When they reached the clearing, the tree’s face had faded back to the willow’s channeled bark. The travelers kept quiet as they splashed into the open area, found the icy rush of the current, and headed north. When the sun was high overhead, Faruz stopped, leaning against a nearby tree for support. His left leg screamed in pain, and the right knee’s stiffness had returned. He waited until his ragged breathing had quieted and glanced up at his friends. They had each found a tree to lean against, as well.
“Are we ready to continue?” Faruz asked. “I’d like to find our destination by nightfall.” His stomach grumbled, punctuating his statement with the urgency of his hunger.
Dalan laughed and nodded. “Let’s go! I can’t wait to get some fish.”
With renewed vigor, they pushed onward into the cold stream. Faruz had to stop several more times to rest, and each time his frustration grew. More than once, he had to stop himself as the old anger surged again. Only a year ago, this pace would have been an easy stroll. He held the others back, but he couldn’t force his stiff legs to move any faster.
The afternoon dragged, every minute lasting an hour, until–finally–they broke through the last of the trees into the evening sun. Pink streaks painted the sky, marking the beginning of the end of daylight, and Faruz knew they would need to move quickly to find food, firewood, and a safe campsite. He scanned the scene, struck dumb by the heavenly sight. The stream they had followed through the swamp opened into a broad, winding brook. It wasn't quite large enough to be called a river but was at least triple the width of the current they had tracked all day. The crystal-clear water revealed schools of colorful fish, and Faruz's stomach growled once more. At the other end of the flat space, a sheer wall of rock jutted into the sky. The brook tumbled over the cliff in a breathtaking waterfall that made Faruz long to jump in the churning water beneath it.
If only Amiran had made it here; he would have loved it.
He shook off the shock and fatigue and barked out orders.
“Dalan, start setting snares; let’s catch some of those fish. Hekma, find some firewood. Wayra, scout out a defensible campsite. I’m going to check those bushes over there and see if there’s any nuts or berries left.” When the others just stared, unmoving, he fought the urge to shout. “Come on. The sun’s setting. We’ll have to move quickly if we want a hot supper. I swear on my very life I won’t eat a berry until we’re all settled together. Have I ever tried to short you–any of you–out of anything?”
He met each pair of wary, hungry eyes, only dropping his gaze when they moved away. He limped toward the bushes. Behind him, gravel crunched as the others hurried to comply. It was the first time in the trip he had given orders. He told himself it was allowed, that he was the captain, but shame flushed his face and filled his mouth with a bitter taste. He couldn’t have eaten one of the bright purple berries weighing down the branches of the first bush if he had wanted to.
After checking for any signs of thorns, poisoned or otherwise, he set about picking the plump berries, holding his shirt hem with one hand and filling it with the other. Heaviness weighed on his heart as he remembered Amiran’s enthusiasm for the poisoned berries. He still hadn’t properly grieved for his friend, but now wasn’t the time. He had to do what was necessary to keep the others alive and complete their mission.
It didn’t take long to fill his shirt with a heavy load of the berries, and he pushed his leaden legs back toward the camp that had sprung to life on the bank of the narrow river. The others had done their duties, and Dalan sat on a short log, stringing fish onto a stick to roast over the small fire.
They feasted on the sweet berries while the smell of fish cooking filled the night air. Faruz worked to control his responses as hunger threatened to overtake reason. He had to be a leader, ensuring that all his men got the sustenance they needed, but he yearned to grab the fish from the fire and devour them all.
There are more fish in the river. You can have more in the morning.
The silent reminder helped him reign in his more primal urges, and he volunteered to take the first watch. The others lined up for their turns, and those with later watches retired to their blankets.
Throwing another log on the fire, Faruz tried not to think about what sort of creatures might roam in a place like this. Thoughts like that would only lead to paranoia and wouldn’t help his situation. Instead, he worked his leg through the stretches Valasa had taught him, cursing quietly at the pain the movements created.
21
Flight
The growing light of dawn revealed deep footprints dotting the ground. Aibek had lost his crutch fleeing the dragon, so he moved gingerly to avoid the holes and keep from putting too much weight on his injured leg.
When he reached the others, he nodded in greeting. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough,” Aylen said, eying the dragon. “We’re supposed to ride on that thing?”
Kai grinned. “I can’t wait to see Zifa’s face when we land! And Valasa’s, of course. Why do you suppose he never warned us about dragons?”
“It’s likely he didn’t know they were real.” Serik strolled back into the cave as he spoke, and his words echoed off the stone walls. “I certainly didn’t. I had always believed they existed only in children’s stories.”
The elderly servant dug the last of his jerky out of his pack and lowered himself to a sitting position against the wall. “We had better eat now; it sounds like we’re going to leave soon. I must admit, I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.”
With a laugh, Aibek followed Serik’s example, dropping to the floor with his pack for a quick breakfast. “The bed will be nice, but I’m really looking forward to Cook’s food.”
“I think you’re both right,” Kai settled down beside Aibek. “But first we have to survive the trip. How exactly are we supposed to hold on to that?”
His mouth full of jerky, Aibek shrugged. They would have to figure something out. “I don’t know. Maybe the dragons have done something like this before.”
The travelers finished their breakfast in silence as the fire burned down to embers. Bright sunlight shone through the mouth of the cave. When they had eaten the rest of their food, they gathered their belongings and ventured out into the clearing.
A crisp wind rustled the fallen leaves as Aibek blinked against the brightness. He stood in the mouth of the cave, waiting for his vision to clear and searching for the dragon that would carry them back to Nivaka. He had thought about the morning’s strange gathering as he gnawed on the tough jerky, and he had a few questions for his new dragon friend. He hoped he would have some time to talk to the creature before they climbed on his back for the trip.
He shivered as the wind picked up again, shrugging deeper into his cloak.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? We’ll freeze!” Kai stamped his feet and rubbed his hands over his sleeves.
“I don’t see any other option,” Aibek said. “The dragons said something’s happened at home, and this is the fastest way to get there.”
Aylen shook his head and backed toward the cave’s rear wall. “I don’t like it. I think we should just walk back.”
“Walk if you like, I’m flying.” Serik laughed, a full-bodied sound that bounced around the clearing. “Can you believe it? We saw the Bokinna, and now we get to ride on a dragon!”
Aibek grinned at his old friend’s joy. “I wish I was as excited as you are, Serik, but I’m afraid Kai may be right–this is going to be cold.”
Serik stepped up beside him, slinging his pack over his skinny shoulders. As Kai walked outside, the dragon drifted in lazy circles, descending into the clearing before another, smaller dragon.
They landed softly with an easy downbeat of their great, leathery wings and walked to the travelers.
The one that lived in the cave rumbled once and ducked its head to their height. “You ready?”
“Almost.” Aibek nodded and stepped closer to the dragon. “
Can I ask a few questions before we go?”
The dragon rumbled and settled down onto his belly, curling his long, barbed tail around his body.
“Is that a yes?”
Another rumble. The dragon cocked his head and examined Aibek with curious eyes. “Yes. What question?”
“Well, first, the Bokinna called you Gworsad. Is that your name? What should we call you?”
The creature tilted his head to the other side and twitched his tail. “I am Dodonni. I tell you that already.”
Aibek frowned and gestured to the other dragon. “Yes, but aren’t you all Dodonni? What do I call you, you know, to distinguish you from the others?”
The dragon chuffed, rumbled, and moved his head in something like a nod. It was a strange movement.
"I am…" He made a series of chuffs and chirps followed by a low rumble and met Aibek's confused gaze. Little wisps of white smoke wafted up from his nostrils, and he set his head on the ground at Aibek's feet. "You call me Gworsad."
A smile stretched over Aibek’s face. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Gworsad. I am Aibek, and this is Serik, Kai, and Aylen.” He gestured to the group. “And what is your friend’s name?”
Gworsad lifted his head and looked behind him. The other dragon chuffed and chirped and moved up next to him. The top of this dragon’s head reached halfway up Gworsad’s neck, and the newcomer stood, slender and lean, beside his muscular frame. Her scales were a pale greenish brown and had a delicate wood-grain pattern. A collar of wicked thorns surrounded her head, and Aibek winced at the sight of them. She held her deep green wings tucked tightly on her back, out of the way as she moved close to Gworsad.
The new dragon looked from Gworsad to Aibek, then at the others standing behind Aibek. “Very strange, this. I not talk at humans before. Am happy we practice.”
Aibek laughed. “I know what you mean. I’ve never talked to dragons before, either, and I’m very pleased that you speak Azalese. I am Aibek. What can I call you?”
The dragon rumbled and made a clicking sound in its throat. “You call me Tukanli.”
“Thank you. I’m happy to meet you, Tukanli.”
Gworsad rumbled again and lowered his face to Aibek’s. “You ready now?”
A dozen other questions swirled in Aibek’s mind, but he nodded. It was time to go. “Yes. I’m ready.” He glanced back at his friends and up at the dragon’s shoulder a dizzying height off the ground. “How do we do this?”
Gworsad made a chirping sound, and Tukanli settled low to the ground. “Turn around, all of you.”
The travelers turned, facing the wall of trees. Aibek let out a shout of surprise when Tukanli lifted him by his pack and deposited him on Gworsad's back. He tried to situate himself between the huge shoulder blades, but couldn't find anything to hold on to. While he searched for a handhold, Aylen plopped onto the dragon behind him, taking the remaining space between the dragon's neck and wings.
The elf’s face had gone pale, and he shook with terror. “I don’t think I can do this. I think I’d rather walk.”
Aibek shook his head, struggling to keep from looking down. “There’s no time for that, and you can’t travel through this forest alone. Like it or not, this is our only choice.”
Beside them, Gworsad deposited Kai and Serik on Tukanli’s back, just in front of her folded wings. Her thorny hood made an ideal handhold, and Aibek fought a wave of jealousy when he grabbed a handful of Gworsad’s mossy mane.
Gworsad chirruped once and spread his wings, lifting effortlessly above the trees, pushing higher still. Aylen screamed and wrapped his arms around Aibek’s waist, his face pressed into Aibek’s heavy cloak.
Icy wind whipped at his face, and Aibek’s cheeks went numb from the cold. His eyes watered until the scene around him blurred, and Aibek was grateful he couldn’t see the ground. A year of living in the trees had not dulled his fear of heights, and waves of terror battered him as they flew above the trees.
The dragons rumbled and clicked as they flew, the sound a soothing counterpoint to the roar of the wind.
Aibek relaxed enough to open his eyes and look around, though his hands still clutched the dragon’s mane. The trees rushed by in a brown and green blur, broken here and there by blue streams and lakes.
Gworsad bent his neck and looked at Aibek. “We go to little people village first, or tree village?”
Aibek glanced at the elf still hiding in his cloak. “Let’s go to the little people village first. I don’t think he’s enjoying this.”
“Little man not look happy.” Gworsad nodded, rumbled, and chirped at Tukanli, who responded in kind.
A short while later, they descended into the clearing outside Kasanto, where elves and dwarves surrounded the enormous dragons with spears and clubs. When Tukanli lifted Aylen off his perch and set him gently among his friends, they dropped their weapons and swarmed the elf. Aylen and his friends disappeared into the village beyond the ivy-covered wall, and the dragons lifted into the air once more.
22
Vote
The sorrowful procession went on through most of the afternoon, and Ahren cried until her insides were raw. As the sun set, the villagers made their way back home. Ahren picked at her dinner; she had no appetite after the day’s events.
Casting a furtive glance at her father, she tossed her napkin to the table.
“What happens now?”
Her father flinched and paled, set down his fork, and steepled his fingers.
“We’ll have to elect a new mayor, I suppose.” His shoulders drooped, “I’ll call a town meeting tomorrow morning. We need to move forward.”
Fresh tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. “What if he comes back? He’s been gone less than a fortnight. Shouldn’t we give him some time?”
“I know it’s all happened fast, but given the information we have, I think it’s best to accept that they’re not coming back. I’m sorry.”
Hot tears burned her cheeks, and she swiped at them. "You're wrong! You're all wrong! He's not dead. I don't know how I know, but I do!"
Her mother placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, but she brushed it off and stood, her chair scraping over the wooden floor before she ran from the room.
A cold rain pelted against the window as darkness descended, a fitting counterpoint to the heat of Ahren’s anger and grief. She cried herself into an uneasy slumber as the storm outside intensified.
When she stepped out into the bright morning sunlight, a wintry wind cut through Ahren’s light cloak. She didn’t have far to travel, and the Meeting Hall would be warm enough. Her swollen eyes ached, and she rubbed them and inhaled the crisp, clean air. The rain had washed away some of the musty odor, leaving the forest smelling fresher than it had in months.
“Ahren!”
Tamyr called out just as Ahren reached the broad doors. She hesitated for a breath, jerked the door open, and rushed inside. She didn’t want to hear her friend’s effusions over choosing a new mayor, and she certainly didn’t want to have to insist–again–that she didn’t want that role for herself.
As she settled into the seat beside her mother, Tamyr grabbed her arm.
“Didn’t you hear me? I called you outside.”
Keeping her head down, Ahren wiped a hand over her face. “Did you? Sorry. I guess I’m a bit distracted.”
“Shouldn’t you be up there, where the council always sits?” She paused. “Have you been crying? Why? This is what we’ve waited for! We’ll finally have a local in the mayor’s house.”
Ahren didn't look up, but she could hear the smile in Tamyr's voice, and it grated on her frayed nerves.
“The council members will go up there together when the meeting starts. Look, I really don’t want to talk about this anymore, all right? And please don’t nominate me for the job–I’ll just turn it down.” A long silence ensued, and Ahren looked up. Tamyr stared at her, concern in her soft brown eyes.
“Are you all right?”
Ahren shook her head. “No. This is wrong. All of it. He’s not dead, I know it.”
“How could you possibly know something like that? Even your father says he’s gone, so I think it’s time to face reality.”
“Fine. I’ll accept it.” She knotted her fingers in her lap and dropped her head as a wave of grief threatened to drown her. “Could you leave me alone now? Please?”
Tamyr patted her shoulder and left Ahren alone in the crowded room. Before Ahren could regain her composure, her father strode up the aisle and stood at the front of the hall.
Once again, the green robes of the Gadonu marked the formality of the occasion, and he opened the meeting with a somber greeting.
“As we all know, our dear mayor will not be returning to us.” He paused as a shadow of sadness passed over his face, cleared his throat, and continued. “Therefore, it is necessary that we select a new mayor–someone to represent our village at the Grand Council next week and to lead and guide us through the days and weeks ahead. We also need a council member to fill Kai’s seat: someone with principles who isn’t afraid to stand up for what he or she believes in.”
Ahren swallowed against the ache in her throat and blinked to clear her vision. Her hands shook as she wiped the tears from her cheeks and waited for what she knew would come next. While she tried to regain control of her emotions, her father continued in that same reverent tone.
"Though we said our goodbyes to our friends yesterday, the grief is still fresh, and many of you have asked why we didn't wait longer before calling this meeting. My answer is simple: we must maintain a complete government, even as we mourn the loss of friends and family members."
Over the droning sound of her father's voice, a strange rumbling sound caught Ahren's attention. It was soft, barely loud enough to notice, but it grew louder with every passing moment. She frowned. What was that? The murmur of voices swelled as other villagers heard the odd vibration. What was that noise? It was so loud now that it drowned out her father, and he stopped mid-sentence, a look of confusion and annoyance on his weathered features.
The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set Page 50
