A Storm in the Desert: Dragonlinked Chronicles Voume 3 (63 page)

Terry looked away, twisted his lips, and scrunched his nose. “My uncle died last year. A horse spooked and kicked him in the head. Just like that, he was gone.” He looked at Aeron and shrugged. “Any of us can die at any moment. Might as well do something worth-while with your life in the meantime, eh?”

This boy reminded her of her bond-mate, at least the way he was now.
I told you he was a good candidate.

Yes, well, I want to be sure that everyone understands the full implications of becoming dragonlinked.

Aeron gripped Terry’s shoulder. “Alright then. You’re old enough, have your parent’s permission, and are willing.” Aeron stood. “That gets us most of the way there.”

The worry from earlier came through the link again and she turned to Aeron.
What are you concerned about?

He glanced at her.
Applications are limited right now. We’re going to have to sneak him in.

She wasn’t sure she liked that idea. Lying wasn’t a good thing.

He turned to Terry. “You need to pack. Don’t bring too much, though. Mementos of your family and friends, maybe, and a few changes of clothing along with some smallclothes. If you have any fancy dress, bring that, too, along with any money you might have squirreled away. It will take time to save up money as an accepted. That’s all you’ll really need.”

Terry nodded. “Alright. I’ll be back, then.” He ran off.

As they waited, Anaya kept an eye on the people that had gathered at the edge of the small hilltop. They were all curious and interested, much like the people in Bataan-Mok. But at least here there were none who feared her, hated her, and there weren’t manisi keeping an eye, shackles weren’t biting into her limbs, and she wasn’t waiting to be executed. And, too, Aeron was here.

She turned her head. He lay back against her, seemingly asleep, though she could feel that he was not. She licked him on the cheek.

Chuckling, he wiped his face, opened his eyes, and smiled.
You are a little—no, make that a big—brat.
He reached up and scratched her cheek and neck.
But I love you anyway.

She let out a happy rumble.
And I, you.

It was good to lay here in the sun with Aeron. They didn’t have as much time for things like this anymore. Studies, practice, patrols, chores—one thing or another was always needing to be done, it seemed.

We really need to do something about the clutching room so that Nenet, Chel, and the rest feel comfortable laying eggs there. I don’t like having eggs in different places. I’d rather have them all together to keep an eye on them.

Anaya tilted her head.
Perhaps we should start moss-tending.

I don’t suppose you know how to do it?

I have memories of it. Some in my line were moss-tenders.

Golden!
A bit of concern came through the link.
I wonder where we can get the moss and fungi from.

Some of the moss along the way to the egg cavern is the right kind. But there are more types at House Yaot that are not in the caverns.

I wonder if Nenet could bring some from there for us.

It should not be difficult. We can ask her.

Remind me to do that later.

Terry was on the way up the hill.
The boy returns.

Good.
Aeron stood.
We’re going to stop off at the Farm on the way back.

The Farm?

Yes. That way I won’t have to lie outright.

Anaya rose to her haunches and stared at him. What was he planning?

Terry ran up to them and leaned over on his knees, breathing heavily. He had some kind of sling sack on his back, fat with belongings. “Sorry it took so long.” He took a deep breath and let it out, standing up. “As I packed, I let my parents know that I was leaving to apply at the craft guild.”

“No worries.” Aeron handed him a riding belt. “Here, put this on. We’ll strap in and be off.”

Terry spent no time snugging on the belt. They mounted up, put on the safety straps and she lifted them into the air. A quick flight through the portal and Baronel Farm lay before them.

“Wow!” She felt the boy bouncing in the saddle. “Is that the Caer?”

Humor came through the link and Aeron said, “No. That’s Baronel Farm. I’m going to talk with the Proctor before we go to the Caer.”

Anaya banked down for a landing in front of the main building. Aeron hopped down and helped Terry with the straps.

“Come on,” Aeron said. “Let’s go speak with Proctor Josephine.”

Before they made it up the steps of the building, a tall blond man walked out the door. “Ah! Dragonlinked Aeron. I didn’t think you were on patrol today.”

“I’m not, Assistant Marcus. I just came by to see if there were any applicants for the guild needing a lift to the Caer.”

People were stopping as they walked past to look at Anaya. She looked around at them. Everyone was always curious about her, it seemed.

“You just missed a few. The wagon left about ten minutes ago with them.”

A large woman walked out the door. It was the Proctor. Anaya was always impressed by her size. She was as tall as Marcus and had as much muscle, if not more.

“Aeron! So good to see you again.”

He smiled. “Madam Proctor. It’s good to see you again, too.”

Josephine had been here the first time she and Aeron had come to the Farm, over a year ago. She’d been very happy that they’d been able to save Jessip’s life.

“What brings you to the Farm?”

“He was offering to take any applicants for the Dragon Craft Guild to the Caer,” Marcus said. “I told him about the wagon.”

She nodded. “Those three are likely the last batch. A girl and two boys. Just as well they took the wagon, you wouldn’t have been able to carry them all anyway.”

Aeron shrugged. “I thought I would check.”

Josephine nodded. “Yes, well, be sure those that don’t get approved are sent back. We need all the hands we have here.”

Aeron smiled. “Of course, Madam Proctor.” He gave a quick bow. “I best be getting back to the Caer. I’ll let Guildmaster Millinith know we have more applicants coming from the Farm.”

The two proctors waved at them as they lifted into the air. Anaya flew them through the portal and then landed in the courtyard in the middle of the stables. Once again, Aeron hopped off and then helped Terry.

“Alright,” Aeron said, “time to visit the dormitories.”

Anaya lay down in front of their stable.
I think I understand your plan, now.

Aeron turned to her, a smile on his lips.
A little misdirection will be involved, but no lies.

As it is for the betterment of the guild, I will go along with it.

And that, dear-heart, is another reason I love you.

Anaya rumbled and lay her head down.
We will not make a habit of this, however.

I know, love. I know.

+ + + + +

“Applications are supposed to only be from those living in the Caer or the Farm,” Aeron explained as he walked with Terry along the cobbled road. The dormitories were just ahead. “That’s because the living quarters in the Guildhall aren’t complete yet, so we don’t have places for dragonlinked to live right now if they aren’t already living somewhere in the Caer.”

“So how am I supposed to apply?”

“Like I said, the Caer or the Farm. Those from the Farm will stay in the dorms or the Housing Hall unless and until they are declined. I’m going to let them think you are from the Farm.”

Terry frowned. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t like being here if I’m not supposed to be.”

“It’s not that you aren’t supposed to be here,” Aeron said. “The restriction on applicants right now is only because there isn’t much room. But one applicant will easily fit. They just didn’t want dozens and dozens of people applying with not enough room to house them.”

Terry grunted. “I guess it’s alright, then.”

Honesty was absolutely a requirement of dragonlinked, Aeron thought. But gods be good, this kid was making it difficult to keep a promise.

“Just follow my lead when we talk to Proctor Jarvis or Assistant Shelton.” He took the steps up to the hall in two quick strides. “I’m not asking you to lie about anything, just see if you can talk around it if you get asked.”

Shelton’s hair was exactly as Aeron remembered it. Slicked down and parted with razor precision.

“Assistant Shelton,” Aeron gave a quick bow of his head. “I’m just back from speaking with Proctor Josephine at the Farm. I thought I would let you know that there are three applicants for the Dragon Craft Guild coming via wagon. A girl and two boys.” He glanced at Terry. “I brought Terry here myself.”

The boy bowed his head. “Assistant Shelton.”

The assistant proctor sniffed. “I see. I will have four cots readied.” He turned to Terry. “If you will come with me?”

Terry took a deep breath and nodded, then followed Assistant Shelton out of the office.

Aeron smiled. That was easy as pie.

He headed back to the stables. This afternoon’s training would start soon, and he wanted to let the Guildmaster know of the applicants on the way.

“I stopped by the Farm to see if they had any applicants,” he told her. “They had already left on a wagon and are on the way.”

“That’s fine. We can do another interview session before diner. Then, after dinner, we will announce today’s approvals.”

“Anaya and I can monitor the session, if you’d like.”

“Oh, alright. I suppose Jessip and Zolin could do with a break.”

Aeron smiled. Golden.

I will not give the boy special treatment.

I wouldn’t ask you to do otherwise, dear-heart. I only want you to overlook his nervousness about coming from outside the Caer. I’ve given him the chance. It’s up to him, now.

Fair enough.

Aeron glanced out the dragon doors in passing. The others were already sparring. He best get a move on and change for the combat evaluation.

+ + + + +

“Capu Cirtis!” Isandath feigned surprise. He bowed his head and asked, “How can I help you, Capu?”

“I wonder if I might view one of the restricted texts?”

“Of course, Capu. This way.” Isandath led him to the room at the back of the floor. As they walked, the few people there, two archivists and three others viewing various documents, turned to watch them pass. Isandath spared them nary a glance, focused as he was on his own thoughts. The session must have gone well. He had not detected any ill humor from the leader of the Corpus Order.

After closing the door behind them, Isandath went to one of the chest of drawers and removed a document press. He’d selected a restricted document at random. That was not the purpose of the Capu’s visit, anyway. He grabbed two pair of gloves and returned to the table where Capu Cirtis sat, handing the man one pair.

After donning his own, he opened the press in front of the Capu to one of the pages near the middle. He then sat across the small table from him.

“So,” Isandath said, “how did it go?”

“Even better than my most hopeful expectations.” Capu Cirtis carefully turned a frame. “The only resistance to the meeting had come from the old guard, as you so aptly call them, and that, only token. I was a little heartened that they weren’t as vocal in their opposition as I had anticipated.” He looked up at Isandath. “Our first meeting with the Dragon Craft Guild will be in three days, on Sulday,
at one hour past noon.”

Isandath nodded. “Excellent. I shall let Polandra know tonight.”

+ + + + +

Sharrah stared at the applicants. There were sixteen of them standing together in the courtyard. The last group had been interviewed just before dinner. They’d all returned for the announcement of who’d been approved. Most looked around at the dragons, some of whom lay near their dens in the courtyard. A few stared at the door to the investigation office. All were waiting.

The dragonlinked were all here, too, watching. Most stood in their dragon doors, but
Aeron was with three of the applicants, a boy and two girls, chatting. The girls were friends of his from Magic Craft, Jemma and Kristina. Sharrah had no idea who the boy was.

“I definitely know how Aeron felt, now,” she said.

“Hmm?” Cheddar turned to her.

“I wish the best for the applicants, but at the same time, they’re competition.”

He chuckled and put his arm around her waist. “Well, Anaya said we were candidates. We’ll get a bond-mate sooner or later. I’m more worried about the trip they’re all taking to Bataan-Mok.”

Polandra had returned from talking with Isandath an hour ago. He’d told her the meeting had been approved for Sulday. Everyone had been excited to hear it. With a little time to think on it, though, Sharrah felt as Cheddar did: worried. Would the talks go off without a hitch? There were still people in the Order who held to the old ways, the old guard. Though their numbers had been decreasing, they still existed. And, too, there was Nesch Takatin. Would any of them do something rash?