Storm Riders

by Margaret Weis

  Leutnant Baumann smiled knowingly. Trundler boats were often used for smuggling.

  “I know that Trundlers generally hug the coastline. May I ask what are you doing out here in the shipping lanes, so far off course? Please forgive my questioning, Captain,” said Leutnant Baumann, embarrassed. “My ship was attacked by pirates. One cannot be too careful…”

  Stephano understood. The question was legitimate. And he was going to lie to the man anyway—or at least, not tell him the entire truth. He could afford to be magnanimous.

  “Our boat was in Westfirth when that city came under attack. The Cloud Hopper was damaged. We were blown off course and crashed on an island in the Chain of Pearls. We were marooned there until we could make repairs. We thought we had enough lift gas to cross the strait, but the tank must have sprung a leak. We had only enough to fill the balloon and we very nearly didn’t make it. If it hadn’t been for your ship…” Stephano shook his head.

  Leutnant Baumann listened gravely. “You were in Westfirth when the bat riders attacked?”

  “Yes, sir,” said Stephano.

  “The Sommerwind was not in Westfirth, thank the good Gott. We heard terrible stories from our friends, however. As for our ship, the bat riders attacked us at dawn. There were twenty or more of them, wearing those hideous devil masks and riding monstrous bats. They carried odd-looking weapons, like small cannons, that belched green fire. They hit one of our cannons, which exploded. We feared for a time the fire would spread to the cargo, but we managed to contain it.”

  “Why do you think they attacked your ship?”

  “I believe they were trying to capture it,” said Leutnant Baumann. “They attempted to board, but our captain and crew fought them off, and we killed several. We tried to unmask them, to see who they were, but the bodies burst into flame and we couldn’t get near them.”

  “The same thing happened at Westfirth,” said Stephano.

  He noticed men hovering in the background, obviously wanting to claim the lieutenant’s attention. He thanked Leutnant Baumann for the information and said he would let him get back to work.

  “Thank you, Captain,” said the lieutenant, and with an exchange of bows, he returned to the bridge.

  Seeing Dag come up from below, Stephano motioned to him, and the two walked over to the rail.

  “Miri doesn’t need me,” Dag reported. “The captain speaks Rosian. She said we should go back to the boat.”

  Stephano shouted for Gythe to sail the Hopper over to pick them up, and while they waited, Stephano told Dag the news about Westfirth and Evreux and about the attack on the Sommerwind.

  “Strange, sir,” said Dag. “Why do you think these Bottom Dwellers are capturing ships?”

  “You saw that black ship of theirs,” said Stephano. “It was at least a hundred years old. I’m thinking they’re wanting to modernize their navy.”

  The two crossed the deck, heading for the stern. They had to make their way around the wreckage and the bodies of the dead, wrapped in sailcloth shrouds.

  “Do you think it’s possible the Bottom Dwellers are working for Freya, sir?” Dag asked.

  Stephano shook his head. “We know Bottom Dwellers tried to ambush Sir Henry. And if Freya was planning to go to war with Rosia, Sir Henry would not have given Rigo that pewter tankard. As for Alaric, he has to tell the Rosians something. He can’t let the populace think that Aertheum’s demonic hordes are going to bring about the end of the world. And, to be fair, Alaric may honestly believe these people are Freyans. What I find odd is that the Bottom Dwellers haven’t attacked any more cities since Westfirth.”

  “They’re planning something major,” Dag predicted.

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” said Stephano.

  The Cloud Hopper was almost in position, hovering overhead. Rodrigo was about to lower the rope ladder when the lookout on board the Sommerwind pointed and shouted.

  “Drache!”

  14

  The death of Empress Elsbeth Octavia without an heir and the subsequent battle for the throne marked the beginning of the end of the Sunlit Empire. The dragons were drawn into the civil war, with some dragons supporting one side and some another. The result was devastating for the dragon duchies, as clan members turned on one another. Grieved to see dragons fighting dragons, some among dragonkind decided they should stop all interaction with humans and withdraw to isolation. The rift was bitter, with those dragons who chose to remain loyal to their human friends accusing their kindred of betrayal.

  —Miri McPike, Mistress of Dragon Lore

  Stephano didn’t know much Guundaran, but he understood the word for “dragon.” He ran to the stern for a better view.

  The three dragons were no longer following the Cloud Hopper from a distance. They were flying swiftly, heading straight for the Sommerwind. Leutnant Baumann was issuing orders.

  “What’s he saying?” Stephano asked, turning to Dag.

  “He is sending men to the swivel guns and the cannons.”

  “Damn!” Stephano swore. “Keep an eye on our dragon friends. I’ll go talk to Baumann.”

  He turned, only to nearly run into Leutnant Baumann, who had come over to talk to him.

  “You are an expert in dealing with dragons, Captain,” said Leutnant Baumann. “We have encountered wild dragons before when we fly near the Pearls, and they generally keep their distance. These appear to be coming after us. I don’t like this—”

  “I can explain, sir,” said Stephano, interrupting. “I know these dragons. We met them on the island. They’ve been following us for days now.”

  The lieutenant appeared dubious. “Dragons following you, Captain. Why? Did you befriend them?”

  “I tried to,” said Stephano ruefully. “I didn’t think I succeeded, but here they are.”

  Leutnant Baumann cleared his throat, expressing polite disbelief.

  “Fetch Miri!” Stephano told Dag. “If she’s not with the captain, she’ll be in the sick bay, treating the crew.”

  While Dag went below to find Miri, Stephano tried to explain.

  “Wild dragons are not like those we know as civilized dragons. Those dragons speak our language. They can communicate with us. These wild dragons apparently understand our language, but they either can’t speak it or they choose not to do so. When I talked to them, I think they understood me. They never spoke to me, though. I have no idea what they want.”

  Leutnant Baumann was watching the dragons. “You need to make it clear to the beasts, Captain, that they are to stay away from my ship.”

  Stephano couldn’t blame the man. One swipe of a dragon’s tail could knock down a mast or crack open the hull. Dragons in the Brigade had been trained to maneuver around ships. These wild dragons had probably never been near a ship like the Sommerwind before. They might be curious. Or perhaps they were worried about Stephano and his friends.

  Miri arrived, returning with Dag. She looked out at the dragons and shook her head.

  “Dag told me what was going on. I’ve been thinking, Stephano. What if these dragons want to go with us to Rosia? Reestablish contact with their kin?”

  “I thought of that myself, but if so, why not just fly back on their own? Why follow us?”

  “The wild dragons haven’t been back to Rosia in hundreds of years. They long ago lost contact with their kin. They know from your stories about the Brigade that you have friends among the noble dragons. They may want you to act as an intermediary. They trust you.”

  “They have an odd way of showing they trust me. They won’t come near me,” Stephano said grimly. “Dag and I are planning to return to the Cloud Hopper. Unless you need us.”

  “You can go,” said Miri. “I can take care of myself. Think about what I said.”

  Stephano did think about it. Miri was an expert in dragon lore. She knew dragons as well as any human. He came to the conclusion she might be right. He could devise no other explanation.

  He waved his arms at the dragons and
both he and Dag shouted at the top of their lungs, telling the dragons to stop, warning them not to come any closer to the ship. Viola was, as usual, in the lead, flanked by Verdi and Petard. The dragons slowed and broke formation. They flew in uneasy circles, keeping near the ship, but not threatening it.

  Seeing that the dragons were, for the moment, obeying his orders, Stephano and Dag arrived back on the Cloud Hopper to find Rodrigo had cocooned an irate Doctor Ellington in a dish towel, binding the towel around his legs and body so that only the cat’s head and baleful eyes peered out.

  “What are you doing with my cat?” Dag demanded.

  “You know he doesn’t like dragons,” said Rodrigo. “He took one look at them and began howling like a banshee and foaming at the mouth. I was afraid he was going to jump off the ship. He scratched me when I tried to pick him up, hence the dish towel. Here, you take him!”

  He handed the Doctor to Dag, who unwound the dish towel and hoisted the grateful cat to his shoulder, petting him soothingly all the while. The Doctor dug in his claws, hissed at Rodrigo, and settled down to glare at the dragons.

  “Sail the Hopper away from the Sommerwind, Gythe,” Stephano said. “Take the boat out as far as the towline will allow us.”

  The Cloud Hopper slowly drifted off. When the tow line grew taut, Gythe brought the boat to a stop, fearing the towline would snap. Stephano looked over his shoulder, back onto the deck of the merchantman. Gun crews were manning both the swivel guns and the cannons. The lieutenant wasn’t taking any chances.

  “He’s not going to let the dragons keep following us,” said Dag. “The crew is nervous enough without dragons trailing along behind the whole voyage.”

  “I’ve been thinking,” said Stephano. “I have an idea. I believe Miri is right. These dragons want to use us to reestablish communication with their kin. If so, what do we do with them? We can’t sail into Evreux with dragons in tow. King Alaric would probably have me arrested.”

  “What about sending them to the houses of the noble dragons? You still have friends among them.”

  Stephano shook his head. “These wild dragons were once part of the noble families. There was bad blood, heated arguments. Families split apart. Dragons have long memories and they haven’t forgiven their kin for leaving. They would not be pleased to have their wild and uncouth cousins suddenly land on their well-manicured lawns.”

  “So what are you going to do?” Dag asked.

  “I’m going to ask the dragons to take me with them. We’ll fly to the Abbey of Saint Agnes and I’ll introduce them to the dragon brothers, Hroal and Droal. They can help these three contact their kin.”

  “You’re leaving the Cloud Hopper?” Rodrigo asked, startled and dismayed. “Flying off on strange dragons? Leaving us with Miri the Mad Woman?”

  Stephano smiled and looked back at the dragons, who were still hovering some distance away. He did not know how long they would remain here, what sort of trouble they might cause.

  “Your plan makes sense, sir,” Dag said. “The abbey is in a remote location. No one goes there now, not after the Bottom Dwellers destroyed it. The perfect place for these three.”

  “Well, what do you think?” Stephano asked the others.

  Gythe looked out at the wild dragons and gave a tentative nod.

  “You want to know what I think?” Rodrigo said. “I think you are using the dragons to avoid having to talk to your mother, admit we failed in our mission. You’re going to make me go in your place.”

  “My mother likes you,” said Stephano.

  “Everyone at court likes me,” said Rodrigo. “That’s not the issue. Your mother undoubtedly thinks you are dead. She will be awash in grief—”

  “My mother has probably not even noticed I’ve been gone,” said Stephano.

  Rodrigo snorted and went on. “The countess will not be pleased to have me arrive with news that you are alive and off cavorting with dragons instead of meeting with her to let her know in person you are alive. She will want to discuss the very important mission she paid us well to undertake.”

  “Rigo’s right, Stephano,” said Dag unexpectedly. “You should go to your mother. I’ll fly to the abbey with the dragons.”

  Gythe and Rodrigo stared at Dag in astonishment. Stephano was surprised, but not as surprised as the other two. Stephano knew something they did not. Gythe was shaking her head violently. Pointing at Dag, she flashed signs with her hands.

  “Don’t let him! He has never ridden a dragon!”

  “Actually, he has,” Stephano said. “Though he wasn’t supposed to.”

  Dag grinned at the memory. “I’ve always wanted to fly again, sir. You know that.”

  “You haven’t been trained as a rider, Dag,” Stephano said. “And these dragons haven’t been trained to carry riders. The journey is a long one and you’d be riding without a harness or a saddle. The trip will be dangerous and uncomfortable—”

  “Not as uncomfortable as it has been for me around here, sir,” Dag said quietly.

  Stephano knew he was thinking of Miri, and he sympathized with his friend. And he had to admit Rodrigo was right. His mother would be angry and insulted if he did not rush immediately to see her after having been gone for over a month. Not that she cared all that much about him, but she would want to hear what news he could bring her about her enemy, Sir Henry Wallace.

  “Let me talk to the dragons,” he said at last.

  “I can go, sir?” Dag asked eagerly.

  “That depends on them,” said Stephano.

  He waved his arm to draw the dragons’ attention, though it was not really necessary, since the three had been staring straight at him. He motioned for them to fly closer. The dragons watched him and stayed where they were. Stephano motioned again, his gesture peremptory, and this time, the three dragons looked at one another. Finally, Viola flew slowly and warily nearer the Cloud Hopper.

  Down below them, from the deck of the Sommerwind, Stephano heard Leutnant Baumann give an order in Guundaran.

  “He’s telling his gunners to be ready,” said Dag.

  “Tell them not to shoot! The dragon’s coming to talk!” Stephano told Dag, who shouted down in Guundaran.

  When Viola was in hailing distance, the dragon slowed, hovering, her wings scarcely moving. She fixed a steadfast gaze on Stephano.

  He yelled across the Breath. “I know you can understand us. You proved that when you helped Miri rescue Gythe. I think you and the others are trying to reach Rosia to talk to your kin. If I’m right, give me a sign.”

  Viola gazed at Stephano and then slightly inclined her head.

  Stephano was pleased and relieved. “That’s good. That’s excellent! I have friends, dragons like yourselves. They live in a remote place. They might know your kin and could help you find them.”

  Viola raised her head, gazed down her nose. She was interested, and flew a little closer.

  “My friend Dag will fly with you, guide you.”

  Viola was alarmed. Her eyes widened, her foreclaws clenched. She appeared to give the matter thought, however. Her tongue flicked out from between her fangs. Her foreclaws unclenched, then clenched again. She twisted her head around to look at the others, then looked back at Stephano.

  “You want to talk this over,” said Stephano. “That is fine. Let Verdi and Petard know what I’ve said.”

  Viola gazed at Stephano for another few moments, then flew off to consult with the other two dragons. Stephano sighed. He was surprised to find he was shaking, sweating from the strain. He wiped his face and looked around at his friends, especially Gythe.

  “Well? What do you think?”

  Gythe was smiling. She touched Stephano on the chest. “You are right. They want to find their kin.”

  “Why now, I wonder?” Stephano asked. “After all this time…”

  “Maybe the arrival of the Bottom Dwellers,” Dag said. “The dragons want to find out who they are and where they come from.”

  “Viola
’s coming back,” Rodrigo reported. “They’re all three coming.”

  The three dragons flew together, heading toward the Cloud Hopper. On the Sommerwind, Leutnant Baumann was silent, watching and waiting. Stephano glanced at Dag, who looked nervous, tense. Perhaps he was having second thoughts. Stephano didn’t blame him. The prospect of riding an untrained dragon through the Breath without saddle or harness was daunting. The least mistake by either Dag or the dragon could send Dag falling to his death.

  The female dragon, Viola, flew closer. She looked pointedly at Dag and then inclined her head in a movement both gracious and graceful.

  “They’ve agreed!” said Stephano.

  Dag drew in a deep breath. “Good, sir. Now what?”

  “Put on your cuirass and your helmet. You’ll need protection from the wind. Take as many loaded pistols as you can carry. Impossible to reload on dragon back if you don’t have a saddle or harness. We’ll have to plan a route. Gythe, fetch Miri’s navigational charts.”

  As Dag went below to get ready, Gythe reached down for the map that was kept in a chest beneath the helm. She drew it out, then slugged Stephano in the arm with her fist.

  “What was that for?” he asked.

  “Miri,” said Gythe, making the sign for her sister. “She’s going to be furious that you didn’t consult her.”

  “I know she will,” said Stephano. “And I’m sorry for that. I’m afraid if we delay, the dragons will change their minds or the lieutenant will shoot them. I’m making the best of a bad situation. I hope she’ll understand.”

  Gythe raised her eyebrows.

  Stephano gave a wry smile. “All right. I hope she doesn’t crack my skull open.”

  Gythe shook her head and they both bent over the chart to determine the best route.

  Dag returned, outfitted in his cuirass and a heavy coat and wearing his helm. He had made up a bedroll and armed himself with four pistols.

  He bid farewell to the suspicious Doctor, who sensed something bad was in the offing. The cat dug his claws into Dag’s coat and refused to be coaxed off. Rodrigo had to pry loose the angry cat from Dag’s shoulder. Holding the spitting and snarling cat by the scruff of his neck, Rodrigo carried the Doctor back belowdecks to the storage closet.