Dragons and Destiny

by Candy Rae

  “Put your feet in the stirrups,” instructed Niaill.

  Elliot did that, finding out in the process, he hadn’t noticed before that they were made not of metal but of hardened leather.

  “Now,” continued Niaill, “as you can see, both harness and saddle are designed to fit on to the Lind exactly, the saddles are soft and unlike what you will be used to. There is nothing in these saddles that will affect Radya moving.”

  “The saddle’s little more than a pad,” observed Derek.

  “Almost like riding bare-backed,” added James.

  “Exactly,” grinned Niaill, “and because of this, believe me, falling off is easy as Radya’s Alun told me earlier.”

  Radya chuckled, her teeth showing very white and sharp.

  “So,” Niall continued to explain, “we strap ourselves on, here, across the middle of each thigh and another thicker strap across. The thigh straps keep our upper legs in place and the thick one helps keep us in the saddle.”

  He then proceeded to strap Elliot on.

  “In a fight of course,” he added as he pulled the last buckle tight, “we add more. We wear a belt round our middles with extra straps, giving us extra security. We can’t fall off, no matter what positions our Lind get into, they can turn left, right, jump and stand on their back paws all at once and we stay right on.”

  “Means as well,” noted Philip who had been watching with great interest, “that if one strap is cut by an enemy the others’ll still keep you in the saddle.”

  Niaill bestowed on Philip an approving glance.

  “Precisely. Derek and Tala are going to wear the waist-belt. We need you to get used to it so that when you reach the south it won’t seem strange.”

  Philip nodded, “seems a sensible plan.”

  Niaill looked up at Elliot, “now young man,” he said, “un-strap yourself and jump down. Everyone else go to your Lind, examine the harness so you understand what goes where then mount and strap yourselves on. Danal and I will come round and inspect. Remember that all but Radya here are not Vada, the harness is as strange to them as it is to you.”

  It took over a bell until Danal and Niaill pronounced themselves satisfied and each and every Lind pronounced themselves comfortable.

  All six tyros who were sitting atop a Lind for the first time found the situation strange and awkward. Elliot sat on Radya and gazed with envy at the three who were going on the mission to find the power-core. They looked to be sitting far more securely than he, Robain and James were because he and they didn’t have the waist-belt and he mentioned this to Danal who was inspecting him and Radya.

  “Couldn’t find enough to go round,” explained Danal as he checked the straps, “otherwise we’d have given you three them too. You’ll manage Elliot, don’t panic.”

  “What do I do with my hands?” whispered Elliot, used to controlling his mount with reins.

  “Whatever you like,” replied Danal. “Trust Radya and get used to the idea that you’re a passenger.”

  “Wrap your hands into the long hairs on my shoulders,” Radya advised, turning her head round.

  “She’s talking sense,” agreed Danal. “I did that at first and remember; unlike with Asya and me, you and Radya have no mind-link. She’ll warn you aloud, if she has the chance before any sudden moves but be prepared.”

  “I’ll try,” answered Elliot sotto-voice and with a grin of encouragement Danal turned and walked away to inspect James and Sernei.

  At last Danal said that were ready and mounting Asya (Elliot noted that he fixed his straps at least three times faster than he had done) indicated that they should start. At a walk, he and Asya led the way out of the gate and on to the track that snaked through the surrounding trees.

  This isn’t too bad, thought Elliot as he acknowledged Tala and Inalei who had taken up a position beside him and Radya. Danal kept them to a walk for a while to let those new to riding alindback get used to the sensation then began to pick up the pace.

  The Lind began to stretch their bodies with each paw step and Elliot began to feel the wind in his face as they ran ever faster. It wasn’t like riding a horse, it was far smoother, quieter and he could hardly hear Radya’s paws hit the ground. It was like travelling as a part of the wind, not with it.

  Elliot let out his breath with an explosive shout of undiluted pleasure. He was flying over the ground. He hardly saw the surrounding countryside as he and Radya ran. Trees and house whipped by, leaving only blurred images.

  “This is magic.” he shouted at Tala who laughed and gave him the thumbs up.

  They took a short break beside a stream about three bells after they had set out. The thirsty Lind lapped at the fresh water and accepted some trail-meat.

  Danal and Niaill checked the harnesses and made some small adjustments, packing in some felt where the leather was rubbing. Elliot and the others were taught how to do this and were also told they would have to clean the leather each night to remove any sweat and oil it to keep it supple.

  Mounting Radya after the break Elliot found that the straps were easier to attach this time round and Radya complimented him about his burgeoning expertise.

  Elliot was having the time of his life.

  Even when they reached the Supply Station that evening and his legs buckled under him as he dismounted Elliot was still on a high. He wished that Vada was eighteen days ride away rather than eight. As he groomed Radya the thoughts that had come to him in the Inner Sanctum at Vada all those months ago came back. He would have liked to have been born a northerner with the chance to become vadeln-paired like Niaill and Taraya or Danal and Asya instead of having been born a prince. Perhaps then too he and Zilla might have had the chance of a future together.

  Lying in his sleep-bag, trying to ignore the aches and pains of his protesting muscles, hands behind his head on the pillow he gazed at the ceiling and wondered what Zilla was doing at that moment.

  As he drifted off to sleep he could see her in his mind’s eye, a forlorn little figure watching from the yard as he rode away from the inn that morning. He had tried to forget her, tried and failed miserably.

  I’ll never see her again. Her future is here, in Argyll, mine is at home, in Murdoch.

  * * * * *

  Zilla

  In her lonely room, Zilla was awake. She lay staring at the rafters of her attic bedroom, her thoughts full of memories of a young, handsome, southern lad who had ridden down the hill one afternoon and stolen her heart.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 12

  AL608 - First Month of Summer (Dunrhed)

  The Lai

  Haru, Chizu and Malaku lifted their heads in greeting at the approach of Vanlya, Gtrathlin of the Lind. Vanlya lowered her head in respect, a gesture the Lai were quick to copy. It had taken days for the Lai to stop each and every Lind they came into contact with from grovelling in front of them. For generations the Lind had revered the memory of the Lai and it was difficult to change attitudes all at once. Haru had done his best to stop at least the outward shows of obsequiousness.

  “Word has come from the Susyc,” Vanlya informed them. “The Lindars are on their way. Some of them are taking a route that will permit them to pass through here to pay their respects.”

  “They would not normally pass through?” Malaku inquired. He was the biggest of the three Lai at present resident in the domta of rtath Sindya and was of a dull golden colour unlike Chizu and Haru whose hides tended towards more coppery hues.

  “Not on their way to Settlement,” Vanlya assured him in an irritated voice. “It is you they desire to see, so be prepared. Rtath Ilyei’s Lindar will arrive when the sun begins to die and Rtath Sachei’s Lindar a short while later.”

  “Tell their Susas that we await their arrival with impatience,” said the ever diplomatic Chizu.

  “They must eat and rest with us, under the trees,” agreed Haru.

  “I will convey the message,” said Vanlya. “Now I must go and prepare, I have ordere
d more meat brought in.”

  “We Lai do eat rather a lot,” said an apologetic Haru, “and we cannot go out to hunt for ourselves.”

  Vanlya stamped her paw, “it is our honour and privilege to provide.”

  “Have you any other news?” asked Chizu.

  “The Largan has called the kohorts.”

  “The Largan has been seduced by the false promises of the Dglai. We are sad that this has happened,” said Haru.

  “You couldn’t have prevented it,” said Vanlya, trying to give comfort. “The Larg will believe anything that will help them destroy us Lind. They hate us. I have never understood why.”

  “When the earthquakes and the tsunamis came,” explained Haru, “so long ago that even we Lai cannot remember exactly when, the two continents were sundered and great was loss in lives.”

  “Our traditions speak of this,” said Vanlya.

  “Before then, there were no Lind and Larg, only Lind. There were differences between the different rtaths, that was already evident and you were smaller than you are today, when the forests were everywhere. When the water receded the forests were no more in the south and in other areas too. Separated from each other by the water you all adapted. The Lind went to the areas on this continent where the forests remained, those who are now Larg went to the south of their continent, to where the green is.”

  “But why do they hate us so?”

  “It is, I believe, because they live in the south where it is harsher, it is much harder to survive. Here, your continent recovered, there, much did not. A dry summer for you means hot and sunny days and perhaps less water in the streams and rivers. You Lind do not worry about this. Winter will come with the rains and replenish all. A dry summer for Larg means starvation and the certainty of thirst. No water means no grass will grow and the meat-herds die. If there is no meat Larg die too. Our ancestors did not help, deciding to stay apart from you all. They did not wish to interfere.”

  “Now that decision comes back to haunt you,” said Vanlya, “but you cannot wish away what has happened. ‘Might have beens’ are for those with no courage and imagination. You are the future, our future, Lind, humans and quite possibly when this is over the Larg too. Now, where were we?”

  A subdued Haru answered, “you were telling me about the Lindars. I was wondering how the Guildmaster is getting on with the print-outs.”

  “Not very fast,” admitted Vanlya. “They are reporting to the Susalai and to me. They do not understand much of it. Guildmaster Annert is worried.”

  Haru thought for a moment. “We were afraid this would happen. So much learning has been lost and much of the fault is to us.”

  “He will not give up,” insisted Vanlya. “He calls it ‘a rapid learning curve’ although I know not what that means. He is confident he and those helping him will get the answers you need. He is worried that it will not be soon enough.”

  “There is time,” said Haru.

  * * * * *

  The Prince-Duke

  Prince-Duke Xavier of the Duchy of South Baker lay naked on his rumpled bed. He had been drinking, not enough to become comatose, not enough to have drink inhibit his enjoyment of the two young slave girls who slumbered by his side but drunk enough to make him forget the most recent of his disappointments.

  He pondered the situation then started making more plans.

  It would be done, must be done if his ambitions were to be fulfilled.

  How could all three attempts have failed? The poison in the supper dishes should have been foolproof. The three girls should be dead. If Internal Security find out it was me I’ll be mounting the scaffold steps before the month is out, blood-royal or not.

  The royal family might condone many actions performed by its members but murder of a direct heir to the throne was not one of them.

  Prince-Duke Xavier lay back on his pillows, hands behind his head. The King was sick of the wasting cough. He would soon be dead and Xavier was determined to be his successor. He would leave the princesses alone for a while - it was his brother Paul and his nephew Elliot who were the real impediments.

  Paul will recall Elliot. That will be the time to strike. Elliot first, there are outlaws and bandits aplenty up in the forests in the northernmost duchies or I can send a band of my own men to waylay Elliot on his way here. When I am King I can even hunt out the ‘bandits’. That would be a nice touch.

  Yes, that was a good idea.

  Paul now, I might even deal with him myself.

  Xavier pictured himself ascending the throne, felt the crown being placed on his head. In his daydream he looked out from the throne-dais, saw the courtiers bowing and curtseying. He could almost feel the adulation and the cheers.

  This time I will not fail.

  * * * * *

  Niaill, Danal, Tala and Julia

  “Right,” said Julia. “First things first, the map. Don’t know how useful it will be.”

  “Which one is it?” asked Philip and Julia pointed at the wall of her office where it was attached. There was a general stampede in that direction as everyone went to take a look.

  “It’s a wonder it is still readable after all this time,” marvelled Philip after lamps had been brought to lighten the dark corner. “Some of the colours look as if they were painted on yesterday.”

  “Especially the greens and the blues,” said Danal, tracing out the coastline of the southern continent. “Here’s the Island Chain and here’s Settlement, the words are faint but you can make out enough of the letters to decipher it.”

  “It’s not here we need to look,” said Niaill, “but there, in the area we know the Electra must have landed.”

  “Here’s Fort,” said Philip. “It’s the only place named on our continent except for these villages along the coast.”

  “They would be considered the more important,” surmised Danal. “Here is where Castle Duchesne is now and Port Duchesne beside it. I can make them out although the letters are blurred. That’s good. It gives us an idea of the scale of the map. How many miles from port to castle Philip?”

  “No more than five,” Philip pronounced. “Anyone got a ruler?”

  Julia rummaged in her desk drawer and produced one which she handed to Philip.

  “Five miles is a fifth of an inch,” he pronounced, measuring. “One inch to twenty-five miles give or take. This is really a beautiful piece of work.”

  “Can you make out the gridlines Niaill mentioned?” asked Danal.

  “They’re very faint.”

  “Any numbers on them?”

  “Not on them, look round the edges of the map though, that could be them. My eyesight’s not what it was. Derek, come closer and take a look.”

  “The numbers are very small and they’ve faded over the years,” observed Derek. “I think that number is a seven but it might be a nine, I can’t tell.”

  The faces of everyone grew despondent.

  “But the map wasn’t in existence when Peter Howard buried the core,” said Tala. She was the logical one, technically trained and used to working things out. “It can’t have been. Fort is on it and Castle Duchesne and the earliest of the towns and villages in the north, stands to reason. The people who made the map weren’t in the south at the very beginning when Peter Howard took the power-core into the desert.”

  “She’s right,” said Danal, regarding her with approval.

  “So it can’t help us with the gridref,” said Niaill with a sigh of disappointment.

  “Not directly,” said Tala, thinking rapidly, “but it might help if we can assume that both used the same scales and measurements. When do we think this was made?”

  “In Susa Tina and Daltei’s time,” Julia answered. “That would have been, let me see, only some thirty or so years after we came here.”

  “It is probable they were still using the same scale,” said Tala with satisfaction.

  “In that case?” prompted Danal.

  “In that case, each little box represents
twenty-five miles or so, eureka, I’ve got it, it’s like geometry, plotting points on an x and a y axis.”

  “Do you know what she’s talking about?” asked Niall in an aside to his brother.

  “Not in the least,” Danal answered with a grin, “but it looks like she knows what she’s doing. I vote we let her carry on.”

  “Now,” Tala said, with a withering glance in Danal’s direction, “if the x-axis is east to west and the y-axis north to south, it is easy to find out where the gridref is as long as we have point zero.”

  “Point zero?” queried Danal.

  “Yes, point zero.”

  “But we don’t know where point zero is.”

  “Oh, I think we do,” Tala continued. “Peter Howard set out from the Electra right? I believe we must assume that is point zero. What was the gridref again?

  “9649E 2713S,” Niall supplied the information in a helpful voice, looking in his notebook.

  “Then,” announced Tala in triumph, doing some rapid mental calculations in her head, “the place we are looking for is in this area here.” She pointed.

  “Further east than I expected,” said Niaill.

  “It’s only the general area of course,” continued Tala. “I still think our best bet is to try and find the Electra and take it from there but at least we know the general direction we have to take. So, when do we leave?”

  “Captain Rand will take you tomorrow,” said Julia, “so if you want to say goodbye to your sister, you’d better trot along to see her now. You’ll find her in the barracks at this bell. Alyei will take you.”

  Tala’s face brightened and she was gone almost before Julia had finished talking, the paws of Alyei scrabbling on the floor as he made haste to follow her.