The Dragons of Sara Sara (42 page)

Desare's mother and Nina looked on wide eyed.

Anan Hamar held out his huge hand to receive the small box from Desare. As their hands touched, it seemed as though time stopped. The tableau in the room appeared as an ornamental display. Nothing moved. The very motes of dust hung motionless. Everything outside the room continued as normal. The sounds echoed up from the common room below.

——

Far away near the border of the Star Field Plain, just short of a day's easy ride from it, Rees sat at a table tapping the hilt of his knife on the table top. He had one foot placed protectively on the wooden chest that they had carried from its resting place in the Inn of Ha Hu. He was lost in thought. Daydreaming. Slowly it dawned on him that his foot, the one resting on the box, was hot. He glanced down and saw to his utter amazement that the box was glowing. He leapt to his feet with a yell. He was on his own, but still looked about sheepishly.

What was going on? Cautiously he opened the lid. The glow was brighter, but not much above that of hot coals. A warm red haze surrounded the contents of the box. Rees lifted out the large bound book and placed it on the table. Resting in their places, the other objects had not been moved in their journey. Only the smooth orb, The key to the Moon Gate appeared different. Luminous colours swirled just below its surface. Without thinking what it could mean, Rees reached in and lifted it out, cradling it in his hands. The glistening sphere immediately flashed into a brilliant light source. It was blinding, and he squinted his eyes shut. He dared not drop the orb for fear it would shatter. Slowly the light faded and Rees peeped carefully at it. His jaw dropped open. There in the centre of the room in a cone of light shining out of the orb in his hands, stood four people. He knew them. They were from his village. Desare, her mother, a Maiden of the Mare Altan he knew from the village, and The Trader. Then he noticed the partially exchanged box in the hands of Desare and the Trader. Rees slowly reached out his right hand, the orb held in his left. He touched Desare on the shoulder to see if she was real, or if this was some sort of dream. Perhaps he had drunk too much ale. With a natural flow of motion, a very much alive Desare broke from her frozen stance and stepped out of the light and stood facing Rees. She looked a little surprised. As did Rees. In only a moment, Desare reached back and touched Nina. Nothing happened. Silent still, Desare looked at Rees. He understood, and reached into the light touching Nina on her brown arm. She stepped out into the room, touching Desare and looking about her. The others in the light, Desare's mother and The Trader still stood motionless and unaware.

The light winked out. One moment there, the next gone. Rees looked at the small glass sphere in his hand. That's all it looked like now. A glass ball. Desare reached up and with a delicate touch of one finger lifted Rees' jaw to shut his mouth. She giggled.

"You look like a fish gasping for air Master Rees." She said.

Rees held his jaw shut. He looked at the two girls, then at the now lifeless orb.

'I won't ask.' He thought. 'I simply won't ask.'

He looked again at the two girls.

"Of course." He said aloud. "Moon Gate."

He put the orb back in the box, returned the book and relocked the box.

Desare noticed that she seemed to have handed the Great Seal to The Trader after all. She had a vague idea that she should have kept it. She remembered that as they had touched, she had caught a flash of light and stepped into this rather strange looking room. Face to face with a very surprised looking Rees.

"What do you mean? 'Of course, the Moon Gate.' She asked Rees.

Rees replied. "The Moon Gate. It is for women only. Just as the moon is the eternal symbol of women, then the disk is the sun, for the man. The gateway. Desare," Rees almost jumped up and down in excitement. "We have it. I know what all the pieces are." He stopped, looking at Desare again. "But how did you ..." He stopped again, lost for words.

"It is something to do with the Seal of the Creator," replied Desare. "It has somehow brought me into your circle. It relates me to The Blue Tower and the Keeper. It was the Seal that activated the Moon Gate. Here, let me see. Let me try." Desare indicated the locked box. Rees was a little sceptical, and Nina, still silent, only raised an eyebrow.

Rees opened the box again and handed the orb to Desare. Immediately its colours came alive, swirling across the surface, coming suddenly into the bright flaring light again. In a flash, the still immovable figures of her mother and The Trader appeared before them. Desare reached out and pushed the small rectangular box of the Seal all the way into the Traders hand. He moved his eyes and looked at Desare. Quickly she withdrew her hand from the light and it winked out.

"I think," Hesitated Desare. "That they will be alright now. I needed to complete my action of handing back the Seal. I think." She held up the swirling sphere to eye level. The colours steadied and they could all see the scene displayed within the sphere. The Trader was looking around Desare's bedroom and her mother was sitting on the bed weeping.

"Weep not mother, I am safe and on my journey." Whispered Desare. To her surprise her mother's image in the sphere looked up. She looked about as though listening for something. She stood, wiped her eyes and lead the Trader from the room. The scene faded, the sphere returned to its normal opaque state.

"Rees," Said Desare. "You say you have the Disk of the Sun? The male gateway. Shouldn't we get that to Antonin ... ahhh noooo." Too late Desare realized her mistake. Rees found himself brushing plaster from his hair as he picked himself up. The two girls likewise.

"What was that!" Groaned Rees.

"Sorry." Said Desare to Rees and Nina both. "It sees that if I say his name, the signal bell of the Blue Tower will be struck. Sometimes I forget. I hope there are no Wind Readers nearby. It really hurts them." Desare could not know that right at that moment Mei'An, only a couple of rooms away was almost blindly groping for her herbs to find one to ease the headache she now had. 'It's that girl again.' She groaned.

"Desare." Said Rees. "Please don't do that again unless you must." He dug some plaster chips out of one ear. "In fact, Mei'An is here with us. Tell me though, how do you come to be here?"

Quickly Desare told her strange tale to Rees. Nina added "And I am Desare's protection. She is yet young and no warrior. The Trader has charged me with her care. You know what that means Rees." She was in fact not much older than Desare, but her training and background gave her years in skill and confidence. Rees knew well what she had taken on. Desare's care meant her safety even at the cost of Nina's life. This thought brought everything back into focus with a jolt. So they had another ally. She would be needed. The battle with the Dahar would almost certainly be enjoined in a few hours now at most, then they must get to Antonin with all speed. The Key to the Moon Gate was Desare's gateway. The Sun Disk was Antonin's. Who was meant for the statue of The Keeper of the Blue Tower? No doubt they would find out.

"We must find Mei'An Desare. Yes, she is close by, and no doubt awake." Rees smiled at his own joke. He added more seriously, "she is expecting the Trader to return with the Great Seal."

Nina went to the door and stepped into the hallway, almost impaling herself on the razor sharp spear of one of her warrior sisters. She let out a screech then a cry of delight. "Elsa, Elsa. Oh this is so wonderful. I though you to be far away over the Dragon Spine in Ha Hu." Entangled in her words, Elsa was almost babbling. "But Nina, how came you here. you were left in the village. My Nina. My sister. Oh! Sorry!" As Elsa realized she still had her spear point prickling blood from her sisters throat. The girls were true sisters, not only warrior sisters. Rare for two girls of the same family to be warriors. The death of their parents at the hands of the Tharsians just after the birth of Nana saw them taken in by the Mare Altan. Only two years separated them. The two girls hugged each other in open affection.

Mei'An, a damp cloth held to her forehead came out of her room.

"What is all the noise here. I cannot think straight. Where is that wretched girl who keeps calling Antonin's name and trying to split our skulls with that bell?" She felt her way along the wall, eyes half shut. Rees and Desare came out into the hallway. Desare had heard Mei'An's words and was looking a little sheepish.

"Please forgive me Lady Wind Reader. I forget sometimes." She said softly.

Mei'An tried to draw herself up to reflect the title used by Desare. She failed.

"Never mind," said Mei'An "Just don't do it again. Or unless you really have to."

That left Desare wondering, but she replied meekly. "Yes my lady, as you say." And tried to curtsy. She had never curtsied to anyone in her life, but that's what village girls did for the Ladies she had read about in her novels. So she tried. A little unsteadily. Mei'An hid her smile behind the damp cloth in her hand and beckoned them all back to her room. She had to discover how Desare came to be here and not the Trader with the Great Seal. And why. Night was approaching fast across the plains .

 

 

 

Antonin was pacing the floor of his room at the inn. The festivities were still going on downstairs, but he needed to think. This staying at inns was becoming a habit, but he had no choice. Only locals had their own houses, and he didn't have the money for that anyway. Indeed, the few coppers he did have would hardly buy a mug of cheap ale. Being the Dragon Lord had some advantages it seemed, as so far no one had asked him for payment. Antonin groaned as he remembered telling the inn keeper he would repay him with gold. Catharina and Edina sat on their heels by the door. They hadn't said a word for an hour now. Just watched Antonin pacing back and forth, head bowed as he stared at the floor in front of his feet.

Catharina had told him about the stranger in grey clothes who had left the inn as soon as he had been noticed. He had been either a Dark Companion, or a spy for one of the local Great Houses. He would not be the last, that they knew.

A knock at the door brought Antonin to a halt. Catharina and Edina were on their feet in an instant. Antonin called out 'Come,' and one of the inn's serving girls came in and handed Antonin a rolled parchment. The seal was very elaborate. "What is this seal?" He asked the girl politely. "My Lord, one of the lesser houses of the city."

Antonin hesitated a moment then ran his thumb nail under the wax seal. It was a simple invitation to dinner, for that evening, at the Great Lords convenience. Meaning of course Antonin. He dropped the roll of paper onto the desk.

"I have no time for visiting." He looked at the girl. She was obviously waiting for an answer. "Thank you for delivering the message. There will be no answer."

The girl blinked uncertainly, then left. Within minutes she was back, with two more invitations from other lesser houses. Both went unopened onto the table. The girl hurried back down stairs.

Suddenly Catharina and Edina sprang for the door, flinging it open and were racing along the hallway. The Wind Reader was in the end room, and they had heard her cry out in pain. Antonin was right on their heels.

Bursting into the room expecting to do battle with invaders - thieves at least - they slid to a halt to see M'belie helping Sarweio to her feet.

Antonin looked at the woman. 'A hard one to knock off her feet.' He thought. As though he had spoken aloud, the Wind Reader said in a whisper "I wish that girl would not do that." She looked at Antonin. "Did you not hear it this time? No, of course not. It is your name she uses. The girl Desare. Each time she so much as whispers your name, the bell of the Blue Tower strikes." The Wind Reader struggled into a chair. "I must speak with Mei'An. Thank you for your concern, you may go."

Antonin 'harrumphed' at the curt dismissal and returned to his room with the girls. He went back to his pacing. After a time he stopped and turned to the two girls. "Catharina, Edina. We may as well get some rest. I fear tomorrow will be another long day. Please, return to your rooms. I will be alright here. Nothing can come up the stairs without us hearing the approach. Lock your rooms anyway."

Antonin already had his shirt off, and began splashing himself with water from the jug on the washstand. Both girls stood for a moment, watching him. He was strong and well muscled from hard work, and his skin glistened in the lamplight. Catharina sighed and turned to the door, Edina right on her heels. Edina would take the first watch. Catharina would relieve her in an hour or so. Edina found the shadows of an alcove nearby to Antonin's room and settled on her heels without a word. Catharina went to her room. She stripped down to her undergarments and used a dampened cloth to clean off the dust and grit of the days travels. A bath would be lovely she thought, but it would have to wait. Her outer cloths she cleaned the same way. They were mostly soft leather. Finally removing her undergarments, she finished her washing. Clean undergarments she carried in her small script. They were little more than thin cotton, the legs slightly longer than normal to help prevent discomfort when riding or running, and the other a strip of cotton cloth wound around her upper body to hold her breasts firm. Any of the vigorous activities that the Maidens regularly engaged in, riding, fighting, running could cause severe discomfort if not managed. Catharina was not a big girl naturally, but some of her Spear Sisters had real problems.

Her discarded garments she washed and hung by the fireplace, then slipped into bed, soon asleep. Three times in the night she changed places with Edina, each one waking on time naturally. The night passed without incident.

When Antonin awoke in the morning, he found both the girls leaning against the frame in their door way talking. Both were still in their underclothes only, and as sight of Antonin turned casually into their room and closed the door. Antonin hardly raised an eyebrow. He had seen both girls many times before, and completely naked as they swam in the river near their home. He was not immune to their charms, but it was early morning, he was hungry and thirsty, and he felt the day was going to be interesting. They were his friends and as friends, there was a casual naturalness to their association. In moments the girls were back. Fully dressed and fully armed. Antonin stood for a moment contemplating whether to call on Sarweio. Finally he decided against it. Jumping to Mei'An's tune was enough. He led the girls downstairs and out to the kitchens. The smells were making his mouth water.

"Ah, my Lord." Cried the cook. A stout woman of middle years came over from where she had been stirring a huge pot. Her smiling face was a picture of friendliness.

A huge frizz of mousy blonde hair was held in place by a large strip of cloth wound about it. Her ample bosom was restricted by a snow white apron over a floor length brown woollen dress. It's sleeves came only to elbow length. Her eyes glinted in the morning light as she squinted at a scullery maid working at the washing up tubs. The girl redoubled her efforts.

The woman was obviously mistress of the kitchen. Antonin smiled into her dark eyes and turned on all his charm.

"My lady mistress of the kitchens." He beamed as he gave a small bow, swirling an imaginary cape as he had seen real Lords do. He straightened hurriedly as his sword hilt dug him in the ribs.

"My Lord is too generous. I am but a lowly cook." She replied. She smiled with pleasure however at his flattery, and dabbed at her cheeks with an apron corner.

"Not so," continued Antonin "for even the greatest generals cannot ride into battle unless well fed, for truly it is said that an army marches on its stomach." He paused. "Would you be so generous and prepare for us a light meal to break our nights fast?"

The cook was aglow with pleasure. She had never been spoken to so politely before in her life. Assuring Antonin that she would attend to him personally, she ushered him and the girls to a private dining room. Pouring freshly squeezed orange juice, she left them to hurry back to the kitchen. In short order the kitchen staff were almost running. They had heard the exchange though, and all had smiles.

Bacon, eggs, sausages, fresh fruits and huge pot of steaming tea were soon delivered to the three guests. The tea was a specialty of the district explained the cook. Neither Antonin nor the girls had tried tea before and they found it much to their liking and very refreshing. Antonin had the cook bring him the dried leaves that she used in the infusion. This would be easy to carry when they had to travel.

Finally Antonin sat back. He felt ready for anything. The satisfied smile faded from his face when one of the serving girls brought in three more scrolls. Two were from Lesser Houses, but the third she explained was from one of the Great Houses. There were only four great houses. This invitation was from the lowest of the four. The House Temsha Ha. Antonin flung all three onto the table unopened. Catharina raised an eyebrow.

"I know, I know," grumbled Antonin. "I have no doubt I should meet these people. Not yet though. I need more information."

"A wise move Antonin," said Sarweio from the door. "Mei'An is on her way here even now." She held up a hand at Antonin's protest. "Don't panic, it will be many weeks if not months before she arrives. She travels with Rees, Elsa, and that confounded girl Desare. Oh, and about six thousand of the Spears from the plains."

"So many?" Said Antonin. "How can this be? She will have to come by land, across the old trade route. A route that has long been cut by the Tharsians."

"There is more Antonin." The Wind Reader hesitated. "It seems young Desare is central to the treasures of Ha Hu. She holds the Orb. The Key to the Moon Gate. With this in her hands, she can ... reach through... after things... I did not understand. I'm not sure I do even now. It seems that the Seal of the Creator, uhh, moved her to a place near the border lands when she came in contact with the Orb. It responded to her. She can it seems, use the Orb to open gateways through which she can see; through which she can reach. I do not know if she can step through such a gate. It would seem so however, if indeed she is in a new village now."

"There is more is there not?" Said Catharina to Sarweio.

"Yes," she replied "it seems that Rees has discovered the secret of the Treasures. There is a disk. Your disk Antonin. There is a statue. Rees knows it to be the Keeper of The Blue Tower, but he swears it is not bound to him. They bring the treasures with them. I wish we had them here now. Should they fall into the wrong hands ..." She left her sentence unfinished.

"So, the many strings in this puzzle are being drawn together here it seems." Mused Antonin.

"As a tree draws lightening." Said Catharina. Everyone looked at her. Antonin hoped he was not that tree. He had seen what happened to such trees.

He noticed that Sarweio's Companion was not with her.

"Where is M'belie, Sarweio?"

"My Companion does a little scouting around. He is ever cautious, and he feels that it has been far too quiet, given the activities of the last few days."

"A good idea Sarweio. I will myself found out more about this town today. Nareena should be here soon, and together," Antonin waved an all encompassing arm at Edina and Catharina. "We will go hunting."

Catharina and Edina both had smiles like satisfied cats at the news. All this sitting around felt too much like being targets. Finger talk flashed between them and they laughed heartily at some joke. Antonin thought of a joke of his own.

"Nareena told me that by pounding my clenched fist on the stone walls of a mountain or cave I would summon dragons. Let us then summon dragons." Now he too was laughing. The looks on the faces of the girls, even Sarweio was enough to have him doubled over in his chair howling with mirth. Finally he calmed down.

"Come ladies, you don't really think that possible do you? There have been no dragons for a thousand ages gone." Antonin stood and tightened his belt. Serious of face now, he prepared to leave the inn.

"I wonder if Tong Hua will find his duties here again today?" Antonin wondered aloud. He rather liked the man. A fine warrior. He was a seasoned campaigner, that much was obvious. Not as tall as Antonin, yet he was all muscle and power though. Antonin need not have worried as no sooner had he stepped onto the wide veranda of the inn than a squad of city guards, Tong Hua in the lead was coming at a fast march up the winding street, the cadence of their booted feet echoing off the walls. The jingle of mail and tink tink tink of sword and armoured shields touching lending a very authoritative air to their presence in the street. Early morning merchants and other people out and about on business stepped aside smartly.

Antonin noticed that this was a larger squad than previously. Some two hundred men unless he was mistaken. Antonin lounged against the supporting post of the roof and watched as the line of men were brought to a halt outside the inn.

Tong Hua stepped over to the stone steps of the inn.

"Antonin, my Lord. You are causing something of a stir in the village. The city as you call it. The Elders will not meet with you, they claim you are false. The Lesser Houses are offended that you do not accept their invitations, and worse one of the four Great Houses now demands your removal. It seems you have offended everyone by doing nothing." Tong Hua stood at attention, looking at Antonin.

Antonin pushed himself off the post and stood with his thumbs hooked in his belt. The golden circlet glittered in the crisp morning light.

"No matter Tong Hua. Today we find dragons."

Tong Hua blinked slowly.

"You have heard then?" He said. Antonin's skin prickled.

"Heard what, my friend?" He replied quietly.

"Strange beasts have been reported in the city this last night. Creatures have been seen in the night sky flying out of the north and east, heading west and south. Dragons?" He ended with a question in his voice.

"No Tong Hua. Creatures of the Dark Lord. My dragons do not skulk about in the shadows." Antonin stood thinking a moment.

"Tong Hua, the politics of the Houses will have to wait. Until my friends arrive, we must improve our own defences. City walls will not stop the forces gathering against me. I need to find Nareena. She seems to know something of my dragons."

Tong Hua whirled around to his men. Shouted commands had two of the squad running at full speed down the street.

"Nareena will be summoned here my lord." As good as his word, within a short time the two men came trotting back up the street, Nareena dressed for hunting between them. She came straight up the steps and stood with Antonin. The squad of soldiers had not even had time to relax.

"It gathers apace my Lord. The storm is coming? Yes," Nareena answered her own question "I see from your face that it is."

"Nareena," said Antonin. "You spoke of summoning the dragons. Will my pounding on any wall do the trick, or must I pound on a specific wall?"

"Why, the Dragon Wall of the city temple of course my lord. Once the dragons are awakened from their long slumber then your summons may be made on any mother stone. Any rock that is still a part of the earth, and not quarried. The Dragon Wall is one such wall. It is a natural feature and the temple is built on to it. Cliffs, cave walls, boulders even ..." Nareena's voice trailed away. "But my lord... errr ... How will you control the dragons?"