Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4

by Adolfo Garza Jr.

They think I am the queen, the dragons here and the Departed.

  Yes, they do.

  I do not know how to be Highest Mother.

  Aeron leaned against her left shoulder, reached up, and began stroking her neck. Dear-heart, let me tell you something I learned. For reasons that I can’t even fathom, a lot of the dragonlinked think of me as sort of their leader. Obviously, Millinith leads the guild, but as far as the dragonlinked, they seem to think of me as their . . . captain, or general, or . . . something.

  Anaya grunted. This was true. She had felt it from them all.

  He chuckled. I mean, honestly. Me? A leader? Hells, I have a hard time getting up in the morning. As I’m sure you remember, it worried me more than a little. It still troubles me a bit. But the thing is, you don’t get to choose how people think of you. For some, the way people think about them is dictated by things having nothing to do with their actual person. Say, someone who is high born, or royalty, or some-such. But for us? He shook his head. For us, people think of us the way they do because of what they see in us and what they see in our actions. As ridiculous an idea as I thought it was, people looked up to me. I had to learn to accept it.

  Anaya turned to see him. I do remember you feeling . . . out of sorts because of that.

  Exactly. Just as you are worried about how to be Highest Mother, I had no idea how to be a leader. How am I supposed to talk? To act? To live? I still have no idea, truth be told.

  If Aeron did not know what to do, then what could she do? She set her chin back on her forepaws and a quiet whine escaped her.

  What I learned is that it doesn’t matter. I think about being a leader, sure. I’ve even tried to change myself a little, to learn from my mistakes in order to become better at it. But I am who I am. I’m not going to become a completely different person. I can’t. And it would be foolish of me to try. If I somehow was able to change myself, who’s to say I wouldn’t change for the worse? Besides which, it was me as I am that people decided was a leader. I suppose that who you are, who you really are deep down, comes through.

  She lifted her head and turned to him. So I just need to be myself?

  That’s right, dear-heart. He smiled at her. Just be the amazing dragon that you already are. And if you do have questions or worries, I’m here to help you like you helped me.

  Would that I could jump into your arms or even wrap you in my wings like I used to. She contented herself with a quick lick of his cheek.

  He chuckled, reached over, and hugged her neck. You’d have to lift me up in your paws to wrap your wings around us, now.

  That is true. She let out a rumbling chuckle and was about to do exactly that when she sensed familiar presences. She looked at the doorway that led into the Guildhall. The auditors are here.

  He turned. I didn’t even know they’d arrived. I’ll wager they want to see Zyanya.

  Anaya glanced at the gravid dragon. The eggs would come soon. As long as they do not upset her, that should be fine.

  Right.

  At the sound of footsteps coming from the doorway, Aeron stood and made his way toward the entrance that led deeper into the Guildhall.

  Anaya rose up and followed.

  Sharrah walked in, trailed by Adept Komako, Gregor, and Adept Oran.

  Anaya chirped. Greetings Adept Komako, Adept Oran.

  “Anaya.” Adept Oran smiled. “It is good to see you again.”

  “Indeed it is.” Adept Komako did a quick bow of her head.

  “They wanted to meet Zyanya,” Sharrah glanced over, “or, if she’s asleep, at least see her.”

  Let me see what her mood is like. She is close to clutching, and that intensifies a dragon’s state of mind, for good or ill.

  Anaya turned to Zyanya. How are you feeling?

  Wide eyes turned to her. Will my children be safe?

  Of course, they will. Their well-being is very important to everyone. When I laid my eggs here, it was a wonderful experience.

  I am sorry for asking you that again and again.

  There is no need to apologize. I understand wanting to be sure your children are safe.

  Zyanya glanced at the visitors. Who are they?

  They are very interested in dragons and proving that dragons are more than mere animals.

  Why would you need to prove something that is obviously true? Zyanya tilted her head. And who do they want to prove it to?

  Humans who have not met dragons. Would it be okay for them to speak with you?

  Zyanya hunched a little lower. I–I suppose.

  As before, Anaya kept her sending very close. She has agreed to meet you but remains anxious.

  Adept Komako nodded.

  Adept Oran said, “We’ll be considerate of that.”

  Come. Anaya led them to the edge of the sand pit and sat on her haunches. Zyanya, this is Adept Oran. She nodded to the sorcerer.

  He stepped toward the edge of the sand, but remained on the granite floor. “Zyanya, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

  And this is Adept Komako. Anaya nodded to the zoologist.

  She stepped next to Adept Oran and bowed, briefly. “It is nice to meet you, Zyanya. I want to commend you on your bravery in coming here to have your children. I know it must have been a difficult decision.”

  Zyanya stood a bit taller. It w–was and it was not.

  Komako perked up. “How so?”

  I–I want them to have a better life than I have in House Yaot, and I want them to have the strength and assurance Queen Anaya showed us when she and Aeron came to speak. For that to happen, I must be here.

  “It is just as Komako said.” Adept Oran smiled. “You are to be commended.”

  “We understand that this is an especially trying time for you,” Adept Komako said, “so having met you, we will now take our leave.”

  “Yes,” Adept Oran said. “Oh, and our best wishes for healthy children.”

  T–Thank you. Zyanya watched them walk away.

  Once back at the entrance into the Guildhall, Aeron said, “If there is any way that I can help you two with the paper, please ask. Everyone has to understand that dragons are not just animals, and the sooner, the better.”

  “You’ve been interested in spreading the word that dragons are people for as long as I’ve known you,” Gregor said. “Why do you think that needs to happen quickly? Aside from the Corpus Order, everyone we’ve come across seems to like dragons.”

  Anaya glanced at Aeron. She had felt his anxiety about that now and again but only had a vague understanding of his reasons.

  He frowned. “People like animals, right? For example, say, horses?”

  Sharrah nodded. “Sure.”

  “That doesn’t stop horses from being worked to death, from being bought and sold, from essentially being treated as property.”

  Adept Komako nodded and Sharrah grunted.

  Aeron glanced at Anaya and worry came through the link. “If you find a wild horse and catch it, it belongs to you. The horse has no say in the matter.” He looked at Sharrah. “And regardless of how someone acquires a horse, if they kill ‘their’ horse, whether through overwork, an arrow to the brain, or whatever method, it is completely acceptable according to the laws, or the lack of them.”

  In full agreement, Anaya rumbled. Dragons are not property.

  Aeron glanced at her. “Damn right, they aren’t.”

  “You’ve spent some time thinking about this,” Adept Oran said.

  Anaya glanced from Adept Oran to Aeron. She was not so sure about that, not having sensed specific thoughts like this before.

  “Honestly?” Aeron shook his head. “I haven’t. Not in detail. It’s been more of a nagging feeling I’ve had for a while that dragons needed protection. I guess because of little things I’ve noticed now and again.”

  “Little things?” Adept Komako asked.

  “Well,” Aeron said, “I mentioned horses and how they are treated by some, but many dogs are abandoned or killed when their racing day
s are over, and the most obvious thing, I guess, is how badly some humans even treat other humans. If laws are required to protect humans from their own kind, then dragons will need the protection of those self-same laws. Because even as big as they are, dragons can be hurt or killed.”

  “Once we learned of the Corpus Order,” Sharrah said, “I know I understood that dragons could be harmed.”

  “The Order certainly helped focus my feelings,” Aeron said. “Such an obvious danger was shocking and disturbing, but it’s the non-obvious ones that worry me more.”

  He turned to Adept Komako and Adept Oran. “That’s why your paper will be so important. With it, we’ll be one step closer to being able to have laws already in place for humans extended to protect dragons, too.”

  “That’s a pretty big aspiration,” Gregor said.

  “Indeed,” Adept Oran said. “It goes well beyond the scope of what we plan for our paper.” He looked at Adept Komako.

  “One step closer,” Aeron said. “That’s all I expect and hope for from the paper.”

  Anaya chirped and turned to Aeron. The single beat of a wing in and of itself is not much, but put enough together and you are flying.

  He smiled. “Exactly.”

  + + + + +

  Jessip stared at the cloth Cheddar was working on. A number of yards of the five-foot wide canvas fabric lay across the courtyard outside the rooms the archivist shared with Sharrah. The large bolt from where the canvas was unrolled sat on one end of the courtyard, and a stretch of the heavy cloth, already painted, extended across toward the other side, waiting for the paint to dry sufficiently so it could be rolled up on that end. Nearly a dozen large cans of black paint sat stacked to the side as well.

  Thankfully, Cheddar and Sharrah’s rooms were the only ones occupied of the four suites off this courtyard. Jessip could see that there might have been complaints about taking up so much room in here if that had not been the case.

  “No, Xoc,” Cheddar said. “Don’t step on it. You’ll smear the letters if they aren’t dry, yet.”

  You are always getting into trouble. Citlali, sitting on her haunches at Zolin’s side with her nose in the air, eyed the young dragon.

  Zolin let out a rumbling laugh and humor came through the link.

  Xoc shot a glare at Citlali. I am not. Still, he did casually step off the cloth. What is this for, anyway?

  Jessip chuckled. “I’m wondering that myself.”

  Cheddar was painting large letters on the canvas. His Archive Craft background was plain in the neat and easy to read lettering. ‘Welcome to’ had been completed so far. He looked up from his work.

  “This,” he said, “is something we thought would be nice for the young dragons to do as a little extra.” He looked back at the canvas and glanced from one end to the other. “Sharrah thought it would be very charming to have a welcome sign unrolled and held up by the young dragons as they hover before the audience.”

  He looked up. “What do you think?”

  “Ah,” Jessip said, “I see.” He nodded. “Yeah, that would be nice. Where is she, by the way? I’m kind of surprised she’s not here, ah, supervising.”

  Cheddar chuckled and returned to painting as he explained. “The Guildmaster assigned her to help Adept Komako while she and Adept Oran are here researching for their paper. Gregor will be assisting Adept Oran.”

  Jessip grunted. Itzel, on Millinith’s order, had informed all the dragons about their arrival and had instructed all dragons and dragonlinked to be as helpful to the auditors as they could. A sort of welcome meeting was scheduled for after dinner and everyone was required to attend.

  “I guess I can see why the paper is important,” Jessip said, “but I pity the idiot who tries to harm Zolin.”

  Cheddar glanced at the big black dragon, lying to the side, then smiled and returned to his work. “Our dragons, bonded dragons, are less likely to come to harm, but there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of dragons out there in the wild who aren’t as confident, who don’t have as much knowledge about defense and sorcery as ours do from watching in on us as we train. There’s Xoc and Citlali, too, who are still relatively small. I could see a determined person harming them. And never forget that with enough numbers, even fully grown dragons can be overpowered.”

  Aeron and Anaya’s capture came to mind and Jessip frowned. “True enough.”

  The Corpus Order had been convinced not to harm Aeron, so the guild hadn’t been able to just march into Bataan-Mok. But because dragons aren’t considered people under the law, the guild could do nothing legally about the Order’s capture of Anaya or their intention to execute her. An argument could have been made that Anaya was Aeron’s or the guild’s property and the Order had stolen her, but going that route would have taken too much time. Anaya would have likely been killed before anything could have been done. That’s why they’d had to come up with the rescue plan.

  When Jessip had seen her through the binocs chained on that platform, he’d wondered how someone could do that to her. Imagining how horrible Aeron must have felt knowing Anaya was shackled like that had made him furious.

  “I guess because I’ve always thought of them as people,” Jessip said, “I thought that the fanatics from the Order were a kind of ab . . . aberr . . .”

  “Aberration? Well, we can hope so, but I think that’s why Aeron is so interested in this paper the auditors are working on.” Cheddar stood, and after testing the first few letters for dryness again, he rolled their bit of canvas up and tugged the rest of it over onto the newly empty area. On the other side, he unrolled more of the bolt, and returned to his painting.

  Jessip noted that Cheddar had added ‘the’ to the end, and, based on where he was starting the next letter, had started on a new word. “So, why did you ask me over?”

  Cheddar glanced up and smiled. “When this is done, I’d like Zolin’s help moving the sign to the storage rooms at the sports field.” He reached over to pat Xoc on the head.

  The little copper dragon let out the thrumming rumble that was like a cat purring.

  Cheddar chuckled. “These little guys have energy to spare, but there’s no way the two of them could carry it.”

  Jessip nodded. “Sure, we can do that, but if they can’t carry it, how are they supposed to hold it up for the show?”

  “Mia or Kisa will carry the sign and unroll it. The younger dragons will grab onto the unrolled part of the sign. All of them together should be able to hold it up, but we’ll definitely want to do a few test runs to be sure they can, and to be sure they can do so in a nice, practiced manner.”

  “Makes sense.”

  A distant rumble made him look up out of the courtyard to the sky. Clouds were starting to move in. “How close are you to finished? Sounds like rain is coming.”

  Cheddar looked up and sighed. “Of course. It doesn’t rain for days and days, and the moment I do something like this . . .” He scowled. “I’ve got close to an hour to go.”

  “Then maybe this will help.” Jessip created a barrier just below the opening to the sky. It extended at least two feet beyond the opening’s edges all around.

  “Hmm,” Cheddar said. “That’s all well and good, but after about a minute, the rainwater will just run off the sides and pour into the courtyard.”

  Jessip grunted. He hadn’t thought of that. “Right.”

  Cheddar stood up. “If you were to create a barrier like that except in the form of a hemisphere, then open a hole at its bottom over that,” he pointed to the steel grate in the middle of the courtyard, “I think it would work.”

  “I just might be able to do that.” Jessip removed the flat barrier and thought about the cage barrier they’d all learned for use in catching a nahual for testing.

  He could use similar methods to create this one. It wouldn’t be a true hemisphere, however. From his eyeball estimate, the courtyard was nowhere near as tall as the opening to the sky was wide, but he could use a flatter dome.

/>   After a moment, the barrier was complete. It shimmered here and there in the darkening light.

  “And this will keep draining water from splashing on us and the sign.”

  A pulse of magic came from Cheddar and a cylindrical barrier briefly shimmered around the grate. It rose a foot or so from the ground to just under the domed barrier.

  Jessip nodded. “Good idea.”

  You will all need more light, soon. Zolin reached over and opened a shield on one of the large sconces at the side of the courtyard. He stood and moved to open another one.

  Jessip nodded. With the storm moving in, it had gotten quite dark in here. The exposed light globe brightened the place a little.

  He and Cheddar opened more.

  When the sconces were all open, Cheddar said, “Now, I can get back to work.” With a smile, he grabbed his brush and continued work on the sign.

  He was halfway through what Jessip was sure would be the word ‘Dragon’ when a bright and very loud lightning strike landed somewhere extremely close by.

  Jessip jumped, and Zolin barked in surprise. Xoc let out a squeak and ran to Cheddar’s side. Citlali raced for Xoc, letting out a kind of whine the whole way. The reddish brown dragon put a wing around her and they huddled against Cheddar.

  “Yrdra’s tits!” Cheddar stared at the sign. “I am so glad that didn’t happen while I had brush to canvas.” He put his arm around the two scared dragons, and with a grin, he turned to Jessip. “I almost soiled my pants.”

  Jessip laughed. “It was pretty loud, wasn’t it?”

  Awed wonder coming through the link made him turn to Zolin.

  The large dragon stared at the dome barrier. All along the inside of the sorcerous shield, bright little shimmers flared and faded, like glowflies brightening and dimming on a summer night. It was raining.

  Xoc, eyes large, let out a little chirp as he watched the light show.

  Citlali tilted her head as she stared. Pretty.

  “That is kind of pretty.” Cheddar eyed the curved barrier. He pointed. “And look, it’s working perfectly.”

  Trailing shimmers, rainwater ran down the inside of the barrier and collected at the bottom. It poured out the hole there and fell into the drain below.