This wouldn’t be an easy decision. They had done their job, and to go home now was well within their rights. “You’re probably right, Jack. But we have to convince the others. I won’t ask them to stay against their will.”
“That’s fair, I guess.”
“And if we leave for home now, I’ll arrange for us to come back.”
“I won’t be coming back without a full company of Guards, Will.”
“Who’s coming back?” asked Maya as she appeared beside them.
“Jack thinks we should stay here a little longer to learn more about the dragons, and I agree.”
“But why?” asked Maya. “We did what we set out to do, or at least we assume we did. The only way we’ll know is to head back down the river and test the water again.”
They shared their thoughts with the others about the Elder’s odd gap in knowledge and what it might imply. William repeated his promise not to force them to stay if they didn’t agree.
“I’m satisfied either way, but I’m not sure what you’re aiming for by staying,” Rachel said. “I was contracted by the day, so I won’t lose anything. I do miss sleeping in a bed, though. And I’d like to eat something besides meat soon. I know that’s strange for a hunter to say, but that’s how I feel.”
“Will, I’m done here,” said Maya. “I’m glad we did what we did, and it needed doing, but if we had to do it again I’m not sure I would. I’m tired of being cold and dirty all the time. I don’t know what we’ll learn here today that we can’t learn later. Yes, I’m curious about the dragons, too. But there’s a lifetime of research ahead for whoever studies them, but I already have a job and a life. I want them back.”
“Whatever everyone else wants is fine with me,” said Charlie.
“No, Charlie,” said Maya. “Say what you really mean.”
Charlie looked at William, then back at Maya. William urged him on. “Charlie, this isn’t one of those times when you just follow orders. I want to know what you want.”
Charlie looked at his feet as he thought of what to say. “I’m used to following orders. I never really have to think about what I want.”
“Well, I’m ordering you to think about it and tell me what you want.” He got the response he wanted. Everyone but Charlie laughed, and Charlie at least smiled.
“I want to see the sun again,” he said. “The other day when we went outside…it felt so good, like I could defeat every bandit we ran into. I know it sounds silly, but I’d rather do that than stay here another day.”
Nothing else needed to be said. It was time to leave, and everyone knew it. Charlie’s comment reminded William how much he too had missed the sun. There would be opportunities to come back, of that he was certain. “Let’s pack up,” he said.
A whirlwind of emotions filled his mind as they strolled through the tunnels. Foremost was a sense of relief, the job done and only the journey home remaining. But another part of him regretted leaving something behind that he might never get back. He tried to think of what it might be, but it eluded him, and he chided himself for being so emotional.
The Ambassador was nowhere to be found, so it would be an exit without goodbyes. With no dragons around to ask for directions, they were forced to use the exit they were shown before, though it put them farther north than they wanted. But at least it wasn’t near the spot where the bandits nearly captured them more than a week before. William intended to avoid the river and lead the group west until they reached the rock cliff, where they would search for another way down. By then they should be close enough to Marshland Crossing that they could avoid the bandits. At least that’s what he hoped.
“Sunshine, here we come!” said Maya as they neared the end of the tunnel. Everyone had looked forward to it since Charlie spoke of it, and now they could smell the fresh air wafting in from outside. A cave might be secure, but it does little for morale, and William felt guilty for not having noticed. The weight of a mountain lifted from his shoulders as he reached the tunnel entrance—and got drenched.
It was raining. Violently. The wind blew harder than he ever remembered happening back home. He briefly wondered whether the mountains themselves made it so windy, but he forgot about that when he realized something more important: it was nighttime, and they hadn’t even realized it. That was how badly their time underground had disoriented them. No, that was the wrong word—distempered? He would have to consult Cairns’ thesaurus when he got back.
“Will,” said Charlie. “Is this one of those times when I have to follow orders?”
William laughed. “No. Perhaps not.”
“Then can we stay here another day or two?”
“That might be best.”
They returned to the den, cold, wet, and disappointed. Rachel rebuilt the fire, and they hung their clothes to dry. William noted that only his hair was dry; Jessica’s hat had done its job again. Maya was preparing a meal when the Ambassador poked his large head into the den.
“Pardon the intrusion, but I wanted to suggest you wait a day or two before leaving.”
“Why?” asked William.
“There is heavy wind and rain, which will last for at least a day, maybe longer. It will not be comfortable traveling.”
William tried to keep a straight face as he answered. “We just came back from outside. I agree, it’s not worth traveling in weather like that.”
“I see. The Elder thinks this is a good opportunity to learn more about each other.”
“I thought he was eager to see us leave,” said Jack with a smirk.
“The Elder is wise,” said the Ambassador. “His wisdom often leads to conclusions that are not immediately evident, and he seeks always to confirm or refute those conclusions.”
“You mean he’s changed his mind,” said Maya.
“Perhaps. Perhaps not yet.” With that the Ambassador left.
“Well, you wanted to learn more about them. Now’s your chance,” said Rachel.
“Where do we start?” asked Maya.
“You’re the scientist,” said William. “What do you suggest?”
“No sense making things harder than they need to be. Let’s go talk to the Elder.”
They found the Elder eager to speak with them. William still had trouble reading the dragons’ emotions—in fact, it was not clear they had any. But William sensed the Elder was more curious than friendly, and they might not get much information from him if he still felt threatened by humans. William decided to let the Elder question them first so they could establish some level of trust. Hopefully the Elder would return the favor.
The Elder asked about the size and location of their home, the population of humans on Esper, and how they were organized. What interested the Elder most was the concept of outlaws. “How is it these—bandits—do not obey your King?”
“I suppose they’ve chosen a leader of their own,” said William. “Or else they have no leader.”
“Every dragon in our hive knows his place.”
“They all obey you? All the time?” asked Jack.
“For now,” said the Elder.
“What do you mean, for now? You said they knew their place.”
The Elder hesitated, as though admitting a secret. “I am not the true leader of this hive,” said the Elder.
“Who is?” asked William.
“She has not been born yet.”
Maya gasped. “A Queen,” she said quietly.
The Elder stared. “Yes,” he said finally. “Our Queen.”
Maya leaned toward Charlie and smiled. “You were right about them being like bees.”
“The Queen will be our leader,” said the Elder. “She will also give life to new dragons.”
“I’m sorry. ‘Will be?’ When will she come?” asked William.
“She is here now, but she has not yet been hatched. It is not time.”
“Can we see the egg?” asked Jack. Rachel elbowed him. “Sorry,” he said.
“I’m confused. Why isn�
�t it time?” asked Maya.
Again the Elder hesitated before explaining. He described how he, several other dragons, and a great many eggs, including the Queen's and her eventual mates, were brought to Esper from another planet by a means not understood by the Elder. He was instructed to establish and grow the colony until the Queen could be born without fear of being killed by enemies, or dying from lack of resources. Without a queen, a dragon colony would die a meaningless, slow death, and they had only the one precious egg.
“So why didn’t they tell you how you traveled, and why would they dump you here?” asked Jack.
“My name in your language means ‘old’, and I am old, at least compared to you. But I am a young Elder, just beginning the life I was bred for and trained to live. For me, and for the dragons and eggs that came with me, this is a test. Either we survive and thrive, and discover the secrets of our Great Elders for ourselves, or we remain isolated here. Or we die.”
William frowned and shook his head. “That seems cruel. Why can’t they just teach you what they know?”
“What you call cruelty, William Whitehall, is how we improve our kind. Many colonies perish. Most are never heard from again, and probably also perish. But those few who return always come home with new knowledge to enrich our people.”
“I still say it’s cruel,” said William.
“William, do you know how to get to Earth?” asked Maya.
“No…”
“And do you know why we’re here on Esper?”
“Weren’t the original colonists forced here because…oh.”
Maya squeezed William’s shoulder. “Maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to judge, okay?”
“You’re right. I’m sorry Elder. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
“No, you did not.”
“Since you aren’t offended, may I ask a question?” asked Jack. “A few days ago you weren’t sure whether to let us live or not. Then you weren’t sure whether to let us go or not. Now you tell us your greatest secret, the existence of one single egg, which if you lost it would mean the end of your colony. Why did you risk telling us?”
“Because, Jack Doran, I now believe you are not a threat. You have already prevented the deaths of many dragons, and for that I am grateful. But many are still being attacked, and we have lost too many. We lack the resources to hatch both our queen and the remaining drones, and without them we cannot replenish our work force, as most of those have already been hatched. I can no longer concern myself only with threats. I must make progress or we are doomed. I must have help.”
“And we are to be your help?” asked William
“You six only,” said the Elder, apparently including Steve. “Not your people. I must take risks, but I cannot be reckless.”
“What can the six of us do?” asked William.
“I do not know yet. But you have knowledge we do not possess, just as we know things that you do not. There will be ways we can help each other, I am certain.”
“See, Will?” said Jack. “Trade. Just like I said.”
“So long as it does not expose us,” said the Elder.
“Oh, come on!” said Jack. “There’s no way we can do that. The obvious thing you can offer us is metal, which our people need. If we bring metal home someone will try to figure out where it came from.”
“That is your problem to solve.”
“Then why should we help you?” asked Jack. “This makes no sense at all. You should either hide in your holes for the rest of your lives, or do something to improve your chances. There’s no progress without risk. Not for anyone.”
William needed to be alone with the Elder. The Elder respected hierarchy, and he seemed to recognize William as the Elder of his own group, and that was a bond worth exploiting. But William could tell from Jack’s clenched fists and furrowed brow that his friend was agitated, and he worried Jack might say something they would regret. “Jack,” he said, gently placing his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Take the others and find the Ambassador. Talk to him and learn what you can, and let him do the same.”
“I don’t need to be sent out of the room, Will,” Jack said, pushing William’s hand away. “I’m not a child.”
“I never said you were. But I want to talk with the Elder alone.” The others looked at each other nervously. William knew he could pull rank on Charlie, and probably Rachel. Maya might resist if she felt strongly enough, and he couldn’t do much about it. But Jack was his friend, and he wanted him to submit of his own accord, not because the others did so. “I need you to do this for me.”
“Fine,” said Jack as he and the others left William alone with the Elder. Jack was sulking, but at least he wasn’t angry. It wasn’t everything William wanted, but he accepted it.
“Your people confuse me,” said the Elder as William turned to him.
“How so?”
“I do not know humans well, but I can see that Jack Doran was not pleased to do your bidding.”
“Humans aren’t like dragons in that way, I guess. We aren’t born to serve unquestioningly.”
“You serve another human, yes?”
“I have an employer who assigns me tasks.”
“And if your employer gave you a task that would cost your life, would you do so?”
“Not without knowing why, and the reason would have to be worth my life. But he doesn’t give those kinds of orders. It’s not that sort of job.”
“Did he send you here?” asked the Elder.
“Yes,” said William. “Although other people helped decide. And before you ask, yes, this trip could have cost my life, although I didn’t really know it back then. In fact, it might still cost my life. But knowing what was at stake, I probably would have agreed anyway.”
The Elder sat in silence as he pondered William’s answer. “What you describe seems alien to me. I do not know if your way would be easier or harder.”
“What do you mean?”
“I rule alone, until the Queen is born. It might be easier if others shared that burden. But to have others who question me…it would waste time.”
William nodded. “It’s complicated, that’s for sure. I’m still learning myself. If I decided everything, I know I’d be wrong too often. Most decisions are made by whoever knows the most about the subject at hand. But if no one agrees, that’s when I have to make a final decision. Then I try to get everyone to abide by it.”
“And what if you can’t?”
William shrugged. “Then I wouldn’t be a leader, I suppose. Not everyone can be.”
“It is the same with dragons. But until the Queen is born, I am the only one.”
“What Jack said wasn’t wrong. Shouldn’t you hatch your Queen now and make the best of it?”
“If she dies, so do we. We aren’t ready yet.”
“But why not? Sure there’s danger, but there always is. You aren’t holding on to power, are you?” asked William.
“I’m not sure if that means what I think it means, but it is not in my nature to want to remain in my current position. Every scale on my body cries out to hatch the Queen, and to let her take from me the burden of deciding our fate. But it is not a simple matter of warming the egg and waiting. We need special food for her.”
“Special food? What kind?” asked William. Perhaps this was another opportunity for trade.
“As you no doubt have surmised, dragons eat both meat and stone. The meat is for our muscles, as I assume it is for yours. The metal is required for scales, bones and other parts of our bodies, including our minds.”
William shrugged again. “You have plenty of metal. What’s the problem?”
“We have not found enough of the right metal.”
William’s stomach dropped and his pulse quickened. “What metal is that?” he asked, certain he already knew the answer.
“I believe you call it gold.”
Expansion into Marshland Crossing triggered an increase in trade both within Azuria itself and between t
he two continents. Lumber was floated down the mighty Faywater to shipyards, where both sea and river boats were built by the hundreds. Many of these ships carried back luxury goods, especially earthen- and glassware, and returned loaded with iron from the Marshland swamps, and crops from its fertile fields.
When the bog iron production dwindled and no suitable replacement was found, the King decreed all iron be devoted to the maintenance of ships, without which trade was impossible. But this also meant fewer trees could be felled, plunging the region into economic stagnation.
Planet of Hope: A History of Esperanza
“So much for your theory of dragon treasure,” said William. “The most valuable metal, and they don’t have enough for themselves.”
Jack slouched against the cave wall, tossing bits of bark into the fire. “So what? Gold isn’t wealth, it’s just a way to measure it and move it.”
“Huh? What do you mean gold isn’t wealth?” asked William. “That makes no sense.”
“Okay, answer me this. What is gold good for? For us, I mean, not the dragons. What do we use it for except jewelry and ornaments?”
“Well, I guess…I don’t know. But if gold isn’t wealth, why do only rich people have it?”
“Because they’re the only ones who can afford it,” said Jack. “But gold always comes after they’ve gotten rich. It doesn’t make them rich. Not unless they find a pile of it somewhere, but even then most of it usually belongs to the Crown.”
William shrugged. “Well, if you say so. But if gold isn’t what we need, then what do we trade?”
Jack looked at William with surprise. “Other metals, of course.”
“No, I mean what do we give to them in exchange for metal?”
“The Elder said the dragons need help, right?” asked Maya. “Did he mention anything specific after we left?”
“Not really. He just said he won’t risk having the Queen hatched until they have enough gold and the attacks have stopped.”
“Look,” said Rachel. “I said before I didn’t mind staying here longer, but I don’t work for the dragons. We’ve had enough trouble of our own on this trip, and I don’t feel like looking for more. Not for all the iron on Esper.”
The Defender of Rebel Falls: A Medieval Science Fiction Adventure (The William Whitehall Adventures Book 1) Page 19
