“True enough. Still, can we be confident ones so young can control their enormous pets?”
Lord Eldin smiled. Perfect! What are you going to do now, Baronel?
+ + + + +
“They aren’t pets!” Aeron had tried to keep the anger from his voice, but wasn’t completely successful. He saw where this was going. Curse Halitos and his gods-damned story.
Aeron took a breath and tried for calm. “If madam Chair will allow, I’d like to try to clear up a few things.”
His friends stared at him with wide eyes. There weren’t supposed to do anything during the meeting, but to hells with that. He wasn’t going stand by and let that ass, Lord Eldin, win this battle for their future!
The Chair glanced around the Council. Several representatives nodded. Turning back to him, she said, “You said that before, that they aren’t pets. What do you mean by that?”
Aeron shook his head. “That’s the biggest misconception people have. You see, dragons aren’t pets, they aren’t mere animals. They’re just like us. They are people.”
“People?” Lord Eldin looked amused. “Those are creatures—enormous beasts!—not people.”
The Chair glanced at the man, but instead of calling him out for interrupting, she nodded.
Aeron clenched his jaw.
Stay calm. Explain it to them
He glanced at Anaya. She was right. He had to maintain his composure. Angry retorts would serve no one but that jackass.
“They have minds,” he said, “they think and reason. They have emotions, too. They care for and love others, feel sorrow and loss, just as we do. They are not animals.”
Murmurs of assent came from the other dragonlinked and Anaya chirped.
“And despite what some have implied,” Aeron said, “they’re not competition for horses. They never were and never will be. That is not our purpose.”
The Chair, who was looking at Anaya, turned to him. “Oh? Well, what do you think your purpose is?” Her smile seemed condescending.
“We ‘think’ nothing,” Renata said.
He wasn’t the only one, it seemed, who was tired of merely standing by. Renata’s conviction was clear in the set of her jaw, the intensity of her gaze.
Nodding, he turned to the Council. “We know what our purpose is.”
“We feel it in our bones,” Willem said.
“We feel it in our blood.” Sharrah reached for Cheddar’s hand.
Clasping it, Cheddar said, “In each and every breath.”
“We feel it every glorious day we spend with our bond-mates.” Fillion placed his hand on Coatl’s shoulder.
“And every day we spend with our friends,” Liara said.
“Our purpose,” Jessip said, “is to fight nahual.”
The rumbling growl from all the dragons surprised everyone.
First to recover, Gregor said, “Not just for the sake of killing them, but in order to keep people safe. We help people and dragons. We’ll likely help any who need it.”
The Chair stared at them. “Even sick horses.”
“Just so.” Master Millinith nodded.
“Ridiculous!” Lord Eldin stood. “Keep people safe? They can’t even control their dragons in here! I don’t know about anyone else, but to me those growls sounded menacing. And I, for one, don’t believe their story about nahual investigations, about killing those beasts. How can a . . . child”—he spat the word—“kill a nahual? Those beasts have bested men, much less striplings.”
“He brings up a good point,” the Chair said. She turned to Aeron. “How are we to believe that you can kill a nahual? You? All alone?”
He frowned. Why was it so hard for them to believe? Just because he was young, didn’t mean he was powerless. And he wasn’t—
Aeron is not alone. I am with him. Always. Anaya gave out a short bark and stepped up beside him.
Pride and love surged in his heart. He reached up and patted her neck. Gods, but I love you.
Anaya nuzzled his cheek.
“D–Did she say that?” The Chair stared at Anaya.
“She did.” Aeron eyed the Council. “Never forget, madam Chair, members of the Council, our bond-mates are ever with us.”
Willem is not alone.
Renata is not alone.
Jessip is not alone.
Fillion is not alone.
As each dragon spoke and barked, the audience’s murmurs grew to include heated whispers and loud chatter.
The gavel banged several times. “Order! Order in the room!”
Lord Eldin shouted over the audience. “They could have used sorcery to project someone’s voice!” He pointed to Aeron. “He’s trying to distract us, madam Chair. He still hasn’t explained how he can possibly kill a mouse, much less one of those beasts!”
Many in the audience were now calling out above their fellows in confusion.
“Sorcery?” “Good gods, dragons can speak?”
The Chair swung the gavel several times. “Order! Order, I say!”
Aeron glanced at his friends. “It’s time.”
Five straps were released, and five carcasses fell from bundles to the floor of the solarium. Clearly illuminated in the bright morning light, the dead nahual lay there, some burned, some in pieces, but all proof of Aeron’s words.
Silence spread from the front benches toward the back of the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” The Chair seemed mesmerized by the dead beasts.
Aeron stared at her. “This is our purpose.” He glanced at the crowd, at Lord Baronel—who winked—and back to the woman in charge. “Each of us found and killed a nahual last night. All five were found within forty miles of here.”
There were gasps from the crowd.
“Those things are nahual?” A thin man, sitting at the far end of the Council, stood and stared at the carcasses. “I was lead to believe they might be wives’ tales.”
Aeron shook his head. “Nahual aren’t from tales of fancy. They’re real. And as we discovered last night, they’re everywhere.”
He pointed to the burned carcass at his feet. “This, members of the Council, this is our purpose. To fight these terrible creatures and keep people safe.”
“You could have ferried those—”
“Enough!” Lord Baronel turned on Lord Eldin. “Have they not proven their determination and capabilities already? Your quibbling questions do not suit your position.”
“Madam Chair,” Aeron turned to her, “you can all vote against the application—we have no control over the Council. But know this . . .” He gazed at a few of the representatives in the front row before looking back at the Chair. “. . . we will continue to grow. We will continue to fight nahual, regardless.”
The dragons all rumbled in agreement.
“Of course,” Master Millinith said, “we’d prefer to do so as a guild, even with all the rules, regulations, policies and procedures that we would be burdened with.”
The Chair stared Master Millinith. Then she looked at Aeron, the dragons, and finally, she stared at the nahual carcases.
After several seconds, she said, “If there are no further questions?” She looked around the room. “No? Then we shall take that vote now.”
+ + + + +
Though Renata was glad to be outside again, the courtyard was no longer empty. An enormous crowd hung back as the dragons emerged from inside, but once the doors banged shut behind them, the crowd edged in closer. They did keep their distance, though. Whether it was from fear or respect wasn’t clear. She shook her head. She’d thought the crowds at Caer Baronel were big.
Everyone feels happy.
Yes, sweetling.
But you do not all look happy.
It was a close fight.
The council had approved the guild. She felt incredibly excited, but also numb. That was probably what Xochi saw in most of the others. They had come so close to failing. Her hands still trembled from nerves. Flexing them seemed to help.
> There would be visits from members of the Council at some point. Normally visits would be once every two years, Master Millinith said, but for a new guild, there would be more. Representatives and members of their support guilds would review Dragon Guild policies and procedures, interview members—would interviews ever stop?—and also check on progress with the Guildhall.
Master Millinith chatted with Lord Baronel, Master Doronal, and Lady Erindia. Renata felt she should go over, she was Master Millinith’s assistant, after all. But perhaps it would be okay if she stayed with Xochi and the other dragonlinked. Taking mental notes wasn’t something she felt up to at the moment.
Gregor walked over to Lord Baronel. They talked for a bit. Then Gregor saw someone in the crowd. It was that man, Lord Eldin. Renata frowned as he approached.
“I can’t believe you were the one opposing us.” Gregor’s words were clipped.
“I was.” The man showed no remorse.
“Even after everything I told you about what we’re trying to accomplish?”
“I don’t oppose what your stated purpose is. I merely have doubts that that purpose is all dragons will be used for. I have my company to think about, after all, and my people.” He looked at Lord Baronel. “Caer Ilan is a great deal larger than Caer Baronel. It takes much more money to maintain the place, to care for our people.” He turned back to Gregor. “My locomotives, my roads of rails will provide the funds needed to do so, if there isn’t too much competition.”
Gregor made a slashing motion with his hand. “How many times do we have to say it? That isn’t our purpose. And even if it were, weren’t you the one who always said competition makes you stronger? That if a business can’t handle any competition, it doesn’t deserve to survive?”
Lord Eldin looked stunned. “I didn’t realize you had actually listened.”
“Of course I listened. It wasn’t your words that drove me away.”
Lord Eldin stared at Gregor. After a moment, he turned to Master Millinith. “As for you, young Millinith—”
“That’s Master Millinith.” Liara glared at him.
“Guildmaster Millinith,” Gregor corrected.
Lord Eldin frowned. “I’ll be watching what you and your dragons get your noses into, Guildmaster.” With that, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Renata was surprised. There was actually someone in the world who she liked even less than Halitos.
“Well,” Lord Baronel said, “congratulations everyone on a job well done. Unfortunately, I have a much longer return trip, so I shall take my leave now. If the masters could accompany me to my carriage, I have a few words.”
“Aeron,” Master Doronal said, “could you and Anaya portal by the country house this evening to pick up Master Millinith and myself? There are some final guild formalities to plan with my mother before we can return.”
Aeron nodded. “Of course.”
The two masters and Lady Erindia left with Lord Baronel.
Fillion said, “Why are you looking so glum, Gregor?”
“Now you all know why I left home.” The healer shook his head. “My father used to be a decent man. Maybe he still is, deep inside. I just couldn’t take what he’d become, so I left. I left my home and my family, and . . . it looks like nothing has changed.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Fillion said. “You have m—” His eyes widened and he looked around. “Ah, you have us.”
“Fillion’s right,” Renata said. “We have our own family. And now, we have a place that no one can take away from us.”
A hand clasped hers. Jessip’s.
“Exactly,” he said. “And I, for one, would love to get back to it.”
“Me, too,” Sharrah said.
“The city is beautiful,” Cheddar murmured, looking around at the skyline, “but it’s so big it makes you feel small.”
“I certainly wouldn’t mind visiting again,” Liara said, “to see the what’s beyond this building. I agree, though. I need a rest. Today has my nerves in a twizzle.”
“Shall we head off, then?” Aeron said.
Willem nodded. “I’m ready to head back.”
Renata, squeezing Jessip’s hand, said, “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Minday, Decimy 25, 1874.
Mid-Morning.
Fillion’s heart raced and he had to clasp his hands together to keep them from shaking. Please be chosen, please be chosen, please—
Calm yourself. Despite his exasperated tone, amusement came through the link from Coatl.
I can’t help it!
The dragon chooses who the dragon will.
You think I don’t know that? I can still hope.
They’d all flown to this cave in the mountains for the happy—and nerve-wracking—occasion. A few had ridden with others, obviously, including Guildmaster Millinith and Masters Doronal and Canneth. Fillion couldn’t wait until the hatching cave was ready in the guildhall. Then, dragons could lay their eggs somewhere nearby and candidates wouldn’t have to be flown hither, thither and yon.
The mother dragon, Tozi, let out a nervous bark. She stood to the side, where Anaya and Nenet tried to comfort her and keep her calm. Her children, both female, walked before the candidates, eyeing them.
Gregor stood first at the left. To his right was Sharrah, followed by Cheddar, and on the far end, Liara.
The wait was driving Fillion mad. Please be chosen!
The dark gray one, she had hints of red here and there, stopped pacing and faced the candidates. The other one, of such dark blue it bordered on black, also stopped walking and faced the nervous hopefuls. The hatchlings looked at each other, chirped, then turned and ran to their choices.
Gregor and Liara tumbled to the ground, arms wrapped around dragons.
YES!
Rumbling trumpets of congratulations echoed around the room, while dragonlinked and masters gave out their own compliments and felicitations.
Fillion offered a look of sympathy to Sharrah and Cheddar, before turning to Liara and giving her a thumbs up. Her beaming response came from amidst dark-blue dragon wings and legs. She giggled and hugged her dragon.
And then there was Gregor. Turning to him, Fillion let out a breath. Of relief, of happiness, and of loss, too. Gregor now had his own dragon. He wouldn’t have to ride with Fillion anymore. Well, at least not when his dragon was big enough. Which wouldn’t be for maybe a month or two, so, there was some time left.
“What are their names?” Guildmaster Millinith had her notebook open and a warm smile graced her face.
“Kisa.” Gregor stared adoringly at his bond-mate.
“Her name is Mia,” Liara said. She threw her arms around her dragon again. “Gods, but you’re the most beautiful dragon in the world!”
When the bonding was complete a few minutes later, Renata lugged a sack of scraps to Liara, and Fillion quickly grabbed the other, taking it to Gregor.
“Oh, Fillion,” Gregor said, eyes full of emotion, “isn’t she just gorgeous?”
He smiled. “Absolutely.” Stretching up on his toes, Fillion gave him a quick kiss. “Congratulations.”
Gregor wrapped him in a hug. “Thank you.”
“Now,” Fillion said, stepping back, “stop making her wait. The girl’s probably starving.”
A plaintive little bark from Kisa confirmed it, and Gregor’s face fell.
“I’m so sorry! Gods, and I can feel how hungry you are, too. Please forgive me.” He squatted next to the sack and began feverishly untying it.
See? There was no need to worry.
Oh, hush. Sharrah or Cheddar could very well have been chosen.
I think not quite yet. She must decide first.
Decide?
“Alright,” the Guildmaster said, “those of you on enchanting duty need to head back immediately. Those who wish to stay a bit longer are welcome to, but only so long as you attend to your craft chores. Aeron, Willem? If you could ferry myself and the masters back
to the Caer, we’d appreciate it.”
Aeron nodded, “Of course.”
She and the masters had been whispering amongst themselves the whole time. Probably still trying to decide what to do about the other dragonlinked they’d sensed a few weeks ago. Someone out there had bonded with a dragon. Someone not affiliated with the dragon craft hall. That had concerned the Guildmaster mightily.
She and Masters Doronal and Canneth followed Aeron and Willem into the passage leading out, with Anaya and Balam trailing behind.
“You’ve got an enchanting shift today.”
Fillion turned to Gregor and frowned. “I do. But I’ll come back after, see how you and Kisa are doing.”
“Only if you aren’t exhausted. I know how draining that can be.”
“I’ll be careful.” He squatted down and stroked Kisa on the head. “Take care of our Gregor, okay?”
Lifting up into his hand, she hummed and let out an affirmative chirp.
Smiling, Fillion said, “What a charmer.”
Once outside, he climbed into the saddle. Alright big guy, let’s get back to the Caer. I want a shower before the shift.
With a rumble, Coatl leapt into the air, wings beating and lifting them higher.
He hadn’t minded spending the night in the cave, not at all. It was pretty fun. But he wanted to be clean and fresh for the enchanting shift. Gregor wasn’t exaggerating about how tiring they could be.
He closed the portal as Coatl angled down to the courtyard for a landing. Renata, a satchel over her shoulder, was heading toward the Bath Hall. “Renata,” he called out, “hang on, I’ll walk with you. I want a shower, too.”
He ran inside and stuffed a change of clothes into his carryall.
I’ll be back as soon as I can. Then we can portal to Dragon Hall.
I shall bask in the courtyard. Coatl ambled to a warm, sunny spot and lay down.
Fillion and Renata hadn’t even crossed the delivery road when Coatl’s surprised words came to him.
A dragon approaches. From the south!
He and Renata turned and raced back to the Dragon Stable.
“You!” Fillion pointed to one of the guards. “Run to the Animal Craft Hall, see if Master Canneth is there. Tell him a strange dragon approaches.” When the guard hesitated, Fillion yelled at him. “Go!” Turning on the other guard, he said, “You go see if Master Doronal is in the Magic Craft Hall.” He glanced at Renata. “I’ll check the office for Guildmaster Millinith.”
The Bond (Book 2) Page 42
