Eyes narrowed, Willem glanced at the darkened passage to the den. Since when do we only spend one or two minutes with that?
A quiet rumble came from the den. You bring up a very good point.
Willem craned his neck to see the chronometer on the headboard shelf. “Looks like we have maybe ten minutes to meet them.”
“Barbs!” Aeron jumped from the bed and ran to the water closet.
Feeling slightly abandoned, Willem chuckled and got up.
He grabbed his toothbrush, loaded it with a glob of paste, and started brushing. Through foam, he said, “If you smile any bigger, foamy slobber will dribble everywhere and you’ll look as if you have rabies.”
Aeron wiped the side of his mouth and chuckled. “Can’t help it. The show was gigantic!”
Willem nodded. “That it was. I wish I could have seen the reactions of the younger dragonlinked. From what I understand, they were as equally excited as the crowds.”
Aeron grunted. “Yeah. And speaking of them, I wish I could have seen more of the young dragon portion of the show.” A moment later, a faint frown curved his lips.
Willem spit out some foam and looked back at Aeron’s reflection. “What?”
“Hmm?”
“You thought of something else you wished but didn’t happen.”
Aeron turned from Willem’s reflection to face him directly and gave him a foamy smile. “You really do know me entirely too well.”
Willem chuckled. “Well? Spit it out. And I don’t mean the toothpaste, though you could do with less in your mouth.”
Aeron took a careful breath and let it out. “I just wish Chanté and Nantli could have been in the show.”
Willem’s lips pulled into a half smile. This young man . . .
Aeron drew is brows together. “What?”
Willem resumed brushing. “I agree that it would have been nice to have everyone involved in the show itself, but Chanté and Nantli assisted as they could.”
“Hmm.” Aeron stared at him a moment more before rinsing his mouth. “I suppose you’re right. Chanté really does seem much more comfortable around us now.” Aeron smiled. “Next year’s show, for sure.”
Willem smiled. “For sure.”
Surprisingly, the two dragons set down in Caer Baronel’s dragon stables courtyard at exactly the time they were to meet everyone.
After unstrapping, Willem hopped to the ground. You sure you don’t want to wait here?
There is not enough room for all of us in this courtyard. We decided that if we cannot all be here, we will all be together at the Guildhall.
I see. Willem had to fight the sudden desire to hug Balam. That they were all getting along so well made him very happy.
Balam leaned over and touched his nose to Willem’s forehead. Merely let me know when you are ready to return.
I will. Ah, to hells with it. He threw his arms as far around Balam’s neck as he could for a brief hug anyway before stepping back.
A rumbling draconic chuckle came from the big dragon.
Aeron patted Anaya on the cheek and made his way over.
She let out a chirp, then she and Balam lifted into the sky.
“I still think we should have worn normal clothes.” Aeron scowled as he eyed the undershirt, riding pants, and riding boots Willem wore, the same thing they all would wear.
Why was he worried? “Even though we’re going to have a bit of fun this evening,” Willem said, “we remain dragonlinked. We need to be ready for anything. There’s no telling if a nahual will appear, one we missed because it was in its den, requiring us to act quickly. Though it’s more likely that Fillion or Polandra will be called away. Those two have been very busy with their separate projects.”
“I realize that, but you know how we get mobbed at festivals and fairs.” Aeron scowled. “Wearing this much of our riding gear is just asking to be recognized.”
Ah. Willem smiled. “I think ‘mobbed’ is a bit strong. And some of us seem to enjoy being in the limelight.” Aeron, he knew, was not one. The young man still felt a little embarrassed at being thought of as heroic in any way. That was one of the things Willem loved about him.
“Still, couldn’t one of us have agreed to be on duty tonight so the rest could wear normal—”
“Enough.” Willem took Aeron’s face in his hands and made it impossible for either of them to talk. Several seconds later, he said, “I’ll make sure you aren’t taken advantage of.” He raised a brow. “By anyone else.”
Cheeks turning a bit pink, Aeron let out a chuckle. “O–Okay.”
The sound of beating dragon wings drew Willem’s gaze upward.
“Hey! Break it up down there!” Gregor smiled and jumped from Kisa when she landed.
“Yeah,” Fillion agreed, hopping off Coatl. “Save that for later. We’ve got celebrating to do right now.” He smiled, an enormous thing. “I still can’t believe how golden the show was.”
Coatl chirped at him.
Fillion turned and nodded, patted the dragon’s cheek, and then walked over. Right fist smacking into left palm, he said, “The crowds loved it!”
After bidding Kisa farewell, Gregor joined them while the two dragons rose into the air. “Yes, and there were no injuries to dragon or human, so even better.”
Aeron laughed. “Sharrah spent so much time making sure that—” His eyes grew large.
Willem’s did the same.
“Shit!” They both hissed the word.
Willem looked north. Balam!
We are picking them up.
I can’t believe I forgot we were giving them a lift!
Embarrassment came through the link. I am sorry. Anaya and I were, ah, distracted while you were asleep and forgot, too.
An image flashed through the link and Willem blinked. O–Oh. Well, thank you for waiting until we were asleep. I, for one, needed that nap.
“I was wondering where they were.” Fillion lifted a brow. “Forgot to give her and Cheddar a lift?”
“She’s going to yell at us.” Aeron looked worried.
Willem sighed. Aeron was probably right. Though very cheerful at lunch, Sharrah had been preoccupied and a bit moody the past few weeks. “Well, we do deserve it.”
Aeron chuckled and nodded. “True.”
Liara and Polandra arrived then, still looking a bit sleepy. They were followed almost immediately by Renata and Jessip. Surprisingly, Terry rode with Jessip and Korrie with Renata.
Once on the ground, Terry said, “Thanks so much, Jessip!” He turned to Zolin. “And thank you, too.” The boy reached up and stroked the underside of the black dragon’s chin where the white diamond shape was. “Your markings are the best.”
“You’re quite the handsome dragon,” Korrie agreed.
Zolin’s happy rumble was loud.
“Don’t get too big a head, you.” Jessip smiled and patted the dragon on the shoulder.
Studiously ignoring his bond-mate, Zolin leaned down a touch to Terry and Korrie. I am happy to see that some of you, at least, have good taste.
Willem’s laughter mixed with that of the others.
Renata, still chuckling, said, “Indeed.”
Once they’d been given room, Xochi and Zolin, lifted into the sky, wings beating.
Before they had disappeared from sight, Chanté and Nantli arrived with Quillan and Elizabeth.
“You need help?” Terry hurried over to them.
Willem let out a grunt. So, she was going to be here, too, it seemed.
“Thanks,” Quillan said, “I’ve got it.”
Aeron leaned closer. “Though she isn’t in the guild,” he murmured, “she is their friend.”
Willem glanced at him before looking back at the three. “That’s not it. It isn’t that I dislike her, I’m just rooting for Chanté.”
Elizabeth rose into the air.
“You’re rooting for Chanté?”
“Yeah.” Willem shrugged. “I guess because I feel as if we’re alike.”
Aeron turned to him, looking as if he’d compared himself to a biscuit. Or was it Chanté that was being compared to a biscuit?
Willem chuckled. “I’m not certain whether to be offended by that look or not. I meant that Chanté seems to keep his emotions fairly well hidden, but I can tell how he feels about Quillan. He seems to be taking the same route I did, too—patience and presence. Unfortunately, and like I did, he now has a rival.”
“Like you did?” Aeron put an arm around his waist. “You never had a rival for me.”
Willem looked sidelong at him. “Liara?”
The blush was quick. “O–Oh, right. Honestly, though, I didn’t even know how she felt. And besides, I never thought of her in that way. Quillan, on the other hand, is definitely conflicted.”
Willem nodded. “That he is.”
Soon enough, Elizabeth was safely on the ground, arms linked with her two companions. Apparently she’d not be using a crutch today.
Chanté patted Nantli on the shoulder and the three moved away to give her room. Enormous wings beating the air, she rose and turned for the Guildhall.
Renata said, “Well, we’re all here, now, so let’s see what the fair has to offer.” She rubbed her hands together.
“Not everyone has arrived.” Fillion turned and eyed him and Aeron.
Willem cleared his throat. “Balam and Anaya are on the way with Sharrah and Cheddar.”
Renata drew her brows together and looked around. “Oh. Sure enough.” She turned to Aeron. “I thought they were riding with you?”
We come.
Aeron lifted a hand to the back of his neck and scrunched his nose. “We . . . may have forgotten that.”
Renata’s brows rose and she started laughing. “With the odd mood she’s been in lately, I do not want to—”
Willem spotted them and pointed. “They’re here.”
Everyone watched as Sharrah hopped off Anaya. Once Cheddar was on the ground, she took his hand and they approached.
The two dragons lifted into the air. As they flew off, Balam glanced back, briefly. You need not worry. She is happy.
Sharrah stopped in front of him and Aeron. “Fizzy drinks.”
Aeron blinked. “Fizzy—”
“—drinks?” Willem finished.
Sharrah nodded. “One for me and one for Cheddar. As punishment.” She smiled at everyone. “Shall we?”
She turned and, with Cheddar, headed off.
Willem stared. “Hmm.”
“Well that was disappointing.”
Renata turned to Jessip, took his hand, and said, “I don’t know that I’d call it disappointing, but I did expect more than that.” She looked at the two walking away. “I wonder what happened.”
“I think it has to do with her parents.”
Heads turned to Chanté.
He fidgeted, but continued. “They spoke during the show and it seems something was resolved. She’s been very happy, since.”
“Good.” Aeron, smiling, stared at their departing backs. He then took Willem’s hand. “Well, let’s go. There are booths and tents waiting!”
The first stop was the drink booths and their long queues. They came across Renny and Hunter there, increasing the size of their group. Unfortunately, everyone getting something cool to sip on took a great deal longer than anticipated.
Willem frowned. “This isn’t going to work very well. There’s just too many of us to go roaming around like this. We’re our own mob.”
Aeron chuckled.
“True.” Renata, lips twisted, turned to him. “Break into smaller groups?”
“I think that would be best,” Willem said. “Aeron and I will accompany Chanté, Quillan, and Elizabeth.”
Aeron glanced at the three and nodded.
“Gregor?” Renny turned to him. “Would it be alright if Hunter and I tagged along with you and Fillion? I’d like to ask you about Healing Craft and dragons.”
The healing adept nodded. “Sure. Fillion wants to stop by the leather stalls to look at some soft-soled shoes. Let’s go there first and then decide where to go next.”
“Perfect,” Hunter said. “I need to look at some dagger sheathes.”
“I had a talk with Aeron recently about dragons and eggs,” Renny said as they walked off, “and I realized that I don’t know much about them. If I happen to bond, I want to know as much . . .”
“I think Polandra and I will team up with Korrie and Terry.” Liara smiled and walked over to them. “As much as we’ve been in the desert, we’ve not had much time to get to know the newest dragonlinked.”
“Can we go look at the caves some time?” Terry glanced from her to Korrie and back. “I’d love to see where the Wing will be.”
“Oh, yes!” Korrie nodded. “That would be excellent.”
Liara chuckled. “One of these days, sure. But where shall we go first, here?”
They moved off to the side as they discussed the merits of various fair activities and locations.
“Well,” Renata said. “That means Jessip and I will hang out with Sharrah and Cheddar.” She raised a brow. “Which will give me an opportunity to ask her about what happened today that has her so happy.”
Sharrah blushed then smiled. “Sure.”
“First, though, I want to see this jeweler you talk about so much.”
Sharrah shook her head and led them away. “Methon’s caravan doesn’t visit until the fall, but there is . . .”
As her voice faded with distance, Willem looked back at their group. He glanced from Chanté to Quillan and then to Elizabeth. “So, what shall we do first?”
“I don’t really have a preference,” Elizabeth said. “I’m just glad to be out of the guildhall. I’ve been stuck in there with nothing to do. Quillan’s been so busy recently that I didn’t drop by the workshop, and the investigation at Stronghold seems to be stalled, so I’ve had no excuse to chat up Fillion about progress there.”
“Well, I’m not sure how thrilling the trade fair will be,” Aeron said. “We get pretty excited because many of their merchants carry products we can’t get elsewhere, but having lived in Stronghold, you may find it a little . . . underwhelming.”
“Hey, I’m a Northern Wilds girl myself, you know, originally from Cotter’s Grove.” She glanced at Quillan, smiled, then looked back at Aeron. “I know how important these trade fairs are. And believe me, even shoveling out a stall would be exciting compared to hobbling around inside stone walls another day.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t visited more often,” Quillan said, “or made time for you.”
Willem glanced at Chanté for his reaction, but the young man was nearly as expressionless as ever, aside from a little crease between his brows.
Elizabeth chuckled. “I don’t need someone to wait on me hand and foot. Besides, you’ve devoted all your recent time to your work.”
“And it was time well spent,” Chanté said. “Those comm sets are incredible.”
Willem completely agreed. “They make coordinating our efforts so much easier.”
“They really do,” Aeron said. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a great demand for them from many quarters, once word gets around.”
“You should probably apply for patents as soon as possible,” Elizabeth said. “But not today.” She looked at Willem. “Right now, we have to decide where to visit first, don’t we?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Chanté cleared his throat. “Quillan mentioned wanting to see about machinist supplies he was lacking. I’m not sure how exciting that would—”
“Ooo,” Aeron said. “What kind of supplies?” Eyes glittering with interest, he stared at Quillan.
The adept machinist smiled and shrugged. “Oh, nothing important. I just wanted to see if any merchants carried specialty metals, chemicals, tools and such, maybe convince a few to carry items they don’t normally.”
Willem drew his brows together. “Specialty metals?”
Quillan nodded. “Sure. Various metals and compounds with particular properties or magic affinities are required when constructing certain components and the like, but not every metallurgist or alchemist carries them all. I was hoping merchants of that type might be among those here because I need to stock up on a few things. I’m especially low on tin spar, which is needed to mix the alloy used for making the thin metal sheets upon which magic circuits are scribed.”
“You used what you had to make the comm sets, didn’t you?”
Quillan chuckled at Elizabeth. “Yes. I brought what I thought was plenty enough for a while, but I’ve already gone through nearly two-thirds of it. I can order more from a supplier in Delcimaar, but I thought I’d see what was available at the fair first.”
“There are actually two alchemists here,” Willem said. He scrunched his nose. “Owing to the odd smells that come from their tents, they’re located at the far southeast end of the fair grounds. Why don’t we get that out of the way first so we have the rest of the day for our noses to clear of the, ah, interesting odors?”
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Elizabeth said. “There aren’t many things I dislike about investigative reporting, but the interesting odors I’ve had the dubious pleasure of smelling rank pretty high on that list. If there are any to be experienced, it’s best to do so first, as Willem said, so we can enjoy the rest of the afternoon.” She gripped the arms of her escorts, nodded to him, and said, “Lead on, good sir.”
Willem smiled. Alright, so she was likable. Still, that wouldn’t change who he was pulling for. He glanced at Chanté before heading off. “This way, then.”
Once in the tent, he stood near the tent flap with Aeron and Elizabeth, waiting for Quillan to complete his order.
“Corundum and tin spar?” The alchemist nodded. “Of course. I don’t normally carry much tinstone, due to its cost, but someone canceled their order at the caravan’s last stop, so you’re in luck. How much did you need of each?”
Quillan tilted his head. “I’m down to half a pound of corundum, so perhaps ten pounds of extra fine?”
“Extra fine.” The man nodded and filled in an order slip.
“I use it to make an abrasive paste to finish off sharp edges of milled metal components among other things.”
Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4 Page 82
