The Dragons of Sara Sara (41 page)

"We know," began Rees. "That these monstrous beings will only travel at night. Although they fly, we also know that they need to walk to gather up their prey. We can use this."

Rees paused. He was making this up as he went along, but it seemed as though the thoughts of another were inside his head. It felt very strange. Still, he could not stop now.

"We will use this to trap them. I have heard ..." He paused in mid sentence. "That ground traps can slow them enough to distract them." Rees rubbed his forehead. 'Where had I heard that?' He thought. 'I have never even heard of Dahar until today?'

He shook his head.

"I also know that we can catch them in nets that entangle their wings." Again he rubbed his forehead. Where were these thoughts coming from. Mei'An's face was unreadable when he glanced at her.

By now men were discussing ways of laying traps, and how to place nets.

'The Dahar are in for a surprise when they returned here.' Thought Rees. 'If they returned.'

Mei'An returned to the cool of the common room and took her seat. Edina had disappeared. So had the axe from the door frame. In reply to Mei'An's questioning look, Luan lifted his chin in the direction of the private rooms to the rear of the inn. Edina was talking with the innkeeper, that strange woman claiming to be a warrior. From a land Luan knew to be on the far side of the world. Almost a year away over an endless ocean, far to the north in the frozen wastes.

 

 

 

Away back in the village of Xu Gui, Desare was at her window again. The sun was disappearing below the horizon as another uneventful day drew to a close. It seemed as though all the strange adventures of a few weeks back had never happened. Apart from a constant stream of Traders coming and going from the inn, it was beginning to seem as though life had returned to normal in the village. People were back on their farms. There were no Mare Altan to be seen, other than the handful thought necessary to protect the village.

Desare sighed, her chin resting on her hands. Fingers knitted together, elbows resting on the sill. Somewhere out there people were having adventures.

"Antonin." She whispered his name. She didn't hear it, but in that strange half world of the Blue Tower, the great bell rumbled as though struck with a rubber hammer. Mei'An heard it, as did all Wind Readers, but it was not the clear chime of a summoning, so Mei'An made no move to enter the tower. She didn't know what it could mean.

The Keeper of the Blue Tower was sitting by her water garden. She looked up at the towers around her and clicked her tongue. That young girl was becoming a problem.

Desare was not focused on anything in sight, her gaze taking her mind on flights of fancy as she daydreamed.

The Great Seal rested in a velvet lined box on the small table by her bedside. She could not see it of course, being behind her and in a box. Had she been able to see it though, its pulsating blue light would have alarmed her. Slowly the scene before her eyes began to intrude on her daydreams. There were two riders heading directly toward the village. They rode low on the horses backs, and even as she focused on them, she saw they were riding like men possessed. There were maybe a dozen horses strung out behind them linked on a lead rope and the cloud of dust billowed up into the darkening twilight sky. They were coming out of the north east. Desare knew that there was nothing in that direction, not even farms until nearly the border. That was at least a week's hard ride away she thought. The riders were hard to see in the long shadows of the dusk landscape. She should raise the alarm. Obviously no one else could see them yet. They didn't appear to be armed, and two men would be little danger anyway. Desare breathed a sigh of relief as she saw some of the maidens running out to meet the riders head on. Of course they would have kept watch. What had she been worried about. The riders didn't stop. They would have to swing to her right and around onto the bridge to cross the river. As if reading her mind, they suddenly swing in that direction and in moments pounded across the bridge on the approaches to the village common. Desare was still only a your girl though, and the coming and goings of the adults didn't really make an impression on her. She followed the progress of the riders into the village, the Mare Altan running with them now, until they disappeared out of sight behind some buildings. She knew they would either stop at the common, or ride on to the inn. Either way, it was not her concern. Soon her mother would be calling her down stairs to the dining room. She drew a breath and sighed. Her thoughts turned again to Antonin and a dreamy look entered her eyes. He was so handsome, so tall. And so far away. Desare knew there was trouble brewing again and she knew Antonin was at the centre of it. Like the eye of a storm, events were swirling about him.

"Oh Antonin." Said Desare aloud.

The Great Seal actually hummed, causing Desare to look over her shoulder in alarm.

The bell in the Blue Tower tolled loudly, rippling the surface of the garden pond where the Keeper sat. Mei'An, and indeed all of the Wind Readers pressed fingers to temples to ease the pain of the bell that seemed to be peeling inside their heads.

This time, Antonin heard the bell, but underneath the rolling wave of sound came a whisper that carried his name. He could hear Desare's voice in it.

'That girl is certainly drawing attention to herself.' He thought.

Desare of course knew nothing of the disturbance she caused. She had thought she had heard a humming sound a moment ago, but there was nothing to be seen, and the sound had stopped. Desare went to her small dressing table and sat on the ornately carved little stool. Taking up her brush, she began to brush her hair. Blue ribbons would be nice she thought, a pretty contrast to her yellow gold hair.

The velvet lined box containing the Great Seal lay closed beside the various trinkets on the dressing table. Desare lifted the lid idly, humming a tune to herself. The great Seal flared into brilliance, a great blue light filled the room, seeming to engulf Desare. She could not cry out, she could not move. She felt as though she was encased in solid ice. Desare fainted, but still she didn't move a muscle. Not one hair on her head stirred. The light grew in intensity, the blue becoming iridescent like the blue of lightning. Smoke was rising in a wisp up from around the seal itself.

The two riders had come clattering into the inn, calling for the Trader with the Great Seal. Calling for help. Desare's father was attending to these wild eyed strangers. They claimed to have ridden from the border lands in only two days and two nights. It didn't seem possible, but it certainly looked as though they might have. The Mare Altan who had escorted them in crowded into the common room. Suddenly everyone went deathly quiet. A strange blue haze was filling the room. It seemed to be appearing out of the thin air like mist above a marsh.

The Trader, Anan Hamar leapt to his feet and with feet pounding on the stairs, took them three at a time as he dashed upwards. He headed for Desare's room and crashed his shoulder against the door. With a grunt the wind was driven from him and he bounced back. His left arm was numb, and he thought he had broken his shoulder. The door had not yielded a fraction. It should have splintered. The Trader felt as though he had slammed into a rock face. More cautiously this time he tried the door handle. It could not be budged. The blue haze was filling the entire inn.

"Anan," called the innkeeper as he laboured up the steps, the Mare Altan all trying to get up with him. "What is happening? Is my daughter safe?"

The Trader could only shrug. "I cannot enter. The Great Seal truly must have the room sealed. I do not know what takes place within."

Inside the room, Desare felt herself returning to consciousness. Strangely, she found herself standing by the dresser, yet she could clearly see herself still sitting in the chair. Hair brush in one hand, and the Great Seal of the Creator in her left hand.

'This is very strange.' She thought. Desare also noticed that, although she should be in a panic, she was quite calm. 'Perhaps this is just a dream.' She thought. 'Perhaps, in this dream I can go to Antonin.'

The sound of the tolling bell was very loud. Desare could hear it plainly, and gasped at the discomfit. Those in the hall could also hear it. Anyone within miles of the village could hear it, yet while to Desare it had been loud enough to be uncomfortable, to those outside it was as though they were inside the bell itself as it tolled.

It brought people to their knees in the street, clutching their heads. Desare looked around in some confusion. There beside her was the girl from the Blue tower. Desare felt herself close to tears. She was becoming a little afraid.

"Desare," said the Keeper. "You must not be afraid. But also you must not say the name of your friend Antonin. It is that which causes the bell to toll."

Desare opened her mouth to repeat his name automatically, but even quicker the girl facing her laid a pretty finger across her lips.

"Shush Desare, remember now. Do not use his name." She smiled and Desare was reassured.

Those outside the room could do nothing. The door could not be forced, and no one had any idea what to do. Dagar Domain the innkeeper wrung his hands and cast worried looks at the door to his daughters room.

Within, the Keeper of the Blue tower took the hands of the image of the girl who stood beside the seated version of herself.

"Desare, the forces are gathering. You are very much a part of events. With the aid of the Great Seal, you have summoned me from The Blue Tower. For the first time since the Seal was last used in the defences against the Dark One."

"But I did not call you," said Desare plaintively. "I only wanted to see An...ar, er, my friend."

"And so you shall. We must ensure this. There are those outside who need our help. I will guide you now."

Coming faintly through the door, the cries of Desare's father could be heard. Her mother was beating at the door and wailing in fear for her daughters safety. Desare seemed to hear this for the first time.

"You must let my mother and father in." She said to the Keeper.

"It is not I, but The Great Seal that holds you in this dream world Desare. You must appeal to it for help. I don't know what you did to summon forth it's power, but you must reverse it. I cannot be away from the Blue Tower longer than moments, or it will crumble to dust. You must return to your body, or be forever trapped in this dream state."

Desare looked around. All she had done was open the box in which The Great Seal rested. Without a thought she turned and dropped the Seal from her hand into the box and snapped the lid shut. Instantly, the blue haze was gone, the Keeper of the Blue Tower was gone, Desare nearly fell off the stool in front of her mirror, and at the same time her father crashed through the door in a shower of splinters as he tried again to force it. He had hardly cleared the door frame as half a dozen maidens spilled into the room to battle whatever might be there. Everyone pulled up short in surprise as Desare sat before them, hair brush in hand. Only one Mare Altan noticed the faint reflection a beautiful, strangely clad woman in the mirror. The image slowly faded before her eyes. But the warrior maiden knew what she had seen. She was well aware of the powers, almost like those of a Wind Reader. Desare had been in the company of that strange young woman.

Desare glanced at the Maiden in the mirror. Their eyes held for a moment in understanding, then Desare stood and turned.

"Mother, Father. I must accompany these men who have just arrived, back to the border. My help is needed."

She held up her hand to silence the instant protests. In that moment her mother knew that her little girl had grown up. Jolin Domain rested her fingers on her husband's arm. He was protesting volubly about foolish girls and men's errands.

"Dagar." Said his wife. "Our Desare is growing up, and she is needed. Let us give her our support and blessing."

The innkeeper ceased his protests, but he didn't look any too happy.

He shouted to his stable hand, out in the hallway. "Go, find Gaul. He will protect my daughter." The Trader, Anan Hama nodded.

"A wise decision innkeeper," He said. "For it is destined that Gaul, Rees and Antonin can only win this battle together." He nodded as in agreement with his own words and stomped back down the stairs.

Desare smiled. She was going to help Antonin. Finally, her dreams were coming true. She turned around to the mirror. She could see the Mare Altan girl still watching her, and as she whispered "Keeper, are you well?" The faintest image of the Keeper flashed in the silver surface. The Keeper was smiling back at Desare from her seat by her garden pool. The Keeper was safe.

The warrior maiden stepped up to Desare. Putting a hand on her shoulder she said. "Desare, I am Nina. I will be with you to guide you back."

Desare's mother smiled and patted the warriors arm. "Thank you Nina. I know you will watch her well." She turned to the innkeeper.

"Quickly now Dagar. The riders must return. There is great danger in that far off village."

The others in the room began to crowd out down the hallway and down the stairs. Only Jolin, Desare and Nina remained.

"Mother," said Desare. "Something has changed. I feel different." The hesitation in Desare's voice was noticeable. Jolin looked at her daughter, then at the box holding the Seal of the Creator. She said nothing, as she hugged her daughter to her bosom.

Finally she stood back. "Come Desare, Nina. Prepare for your journey."

Nina was ready. The Maidens carried no baggage. Desare looked about her. She had never travelled alone. Where did she start. She needn't have worried. Her mother had dragged out a fairly large leather script and in this she folded extra underclothes and toiletries. Into a soft shoulder pack she folded Desare's riding skirts, shirts and a travelling blanket. The pack was bulky but light. Even without a horse the script and the pack could easily be managed. Desare looked at the meagre collection. She looked from her pack to the Warrior Maiden Nina. Nina stood quietly waiting, watching with interest. She was packed - her weapons were all she needed. Her clothes would wash, as she would, in mountain streams and pools and rivers.

Desare was not quite ready for that, but with a shrug, she accepted that life might get a little difficult from now on. Soon she was ready. Changed into a riding dress, the skirt divided into two half's, sewn into two legs, so that when she stood it appeared as a normal skirt. Her long sleeved cotton blouse as white as new snow. Little yellow flowers stitched into the fabric, looking for all the world like spring flowers on a melting snow field. Desare tied her hair back, gave her head a shake and declared herself ready to travel. The three women stood looking at each other for a moment. The spell was broken as the Trader, Anan Hamar knocked heavily on the door. Jolin opened the door. "We are just about ready, Master Trader." She said.

"It is not that, Mistress. I must ask that Desare leave the Great Seal with me."

"But of course Master Hamar." Said Desare, "It is yours. It is yours to guard. I would not dream of keeping it with me." Desare was a little surprised that the Trader had thought she might think otherwise. Desare turned to the dressing table and picked up the small box containing the Great Seal of the Creator.

As she took it into her hands, a low hum again filled the room. The Trader took a step forward.

"Truly, the Seal knows who you are." He said to Desare.