A Storm in the Desert: Dragonlinked Chronicles Voume 3 (71 page)

Fillion nodded and moved below him.

Gregor placed his foot in the stirrup, and gripping the saddle handhold with his right hand, turned and started lowering himself.

When he got low enough, Fillion grabbed his waist. “Alright, I have you.”

Gregor removed his foot from the stirrup, and Fillion eased him down.

Feet on the ground, Gregor let out a breath. “That went better than I expected.” He put his good arm over Fillion’s shoulders. “Thanks.”

As they turned to walk inside, Fillion caught sight of Guildmaster Millinith talking to Adept Liflin and the two auditors while they made their way into the investigation office.

“We’ll actually be publishing a joint paper on their sentience,” Adept Komako said, glancing at Adept Oran.

The young man nodded.

“You’ll have the guild’s full support with that,” Guildmaster Millinith said. “Let us know if there’s—”

Fillion stared at the closed office door. “The Guildmaster didn’t sound convinced that Master Gella would be helping. Why do think that is?”

“The talks were going well,” Gregor said. “Maybe she’s disappointed they won’t continue for a while. Other than that, I’m not sure what it could be. Then again, I can’t exactly think very well right now.”

Once inside, Gregor sat on the sofa, and Kisa hopped up to his left, careful of his arm. She made a sympathetic sound and lay her head on his lap. He stroked her neck.

“It does, sweetie,” Gregor murmured, “but the tea will help.”

Damn! He’d forgotten about the tea. “I’ll get that ready.” Fillion hurried to the counter and started some water to heat.

As he prepared the hot drink, the strange feeling he’d gotten from Guildmaster Millinith kept bothering him. Why would she think that Master Gella wouldn’t help? Gella specifically told him that she wanted to help, that she would. He was sure that she’d be able to prove that Nesch Takatin was the one who did all the bad stuff and not the Corpus Order as a whole.

Tea finished, Fillion put in two drops of willow bark extract. He glanced at Gregor and saw him grimace in pain. Hmm, perhaps one drop more.

Handing over the mug, he said, “I’m going to talk to the Guildmaster later and ask her to remove you from duties and chores for a few days. Your arm needs time to mend a bit before you stress it.”

Gregor nodded and took a sip. “Alright. I guess I can use the time to practice my hand-stands.” He chuckled, then grimaced and groaned.

Fillion sighed. “Don’t move your arm, you goof.” He reached down, scratched Kisa under her chin, and said, “You’re going to have to keep an eye on him so he doesn’t do anything silly while his arm heals.”

Kisa chirped then looked up at Gregor. She barked as if giving an order.

Gregor smiled. “I know, I know. I’ll take it easy. I wouldn’t want the two of you to get mad at me.” His eyes grew large and he whispered, “Shit.”

“What?” Fillion looked at Gregor’s arm, but could see nothing wrong.

“My mom’s going to be so pissed that I broke an arm.”

Fillion had completely forgotten about Gregor’s family coming to visit. “She’ll be upset that it happened, yes, and why wouldn’t she? She’s your mother. She loves you. But once she realizes that it could have been much worse,” Fillion sat to his right, “that you could have been killed, she’ll be very happy that a broken arm is all that happened to you.”

Gregor looked at him. “
She’ll
be very happy?”

Fillion twisted his lips and shrugged. “Anyone who loves you would be.”

Gregor smiled. “I have a warm dragon in my lap, a delicious cup of tea, and you. Even with this broken arm, I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

Fillion curved his lips in a small smile. No, he thought,
we’re
the luckiest guys in the world. He leaned against Gregor.

Kisa’s happy rumble was echoed by Coatl. A softer, quieter purr joined in when Snow hopped on the couch and curled up in Fillion’s lap.

Petting the cat, he looked up at Gregor. “We’re going to have to get you out of that jacket at some point, you know. Even cutting the sleeve off you, it’s going to hurt.”

“Hush. You’re ruining the moment.”

Fillion chuckled and lay back against him.

“Come along, now,” Polandra said, “keep moving. You’ve all seen the weight scale before.”

“After all,” Liara said, “we’ve got more eggs to visit.”

With little breaths of excitement the stragglers hurried along the dragon corridor to the clutching room.

Polandra smiled. Liara always knew how to get candidates to do something.

“You seem happier.” Liara walked with her as they took up the rear, behind the recently accepted and the other dragonlinked who’d ferried the hopefuls over from visiting Nenet’s eggs.

Polandra took a breath and let it out. “With the conclusion of the investigation this afternoon, my dream will finally happen.”

Liara looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“Master Gella will have learned what we all know, that the Order did not do any of the things Nesch Takatin put in motion. With that taken care of, our talks with the Order can then resume, and, based on how well they were going, dragons will soon be able to occupy the caves again.”

Liara smiled. “I see.”

All the candidates stood in a loose semi-circle around Anaya’s two eggs. The proud mother sat on her haunches several feet behind her children.

“A reminder,” Aeron said. He stood with Willem and the other dragonlinked at the edge of the sand. “You are allowed to touch the eggs, but be gentle.” He glanced at Balam, who sat next to Anaya. “Mommy and daddy are watching.”

Willem chuckled. “As are we all.”

Polandra walked over to the—what did you call the human bond-mates in their relation to their dragon’s children? Human parents? Bond-parents? Hmm. She liked that. Bond-parents. Whatever it turned out to be, Polandra walked over to Aeron and Willem.

She turned to the hopefuls. “The baby dragons are listening, too.”

Murmuring came from the candidates.

Liara chuckled. “That’s got them thinking.”

“Ten pale says Sharrah is the first to approach the eggs again.”

Polandra glanced at Aeron. “No thanks. I’ll not take that wager.”

“Aw, come on, not even five pale?”

“Why would I throw money away on a foregone conclusion? Besides, I can’t waste any right now.”

He chuckled. “You saving up for the spring trade fair, too?”

“Renata did mention the trade fair coming up, yes.” Polandra glanced at the southern girl and smiled before returning her gaze to the candidates.

Renata had also mentioned the bathing suits. They sounded much more . . . intriguing than the shirts and long shorts typical of swimwear. Polandra was keenly interested in seeing what kind would be available at the fair, and wanted to be sure she had enough money on hand to buy at least one set along with other clothing and effects. Though the Caer had provided her with many things, she wanted for a few items.

Sharrah was indeed the first to approach the eggs, though Korrie—she insisted her fellow dragonlinked not call her Lady Korrie—was close on her heels. Cheddar and Terry were next. Then the rest hurried over.

Terry, Polandra was interested to note, rested the side of his head against one of the eggs. He seemed to be listening for something. Lips moving, he also appeared to be whispering. Whether to himself or the dragon inside, she had no idea. The others spent time stroking each egg, talking amongst themselves and to Anaya, or sitting and staring at one or the other of the two eggs—whichever was their favorite.

They are all very excited.

Polandra glanced at Ikan.
Are any of them at all afraid?

None.

She smiled.
Well, they aren’t contemplating bonding with a full-grown dragon as I was. They weren’t brought up to fear dragons, either.

He turned to her, eyes sparkling in the illumination from the large lightglobes about the room.
Yet despite the fear I felt wriggling in your heart, you approached me. You were and are brave. That was one of the things that intrigued me about you, drew me to you. Bravery is a difficult thing for dragons before we bond.

Polandra smiled.
You and your sister were brave enough to fly with your mother and meet me. It was close to Bataan-Mok, too.

Humor and pride came through the link.
That is true, I suppose.
He blinked.
When will we invite her to come meet the candidates? I would like my blood-sister to feel as free and happy as I do.

Free and happy. A perfect description of how she felt.
Perhaps in a week or so when the eggs are ready to hatch?

He turned to the candidates.
That will be good.

Aeron chuckled. “Anaya is pleased that they’re all so happy and eager.”

“I really enjoy these ‘hang out with the eggs’ things,” Jessip said. “Though it would have been nicer to have all the eggs here. Why didn’t Nenet lay hers here, too?”

“She seemed really nervous about the place,” Renata said. “She mentioned that it didn’t smell right, whatever that means.”

“Well,” Willem said, “I would guess that the caves they normally clutch in have been used that way for centuries. Perhaps the scent of dragons lingers in them and makes those places feel safe?”

“I suppose.” Renata nodded.

“That’s true,” Aeron said. “This room was solid stone before it was enchanted.” He glanced at the new tiered seats to the left and right of the doorway. “Everything in here was enchanted from rock. It probably only smells like dusty sand and stone.”

“Our dragons clutching here should make it feel—and smell—more lived-in,” Polandra said, “then wild dragons might feel more comfortable about laying their eggs here.”

The moss and fungi will help, too.

She glanced at Ikan and then to the small beginnings of a sort of cavern garden. “Ikan says the plants will help, too.”

Everyone looked at the small patch of moss and fungi. It sat at the back of the room, opposite the archway to the rest of the Guildhall.

“We were able to find those in our own caverns,” Aeron said. “But Nenet said she’d bring some varieties that are not  found here. She said she’d have to sneak around and steal them.” He smiled. “It seems that even without the Bond, we can influence dragons to be more brave.”

“Anaya’s been tending to it?” Jessip glanced at the tawny dragon.

“Yeah,” Aeron nodded. “She likes it, and it lets her keep an eye on her eggs at the same time. She searched her memories on moss-tenders and how they took care of that kind of stuff.”

“Must be nice to be able to just search for a memory on how to do things.” Jessip twisted his lips. “We have to memorize and study and study and study.”

Renata chuckled. “This week’s spells giving you trouble?”

“Maybe.” He crossed his arms.

Zolin’s rumble was not quite a laugh.

Jessip glanced at him. “Hush, you. They’re not as simple anymore.”

“Apprentice-level spells are a great deal easier than what you’re studying now,” Aeron said. His eyes narrowed. “Speaking of which, I wonder how far along they are.”

He walked closer to the eggs. “Alright candidates, let me see your hand if you can tell me whether Meturato’s Gloom is an active spell or not.”

Hands shot up.

“No, Sharrah,” he said, smiling, “not you. I know
you
know. I’m asking the new class.”

Cheddar chuckled and Sharrah shot a look at him. He laughed and put his arm around her.

“Korrie,” Aeron pointed to the girl. “Is it active?”

“No.” She lowered her hand and shook her head. “Once you place it, your involvement is done. No more draining of animus.”

“Correct!” Aeron looked around. “Now, if I wanted to play a prank on someone and cast Gloom on their desk, would they be forever doomed to study in darkness? Hands!”

He glanced from one candidate to another. “Jemma.”

She lowered her hand. “It’s sort of a trick question.”

Aeron raised his brows, but he was smiling. “Oh? Please explain.”

“The reason I said it was a trick question is that once you sat at your desk, there would be no darkness apparent to you. Meturato’s Gloom only shrouds its anchor point from outside viewers. If you’re inside the spell’s area of effect, you see no difference. Well, not much, anyway.”

Aeron nodded. “Very good. It was a trick question, but not entirely. What else?”

“Um . . .” Jemma scrunched her nose and twisted her lips. “You could always counter the Gloom if you got tired of it?”

“Exactly. But how does one go about countering an enchantment one did not weave?”

“If you place the same or similar enchantment near it, you can then see the other enchantment. Something about”—she closed her eyes, perhaps to remember a lesson—“focus resonance.” She opened them. “And once you can see an enchantment, you can counter it.”

“Assuming you aren’t trying to save your bond-mate’s life at the time, anyway.” Aeron looked the candidates over, an impressed look on his face. “It’s only been a few weeks, but it seems that Adept Liflin is training you all well.”

“He’s a bit of a task-master,” Terry said, “though he is nice about it.”

“Well,” Willem said, “keep at it and you candidates will be apprentices soon enough.”

Polandra frowned and looked around at the dragonlinked.
They
weren’t even apprentices yet. She wasn’t even sure the requirements for that rank had been determined. She had to remember to ask the Guildmaster about that.

“And some of you will be bonded even sooner than that.” Aeron glanced at the eggs, then at Anaya. He smiled.

Yesterday, Anaya had announced that her eggs would hatch within a week. Excitement had run rampant throughout the Guildhall and Caer. Polandra was excited, too. She couldn’t wait to see who’d be chosen. The enthusiasm of the candidates for the imminent hatching had everyone in high spirits.

“Candidates,” Aeron said, glancing at his wrist-watch, “we’ve got half an hour before lunch. Let’s head back to the Caer. I need to have lunch now, as I’ve a trip with the Guildmaster soon, and it will give everyone else time to take care of anything they need to before lunch.”

Polandra would have liked to go, too, but Guildmaster Millinith only wanted her and Aeron at the announcement. She didn’t think there was a need to have every dragon and dragonlinked there. Besides, there was plenty to occupy Polandra here.

She looked at the hopefuls still staring at the eggs. They seemed reluctant to leave. Polandra couldn’t blame them. They likely had the same questions on their minds as she did. Who would be bonded in a few days? And who would be left to wait for more eggs?

+ + + + +

Gregor stared at the polished grave marker. Every now and then, when he moved slightly, sparkles—bursts of reflected sunlight—broke out in the thin granite slab like tiny stars being born.

Fillion took his hand.

Gregor glanced at him and looked back at the gravestone. “I kind of made a promise that I would help fight the things that killed her. There was a side-trip through Healing Craft, but I eventually joined the nahual investigation, the beginnings of Dragon Craft.”

Fillion nodded.

“Dayna and I were sort of seeing each other, before . . .”

When he didn’t say more, Fillion squeezed his hand.

Gregor glanced at the flowers he’d placed upon the marker. “Every year, when the Silver Crowns first bloom, I bring a few for her.” The flowers were more pewter than silver, but they had a metallic sheen to them that was striking.

“I’ve never seen their like before,” Fillion said. “They’re beautiful.”

“Aunt Rora, Lady Rora, grows them in her private garden. I sneak in and take a few each year. I’m pretty sure she knows it’s me.”

He stood in silence for a while, thinking about the survey team he and Dayna had been part of, about how much the Caer had grown since then, and about how much he had grown as well. A gentle breeze played across the dry grasses and the early spring shoots.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Dayna, this is Fillion. He’s my boyfriend. He takes care of me, keeps me out of most trouble. He makes me happy.” Gregor glanced at him and smiled. Looking back at the marker, he said, “Anyway, the dragonlinked have got a guild now, and there are more of us all the time. We’ll keep fighting the beasts. We’ll keep as many people safe as we can.”

Gregor looked up at the sky, smiled, and led the way back to the dragons. As they walked, he said, “Thanks for coming. You didn’t have to, you know.”

Fillion glanced at him. “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”

Gregor smiled, nodded, and squeezed Fillion’s hand. He couldn’t wait to introduce this amazing young man to his mother.

Before they reached the dragons, Fillion stopped and turned to Coatl.

Gregor looked at him. “What is it?”

“You’re family is here.”

Gregor’s brows rose. It had been years since he’d seen his mother or sister. He missed them more than he’d realized. “Let’s hurry.”