“I didn’t purposely put her in this position,” Kirynn growled, bristling at the insinuation she had intentionally put her friend in any danger.
“After three years, I would think you would have known better.”
Kirynn set a trembling Lenya on the chair away from Mckale and stood. “Well excuse me if I was worried about the welfare of a child. I had no idea this would happen. I didn’t think—”
“Exactly, you didn’t.” Mckale stood and stepped forward until he was nearly nose-to-nose with Kirynn, his hand sliding away from Maleena’s.
Vaddoc moved quickly and placed a restraining hand on Mckale’s arm. “She meant no harm, Mckale.”
“I did ask if she thought she should do this now,” Kellinar said.
“Stop.” Maleena’s plea came out as a hoarse whisper before her eyes rolled back; her body slumped and fell sideways out of the chair. Mckale caught her and gathered her into his arms.
“What’s happening to her?” Kirynn stared at Maleena’s pain-pinched face.
Mckale sighed and the anger seemed to flow out with it. “She’s on overload. Too much has happened, too many emotions running high everywhere she’s went, too little sleep.”
The shadows of fatigue underscored his eyes, deep worry creased his brow. The expression on his face she knew well from the year before. He was dealing with fresh grief that was temporarily buried in order to deal with everything else. Kirynn’s own anger leached out. She placed a hand on his arm. “I am truly sorry. I didn’t know what she intended. I don’t think even Maleena knew what would happen since she wasn’t sure she could help Lenya. Had I known, I would never have asked it of her right now.”
Nira stood and circled the table in response to Emmaleen’s increased noise in her effort to get her father’s attention. “I think everyone is too tired and on edge. Our tempers are not the best right now.”
“I think you’re right.” Mckale leaned to place a kiss on Emmaleen’s forehead. “Hey, baby girl.”
“Why don’t you take Maleena to rest, and I will take Emmaleen to Marda,” Nira said. “She can see you when you wake.”
Marda and three other servants came bustling into the room with food. The plump woman gasped at the sight of Maleena limp in Mckale’s arms and set down the tray of food she carried. “What happened?”
“Nothing to worry yourself over.” Mckale tried to send Marda a reassuring look. Or at least that’s what Kirynn thought he meant to do. His haggard face and worried eyes didn’t convey it well.
“It doesn’t look that way,” Marda said, coming toward them.
Mckale shook his head and started for the doorway. “She will be fine after some proper rest.”
Marda watched him go then turned to Kirynn. “Is he telling the truth?”
“I’m not entirely sure. Maleena did something to help Lenya, but I think she hurt herself in the process.”
Nira turned to Marda. “Would you mind terribly taking Emmaleen for a while longer? Mckale and Maleena both need a solid sleep.”
“Of course I don’t mind.” She reached for the baby and lifted her from Nira’s arms. “I don’t mind one bit. Do I, sweet little one?” Emmaleen grabbed a fistful of Marda’s gray hair. Kirynn watched in mild amusement while Marda gently retrieved her hair from the baby’s grip and directed the servants at the same time.
When they were done setting the table with food and drink and had departed, Kirynn turned to Lenya. “Are you hungry?”
Lenya nodded and asked, “What happened to ‘leena? Why was Mckale angry?”
Kirynn searched the little girl’s earnest gaze. What had Maleena done? Did Lenya know where she was and why? Did she know she was the sole survivor of her village? “Maleena is just very tired. So is Mckale. He is also worried about Maleena.”
“Mama always said I am cranky when I am tired,” Lenya said, accepting the explanation easily.
Kirynn helped her dish food onto her plate and watched her throughout the meal. The child gobbled down the food like she was starved, and though she didn’t say much, she seemed completely at ease. When Maleena was ready, Kirynn had every intention of finding out exactly what she’d done.
After dinner, when Marda was trying to get Lenya to go to her own room to sleep, Lenya showed the first signs of wariness at her new life. She clung to Kirynn and a troubled look gathered in her dark eyes as if something in her subconscious warned her that people could just disappear from her life.
Not wanting her to slip away again, Kirynn made a decision. “She can sleep with me for the night.”
“Are you sure?” Marda looked like she wanted to impart some advice.
Kirynn forestalled it. “Completely.” The look of relief on Lenya’s face told Kirynn it was the right choice. “I’m all she really knows here right now outside of Maleena, Mckale, and Vaddoc. She’s only met Nira one other time, and all of the other riders are in Markene right now trying to handle everything.”
Marda nodded and ran her hand over Lenya’s long dark hair. “In a few days, we will know each other better and then you will know you can trust me to always look out for you.”
Lenya just nodded as if she wasn’t sure if she agreed with that assessment.
Kirynn led her up the wide flights of stairs to her lair. Together, they washed their faces and hands in the washbasin, and then crawled under the covers. Lenya’s warm body snuggled next to hers as Syrakynn’s low rumbling snore lulled them to sleep.
Maleena woke gradually in the soft comfort of her bed. Only a dull ache in her head remained from the repair she had performed for Lenya. The overwhelming emotions she’d pulled from the child had faded into the background. Maleena would never forget the level of horror and heartbreak that had dwelled in the heart of the child. It was hard enough for adults to witness, but little Leyna had watched everyone she loved slaughtered before her eyes as everything she knew burned around her.
Though she was glad Lenya no longer carried the burden, it would have been better to wait. Not that she’d known what needed to be done until she got into the child’s mind. She rolled over, searching for Mckale.
He sat on the floor, leaning against the wall with one arm resting across his raised knee, while Emmaleen burbled and rocked back and forth on her hands and knees. It wouldn’t be long before she was crawling. Mckale looked up and smiled at Maleena before returning his gaze to their little girl. The peaceful moment in their lair was surreal after the violence and heartbreak of the past two days.
Tears stung Maleena’s eyes as she watched Emmaleen. Her daughter was alive because Grandme had given her own life protecting her. She shouldn’t have doubted the old woman would be able to keep Emmaleen safe.
Mckale picked the babe up and stood in a fluid motion before turning to Maleena. “It’s good to see you awake. I’ll take Emmaleen down for mid-day. When you’re ready, Kirynn would like to speak with you.” He motioned toward the table with his free hand. “Nira left a concoction in case you woke with a headache. She seemed to think it was likely.”
“She’s right, although it isn’t too bad,” Maleena said as she sat up.
“Other than the headache, you are well then?”
She sent him a reassuring smile. “I am. It was foolish to do while I was so tired, but I don’t regret it. No child should carry such a burden if they don’t have to. How is Lenya doing?”
“She seems fine, acting like herself if a little quieter than before. Later, I would be interested in knowing what you did for her.” He bent and gave her a quick kiss before striding from the room.
Though the ache in her head wasn’t too bad, Maleena drank the brew Nira left before washing her face and arms in the basin. After pulling on the soft leather pants and linen shirt she’d worn the night before, Maleena reached for Nydara, “Will you have Syrakynn let Kirynn know I’m awake and ready to talk to her?”
“Of course,” Nydara returned. And then,“Kirynn is on her way to you now.”
It wasn’t long
before Kirynn walked into the lair. “It’s good to see you standing again.”
Maleena waved the comment away. “It wasn’t as bad as it must have looked.”
Kirynn raised an eyebrow. “Liar.”
Ignoring the comment, Maleena sat in one of the wooden chairs and motioned Kirynn to join her. “You wished to talk?”
“Yes.” Kirynn settled in the chair. “I want to know what you did for Lenya. I’m not sure what to say and what not to say since I don’t know what she remembers. You said last night you took her pain. What did you mean?”
“I meant exactly that. I took all of the pain she was feeling and pulled it into myself. At the same time, I constructed walls around her memories. I didn’t remove them. If ever she wants to remember, they will be there.”
“Why not take them away?”
Maleena sighed and shoved a hand through her thick hair. “It isn’t right to strip someone of their memories unless they specifically ask. If later she chooses to access them and wants them removed, I will do it then.”
“If the memories of the battle are walled up, what does she know of her village and family?”
“She remembers everything up to the battle. After that, everything is obscured by a…fog. That’s the best way I can describe it. She knows her village and family are gone, but because she doesn’t have a direct memory of it and since I pulled the pain away, it’s like it happened a long time ago.” Maleena tried not to think of what had been in the child’s memories. It was too horrible. “I allowed her to move past the grieving process without having to experience it. And though taxing for me, it’s what Lenya needed.”
“I am in your debt,” Kirynn said.
Maleena shook her head. “No more than any of us are in debt for the things we’ve done for each other. Has it been decided what will become of Lenya? Will she go to a family in Galdrilene?”
“No.” Determination rolled off Kirynn.
Maleena gazed at the woman, taken aback by her fierce tone.
“Lenya is my responsibility. She will be in Marda’s and the other riders’ care as Emmaleen is when I am gone from Galdrilene. But I will raise her.”
Though surprised by the announcement, Maleena kept her features neutral. “This is unexpected, coming from you. Why would you want to take on Lenya when you have never wanted children?”
“I still don’t want children.” Kirynn’s features softened. “Lenya is different. Always has been. I can’t explain why.”
“And of course, she will be a part of an extended family of dragons and riders, much like Loki was before he hatched Merru. We will all be her parents to some extent.”
“For which I’m grateful. I’m not naturally inclined to motherhood. Hopefully I don’t mess up too bad,” Kirynn said.
Maleena laughed. “No parent really knows what they’re doing. We all hope we don’t bungle up too bad.”
“I don’t know about that. Marda seems pretty sure.”
“Well, Marda is different. She raised eight children of her own and has a herd of grandchildren. By now, she’s got it down.”
Kirynn stood. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am.” Maleena too got to her feet. “Now, if there isn’t anything else you need to talk about, I’m starving.”
“I’ll walk with you to the Dining Hall. Marda is bringing Lenya for me. She was kind enough to watch her so I could talk to you alone.”
“Marda just likes having someone to mother.”
They headed down the hall together to join the others in the dining room. Maleena relished the sense of peace that Galdrilene brought knowing she would have to leave again much too soon. The people in Markene needed them, and the riders still there needed a chance to come home as well, if only for a day or two.
Maleena took Emmaleen from Mckale when they reached the dining room and snuggled her close. She hated to leave her in Galdrilene but after what happened in Calladar, it was safer. There would just have to be more frequent Slides home.
Across the table, Kirynn sat beside Lenya as the little girl quietly ate. Maleena watched the child as talk flowed around the table. Her easy chatter and quick smiles were gone, even with the pain removed and memories buried deep.
“It is good to see you are well,” Vaddoc said.
Kellinar nodded. “We have all decided that we would prefer you didn’t do something like that again.”
“I make no promises,” Maleena said with a snort. “However, I will try to be more careful next time.” She turned to Belynn who looked tired but otherwise in good health. “Speaking of seeing someone well again, it’s good to see you’re recovered, Belynn. You scared us.”
“I scared me.” Belynn shook her head and scooped a bite of food onto her fork. “Losing control of that volcano and being so near when it blew…I thought Farynn and I were dead.”
“Thankfully you weren’t, and we were able to find you.” Kellinar sighed. “I think enough was lost.”
Mckale took a sip of his drink then asked, “Are you planning on staying another day or two in Galdrilene, Belynn?”
She shook her head. “I’m still a little tired, but no. I will return to the front with the rest of you.”
When conversation turned to Markene and the need for them to return, Lenya looked at Kirynn with worry in her big dark eyes. “Where will I sleep when you go?”
Kirynn gazed at Lenya. “You can continue to sleep in my lair if you wish. Or you can share the room near Marda that Emmaleen sleeps in when Maleena and Mckale aren’t here. You can have your own room if you want. And, if you want to be closer to me, the lairs on either side of mine are still open, although you have to understand that one day a dragon and their rider may need it.”
Lenya pondered, a serious expression on her young face. “I think I want to share with ‘leena ‘til you get back.” She looked at the babe and Maleena sensed an undercurrent of loss in Lenya. “She’s lot littler, but she reminds me of Annoc.”
“I think that is a great choice and it makes it easier on Marda since you’ll be closer.” Kirynn paused then said, “Vaddoc will be gone from Galdrilene a lot, like me. Maybe you can take care of Cat when he’s gone. Namir doesn’t want Cat hurt, so he’s decided to leave him here.”
“I can do that.” Lenya smiled, some of her former light shining in her eyes. “What about Mola? Can I take care of her too?”
Mckale grinned. “I think Mola would really like that. And I bet she would be happy to sleep on your bed with you at night if you want.”
Lenya’s smile grew bigger as she nodded. As if on cue, Mola rose from Mckale’s feet and made her way to the girl’s side where she laid her chin on Lenya’s knee. The little girl ran one hand over the dog’s fur while she ate with the other.
Maleena sensed the loss in Lenya fade as she pet the dog, and it was replaced with peace. If any of Mckale’s family had survived and wanted Mola returned, they would likely have to pry the dog from Lenya’s hands.
Lenya scarfed down everything on her plate, then she jumped from her chair and bounded out of the dining room with Mola happily following. Kirynn watched her go. “It seems the dog has worked some canine magic on Lenya.”
Maleena chuckled. “Animals have a way of easing the ache of loss and the fear of the unfamiliar.” She stood and placed Emmaleen on her hip. “I’ve got to get this little one to Marda so we can be on our way.”
When Maleena came through the Slide with Nydara over the open field west of Markene, she glanced down. The dead were gone and makeshift tents now stood everywhere. The cries of the injured and the grieving had been replaced with children shouting as they ran among the tents. The blows of axes could be heard as trees were felled for wood. Along the river, the armies of Kanther and Boromar camped.
Nydara landed smoothly in the already worn grass near the edge of the encampment. Left as a wide spot for the dragons to land, it was far enough away that the wind from their wings wouldn’t kick up embers from the cooking fire
s.
After removing the safety straps, Maleena dropped to the ground. Mckale already strode toward the tents. Though he had said nothing, she felt his worry about the fate of his family and knew he intended to search for them.
She worked her way through the tents. With ropes strung between them to hang clothes with, cooking fires, children, women and men washing clothing in basins, and a myriad of other activities everywhere, she had to weave her way carefully through the maze-like field. Underneath it all, she sensed the undercurrents of worry, fear, and determination. The emotions clung to everyone though their faces were neutral masks.
“Dropping in to see us finally?” Sumara said with a smile as she fell into step beside her.
“After a bath and a night of much needed rest.” Maleena swept her gaze across the cramped tents. “How are things going here?”
Sumara paused, pushing the black strands of hair that had escaped her braid out of her face. She sighed, taking a moment to look at everything. “As well as it can be expected. But then, who expects such things? I think Kalila is ready to drown some of the Heads of Houses in the river. I have to admit, they do make life difficult when there is no need.”
“Then they’re fools. I will go into Markene and see if I can be of any assistance to Kalila. I know Kellinar elected to land at the castle. Between the two of us, maybe we can get something done.”
“May the Fates send you luck.”
Maleena took in the tired emotions emanating off the woman and reflecting in her tilted eyes. “Why don’t you and the others go home for a day or two and rest? Those of us who just returned can handle Markene for a while.” Before Sumara could protest, Maleena stopped her. “Go home, bathe, let Marda fuss over you and feed you, sleep in your lair. It’s needed. Trust me. I didn’t realize how much it was needed until I returned.”
Sumara opened her mouth, closed it, then her shoulders sagged. “I was going to insist I stay, however, Keta agrees with you. I will gather the others, and we will return to Galdrilene for a bit.”
Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) Page 28
