In the bond, which you have shielded, I suppose, lest your mother overhears us?
Aye, Qatu. You are clever—more clever than we expected, actually. No offense intended—the last time I dealt with your kind, it was your ancestor who was Rajah at the time, and he was—not so accustomed to those that were not Qatu.
Sath chuckled. That does not surprise me at all. It has taken a long time for my kind to feel at all comfortable with the other races. I wonder, is that something we share? Is there still a bit of beast within your kind that makes it hard to understand the others, as there is within me?
This time it was Omerith’s turn to laugh. Oh, aye, there is, Rajah. Indeed. However—I think that is by design in my case and in that of my mate. Mother and Father both took very active interests in the other races, as you can see by the proliferation of the dragonkind. My brother was similarly afflicted, but I think his predilection was more to do with his own loneliness than anything else. I am happy to have met you, Rajah—you and the Nature Walker give me hope for the Guardians and for Orana.
I am happy to see you returned to yourself, Omerith. The wizard—speaking to you through Daelyth’s mind—was turning you into someone that none of us could recognize. But back to the matter at hand—has Daelyth told you where she hid the orb? There was hesitation. My lord, I know that it is hard for you to trust one such as me that was taken in by the orb, but I swear to you on the life of my son that I have no interest in it save to keep it out of the hands of your mother and the wizard.
Ah, yes, your son—Rajah, I want you to know that it was the kidnapping of your son that propelled my wife to return to the Old World to check up on our drake cousins. She felt the balance of the world shift as the wizard gained power and wanted to help. She has been gone for so long.
So we understand each other on a different level as well. I am lucky that the Nature Walker loves my son as much as I do, and has helped me raise him into the fine male that he is today. I am pleased that your Andyth is still alive, and I hope that she will return soon, and you will not have to raise your daughter alone any longer. It is hard work.
Yes, it is. So to the business at hand, as you said—Daelyth told me that the orb is where my mate took her to see the drakes fly. I know where that place is, and I can take you and the Nature Walker there. Is that acceptable to you?
Omerith, is the orb well hidden there?
Yes, very.
Does the Mother Dragon know of that place?
No.
Of course, I will need the other Guardians to approve, but I think we should just leave it where it is. The gods do not need to know where it is, as evidenced by Sephine’s attempt to meddle in our affairs—again. To be honest with you, after what it brought out of me, I do not wish to know where it is or have anything further to do with it. I do not think that Gin or Nelenie would disagree, but what are your thoughts? You represent the dragons and the dragonkind.
We are not a part of the Old World any longer, Rajah, so I do not think it matters what I think.
Gin would say it does. She is nothing if not fair.
Of mind and face, Rajah. When are you going to make her your First Wife, as I understand, is Qatu custom?
Sath was chuckling with the red dragon when the sound of enormous wings flapping just outside the great hall arrested his mirth and took hold of his attention. The Mother Dragon had arrived. He looked up at Omerith, who nodded solemnly before heading out the massive doors and starting toward the stairs that led to the roof, where she most likely would land.
At the same time, Gin thanked her dragonkind escort and sent her on her way before removing the magical barrier Omerith had erected in Daelyth’s doorway. She heard the Mother Dragon land on the roof and hurried inside the room. A dragonkind female was huddled in the corner, staring at Daelyth. She hopped to her feet at Gin’s presence; she was taller than Sath, just, and her high elf features faded to a deep cobalt blue near her hairline. Her dark hair integrated seamlessly with soft-looking blue scales that covered the back of her head and neck, and also her arms. She wore a sleeveless black tunic except for gold bands that symmetrically surrounded both her biceps and forearms. A matching gold pendant hung around her neck, the face of which was engraved with what looked like a dragon’s head and neck. Gin felt Sath tense through the bond—he had never had good luck with dragonkind, and Gin would never forget Salynth charming him, both in the Western Tower and again at the Outpost right before Ben killed her. But this female did not feel threatening to her, not at all—more curious. Gin bowed her head respectfully to her.
“Your Highness, Princess Embyr?”
“Nature Walker! Where is my mama?” Embyr cried out. “I don’t like my older brother, he is very mean.”
“Highness, you must give your brother another chance—he acts out of concern for his daughter, just as your Mama would for you. Now, your mother is here. If you wait, I will take you with me once I have checked on Daelyth. She is your niece. Have you ever met her before?”
“No. Mama wouldn’t let me. She said that Omerith’s family doesn’t like dragonkind like me, and they might hurt me.” She sniffled and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. “I just want to go home with Mama.”
Gin’s heart twinged a bit. She had no idea what had happened to Embyr to make her remain this perpetual young one in heart and mind, but she could remember clearly Khuj crying out for his Papa when he was in Aynamaede with her. “Now, listen, Embyr, you have magic, yes?” Embyr nodded. “You can tell if I’m lying, can’t you?” Again, the princess bowed her head. “Good.” Gin held out her hand to Embyr. “Take my hand, and know that I will not hurt you, I will not let Daelyth or your brother hurt you, and I will take you to your Mama just as soon as we make sure your niece here is well. Deal?” She winced as Embyr squeezed her hand and then nodded, releasing it. “Good girl. You can come over and watch if you like.” She walked toward the golden dragon in the corner with Embyr tiptoeing—if a giant creature like a dragonkind can tiptoe—behind her. “Daelyth?”
Daelyth’s head rose on her slender, golden scaled neck and moved toward the sound of Gin’s voice. Gin bit the inside of her cheek as she noticed the familiar hollow look in the amber eyes before her—but they were amber, not silver. All was not yet lost.
“She’s pretty and sparkly,” Embyr said from behind Gin. She picked up a torch and moved closer to her niece, perhaps to get a better look at the gilt scales on Daelyth’s back, and the dragon leaped to her feet, snorting puffs of frosty smoke. Embyr cried out and nearly dropped the torch.
“Put it back on the wall, Highness, please,” Gin barked, pleased to see that Embyr did as she was told. “Daelyth is a frost dragon, like your half brother Kalinth is, and -” Gin took a deep breath laden with frustration. “She is unnerved by fire. You must put the torch back, please.” Standing very still, Gin did not even look up at Daelyth again until she heard the clang of the metal handle of the torch as it hit the metal sconce on the wall. “Thank you.” She took a step closer, both hands out in front of her with her palms pointed upward. “Daelyth, do you know who I am?” There was no answer. Perhaps the bond would be more comfortable.
Daelyth, do you know me?
You are the Nature Walker. The wizard told me you would come to kill me.
Do you believe him? The wizard lies, Daelyth.
I—I do not know what to believe. I do not know where I am.
Can you see me, Daelyth? I am right in front of you.
I cannot see through my eyes. I do not understand what has happened. This has never happened in the bond before. Someone else is here! Are you sure that you did not come with the wizard? Is he here?
He is not here. Embyr, your—well, she is your aunt, she is here. Your father made a deal with his mother that involved her. But she will not hurt you either. I will not let her hurt you. Do you understand?
Yes. I think so. Where is my papa?
Your papa is just down the hall, Daelyth. Can you see anyth
ing where you are?
No. It is dark here.
Gin remembered that feeling—not knowing what was real or where she was. She remembered that darkness. She had fought her own way back out—how could she help Daelyth?
Will you allow me to touch you, Daelyth? I will not hurt you.
Yes. If you promise that the wizard was wrong.
Oh, my sweet girl, he could not be more wrong.
Then yes.
Gin motioned for Embyr to stay put and then moved close to the golden dragon. She placed her hands on the sides of Daelyth’s face, carefully stretching her fingers out to cover as much of the golden dragon’s nose as she could. My lady Daelyth, I am going to open my mind to you, and I want you to look at my memories that I show you, okay?
Yes, Nature Walker.
Look, my lady. Look and see that I understand—and that I would never hurt you. The wizard lies.
Gin kept her hands on the golden dragon’s nose as she called up memories of waking up in the embassy and not knowing how long she had been there. She remembered being afraid and feeling hollow on the inside, just as she knew Daelyth did now. The more memories she shared with the dragon, the more energy it took for her not to succumb to the fear again.
Ginolwenye of the Trees, you understand—yet you loved the wizard.
I did, or at least I think I did—I confess that to this day, I am not sure. It could have been that my feelings were my own. But it could also have been that Ben planted the idea in my mind. I do not know for sure. I may never know for sure.
I understand that.
Now, I need you to try to come back to us, Daelyth. I need you to take your place next to your father—he misses you so much.
I will try, Nature Walker, but—I do not want to hurt that way again.
Yes, of course you don’t. I understand that as well, but you must try. It is the only way to defeat the wizard. I will do what I can to help you bear the pain. If you stay here, as you are now, he will come back to your mind. Do you understand?
Yes. We must defeat the wizard. I will come back. Tell my papa that I will come back, and I will go to where the drakes fly. Tell him that exactly.
I will.
Gin withdrew from Daelyth’s mind, but not until she had put in place some barriers just in case Taeben managed to break free of the hold that the Void had on him and try to re-enter her mind. He would find no purchase there ever again.
And to think, you didn’t even have to give yourself up to him to save her.
There you are. And no, Sath, I will never do that again either. Have you found the orb? Does Omerith know where it is?
Aye. And Nelenie is here as well. I think you and Embyr need to come to the great hall.
We are on our way. And Sath? I love you.
I know, darlin'. I know.
Forty
Where the Drakes Fly
“Thank you for being here, Ginolwenye of the Trees.” Omerith sat at one end of the Great Hall. Next to him sat his mother, Kaerinth, with Nelenie standing to one side of her. Gin was relieved to see that Nelenie had made it to La’al Drygyr unharmed. Embyr moved ahead of Gin as though to run to her mother, but Gin held up a hand, stopping her. Omerith nodded. “Before we continue, I want to make sure that my sister is reunited with my mother.” Kaerinth nudged Nelenie forward with her head and then stood up, extending her enormous wings as Embyr burst past Gin and ran to her mother’s embrace. Nelenie walked toward Gin, hand on the hilt of her sword, though Gin could see in her friend’s eyes the enormous relief she felt at being free of the Mother Dragon.
Kaerinth cooed at Embyr, speaking to her in low tones in Eldyr as she looked her daughter over from head to toe. Omerith shifted his gaze from them to Gin, and then behind her as he scanned the room. He was looking for Daelyth. “Where is my daughter, Nature Walker?”
“She is recovering, my lord.” Gin approached the red dragon slowly, keeping an eye on the Mother Dragon as she did. “I was able to reach her as you had hoped, and she wanted me to tell you that she will work as hard as she can to come back to her old self.” Gin paused and then remembered that Daelyth had given her something to tell him exactly. “Also, Omerith, she said to tell you this exactly—she will go where the drakes fly.” Omerith’s eyes widened, and he stretched out his neck toward Gin.
“That is what she said, those very words?” Gin nodded, and Omerith swung his head around toward Sath, who nodded at the dragon.
“Does that mean something to you?”
“Yes, Ginolwenye of the Trees. It does.” He looked back at his mother. “I think you need to leave now, Mother, and take her with you.” To everyone’s surprise, Embyr strode right up to her brother and looked up at him.
“I have a name, brother. It’s Embyr.”
“I know.”
“I want us to be friends. I don’t really like you very much, but I would like to know my niece. She seems nice, and so sparkly!” She looked back over her shoulder at the Mother Dragon. “I will be coming to visit my brother, Mama, just as I will go to the Old World and visit my brother Kalinth in his tower. Perhaps he will awaken one day.” Kaerinth scowled and then reluctantly nodded her head before turning her attention back to Omerith.
“Where is the orb, my son? I have done everything you have asked.”
“Mother, you know I cannot give you the orb. Daelyth is the only one who knows where it is hidden, and I am not going to permit you access to her until she is recovered. She will not tell you where it is hidden because she knows—as we all do—that you want to use the orb’s power to resurrect Father, and that would be disastrous for the Old and New Worlds alike.” Kaerinth snorted but did not respond. Omerith’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “Even if I knew my Andyth was dead, I would not have used the orb to bring her back from the Void. You will leave my territory immediately. Embyr is welcome to return, but you are banished.”
Lady Kaerinth, the oldest living dragon, looked at her son for a long time. “I accept your terms—for now.” She motioned for Embyr to return to her side, and the princess complied. After a long and meaningful look at her son, the Mother Dragon closed her wings around her child, and they both disappeared from sight.
Sath leaned over to Gin. “Is she really gone?” Gin closed her eyes for a moment and then nodded as she opened them.
“We should discuss the orb in the bond, Nature Walker, so that we can control who has the information,” Omerith said as he looked toward the ceiling, as though looking for his mother to suddenly reappear.
“We cannot, Omerith. I told you that Nelenie has not been taught to use the bond yet, and as a Guardian, she has every right -” Gin walked over to Nelenie and reached up toward her friend’s face. She placed her fingers against Nelenie’s temples. “Nel, close your eyes and focus on my voice, then I want you to imagine a blank white wall. Nothing else. Can you do that?” Nelenie closed her eyes, nodding slightly, and Gin looked back at Omerith. “Initiate the bond, my lord. I will bring Nelenie in to listen.” Omerith and Sath closed their eyes simultaneously.
Are we all present?
Sathlir Clawsharp, Rajah of Qatu’anari, present.
Ginolwenye Clawsharp, Nature Walker, present and allowing access to Nelenie Ergwyn, First Caeth, and Guardian of Alynatalos, present.
Daelyth, daughter of the First Brood, present.
Omerith’s pride swelled at his daughter’s appearance in the bond, and the rest couldn’t help but smile. Daughter, I am pleased that you are well enough to join us.
Papa, I had to—no one else knows where the orb is.
Omerith chuckled. Indeed, my precious one. That is what we, as Guardians, must discuss. The Rajah has suggested that the actual location should not be revealed to anyone at this time. Daelyth knows, and I know, and the Rajah feels that is enough.
Gin frowned. My lord Omerith, I do not feel that is a good idea. I trust this group with my life, and I think that the burden of knowledge should be shared among us.
Sath smiled sadly at her. Gin, you saw what it did to me. I have no desire to have the power of the orb, but it was still able to convince me that Raedea was communicating with me. Omerith has not told me anything more than that Daelyth has hidden the orb where she was taken to see the drakes fly.
Oh, of course, Omerith, your daughter is very clever. It is in The Temple of the Mother.
Yes, Nature Walker, you know it?
I do. The wizard—kept me there once.
I did see that memory when you let me into your mind, Nature Walker, I remember. That is why I told you to tell Papa.
Please, Daelyth, call me Gin. My lord, now that we all know, what is our next move? If the Mother Dragon finds the orb -
Ginolwenye of the Trees, your concern is valid, but where can we put it that it will be safe?
Gin looked around the room at the faces assembled. She could almost imagine Daelyth just to the side of her father and knew that the golden dragon would soon be back to her rightful place. But all it would take was for the Mother Dragon to return to the Old World, and everything would be in jeopardy. The balance of Orana had been tipped, and if Kaerinth was given the power of Ikara, it would tip even further.
“What if we return Ikara’s power?” Everyone in the room stared at her and not only because she had spoken outside of the bond. Omerith relayed her words to his daughter and then nodded for Gin to continue. “Hear me out. He has been without that power for more than two centuries. All of the gods have retreated to the Void, which means not only is he no direct threat to the Old World, but he is under the watch of the others.”
“I am sorry, Gin, but I fail to see the benefit of returning magic to the Father of the Underworld. He was neutralized for a reason. His followers are still many; you know that as well as I do. No daughter of the Great Forest could possibly think that restoring Ikara is a good idea.” Nelenie folded her arms across her chest.
Darkness: A Guardians of Orana Novel Page 34
