Aeron chuckled as he climbed in the saddle. “I bet she did.”
As had all the dragons who happened to be there, Anaya included. None of them wanted any damage to the large room, nor to anyone who would be working there.
She chirped at Aeron. Everyone is here. We should go.
“I’m with Anaya,” Fillion said. “Let’s go!”
“How did you know what she told me?”
Fillion smiled and shrugged. “Because everyone feels that way?”
With a short laugh, Jessip said, “Well, let me get to the Guildhall, first. Zolin will be right back.”
Jessip and Zolin opened a portal and then disappeared through it. Jessip would wait with Millinith so they could relay messages back and forth.
Once Zolin returned and their portal closed. Renata said, “I found the perfect spot,” and looked up. Moments later, another portal appeared.
Anaya and the other dragons waited for Xochi and Renata to lead the way. Once they were airborne, Anaya, Balam, and the others followed.
The temperature, when they emerged, was much warmer even than near Bataan-Mok, and it was drier here, too. As such, seeing the air currents was more difficult.
“Wow.” Aeron’s voice was filled with awe.
Anaya rumbled in agreement. For as far as even she could see, sand dunes covered the land, very pale amber mounds in the bright sun. Winds had shaped their tops into sinuous curves, and waves of sand rippled across some of them.
“Down there.” Renata pointed to a spot where two lines of dunes met, forming a sort of corner. “We can shove sand down from both sides.”
Before she even finished speaking, dragons were banking down for landings. Anaya hurried down, too. She wanted to see if this sand felt as good as the sand from the caves.
Hurry and get off me.
Hmm?
Unless you want to roll in the sand, too?
Laughing, Aeron quickly dismounted. I’ll pass, dear-heart.
Anaya bounded to the other dragons and half-jumped, half-flew in a rolling dive into the sand. This is fun! It is just like the sand from the caves. It is perfect.
All the dragonlinked stood at a distance, bemused smiles on their faces as they watched their bond-mates.
Anaya wasn’t sure what their dislike of dirt was all about. The hot sand felt especially good.
Cheers and claps broke out when Coatl formed himself into a ball and rolled down a dune, nose over tail. Leaving odd tracks behind, he descended the tall, powdery mound, nearly reaching the bottom. After four revolutions, however, his performance ended in a tangle of tail and wings, scattered sand, and his own laughter. Balam and Zolin let out roars of approval.
All the dragons decided to give it a try. Some were better at it than others, though that didn’t prevent them from enjoying themselves. They were all in the middle of a great deal of fun when Gregor spoke out.
“Alright, everyone. Don’t forget that the Guildmaster and Jessip and all those workers are waiting for us.”
Anaya wasn’t the only dragon who let out rumbles of disappointment.
“Where did you want us to start, Renata?” Gregor looked at her with interest.
“Back up top.” She led the way.
Everyone followed up the dune.
What do you think, dear-heart? Is the three-foot-wide portal going to be big enough?
Anaya chirped at Aeron. It should be.
We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose.
They all stood at the top of the two dunes staring below. A strong pulse of magic power let them know Renata was opening the portal. Sure enough, the pretty orb of purple glass plates appeared and began filling with mist. It reminded Anaya of the balls made of leather patches that children kicked around the Caer, though there were a far greater number of plates in a portal than patches on a ball. When the glass plates vanished moments later, all that remained was the portal itself, floating just above the sand.
“Alright,” Renata said, moving to a crouch, “let’s start shoving sand.” Putting words to action, she began pushing sand down the dune toward the portal.
The dragonlinked bent to the task using hands and even feet to shove sand off the tops of the dunes and into the little valley between them. It did not take long for them to get tired. Sweat started trickling down their faces.
Aeron removed his riding jacket and tossed it aside. “Too hot for this.”
All the dragonlinked were soon in their white undershirts, on their hands and knees, shoving sand.
Anaya watched it slowly moving down the dunes and let out a quiet rumble. Not much was making it to the portal. At this rate, they would never get done.
“It had sounded like it would be easier,” Fillion said, shoving sand downhill. “Just use a portal to send sand over instead of filling up sacks and hauling them back.” He leaned back, stretching muscles. “But, by the gods, I’m not so sure this is easier than filling up sacks.”
Put your back into it, Fillion.
“Hey! If you think you can do better, leather bag, you’re welcome to try.”
With a little huff, Coatl moved beside Fillion, lifted his tail, and turned away from the portal.
“Well, go on then, mister I can do it bett—”
Fillion’s words were cut off as an eruption of sand spewed toward the portal. Not all of the kicked up sand went down the dune, however. With mutters and exclamations, the dragonlinked backed away from Coatl.
Oblivious, he kept digging with his forepaws, flinging sand between his rear legs and down the dunes.
“Damn.” Fillion’s brows were raised. “That’s actually pretty good, big guy.”
With a smug look, Coatl let out a satisfied rumble and kept going.
Anaya walked beside him and started kicking her own sand down the dune. This is fun!
All the dragons were soon at it, and fountains of sand showered down below.
Willem started laughing. “I can’t even see the portal anymore.”
Everyone turned and looked. Where the small gateway had been, there was now an enormous heap of sand.
Hands on her head, Polandra said, “Did we choke it?” She turned to Zolin. “Ask Jessip if sand is coming through.”
“Oh, it is.” Renata pointed to the sand pile.
Anaya grunted. The top of the mound was sinking, and it started . . . swirling.
“It’s like a whirlpool,” Aeron said, “but of sand.”
The sand swirled around and around and disappeared into the portal.
“Keep going,” Aeron said. “You guys are doing great!”
No further encouragement was needed. Anaya turned around and started flinging sand. With a few determined chirps and barks, all the fountains of sand resumed.
The dunes they were working were much shorter, ragged remains of their former selves when Renata called a halt several minutes later.
“Let’s stop and check with Jessip. That’ll give me a bit of a rest and our dragons, too.” She glanced at the portal and it winked out.
The dragons sat on their haunches or lay on their bellies.
Aeron walked over and put his arm over her shoulder. You were amazing! So much better than me.
I am bigger and my paws are bigger. If you were as big, you would have done just as well.
You’re probably right. Still, good job, dear-heart.
She chirped and rubbed her cheek against his.
He laughed and stroked her cheek. You are covered in sand. I’ll need to give you a good brushing, later.
Zolin turned toward Renata. He says the floor is not even half filled yet. We must continue.
“Alright. Let’s find a good second spot.”
About halfway through the third spot, Zolin’s deep voice let them know they were finished.
Jessip says we are done.
Anaya let out a relieved rumble. It had been fun at first, but now her shoulders ached as well as her arms and fingers. The sounds from the other dragons indicated they
were all tired and sore.
She turned to Aeron. I need more than brushing. I need a bath. I must wash off the sand.
I thought you liked the sand?
I do, but now it is in . . . places it should not be, and it is starting to chafe.
Ouch. Alright, we can go to the Guildhall lake after.
I do want to see the clutching room, first, though.
Me too!
“Where’s my jacket?” Fillion, hands on his hips, was looking around.
“Now you mention it,” Gregor said, “I don’t recall you bringing it from the first spot.”
“Barbs and pissing blades,” Fillion mumbled as he headed back to the first dunes.
They spent a great deal of time looking, but failed to find it.
“It’s a good thing we each have two sets of riding gear,” Willem said.
“But I liked that jacket.,” Fillion whined. “It was my favorite.”
Gregor looked at him. “They’re identical.”
“I know, but that one was broken in just right.” Fillion sighed. “Oh, well. We’ve wasted enough time looking. Let’s just go.”
“I’ll open the portal back,” Willem said. “I don’t have anything going on the rest of today, so it won’t matter if I do it.”
“Open it to the Guildhall, if you would,” Aeron said. “I want to check the clutching room and Anaya wants a swim in the lake, after.”
“That’s a fantastic idea,” Polandra said. “Ikan is complaining about sand, too.”
“Sounds good,” Willem said. He glanced up and a normal-sized portal appeared.
Anaya followed Balam through. She banked down to the enormous ledge outside the clutching room. A large opening led to an entry chamber and then a short, wide hallway continued on to the dragon entrance of the clutching room itself.
“It’s perfect!” Renata ran into the clutching room, Xochi on her heels. The red dragon’s barks and chirps were proof she was just as excited as her bond-mate.
Anaya could not blame them. The room was perfect. It is beautiful!
Even though powdery grit was grinding at various parts of her body, she ran onto the sand and looked around. Everyone followed, making appreciative sounds—happy gasps along with happy chirps and barks. The sand had been spread evenly throughout the former pit. There was no difference in height between the stone floor and where the sand began.
“I take it everyone approves?” Guildmaster Millinith, a smile on her face, walked in the room from the other entrance.
“Master Millinith,” Aeron said. “Guildmaster. It’s golden. It’s gigantic!”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. It is big, yes, but—”
“No, no. It’s gigantic.” Aeron looked at her expectantly.
Her brows drew together. “I don’t follow.”
Willem, laughing, said, “He means, awesome, amazing, golden, fantastic . . .”
“Ah. Yes, well, it is incredible.” She smiled. “Gigantic, as you say.”
Aeron nodded enthusiastically and glanced at the transition between stone and sand. “I see you beveled the end of what used to be the ledge.”
“Yes. A deeply beveled edge is a great deal safer than a hard, straight corner, as it may occasionally be uncovered of sand. I felt it would be better to modify it.” She took in the room with everyone else. “I have to admit to minor doubts about this idea, but it is perfect. Much better than soil and gravel.”
I told you this would be good. Xochi sat on the sand, looking happy.
Just as happy, Anaya barked at her in agreement. It was very good.
“Fillion?”
The boy looked at the Guildmaster. “Ma’am?”
She tossed a jacket to him. “Please endeavor to take better care of your gear in the future.”
Looking confused, he caught and looked over the leather item. When he found the name badge, he said, “It is my jacket!” His brows drew together and he looked at her. “How did—”
“It came through the portal along with the sand.” Guildmaster Millinith shook her head. “Honestly, Fillion. Those take a good amount of time and skill to produce. Each one is tailor-made. Please take better care of them.”
“Oh, I will, ma’am.” With a happy little smile, he slipped on the jacket.
“Lucky for you one of the workers spotted it as it came through. Who knows how long it would have taken to be found otherwise, if indeed it ever was.”
“It’s funny,” Polandra said, hand on the ground. “The sand is still quite warm.”
“Speaking of sand,” Aeron said, “we should get going.”
Anaya turned to Aeron. We should, then I can get a swim before we have to go to the South. It will wash off sand, and it might help my sore muscles.
He turned to Polandra. “Anaya wants to hit the lake before our patrol.”
“Ah, yes. We’ll go with you.” She turned to Ikan. “Come on, love, let’s get you your swim.”
He gave out an eager rumble and padded over.
“Be careful,” Willem said.
Balam let out a little bark, too.
Anaya knew they did not mean while they swam.
Aeron nodded. “We will.”
Anaya walked with Aeron, Polandra, and Ikan to the door. She could not wait to wash the sand off. As the four of them entered the wide hallway, she turned for one more look at the amazing room. It would be the perfect place for her to clutch.
Balam and Willem were watching them leave. Balam chirped at her.
With an excited flutter in her belly, she chirped back.
+ + + + +
Air whipped past Aeron, tugging at cap, goggles and jacket. Above, stars glinted in a bed of subtle violet, indigo, and deep pink, a hazy swath of color behind the band of stars arcing across the sky, Alandra’s Sash. Hemet, nearly full, loomed against the painted velvet of night. The air was cooler now, less sharp in his lungs. The only sound at nearly a thousand feet was Anaya’s powerful wings beating the desert air.
Aeron had insisted on a quick shower for himself, once Anaya was done swimming. Polandra had as well. He felt much better for it. The dragons weren’t the only ones who had sand in places it should not be. How sand had got there was a mystery to him. He’d been in full riding gear, too. Well, except for the jacket.
Ikan says that our clutching room is much better than the one at the caves.
Aeron smiled. Yes, it is.
Guildmaster Millinith required two teams to go to the South for each patrol. One did the actual patrol and the other waited at the caves. ‘In case something happens.’ Aeron had felt it was a waste at first, but he’d come around to her way of thinking once the test had been performed.
They’d tried having two dragons speak to each other, one here in the South and one at the Caer. They couldn’t. Bond-mates, as far as they’d yet to find, could be any distance apart and still speak to each other in the dragon fashion, but there was a definite limit to how far apart non-bond-mates could be before they could not. That’s why they’d had to leave Jessip at the Guildhall. What the actual maximum distance was, they didn’t know, but it was at least as far as the distance between the Caer and anyplace here in the South.
There were a number of things that could go wrong on these patrols, the Guildmaster had explained, and having someone nearby that could be called on for help was good. Aeron agreed. Tonight, Polandra and Ikan were his and Anaya’s backup team. The two of them were at the caves now. It sounded like Ikan was exploring, more than likely out of boredom.
We’ll have to remember to tell Xochi she was very smart to have us put sand in there. She’ll like to hear that.
She will.
Based on the patrol routes Capu Cirtis had provided, tonight’s efforts would be focused around the village of Honovi. The patrol routes were such that only one manis patrol would be in this area at any particular time for most of the night. Fewer eyes to spot a dragon, even this high up, was best. Aeron and Anaya would cover a fifty square mile
area with this village at the center. They were just finishing up the first east-to west-pass over the northern part.
It’s a good thing dragons are so good with directions and maps. I can barely make out where we are at night.
It is a good thing.
There was pride coming from the link, and the tiniest bit of smugness, too. The corner of Aeron’s mouth lifted in a crooked smile. He’d forgive her feeling a little self-satisfied every now and then.
Besides, there is a good amount of light right now. The stars are bright and clear and the big moon is only one day past full.
Yes it is, so we have to be extra careful, dear-heart.
After almost three hours, Aeron began to wish he and Anaya were the ones at the caves. He’d have something to do, at least, in exploring them. Up here, it was just darkness, barely visible scrub brush, dirt, and the occasional ravine. It was weird, too. With hardly anything to see, it felt as if he and Anaya were alone flying above a strange dark realm of nothingness.
With a shiver, he reached down and patted her neck. Looks like it’s Yrdra’s Gate for us tonight, dear-heart. Let’s get back to Polandra and Ikan.
He felt her affirmative rumble through the saddle, and she banked around toward the caves. They wouldn’t portal there. Too much risk of the glowing gateway being seen.
Yrdra’s Gate?
A losing roll in dice, love. Two sixes. I meant that tonight was a failure. No nahual, and it’s time to go.
Why are two sixes called Yrdra’s Gate?
Well, the pips on a die, when they’re arranged for the six, look kind of like the tall door of a formidable gate.
Aeron didn’t feel any lessening of her confusion. He chuckled. I’ll have to show you a pair of dice and then you might understand.
I will take your word for— She pulled up and backwinged.
They both turned to face where they’d come from.
Barbs and pissing blades! There is no way in Yrdra’s deepest hells we missed that nahual!
It just . . .appeared.
Yeah, out of nowhere. Let’s find it.
Anaya rumbled angrily and headed for the nahual, wings pounding.
Aeron thought furiously. Normally, they came upon a nahual entirely differently. It fluttered at the edge of their range, like a half-seen mirage, barely sensed at first, then getting stronger as the distance between them was closed. This one had appeared inside their detection range, blazing like a bonfire. But how?
A Storm in the Desert: Dragonlinked Chronicles Voume 3 Page 38
