“It will be,” Master Doronal said. “But we have not formalized the rules as of yet.”
“We just need to explain how to handle applicants,” Master Canneth said. “We’ll keep the instructions in line with how it will work eventually.”
Lord Baronel nodded. “Good. You two need to keep on top of this. While we do need enough members to satisfy requirements, there is no need to have open invitations at this point.”
He looked to Master Canneth. “What of Nenet’s egg? Do we know the sex of the dragon?”
“No.” He shrugged. “It’s too young, as of yet, for either dragon to determine.”
“Gods be good it’s male. I could use some good news.”
Master Doronal glanced at Lord Baronel. Yes, they needed a male. It would be best if they could provide their own dragons instead of having to find them.
The man’s last words finally impressed themselves on him. “What do you mean, good news?”
Lord Baronel sat back in his chair. “From what I hear, the Animal Craft Guild may vote against us.”
“What?” Master Canneth nearly stood.
“If either of you know of anyone with influence there, now would be an excellent time to contact them.” Lord Baronel frowned. “The person or persons working against us must have someone in a high position. I don’t see why else the Animal Craft Guild would be so against us, so quickly. And that’s not all.” He looked at Master Doronal. “This morning I received a ‘writer message from your mother.”
“My mother? What did she have to say?”
“Our applications have had an additional requirement added to them. Owing to the nature of the businesses, the Bureau is requiring us to have at least four dragons at the approval meeting.”
“Four? That’s preposterous!” Master Doronal slammed his hand on the table. “Why would they put such a requirement on the applications?”
“The businesses are dragon-focused,” Master Canneth said. “So I can understand the reasoning. Even so, this smacks of further interference.”
Lord Baronel nodded. “As it does to me.” He turned to Master Doronal. “How go your efforts?”
“Millinith should arrive soon, and my other, ah, efforts are proceeding quite well. Especially with all this grim news from Delcimaar, it is good we’ve kept most aspects of dragons to ourselves. This other approach should remain unexpected.”
“Good. Your mother also informed me that the petition to Investigation Craft has been submitted, so, barring more interference, that should take care of our secondary.”
Master Doronal nodded. He’d spent some time trying to think of other craft affiliations that could be made. There were a few weak affiliations he’d come up with, but he wasn’t sure any of them would pass muster at the approval meeting.
If all went well, his plans for a primary would remain undiscovered, and the Investigation Craft Guild would approve their petition as secondary, rendering his worries moot. Still, he’d like to reverse their fortunes with the Animal Craft Guild.
“What about you, Canneth? Do you have connections with anyone high in your guild? I’d like to have another craft at the ready, just in case.”
“I have some friends and acquaintances at the Guildhall, but they are not in positions of authority. I will see what they can do, however. Perhaps one of them has some influence.”
Master Doronal nodded. It didn’t sound promising, but at this point, he’d take anything. Their opposition had a disconcerting habit of keeping pace with their efforts.
+ + + + +
I hope the little one feels better today.
The rushing air made whips of the longer locks poking out from under Aeron’s riding cap, making him glad of the goggles. He needed a haircut, and soon. Still, even with the occasional lash to his face, it was good to be flying with Anaya and Willem.
Me too. I wouldn’t wish what she went through on my worst enemy.
The sad little moans Xochi made had been wrenching. She wasn’t even Aeron’s bond-mate, and they’d still twisted his heart. How much worse had it been for Renata?
He gripped one of Willem’s gloved hands and squeezed. The blond boy’s hands, resting on either side of Aeron’s waist, returned the gesture with a quick squeeze of their own.
Willem yelled over the wind, “Thinking about Xochi?”
Aeron nodded, turning his head slightly. “Yeah!”
There was movement. Arms wrapped around him, held him, and something brushed his ear. A glance revealed the back of Willem’s head. Cheek resting on Aeron’s shoulder, the blond boy was facing away.
He said something, then, but Aeron couldn’t hear it. The vibration from Willem’s chest pressed against his back had been the only clue. It didn’t matter what the words had been, though. Willem was with him and Anaya was with him. That’s all that mattered. He leaned back into the embrace as the rising sun shone in their faces.
“Good morning!” Aeron said as they dismounted.
“Morning!” Willem smiled as he helped unpack the saddlebags. He pulled out a backpack while Aeron worked at getting the other one.
“Morning.” Gregor seemed to have slept well. He sat at the fire, tending it.
Jessip was making up a bedroll. “Hey.” His hair was smashed a bit on one side.
“Good morning.” Renata sat next to Xochi.
The little dragon, who Aeron now saw was a very pretty shade of red, dark and bold, let out a happy chirp of greeting.
Aeron smiled at her. I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.
We all are, little one. Anaya let out her own happy bark.
All heads turned to them. Gregor’s brows were raised, Jessip stared, mouth slightly open, and Willem chuckled.
T–Thank you. Xochi ducked her head at Anaya and turned to her bond-mate.
“I don’t think I will ever get used to hearing a voice in my head,” Gregor murmured.
Renata patted the little dragon on the neck and looked at Aeron. Her eyes were no longer red and puffy, and she seemed . . . happier. Smiling, she said, “I’m glad she is better, too. We have all of you to thank for that.”
“Don’t be silly,” Willem said. He carried his backpack over to the fire. “She would have been fine without our help. All she needed was some water and rest.”
“You may make light of it, if you wish,” Renata said, “but I was in no condition to help her. I panicked and was out of my mind with worry.” She frowned, looked at Xochi, and stroked her cheek. “I will try not to let that happen again.”
Looking up at Aeron, she straightened her shoulders and said, “So, what happens now?”
Whatever lay ahead for her and Xochi, she was obviously prepared to accept it. Her tightly clasped hands betrayed some nervousness, though.
Jessip turned to him. “Yeah. What now?” The older boy looked more worried than she did.
Aeron hitched the backpack higher up on his shoulder. Why did they think he knew what was going to happen? He’d certainly do all he could for Renata and Xochi. The desire to protect your bond-mate was completely understandable. As far as what was going to happen, however, he was as much in the dark as they were. The masters would be here soon enough to make that decision. In the meantime . . .
“Now?” Aeron walked to the fire and set his backpack down next to Willem’s. “Now,” he said, opening the carryall, “we eat breakfast.”
Sharrah and Cheddar arrived soon after. She conferred with Gregor as the two of them hovered around Xochi munching on their breakfast wraps. Cheddar sat with Willem and Aeron. Jessip sat between them and Renata, chatting with her a little as they ate. Both kept glancing at Xochi and the two studying her.
Aeron watched the red-haired boy and the raven-haired girl talking and smiled. He glanced at Willem who turned to him and grinned.
“We weren’t that obvious, were we?” Aeron looked back at Jessip and Renata. “Tell me I wasn’t that blind.”
“No.” Cheddar took another bite of his wrap. �
�But you two were damn close.”
Aeron turned to him. “Really?”
Cheddar chuckled. “Yup. It was clear to anyone who hung around you guys enough.”
Aeron sighed. He leaned over a little and bumped shoulders with Willem. “Thanks for waiting for me.”
He bumped back. “No worries. I didn’t really have a choice, though. I fell for you kinda hard.”
D–Did you bring some food for me? The little red dragon lifted her head and looked longingly at the backpacks.
Aeron’s mouth dropped open and he turned to Willem. “Oh gods!” he whispered. “I forgot about her!”
I am really hungry.
I will bring you something, little one. Anaya leapt into the air, wings beating as she rose higher and higher.
Thank you, love! I can’t believe I didn’t think to bring her anything. I’m so stupid.
Then I am stupid, too, for I did not think to do so either.
In a remarkably short time, Anaya returned, a young doe dangling from her mouth.
Thank you, big sister!
A spike of surprise followed by the warm glow of happiness came through the link. Aeron glanced at Anaya.
You are very welcome, little sister.
They touched noses, and then Xochi dug into her breakfast with gusto.
“She certainly looks like she feels better.” Jessip was smiling.
Aeron wasn’t the only one to glance twice at the older boy. Sharrah looked from him to Xochi, then to Renata, and finally, back to him. She turned to Cheddar, brows raised. He grinned and walked over to her.
It is good to have another like me. Anaya hummed happily as she watched Xochi eat.
Aeron grunted. She was right. It was good. He looked at all the people around him. Renata was smiling at some comment Jessip made. Gregor, too, chuckled at whatever he’d said. Cheddar stood near Sharrah, both watching the little dragon eat as they spoke quietly. And Willem sat next to him, munching on a wrap, knee touching his. A warm feeling like what he’d felt from Anaya suffused Aeron.
All these people and dragons from different places and different backgrounds, all of them were here, together, drawn by their own hopes and desires. They were all together, bound by friendship and purpose and, well, whatever else.
Aeron smiled and ate his wrap.
Xochi was just finishing up her own breakfast when the masters arrived. They tied their horses a little distance away from the dragons before making their way into the camp.
“Renata.” Master Canneth nodded to her. “I’d like you to meet my counterpart, Master Doronal.”
She bowed her head slightly. “A pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise.” Master Doronal smiled at her. “I understand there was quite a stir last night.”
“I’m sorry for that.” Renata looked embarrassed.
“No need to apologize,” Master Doronal raised his hand. “Your dragon was in severe distress. You did what you needed to.” With a look of polite curiosity, he asked, “I understand you come from far to the south?”
“Yes, sir. We traveled nearly a month to get here.”
“How did people react to your having a dragon?”
“Oh, I made sure to keep Xochi hidden. I know there are some who—” A flash of anger passed over her face. “—who might, ah, fear dragons.”
Confused, Aeron wondered why she would be angry at people who are afraid of dragons.
“We traveled at night and kept as far from people as we could. I didn’t want to risk Xochi being seen.”
Master Doronal smiled and nodded. “Good thinking.” He approached the carmine dragon and looked her over. “And this must be Xochi?”
“Yes, sir.” Renata stepped beside him.
“Hmm. She’s beautiful. Magnificent coloration.”
Xochi bobbed her head and let out a happy chirp. Your hair is pretty, too. It is two colors!
Aeron wasn’t able to stifle his laugh in time, though he had covered his mouth with his hand.
Master Doronal’s brows formed two high arches. He ran his hand along the back of his short salt-and-pepper hair. “I, ah, well, thank you, young lady.” He bowed to her.
Renata turned to Xochi. “She says you are nice.”
Master Doronal, still looking off his guard, smiled at the young dragon. “You seem to have recovered from your illness.”
Renata tilted her head, staring at Xochi. “She remains a little weak, but that will pass, I am sure.” She glanced at everyone. “I cannot thank you all enough for helping me with her.”
Master Doronal nodded. “Yes, well, when a dragonlinked needs help, Caer Baronel will always supply it.”
Aeron nodded in full agreement. “Always.”
Renata looked from him to Master Doronal. “D–Dragonlinked?”
The magic master’s smile was warm. “My dear, you are the very definition. Alas, there are only two of you in the world.” Looking back at Xochi, he murmured, “Something we’d very much like to change.”
Seeming unable to resist anymore, Master Doronal reached out and patted Xochi on the head.
Master Canneth cleared his throat. “That being said, we want to proceed in an orderly fashion.”
“Yes.” Master Doronal clasped his hands behind his back. “From now on, anyone interested in becoming a dragonlinked, or even, ah, working for the company in another capacity, needs to go through an application process.” He eyed each of the people there.
“We will soon have a short application that interested individuals must first fill out. Then they proceed to the next step: an interview with Master Canneth and with myself, whereupon we will make a final approval and determine if the applicant becomes an, ah, employee. At that point, Anaya—Hmm. Perhaps she and Xochi should confer, determine if they both have this sense of who makes a candidate.” His brows furrowed. “Where was I? Oh, yes. If an employee is a candidate, good or otherwise, then dragonlinked training in Magic Craft will begin. All employees will train in Animal Craft as it pertains to dragons.”
“We are also considering whether we should take applicants in phases.” Master Canneth walked beside Master Doronal. He glanced at Xochi. “We don’t want to interrupt training to catch up a new applicant with past progress in the class.”
Aeron wondered if he was talking about Renata. What she thought about it all, he could not tell. She looked to be having trouble taking everything in.
Master Doronal nodded. “As for those applicants who are not candidates at all, I don’t believe we can accommodate them at this time. In the future,” he glanced at Master Canneth, “once the company is established, there will be many positions to fill besides dragonlinked. Non-candidates with a desire to join will be more than welcome then.”
He turned to Renata. “Now, as for you, young lady . . .”
She stared at him, eyes wide.
“. . . I heard many good things about you last night.” Master Doronal smiled. “Things that I am happy to see confirmed. I, for one, have no issues with your approval.” He turned to Master Canneth. “How say you?”
The Animal Craft master leaned over and scratched Xochi under the chin, eliciting a happy, humming purr. “Tell me, pretty one, would you like to have your very own den? We have three available, and one could be yours.”
Turning to her bond-mate, the little dragon said, Can I?
Aeron looked at Renata. She stared down at her feet, straight black hair hanging down just past her shin. As she stood there, her shoulders moved slightly with each breath.
He wasn’t sure whether he’d be happier if she said yes or if she said no. Yes, probably. Maybe.
Lifting her gaze, she looked around at everyone, stopping with Jessip.
His brows lifted. It looked to Aeron as if his expression meant ‘it’s up to you.’ There was also a hint of something else in his eyes, though. Hope?
Renata turned to her bond-mate. Why not? After all, we can’t have all the rumors be about a dragon boy. Let’s start so
me about a dragon girl.
Chapter 16
Duviday, Tershy 20, 1874.
Afternoon.
Feeling a bit antsy, Renata sat in the middle of the bench watching Xochi. The red dragon stood in the courtyard, slowly turning in circles, staring at all the people. There were a great number of them along the fences between the four dragon stables. There had not been this many the two times she’d been here before.
I think they’re all here to see you, sweetling.
Really? Excitement thrummed along the link as the young dragon watched the people watching her.
Renata wasn’t excited. Not at all. She’d spent too long hiding her bond-mate, trying to keep her a secret. And now, all these people were staring at Xochi.
“She’s beautiful!” The high-pitched squeal rose above the general commotion.
The girl looked to be nine years old, maybe ten. Standing with two friends at the fence, she had her clasped hands pressed against her chest, adoring eyes on Xochi.
Renata looked again at the people standing at the fence. All around the courtyard they lingered, chatting or silent, all watching Xochi. But now that Renata looked—really looked—she saw smiles, grins, awe and wonder. But no fear, no hatred, no disapproval. The tightness in her chest began to ease.
They had found the dragon boy. And he was nicer than she had dared hope. They all were. She looked across the courtyard to the third dragon stable. Her stable.
She’d been in Aeron’s study that first day, with Jessip, but she’d never really gotten a full sense of how large the rooms were. Compared to the cramped spaces she’d had to live in at Bataan-Mok, the rooms in the Dragon Stables were palatial. She still couldn’t believe that stable was hers and Xochi’s.
“Anaya is amused by Xochi’s reaction to all these people.” Aeron stood to her left, just outside the large doors to his bond-mate’s den.
Renata glanced at the crowds. “It’s so weird.”
“Weird?”
“Yeah. Not needing to hide, for one, and for another,” she gestured to the crowd, “having so many people happy about seeing a dragon.”
His cheerful laugh caught her off guard. The happy reaction came so easily to everyone here. Not so at Bataan-Mok. After the first few weeks, one’s laughter seemed to get lost, buried, extinguished.
The Bond (Book 2) Page 24
