The Blue Flame [Book 1 of the Daradawn Series]

by Barbara M. Hodges

  Regan stopped, but kept her back to them.

  "Ben, you will lead, then Regan. I will take the rear. Follow the path. Angus will wait for us on the other side of the mountain's crag."

  Regan stepped to the side to let Ben pass, then followed him.

  Why did Peter bring out her worst behavior? She wasn't a childish, argumentative brat. She sighed. Ben was right. Peter wasn't Jack, and this wasn't San Francisco, but it was going to be hard to trust again.

  * * * *

  An hour or so later, there was still no sign of Angus and Zax. The trail had narrowed so the horses’ sides brushed the mountain's rough granite walls. Regan kept her gaze on her feet. The tall grass hid rocks that had a way of reaching out and grabbing her toes. She hadn't seen any firebushes, but God only knew what other nasty surprises this world had in store.

  She rounded another crag, then stopped, her mouth dropping open in wonder. With wide eyes she gazed across an enormous valley. Forest, broken up by fields dotted with Tika flowers, stretched as far as she could see. A silver ribbon of a river wound its way through the valley floor and disappeared between two large peaks.

  "This is the Valley of the Unicorns,” Peter said. “It was the first place Dirkk turned the Ru'taha loose."

  Regan blotted sweat from her forehead with her shirtsleeve. “A unicorn. Do you think we'll see one?"

  "Perhaps."

  She laughed shortly. “Who am I kidding? I was married. No unicorn's going to approach me."

  Peter looked at her questioningly, then smiled in sudden understanding. “A myth,” he chuckled. “Unicorns respond to purity of spirit, not body."

  "So I have a chance?"

  "Yes, and Ben, too."

  "Ben? Another myth bites the dust."

  Peter pointed to the east. “Do you see that peak to your left?"

  Regan's gaze followed his pointing finger and she nodded.

  "Between there and the Queen's river is where Kelsey and Queen Tessa's troops wait."

  "It doesn't look that far. Why don't we just ride straight there and forget the cavern?"

  "Because between us and them are about five thousand Ru'taha, and twice as many Black Vipers."

  "Fifteen thousand? How can Kelsey hold off that many?"

  "She has Rourk with her, and two thousand of the queen's troops."

  "Two thousand against fifteen..."

  "She has done it before."

  Regan shook her head. “I find it so hard to believe. Kelsey the commander of an army?” She lifted her hand to shade her eyes and looked in the direction of Kelsey's camp. “What are we standing here for? My sister needs me."

  "We still have to pass Zara's lair,” Peter reminded her.

  The hair on Regan's arms rose and in her mind she saw the huge, golden form curled in a ball, her scaled sides gently rising and falling. “We've nothing to worry about. Zara is asleep."

  Peter and Ben both turned and stared at her.

  "How do you know that?” Peter asked.

  She gazed at the path that led down the mountain. “I just do. She's sitting on some eggs, you know, three of them."

  Peter looked at Regan thoughtfully, then nodded. “You have mind-linked with Zara."

  "I've what?"

  "When you touched her, you mind-linked with her. That is why you know her thoughts."

  "That's crazy! I don't know yours or Ben's and I've touched both of you."

  "Ben has no power and mine is minimal compared to Zara's.” Peter paused. “I wonder how far the connection reaches and if Zara will respond to your thoughts?"

  "She can feel mine?"

  "Mind links are usually both ways."

  "Have you ever felt one?"

  "No."

  "Then how do you know?” she asked.

  "I was told.” His eyes took on a distant look again.

  "Mind-linking. Does it happen a lot here?"

  "It is rare. Thea was the only one to ever mind-link with a dragon."

  "Who was Thea?"

  "It is a long story, best left for another time."

  Regan nodded. “Back at the cave you said Zax talked to Angus. Is mind-linking what you meant?"

  "Yes, Angus feels the magic with horses,” Peter said.

  "Then there are two of us in such a small group?"

  He nodded. “We have been twice blessed, but Dirkk must not find out of your ability."

  "What would he do?"

  "He would either use your power or destroy it, but enough of this. You are sure Zara sleeps?"

  Regan closed her eyes, then opened them wide. “No, she's awake,” she said, then grinned. “But she's too busy to mess with us. Her first egg is hatching."

  Ben and Peter grinned too. Maggie nuzzled her hand and Regan absently stroked her head. “I can't believe I was scared of her,” Regan continued. “She's really quite gentle.” The smile faded from her face.

  "What's wrong?” Ben asked.

  "She says she would never eat me, and that I should know better. Besides, I am too small."

  "Zara says?” Peter asked.

  Regan nodded. “But why should I know better?"

  "Who knows a dragon's reasoning? Assure her we mean no harm,” Peter said.

  "She doesn't fear us, but the horses look tasty.” Regan grinned mischievously.

  Peter reached up to stroke Skylar's nose, trying unsuccessfully to hide a grin of his own. “We should move before she changes her mind."

  "She wishes us a speedy journey,” Regan said.

  Peter swung up onto Skylar's back and reached a hand down to Regan. “Come, we no longer have a reason to walk."

  "What about Maggie? She can't keep up with horses,” Regan said.

  "I almost forgot,” Peter said. Maggie looked up at him, her brown eyes reproachful.

  "I am sorry, little one,” Peter apologized, reaching down to pet the dog, “but a lot has happened. Angus thought of you, though. He gave Ben his spare backpack. All we have to do is get you into it."

  Peter held the knapsack open. Ben patted Maggie's head and gave reassurances, then picked her up and placed her, back feet first, into the brown knapsack. Peter, with Regan's help, lifted the bagged dog and guided Ben's arms through the wide straps.

  The drawstring top ended just under Maggie's front legs. After they had her strapped onto Ben's back, she placed her front paws on top of his shoulders and laid her head against his neck.

  "Now that's not too bad is it?” Regan asked, scratching behind Maggie's ear.

  She balanced Maggie while Ben placed his foot into Gilda's stirrup.

  "Ready, everyone?” Ben asked, then pulled himself upward. Halfway up, his thigh began to tremble. Regan looked for a way to help, then shrugged, placed both palms against Ben's backside and pushed. Maggie tilted forward over Ben's head and let out a frightened yip. Peter leaped, grabbed the back of the backpack, and held on until Ben righted himself in the saddle. Ben reached a hand over his shoulder and patted Maggie on the head. She responded with a lick to his ear.

  "Did you see that?” Ben said. “Gilda didn't move a muscle. She's a great horse. Well, we're ready. How about the two of you?"

  Peter mounted Skylar and reached a hand down to Regan. She grasped it and swung up into the saddle behind him. “Put your arms around my waist,” he said. “It will make it more comfortable for both of us."

  Regan hugged him around the middle and laced her fingers in front. Peter nudged Skylar in the ribs with his heel and the stallion started down the path at an easy pace.

  Regan hadn't ridden in years, but easily fell back into the swaying motion of the saddle. She glanced back over her shoulder and laughed. Ben looked like he'd been born in a saddle, but Maggie was a sight to see, her front paws draped over Ben's shoulders, her black nose sniffing the air.

  "Why are you laughing?” Peter asked.

  "It's Maggie. She was born to ride."

  The path curved right and headed downward at a sharp angle. The warm sun and the rhythm
ic motion of the horse soothed, and slowly Regan's eyes closed and her head drooped forward until her cheek rested against Peter's spine.

  * * * *

  A hand shook her shoulder. Regan opened her eyes to the nude figure of Kelsey sitting beside her on a gray rock. “Oh, hi, sis,” she mumbled, then bolted straight up to a sitting position. She looked around. They sat in a wide grassy valley.

  "You're sure taking your time to rescue me,” her sister said.

  "Kelsey? But how...? I don't understand."

  "Don't look at me,” Kelsey said. “It's your dream-calling, not mine."

  "Aren't you cold?"

  "How about you?"

  Regan glanced down, and saw that she was naked as well. She felt her face heat. “My God."

  "Relax. I'm sure you're still dressed in the waking world and, by the way, just where are you?"

  "We're riding down the Mountain of the Devil to some cavern that Angus knows about."

  "Murkel cavern. Yes, I know it,” said Kelsey, “but when you wake up suggest Vilsathor instead."

  Kelsey wavered before Regan's eyes. “You're fading on me. What's Vilsathor?"

  "Peter knows.” Kelsey faded again, then returned. “I must make this quick. Dirkk has sent more Ru'taha. It's as if he knows you're coming and why. We can hold them off for another day, but after that..."

  "We'll be there soon."

  "Hurry, Regan.” Kelsey's voice faded completely. Then a hand was on her arm and Ben's voice spoke into her ear. “Regan. Regan, wake up. We're here."

  Regan opened her eyes and stared into a round dark hole in the side of the mountain. Her cheek rested against something hard and warm. A horse snorted. She remembered where she was and, with a quick glance down at her body, straightened. Sighing with relief, she slid into Ben's outstretched arms. “I saw Kelsey."

  Peter twisted in Skylar's saddle and looked down at her. “You saw Kelsey?"

  "Yes. She said it was a dream-calling. It was..."

  Peter cut her off. “What did she say?"

  "Dirkk has sent more Ru'taha. She said it's as if he knew we were coming..."

  "Can they hold out?"

  Regan glanced at him in irritation. “One more day and..."

  "Damnation! How could he have known?"

  "It's my fault."

  "What?"

  "We're taking so long to get to them,” Regan said.

  "It is Dirkk's fault, no one else's."

  Regan avoided Peter's eyes and examined the dark hole that led into the mountainside. “So where's Angus?” she asked.

  "Here.” Angus stepped from inside the black hole.

  "Angus, it's good to see you. I was afraid you'd had trouble with Zara."

  "We have no time for this.” Peter interrupted, then turned to Angus. “Did you hear?"

  Angus nodded. “It is the cavern then. We have no choice."

  "Wait,” Regan said. “Kelsey said Vilsathor."

  Peter and Angus exchanged a quick glance. “She must have spoken to Margeaux,” Peter said. “We will go through Vilsathor."

  Angus glanced at Regan. “What about Darrian?"

  "We will avoid him.” Peter reached his hand down for Regan.

  Chapter 11

  THE GROUND LEVELED and they rode into a forest. In minutes the path disappeared beneath thick trailing vines that spread before them like an emerald ocean. Beneath the trees not one limb swayed or leaf rustled. It was as if the wind held its breath. Regan leaned forward and whispered into Peter's ear. “Is this Vilsathor?"

  "Why are you whispering?” he asked.

  "I don't know. It just seemed right.” She waited a minute or two for Peter's response and, when none came, she leaned forward again. “So are you going to tell me what Vilsathor is?"

  Peter did not turn or in any way acknowledge her question. She frowned and counted slowly to ten and then took a deep breath.

  "So what is it? A big secret?” The silence stretched on. Finally, she jabbed him between his shoulder blades with her index finger. “Are you going to answer me or not?"

  Peter turned to look at her, right eyebrow cocked in surprise. Regan looked him squarely in the eyes.

  "Not a secret, but people tend to avoid it,” he said.

  Regan smirked. “Why? Is it haunted or something?"

  "Not all of it.” He turned his back on her again. She stared at the broad expanse of his back, then she heard a soft laugh and leaned forward. If he's making fun of me...

  "Vilsathor is elven land. Prince Darrian and his archers jealously patrol its borders."

  "Darrian? Kelsey's Darrian?"

  "The same,” Peter said. “If we are lucky and quick we will not see...” He stopped in mid-sentence and turned away from her.

  "What's going on?” She stretched to look over his head.

  Angus had halted Zax and now turned back to them. “We're being watched."

  From the trees to the side of the dwarf, a tall form emerged. The elf walked toward Zax and stopped inches from the gelding's muzzle. Strapped across his back was a long bow. A quiver of arrows, within easy reach, rode his right shoulder. The elf lifted a hand and from all around figures melted from the shadows beneath the trees. Soon silent, staring forms ringed them. There were women as well as men and all wore green clothing, some with jaunty caps a la Robin Hood.

  The man who stood in front of Angus silently motioned, then turned, and walked into the trees. Over Peter's shoulder Regan saw Angus stiffen.

  If he was a cat, she decided, his ears would be laid back and his tail twitching.

  Peter kneed Skylar up beside Zax. “Follow."

  Angus, stony-faced, hesitated and Regan saw the elves inch in closer.

  "Now is not the time,” Peter said.

  The dwarf mumbled under his breath, then bent over Zax's neck and whispered in the gelding's ear. The horse started forward.

  On the other side of the curtain of trees an open field spread before them. The tall elf waited just inside the clearing. He strode to Peter.

  "You may dismount, but you will wait here,” he said in a high, singsong voice.

  Peter nodded and slid from Skylar's back. The rest of them followed his lead. Angus removed the backpack from Ben's back and released Maggie. The basset hound stalked, stiff-legged, to the nearest elf. The woman glanced down at the dog, then across to the tall elf. He nodded and she knelt and offered Maggie her hand. Maggie sniffed the woman's hand, and then wagged her tail.

  Well, they couldn't be all that bad, not if Maggie liked this one. Regan started to say so to Peter, but he was looking behind her and she saw his jaw clench. She turned, and her gaze rose upwards over a sea-green shirt and shimmering silver vest to a pale face and marine-blue eyes.

  "Darrian, how nice it is for you to provide us with an escort,” Peter said.

  The elf assessed Regan boldly with almond-shaped eyes before he answered. “We patrolled close by, Mage. Who is this?"

  "Regan, Kelsey's sister."

  "She has the same look.” The elf made her a sweeping bow. “I am Darrian Silverthorne, at your service, Lady Regan."

  Regan reached up and smoothed damp hair away from her forehead. “Thank you.” The elven prince's gaze followed the movement of her hand. She felt her cheeks warm as she lowered it.

  "May I offer you something cool to drink?” he asked.

  "That would be wonderful."

  "Come, I have a blanket in the shade.” He held his hand out to her. She hesitated, glancing at Peter. Peter held her gaze for a moment, then shrugged and looked away. Regan laid her hand in Darrian's.

  "Regan, we cannot stay too long. Kelsey waits.” Peter said.

  Darrian's full lips tightened, then he smiled again. “Surely she has time for a drink—all of you, of course."

  "One drink.” Peter was unbending.

  Darrian turned his back on the mage and pulled Regan toward a green-woven blanket. She dropped onto its softness, then accepted a silver-edged cup from a hovering elf
.

  The elven prince leaned close. “It's Silverthorne wine. It will warm and relax you."

  Regan sipped from the cup, swallowed, and felt liquid velvet run down her throat. As warmth spread through her stomach, she smiled.

  Darrian reached forward and, before she could pull back, brushed a wisp of hair from her cheek with his fingertips. “You're even more beautiful than Kelsey. You must let me show you my kingdom."

  "When Dirkk is no more we will have time for social calls,” Peter said from behind her.

  "Dirkk?” Darrian glanced up and laughed. “He fears us. His Ru'taha and vipers flee at our sight. For sport we must go further and further from Vilsathor to hunt them. We have slain at least a hundred."

  "For the hundred you slay, two hundred take their place. All stolen from the villages of man and dwarf."

  Darrian shrugged his shoulders. “So you say.” He reached across and grasped Regan's hand. “Say you will come to see my land?"

  "I don't know if I'll have the time..."

  His hand tightened around hers. “No, I have just found you. Don't talk of leaving me."

  "Regan, finish your wine,” Peter said. “We must be off."

  Darrian glared at Peter. “There is plenty of time. I will have my archers show you a shorter way through the forest."

  Peter bowed from the waist in a perfect imitation of the bow Darrian had given Regan. “We accept your kind offer, but still we must leave, now. Kelsey and Rourk need our help."

  The elf's grip on her hand tightened and Regan winced. “Rourk. How is Kelsey's ah ... farmer?” Darrian sneered the last word.

  "When last I saw him he was fine, and very happy."

  Angus tramped toward them, with Maggie at his heels.

  "By-the-bark-of-the-Holy-Tree, what manner of beast is that?” the elven prince said, backing away from the tail-wagging hound.

  Regan frowned, pulled her hand from Darrian's, and wrapped her arms around Maggie's neck. She leaned over and kissed the top of the basset hound's head. “This is Maggie."

  "Ugly dwarfish thing, isn't it?"

  Regan hugged Maggie close for a moment. “Not in the least,” she said, drawing away from the elf.

  Angus accepted a cup of wine and swallowed it in one long draught. He wiped his mouth with an offered napkin, then said. “Is Margeaux around?"