region, but even so, the number of attacks in that area was alarming. It was no wonder that Lord Baronel wanted to learn all he could about the creatures. Something had to be done.
Trader Dellia’s premonition popped into his head again as it had many times of late, and he frowned, firmly pushing it away. He and Anaya would fight nahual in their own way, assisting Lord Baronel in discovering what they could about the horrible creatures.
The site they were flying to now was near Cotter’s Grove. It was the same village near where another attack had occurred a few months ago. He couldn’t remember whether they had been successful in getting a garrison started at Cotter’s Grove or not. The poor people there must be worried to death with two attacks happening near them in so short a time. He was once again glad he lived in the Caer.
Aeron’s bladder had been gently but insistently demanding his attention for the past half-hour, and now his legs were getting sore from sitting in the same position. His butt wasn’t faring much better. It’s been a couple of hours, we should take another break.
I am not tired.
You may not be tired, dear-heart, but I need to stretch my legs. I bet Millinith needs to as well. Plus, I need to piss.
They landed in a clearing with a large exposed slab of rock that was remarkably clear of snow. Anaya, as soon as they had dismounted, padded to the middle of the rough slab and lay down, eyes on the two riders. Aeron and Millinith removed their winter flying gear and dropped it on the slab near her.
“Thank the gods,” Millinith said as she stretched her legs, walking around a bit. “I hadn’t wanted to say so, but my rear was getting sore. I’m used to riding horses, but her saddle,” and she nodded to Anaya, “is shaped differently. My butt is not used to it.”
Aeron laughed. “I asked her if we could take a break because mine, too, was getting sore, and my legs were starting to complain as well. Along with other reasons.” He turned to the young dragon, who had already made herself comfortable, and asked, “Are there any dangerous animals about, Anaya?” Another thing he had learned recently about Anaya—was there never going to be an end to the discoveries?—was that she could sense people and animals nearby.
She looked at him, and after a moment, said, Only a hawk and a rabbit. Soon there will only be a hawk, however. It is hungry.
Aeron nodded. “She says only a hawk and a rabbit. I’ll be right back.” He quickly made his way to a copse of trees and went in a way for some privacy. After he was finished, he sighed with relief. He once again mentally thanked Willem for the cleverly designed snaps on the front of the riding pants. It made it easy to take care of that need without having to undo all the straps at the waist.
When he made his way back out to the clearing, Millinith turned to him and smiled. “I think I will take care of that as well.” She hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder, and looking back at him as she headed for the trees, she said, “Be right back.”
Aeron nodded, watching her walk to the trees. Were her riding pants designed with a convenient way for her to—? He blushed at the images that flashed in his mind. He needed a distraction to clear his head. A fire, he thought, that’s what we need. A warm fire would be nice while they rested. He searched the clearing looking for some dry wood.
Although snow covered most of everything, he managed to find a few fallen branches under nearby trees that were clear of snow and brought them back to the rock slab. He also found some relatively dry kindling with which he could start the fire.
“Lovely!” Millinith said as she returned. “A fire will do nicely to warm our hands and feet.”
Aeron nodded and then briefly used Safisha’s Flame to get the kindling started. Soon enough, he had a nice fire going on the slab not too far from Anaya. He moved his booted feet near the fire and removed his riding gloves and warmed his hands with the dancing flames. Millinith did the same.
After a few minutes, Aeron realized that the mottled stone slab was warmer than he thought it would be. Sitting on it wasn’t freezing his butt. It must be warm from the sun, he imagined. And Anaya must have known that. He glanced over at her where she lay nearby. She closed and opened a clear eyelid at him. Her version of a wink.
You’re so clever, love, he told her.
I am, am I not? She made a happy rumble.
He smiled and turned back to warming his hands.
“It’s amazing the comfort a fire brings,” Millinith said, staring into the flames and glowing coals.
“Yes,” Aeron agreed. “Now, if only we had some fruit pies to heat over the fire.”
She laughed. “A nice hot fruit pie would definitely be perfect right now. I’ll have to remember to bring some for next time.” She smiled at Aeron and he smiled back. “How about some hot cider instead?”
“You brought cider?” he asked, incredulously.
She smiled and rummaged around in her backpack, removed a thermal bottle, and placed it on the ground. She then removed two mugs, handing one to Aeron.
He looked at her in awe and said, “That’ll be almost as good as hot fruit pies!”
She laughed and poured some of the hot cider for him and then for her. They sat sipping on the delicious drink in front of the fire, enjoying the warmth the cider brought their insides as the fire took care of their outsides.
When the break was over, they carefully extinguished their fire, donned their winter flying gear and headed off. Anaya returned to their course once she was happy with their altitude.
The view of the countryside from dragonback was beautiful. Aeron doubted he would ever grow used to it no matter how long he flew.
Flying with you is the best thing, ever, he said, stroking Anaya’s neck.
It is. Flying is fun!
After their break, it took them less than two hours to reach the village of Cotter’s Grove. They had discussed it before leaving the Caer, and it had been decided to land Anaya away from the village and its surrounding farms and fields. Aeron and Millinith would walk the remaining distance to the village. Millinith wasn’t sure what people’s reactions would be to Anaya and would prefer to not have that as a distraction as they investigated the attack. They would start their investigation in the village before moving on to the site itself to see what, if anything, anyone knew.
“You’ll stay here, as we talked about before,” Aeron said to Anaya as he removed his winter flying gear.
I wish I could go with you, she replied sullenly.
“I know you want to come with me, but, well, Millinith doesn’t want people distracted by you as we try to find out what happened. Please, just wait for us here. We’ll be back soon.” He placed the last of his gear, the winter leggings, in the saddlebags, closed them, and then patted her on the neck. Millinith was already done, her gear packed away in the other saddlebags.
Anaya walked under two tall pines to an area clear of snow and covered with pine needles. I shall wait here for you.
The sadness he heard in her voice made him want to hug her.
“Let’s get started,” Millinith said, slipping her backpack over her shoulder. “The remaining walk on foot will take a while.”
Aeron grabbed his backpack and followed Millinith. He looked over his shoulder at Anaya. She was workin
g on a spot for herself in the relatively dry needles. As they passed out of the snow-covered trees, he could no longer see her when he glanced back. He sighed and quickened his pace to catch up to Millinith, who was making her way to a road of sorts.
“What are the people like here?” he asked her. He could see the village in the distance.
“They are nice, for the most part,” she replied. “The village elder, Cayo, was very interested in helping me with my investigation the last time I was here.”
“Village elder?”
“He’s essentially a lord, but he prefers to be called the village elder. His grandfather, Cotter, came here, forging out on his own with his young wife over a hundred years ago. They built their home next to a grove of wild apple trees and worked the land, quite a lot of land, in fact. After several years, they were granted a holding of five square miles. Some of Cotter’s relatives joined him here, and others, friends and strangers alike, soon joined him as well. He leased out portions of his land near his home to to those who wanted such arrangements, while others chose to work their own land nearby, trying for their own holdings.
“Those who he leased land to he chose wisely, such as crafters who could supply himself and others in his care with things they needed, or people who had other skills that were essential. He ended up with a good mix of skilled people like smiths, healers, herdsmen, woodworkers, builders and such. Due to Cotter’s planning, just like any good lord, people living here had what they needed to survive. When exactly it stopped being a small group of people and became a village is difficult to pin down. At any rate, his only son inherited the holding when he died and Elder Cayo inherited it from him.”
“You sure know a lot about Cotter’s Grove,” Aeron remarked, trying to avoid the deeper drifts of snow on the crude road.
Millinith smiled and said, “I did some quick research before I came here the first time. It helps to know a little of the history of a place if you want to be friendly with the people who live there.”
They walked in silence for a while, Aeron thinking about the village elder, Cayo. “So, essentially, that’s how caers start as well? Someone heads out on their own, but with more money, and builds a fortified village?”
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