Trusted: Dragons' Trust Book 1 (19 page)

"Thane–Brave?"

Thane strode forward boldly. "All I ask for is freedom." He resumed his position to Renick's right.

"Renick–Trusted, please step forward," the gold dragon said.

Renick's stomach fell. He swallowed hard and took an uncertain step forward. "I …" he looked around at the dragons in the hall and swallowed again. "I don't know why Plyth named me Trusted. I've always tried to be trustworthy. But I'm not infallible. I …" He searched for more to say. There was so much in his heart that he could not find the words. Thinking back to the night before, he collected everything he was feeling. He compressed it into a single thought and pushed it toward the center of the hall.

Wings fluttered and dragons shifted. There were a few yelps of surprise around the hall as the dragons reacted to Renick's communication. Unsure how to continue, Renick turned to Derth, who only urged him on. Renick took a moment to collect his thoughts. "For what it's worth," he said, "if you put your trust in me, I'll do my best to never let you down." He turned his back on the gathered dragons, his shoulders slumped and his head down. When he stood once again between Thane and Lainey, he looked up. Derth was watching him.

Renick shrugged and turned to face the Inner Circle once more.

"There is much to be considered." At the gold dragon's word, many of the dragons in the hall started murmuring. Images and emotions jumbled in Renick's head and he was glad to realize it did not hurt. His mind had at last become accustomed to the dragons' form of communication.

"The time for debate is over!" Grane roared into the hall. "I call for a final vote."

"Agreed." The gold dragon waited for all to grow quiet. "Who favors that the dragon–named be spoken?"

Renick was surprised to see that all save a few of the dragons on the council lifted their heads and blew a small jet of hot air into the cavern. The walls seemed to writhe behind the dragons' breath.

"The Inner Circle has decided. The dragon–named will be spoken." There was a conflicting clatter of noise throughout the hall.

"Plyth," the gold dragon said. Wrytha pushed Plyth forward. "I name you in the dragon hall as Plyth Firetongue of the Trusted Circle." As the dragon spoke, a single blue jewel flickered to life on the wall of the hall. An impression formed in the rock, spreading out from the stone and curving back to form a circle. Renick turned and saw an answering light glowing in Plyth's chest.

"Lainey, I name you in the dragon hall as Lainey–Kind of the Trusted Circle, and Trusted of the Dragon Kind." Across from Plyth's jewel, a yellow one formed, its light steady and strong. The heart stone hidden under Lainey's blouse flashed with a renewed light and then faded back to its dim glow.

"Thane, I name you in the dragon hall as Thane–Brave of the Trusted Circle, and Trusted of the Dragon Kind." A red jewel appeared in between Plyth's and Lainey's on the bottom edge of the circle.

"Renick." As the gold dragon spoke, a strange heat pulsed through Renick's body. "I name you in the dragon hall as Renick–Trusted of the Trusted Circle, and Trusted of the Dragon Kind." A green jewel appeared opposite Thane's—it shone brightest of them all. The heat in his chest dissipated, leaving a tingle that lingered for some time.

The gold dragon nodded to Derth, who was now seated on his pedestal. Derth rose and addressed Renick and his friends. "Your names have been spoken. You are now counted as kin of the Dragon Kind. The Circle of the Trusted is begun again."

Grane moved forward. "As part of being named, you will also be marked," he said, "so that all dragons will know that you are Trusted." Grane leapt from his pedestal and landed in front of Renick. The dragon turned first to Lainey. He breathed a wave of hot air on her. The breath pushed back her hair and rustled her dress. A yellow light formed a rune in the hollow of Lainey's collarbones. Renick recognized the symbol from the same book where he had seen Horrin's tattoo. He tried, but could not remember what the rune meant.

"Thane–Brave, hold out your right hand," Grane instructed. Thane complied, extending his arm with his right hand in a fist. "Other way." The dragon seemed to smile. Thane flipped his hand over and spread out his fingers. Grane's breath caused a red light to draw another rune on Thane's palm. After the light faded, Thane flexed his hand a few times and the rune vanished. Renick looked over at Lainey—her rune had faded as well.

Finally, Grane turned to Renick. "Remove your … skin?" the dragon asked.

Renick smiled. Lainey let out a little laugh. "You mean my shirt?" Renick said. The dragon nodded. He peeled the torn garment over his head. Grane blew uncomfortably hot air on his left arm, just below the shoulder. The warmth spread through Renick like it had when he was spoken. A green light, that felt like a finger, gently traced the design of a rune. When the form was complete, the light went out and the rune faded.

He could still feel the mark on him. Renick wondered if the sensation would ever go away as he pulled his shirt back on.

Grane returned to his place in the circle. The gold dragon raised his head. "We are entrusting you with our secret. Keep it safe. "

Renick joined Lainey and Thane in a murmured, "We will." Renick felt the rune on his arm burn and the heat spread through him. He looked down and could see his mark glowing green through the fabric of his shirt.

"It is done," the gold dragon said. He spread his wings and rose slightly in the air.

With an eruption of wingbeats, the dragons departed and the cavern stood mostly empty. Renick scanned the pedestals and found Derth still sitting on his. The dragon glided over to them.

"Come," Derth said and led them down a passageway.

As they walked, Renick was deep in contemplation and finally asked, "Why did the dragons react that way to my thoughts?"

"You used our native tongue instinctively," Derth answered. "No other human has ever done that before. And they were impressed by the depth and intelligence behind your words."

Renick nodded, an odd mix of pride and anxiety spreading through him.

"What about these marks?" Thane asked. "If they've faded, how will other dragons know to trust us?"

"They are magic. The dragons will sense them," Wrytha said.

"Why is Plyth part of the circle?" Lainey asked.

"Each dragon circle must have at least one dragon. Plyth is like the dragon ambassador," Wrytha answered.

"Ambassador!" Plyth squealed, jumped into the air and used his wings to hover there for a moment.

Wrytha laughed. "Yes, Plyth, it is quite an honor for one as young as you."

"Where're we going?" Thane said.

"We are taking you home," Wrytha answered.

Lainey and Thane exchanged glances, their eyes excited. Renick's heart sank a little. "Home or to Trevinni?"

Wrytha cocked her head. "Where would you like to go?"

Renick could not answer her question. He wished to see his family and home again, but that part of his life was over now. Searching inside, Renick found that his fear of striking out on his own was still there. Even after all they had been through, Renick was unsure of his future.

Lainey's eyebrows scrunched together.

Everyone seemed to be looking to him for an answer. Renick shrugged and turned away. "I want to stay here," he whispered and hoped that no one heard.

"We should go to Trevinni," Thane said. Looking up, Renick saw Thane's eyes on him. With a slight tightening of his lips, he thanked the older boy for his assistance.

Renick turned back to face the others. He stood tall and nodded. "I agree. If anyone is looking for us, that's where they'd expect to find us."

"To Trevinni it is, then," Derth said.

"What about … this," Lainey asked, tapping her heart stone. "Others will see it."

"By the time we reach the edge of the forest the stone will have completed it works and I will remove it." Wrytha answered.

"Remove it?" Lainey sounded sad.

"You can keep it as token. In the old times humans used to fashion jewelry out of them," Derth offered.

"I like that idea," Lainey smiled to herself as they left the confines of the mountain and emerged into the sunlit forest.

All around them, trees danced in a gentle breeze and the earth smelled wet and new. Lainey took a deep breath and lifted her face to the sky.

"I never would've thought I'd be happy to see the forest again!" She giggled and ran around a few trees before returning to stand with them. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

Derth shook his head and hummed. "Lainey–Kind, you are a creature of air, and not meant to be confined to caves."

Wrytha dipped her head. "Look how different the girl acts when not enclosed."

Renick smiled. "You have no idea." He rolled his eyes in mock frustration.

Lainey crossed her arms and pouted. "I thought you liked me."

Thane put his arm around her shoulders. "Lainey, you're one of a kind." Together they all laughed.

"How will we get to Trevinni?" Renick asked when the mirth subsided.

Derth spread his wings. "We fly."

The wind whipped past Renick's face and made his nose cold. Below him, the forest was just a blur of green. The sun shone bright in the sky, reflecting off the clouds. Above him, Derth's large form glided protectively, keeping watch for danger. Renick uncoiled his hands from around one of Wrytha's neck spikes and let them hover for a moment. He bobbed up and down to the rhythm of her wings beating. When he had steadied himself, Renick spread his arms out wide.

A thrill of excitement shot through him. Lifting his face to the sky, Renick closed his eyes and absorbed the weightless feeling.

Lainey giggled. Renick turned to watch her. She too had her arms spread out. When Renick caught her eye, she jerked her head behind her. Getting a good grip on Wrytha's neck spike, Renick leaned over so he could see Thane.

Thane sat hunched over Wrytha's tail, a death grip on her spikes. His face was ashen and he looked as if he might lose his breakfast. Renick laughed. Thane looked up at him and glared. He yelled something at Renick, but the wind tore it away.

Wrytha's neck rumbled. "You young ones are so amusing."

Plyth let go of the end of Wrytha's tail and came to glide next to Renick. He chattered and flapped his wings. "Fly!" Plyth's voice echoed in Renick's ear. "Fly!"

The young dragon fell back again and flew circles around Thane, who did not look at all happy with his antics.

Renick called out to Wrytha, "I think Thane needs a break."

The white dragon arched her neck to look back at Thane. She rumbled again. "Yes. Not all humans are suited to flying, I see. Hold on!" She beat her wings a few times and then dove for the forest. Renick grabbed the spike in front of him just in time. Lainey's shout of glee rose almost to a scream. Thane, on the other hand,
did
scream. It sounded much like Lainey's—except more terrified. Renick could not keep from laughing.

Finding a gap in the trees, Wrytha pulled back and hovered above the ground, her tail laid across the dirt. Thane groaned and rolled off her tail, landing with a thump. He lay staring up at the sky, his face a little green.

Wrytha descended the rest of the way. She lay on the ground and waited while Renick climbed down from her neck and moved to help Lainey off her back.

"Thank you!" Lainey exclaimed breathlessly. "That was the most wonderful experience of my life. To be flying!" She twirled excitedly.

Wrytha's eyes narrowed in amusement. Renick bowed to the dragon and offered his thanks also.

The grass in the small clearing stirred as Derth landed beside them.

"You two are crazy!" Thane moaned. "That was terrible."

"What's wrong?" Renick said, unable to help himself. "Are you afraid of flying on the big scary dragon? Or do you always scream like a girl when landing?"

"Shut up, Renick," Thane grumbled.

Wrytha turned her head so she could see Thane still sprawled on the ground. "Fear not, little one. We are almost close enough to the forest's edge now that flying any further would put us at risk. So we might as well finish our journey with your feet firmly on the ground."

Thane let out a little sob of relief. Lainey knelt beside him and helped him drink from his waterskin.

"There, does that help?" she asked. Thane nodded his head. When he had sufficiently recovered, they set out again—on foot. Derth led the way, weaving a trail through the larger gaps between the trees. When there was not a way that would accommodate him, he simply made one. Wrytha brought up the rear, sweeping her tail along the growth to hide their footprints, although it hardly disguised their trail.

"I wish you two had been with us from the start. You would've saved us a lot of trouble," Thane said.

"The only way to travel," Derth answered, "is with a dragon." They all laughed together.

Just as the sun started to sink toward its final descent of the day, they stopped.

"Those trees ahead mark the edge of the forest," Wrytha told them. "If you keep walking, you will find the road to your village."

Renick stared at the line of trees and the open fields of grass beyond. His heart pounded in his chest and his palms turned cold with sweat. He did not want to go. Renick felt like leaving the forest would be like waking from a dream. He did not want to let it go.

"Lainey, come here." Wrytha bent her head low.

Lainey complied, stepping closer to Wrytha. The white dragon placed her nose on Lainey's chest and hummed. The heart stone slipped free and fell to the ground. Lainey scooped it up and cradled it in her hands for a few moments before stowing it safely in her healers pouch.

"Be careful of your magic, young one. Do not let others know you posses it," Wrytha offered in warning. Lainey raised her fist to her heart and bowed slightly to Wrytha in acknowledgement.

Plyth whined sadly. "Time for good–bye?"

"Just good–bye for now, Plyth. You and I are staying here to watch over and teach your friends," Wrytha said. She turned to face Renick, Thane, and Lainey. "We will find a safe place to live, and then I will call for you."