The Dragon's Apprentice

by Linda McNabb

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  VALLEY OF THE DRAGONS

  The horses were in a make-shift corral at the far end of King Herat’s camp. Nowhere near the cooking area and Toby was a little disappointed as he had hoped to see Aggie again.

  “There’s three over by the tree.” Sanelle pointed them out and they moved quietly around to them.

  The horses were stamping on the cold ground and clouds of mist shot out their nostrils as they snorted. Someone wasn’t taking very good care of them, they were freezing, and Toby felt sorry for the poor horses.

  “Why don’t we just go invisible?” Kaylene whispered.

  “We gave our magic to Klel,” Toby replied in a tone that said he did not want to talk about it just now. Kaylene took the hint and followed them quietly.

  “They’ve no bridles or saddles,” Sanelle commented as she untied a rope that formed part of the corral and, using her sword, cut it into three even lengths.

  “We should go and find Blaise,” Toby said quietly as he helped Sanelle tie the ropes onto the horses. “We have to get the talisman.”

  “We can’t go into Herat’s camp with that,” Sanelle replied bluntly as she pointed to the glowing neckband. It was fading now that Klel was gone, but it was still quite bright.

  Toby could not see her face but he could hear the deep regret in her voice. He was about to suggest that he take the neckband and bury it somewhere while they went into the camp but a voice from the darkness stopped him.

  “Who’s there!” A loud voice asked nervously. Toby had to suppress a sigh. Obviously someone had seen the glowing neckband, even though he had covered most of it with his coat.

  “I’ll fetch the guards, Stephan.” A whiny voice said and Toby realised who it was, Stephan and Nevan. No wonder the poor horses were suffering.

  “You won’t get away, there are guards coming,” Stephan yelled but did not come closer.

  “Keep going,” Toby urged Sanelle forward with the ropes. “Stephan won’t come over here on his own.”

  Sanelle nodded and they had put crude bridles on two of the horses by the time several pairs of feet could be heard running their way. A rush torch showed Nevan returning with two guards.

  “I got the first guards I came across, Stephan,” Nevan whined and made no attempt to come any closer to them.

  “Halt! Who goes there?” Another voice called as the guards approached with the rush torch.

  Toby knew there wasn’t time to bridle the last horse so he leapt up in one movement and pulled Kaylene up behind him.

  “Sanelle!” he hissed. “Let’s go!”

  The two guards reached them just as Toby was about to turn his horse and the light shone on the guards’ faces.

  “Cole! Nathan!” Toby held the makeshift reins tight, ready to turn with a flick of his wrist as he exchanged shocked looks with his friends.

  “Nathan told me everything,” Cole said and didn’t look angry at all. “You were right not to let Prince Blaise have the dragon.”

  “And you did get the princess after all?” Nathan looked amused to see Kaylene sitting behind Toby with her arms wrapped around him.

  “It’s not like that,” Toby argued, feeling the colour rising in his cheeks.

  “Toby we have to go,” Sanelle drew her horse over next to his and nodded at his two friends. “Are you going to raise the alarm?”

  “No, we’ll tell them they were just jumping at shadows,” Cole replied.

  “We wouldn’t want you turning us into frogs or anything,” Nathan added with a smile. “But you’d best get going.”

  Toby turned his horse and then twisted back to look at his friends. “Thanks,” he said simply and kicked the horse into motion.

  They rode west, as best they could tell, until they almost dropped from exhaustion and finally tied the horses to a tree, sleeping where they fell. When the sun rose they found they were only a short distance from the base of the mountains. It had snowed lightly in the night and Toby shivered as he stood up and he stamped his feet to bring the feeling back into them.

  “So, do we wait here and hope Klel finds us before any guards or kings do?” Kaylene asked as she stretched her back and arms. Toby doubted she had ever slept on the ground but she didn’t complain, even though the ground was cold and hard.

  Toby was about to reply that he didn’t really have a plan when a golden glint in the sky caught his attention. Sanelle had obviously seen it as well as she cried out and pointed towards it.

  “There he is.”

  They mounted their horses again and rode towards where Klel was circling slowly around near the base of one of the smaller mountains. Toby had slept with the neckband on and his back felt terrible.

  It was mid-morning when they trotted up the rise to the small plateau and Klel finally noticed them. He was still flying in circles near a lake and he glided over to greet them. Up near the mountains it was colder, but the sky was clear and the sun shone weakly.

  Feel home nearby. Can’t find, Klel told them. He looked healthier than Toby had ever seen him.

  “Here, this might help,” Toby said as he dismounted, causing Kaylene to dismount as well, then unclipped the glowing neckband from his waist.

  Band! Klel almost drooled at the sight of it and waited patiently as Toby walked over and clipped it into its rightful place. Feel it. Feel home now. Gateway… there!

  Klel was pointing at the waterfall at the far end of the shallow lake. He looked sad, but excited at the same time, and his eyes glowed brightly.

  Klel show home. Apprentice deserve, Klel rumbled, even his voice sounded stronger, deeper than before. He waited while Toby climbed on his back and then nudged Sanelle and Kaylene to get up as well. All deserve.

  “Look. There’s a whole contingent of guards down there. They’re heading this way.” Sanelle said as she looked back the way they had come and Toby strained to see. He saw they were indeed heading up towards them and they were splitting up into many little groups. Klel must be standing out brighter than the weak winter sun with his restored magic.

  “I’ll wait here with the horses and keep them out of sight,” Kaylene insisted as she took the ropes and pulled the horses out of sight behind a rock.

  Klel was muttering some words and the coloured gems on his neckband glowed brilliantly.

  Open gateway short time only” Klel told them. Must be quick.

  As soon as Sanelle climbed up Klel lifted off with a whoosh and they shot straight at the waterfall. Toby held his hands up to cover his face but the water only sprinkled them and then they were through to the other side. Had the kings seen where they went?

  Toby uncovered his eyes and stared in wonder. This couldn’t possibly be the other side of the mountain as it clearly wasn’t winter here. There weren’t any dragons flying around but he knew instantly that this was Klel’s home.

  Gateway. One of many. Klel’s voice was almost whipped away by the wind as they soared above the beautiful countryside. Dotted throughout the landscape were small mountains but something looked odd about them, they were all identical.

  Klel circled back around near the waterfall and landed on a ledge where the waterfall spilled out into a lake on this side as well. It was a wonderful view and both Toby and Sanelle sat motionless and speechless on Klel’s back.

  All sorcerers and dragons come from here, Klel told them, looking excited to be back but holding back his desire to rush off into his homeland.

  “All?” Toby queried. He knew he was born at the castle, so it couldn’t be that all sorcerers were from this land.

  Some left. Discover other worlds. Some never come back, Klel said quietly. His eyes were unfocused as he stared off into the distance. Wonder if remember Klel.

  “Surely they will remember you,” Sanelle assured him and patted his head gently.

  Remember Klel, yes. Remember why left, hope not, Klel said as he twisted his head around to look at them. He wasn’t looking as excited any more, and Toby was sure he saw a touch of
shame in his eyes. May not want Klel back.

  Toby was about to ask what could be so bad that they wouldn’t have forgiven him after this long but a voice brought their attention back to the waterfall.

  “This way!”

  It was Blaise’s voice and Klel rose gently to hover directly in front of the waterfall, looking back where they had come from. Blaise came into sight and stared straight across the lake. He was followed by King Herat, Prince Rory and several dozen guards and archers.

  “Can he see us?” Toby whispered nervously. He knew that it would be disastrous if someone like Blaise found the valley of the dragons. Toby could see the leather strap that held the talisman and he longed to just reach out and snatch it from Blaise’s neck.

  “No. Only see one way,” Klel assured them.

  They all watched as the men came around the lake. Blaise had one arm in a sling, proof that Sanelle’s aim had been true last night.

  It was strange, being able to see them so easily and their voices seemed so clear as well, even over the sound of the falling water.

  “I tell you it’s through the waterfall,” Blaise snapped. He seemed to be having trouble convincing the others that he knew where to go.

  “We’ve been following the sun,” King Herat argued and pointed up at the sun that was almost directly ahead of them.

  “I saw them,” Blaise insisted and waved the eyeglass.

  “More trickery!” King Herat grunted.

  “Look you old fool, it’s through here!” Blaise snapped bluntly.

  “What did you call me?” King Herat stopped walking and glared at Blaise.

  “You didn’t take proper care with the dragon you did have. Then you let it get stolen and now you won’t believe me when I tell you where it went!” Blaise waved his good arm expressively as he ranted at King Herat.

  “It was your sister who stole it!” King Herat retorted.

  “And you nearly killed it with your greed!” Blaise exclaimed. “At least I would have done more with it. Think of the kingdoms that you could have taken over with such a creature to heal the soldiers.”

  “Invade my fellow kings’ land?” King Herat looked shocked.

  “After I gain the throne it will be the first thing I do.” Blaise shot a look of disgust at King Herat.

  “You go too far,” Prince Rory stepped forward, between Blaise and his father. “You cannot insult my father in such a manner.”

  “And who’s going to stop me?” Blaise mocked Prince Rory and started to walk towards the waterfall.

  “Me!” Prince Rory followed Blaise as he stepped into the lake and began wading towards the waterfall. He caught up with him and punched him hard in the face.

  Blaise fell, more from the surprise than the actual punch, then struggled back to his feet. Toby realised with a sinking heart that Blaise would be able to see Kaylene from where he was. Sure enough, Blaise shoved Prince Rory aside and strode out of the water. He grabbed Kaylene by her arm and dragged her into the water with him. Kaylene let out a small squeal and struggled to get free but Blaise had a firm hold on her.

  “So you’re involved in this too? I think I’ll take you with me. You might just come in useful.” Blaise dragged her mercilessly towards the waterfall and Toby felt his rage flare. Prince Rory came at Blaise again and Kaylene was thrown hard against a rock as Blaise fought to keep his balance with only one good arm.

  On the other side of the waterfall, Toby saw Kaylene’s head strike the rock he and realised that she had been knocked out. She was floating face-down in the lake! Blaise was still struggling with Prince Rory and wasn’t even looking where she was. If she was left much longer she would drown, only a foot away from where Klel hovered. Toby reached out and leaned through the waterfall, desperate to lift her from the water.

  Klel tipped sideways to allow him to get closer, realising what he was trying to do, but Toby leaned too far and fell right through to the other side. He grabbed for Kaylene and turned her face-up as he landed with a splash. The coldness of the mountain lake bit right through his clothes and he froze for a second with the shock of it.

  “What the…?” King Herat stared as Toby sat up in the shallow lake, holding Kaylene. “He came through the waterfall so there must be something on the other side. Watch him while we go and look.”

  Three guards rushed forward and took hold of Toby, dragging him to the shore, leaving Kaylene floating face-up in the lake.

  A second later Klel and Sanelle came bursting through the waterfall to fetch him. They knocked the guards over, Sanelle snatched Toby up and Klel wheeled up into the air to circle around to the waterfall again to get Kaylene.

  “Forward men!” King Herat ordered. Blaise gave Prince Rory an almighty shove, which knocked both him and his father over. He grabbed hold of the still unconscious Kaylene and hurried through the rushing water.

  “After them!” Prince Rory got up and helped his father to his feet before wading quickly towards the waterfall.

  Several guards reached it before them but instead of disappearing as Blaise and Kaylene had, they ran straight into a rock wall and fell back into the lake.

  Gateway closed, Klel said as he back winged to settle on a peak a short distance from the waterfall.

  “But what about Kaylene?” Toby asked as he slipped off Klel’s back and stared down at the guards who were still trying to find the gateway. There was a harsh, biting wind, up this high on the mountain and it almost froze his soaking wet clothes to his skin.

  “Blaise won’t get away from me. I need that talisman,” Sanelle muttered stubbornly, almost to herself. “And I need it before tonight.”

  Wait till king gone, Klel stated firmly and Toby didn’t argue with him.

  The guards continued to try to find a way through the waterfall for almost half an hour and then they began to move off. Sanelle pulled her eyeglass out from under her belt and looked down at the lake.

  “They’re coming up around the top of the waterfall,” she said as she put it away. “They’ve got Blaise’s eyeglass, but I think they would see us without it anyway.”

  Toby looked at Klel’s brilliantly glowing scales and silently agreed. There was no hiding him at the moment. They stood watching until the group of guards were half way up the mountain with King Herat and Prince Rory at the rear.

  Go now, Klel said and knelt down on one knee to let them climb up easily.

  He began muttering as he lifted off and Toby heard the song of the band as it glowed in response. The guards all turned to watch as Klel glided swiftly down to the lake and then they turned to scramble back down. This time Toby didn’t shut his eyes and they passed through the waterfall without even getting wet. It wasn’t the scenery that Toby looked at when Klel began to circle over the valley of the dragons this time; he was looking for Kaylene.

  “I can’t see them,” Sanelle shouted into the wind, her words whipped away as she spoke. “How could they have gone so far so quickly?”

  Toby was still looking and he knew they couldn’t possibly have gone far with Kaylene unconscious but there was nowhere for them to hide in the sparse vegetation that led up to the waterfall.

  “Look. Someone’s coming through!” Sanelle pointed back towards the waterfall and Toby looked up. King Herat and Prince Rory were standing next to the waterfall and two guards tumbled after them. No more followed and Toby assumed that the gate had closed again.

  “It’s those two friends of yours who let us leave with the horses.” Sanelle had the eyeglass to her eye and she almost dropped it as Klel swerved back around, heading away from the waterfall.

  No time now. Find Blaise first. Maybe dragons see them. Take to village, Klel stated as he headed straight for the nearest small mountain.

  Toby could see caves dotted around the sides of it and realised that it must be where the dragons lived. Klel was almost at the small village where houses lay clustered around the base of the mountain when several golden dragons lifted off the ground and
flew up to meet him.

  “I can see Blaise and Kaylene,” Sanelle said as she pointed towards the ground.

  Toby could see dozens of people looking skyward at them and he wondered if any of them were related to him. Perhaps he even had an uncle or a cousin down there.

  Half a dozen dragons, more deep bronze than gold in colour, with elderly men astride them, joined the first dragons who came to hover all around them. Toby was the first to see trouble but there was no time to warn Klel. The men were all carrying bows and they were drawn, ready to fire.

  Klel. It was a bronze dragon who spoke as he hovered only inches from Klel’s muzzle. He was larger than Klel by almost half again and his eyes were a hot and angry red. Thought you would learn by now.

  Father. Long time now. Have learned much, Klel replied softly and with his voice heavy with sorrow.

  Not learn enough. He says Klel attack. Klel’s father nodded his head down towards the ground. Hurt girl again. Land now. Take punishment this time.

  “Wait!” Toby yelled out. How could Blaise have turned the people and dragons here against Klel in such a short time?

  Other’s share shame. They take punishment as well. Klel’s father glared at Toby with such a fierce look that Toby shrank back. The archer on the dragon’s back gave him a warning glare as well and Toby kept quiet.

  Klel landed and knelt to allow Sanelle and Toby to slip to the ground and they were instantly grabbed by the arms and pulled away from Klel. Klel did not need restraining as he simply stood there with his head hanging so low that his snout almost dragged on the ground.

  Hurt girl long ago. Thought old enough to hold on tight, Klel almost whispered and he lifted his head up to look sadly at Toby and Sanelle.

  “And where is my daughter?” An elderly man came forward and pulled Klel’s snout up to glare at him. “It wasn’t bad enough that you nearly killed her that day, but then you ran off and took her with you.”

  Don’t know where she is, Klel admitted and the man let go of him.

  “And now you’ve hurt two more people,” he bellowed, rage colouring his face crimson.

  “You can’t take my brother’s word over Klel’s,” Sanelle shouted and pulled herself free.

  “Your brother?” He moved over to Sanelle. He was dressed in a simple cotton shirt and trousers. His white hair and heavily-lined face told of his many years. He looked into her purple eyes and then Toby’s. He seemed willing to give them a small benefit of doubt. “He did not speak of a sister when we found him near the waterfall. You are a sorcerer as well?”

  “He’s not a sorcerer,” Sanelle sneered. “But I am.”

  “You can prove this?” the man asked.

  “Well, I gave my magic to Klel,” she admitted.

  “Me too,” Toby added when the man turned his attention on him. “He was dying.”

  “Is there trouble here?” A familiar voice queried as Blaise pushed through the crowd that had gathered around Klel and the two captives.

  “Blaise, you’ve gone too far this time!” Sanelle burst out and then stopped and stared. Toby couldn’t see why she looked so shocked for a few seconds but then he realised that Blaise’s eyes were no longer a murky brown; they were black with a hint of purple.