DragonQuest (30 page)

         
53
         

G
ATHERING
T
OGETHER

Kale monitored Toopka’s progress. The doneel child slipped from one hiding spot to the next without ever raising an eyebrow from any of the many soldiers roaming about the camp. Sometimes she moved only one step at a time, letting the cape’s camouflaging ability hide her from people standing within a few feet of her. Kale held her breath and marveled that Toopka didn’t shake in her boots.

I’m nervous enough for both of us, Toopka.

“Don’t be silly, Kale. None of these bullies are any worse than Henricutt Tellowmatterden.”

Oh, I think they are. I think they’re killers, every last one of them. You be careful.

Something jolted Toopka, and she sidestepped between two stacks of wooden crates. Kale heard someone swearing.

Toopka?

“I’m all right. A bisonbeck oaf bumped into me from behind. I didn’t see him coming. His friend says he tripped over his own feet. They can’t see me. I’m all right.”

Kale heard the slightest bit of a quiver in the little doneel’s voice.

Toopka, you can turn back anytime you want to. We’ll find another way out.

“I’m all right. Really.”

Kale bit her lower lip and tried to send Toopka some courage through her talent, but she wasn’t feeling very brave herself.

You’re almost there. Turn to the right. The other way, Toopka. That’s your left! Good, now—

“I can smell it, Kale. I found it.”

The cages are right inside the front door.

“You told me that already.”

I’m sorry.

“Just a minute. I’m going to walk in behind these three soldiers.”

Be careful.

“You’ve told me
that
a hundred times already.”

Kale watched the inside of the tent appear as Toopka slipped through the front door. She chose to hide in a corner.

“This is impossible!”
complained Toopka.
“The dragons are like a sideshow at a carnival. The cages are right where everyone can come and gawk at them.”

I have an idea, Toopka. I’m going to tell the dragons to make a lot of noise, then I’m going to tell the cook to cover them to make them be quiet. You have to pick out which man is in charge. Can you do that?

“Sure. Wait a minute.”

Kale watched as Toopka’s eyes swept the room, examining each of the men who worked in the tent.

“Him.”

Kale told the dragons to set up a ruckus. The four hooted, shrieked, trilled, and squawked. They flapped their leathery wings as if they could break the bars of the cages.

“What’s all this?” Through Toopka’s mind, Kale heard the cook holler. “What’s got into them?”

“Cover ’em like you would chickens. They’ll settle down.” Another voice gave the suggestion Kale had intended to put in the cook’s mind.

With satisfaction, Kale and Toopka watched the man bring out a large cloth and drape it over all four cages. In only a few moments, Toopka crept under the edge and began picking the locks on the doors. One after the other, she freed the dragons. Each one climbed into a pocket-den in the cape. Toopka finally started the perilous return journey to the tent where Kale waited.

Toopka crawled under the back of the tent and opened the cape to let the dragons fly to Kale. Gymn, Metta, Dibl, and Ardeo did not go to their usual perches. All four dragons landed safely in Kale’s arms.

“Now,” Toopka whispered, “how do we get out of here?”

“I don’t know.” Kale cuddled the minor dragons. She eyed the opening in the front of the tent where a guard stood sentry, then examined the small opening at the base of the tent.

Could we cut that tear to make it larger? They took my sword, but I have a small knife in one of the hollows. Then of course, we could just walk out of here. Could we? With the cape? If only I weren’t so tired.

Kale patted the mattress beside her. “Come sit with us. You’ve had a trying evening.”

Toopka rolled her eyes and hopped onto the bed. She undid the cape and laid it inside out next to her. “I brought some more food.”

She reached into a hollow and pulled out loaves of bread and hunks of cheese. She smiled at Kale. “I thought we might get hungry.”

“When did you get this? I didn’t see you reach for anything.”

“I told you I was sneaky.” Toopka’s grin spread over her face.

A noise outside the tent caught Kale’s attention. She heard Tayla speak to the guard.

Kale lifted the moonbeam cape and turned it over so the pockets were underneath. “Everybody under and don’t move!”

“I’ve come to see if you need anything else for the night,” said Tayla as she pushed the tent flap aside and came in. Her eyes went immediately to the loaves of bread and cheese. The tumanhofer servant looked at the partially eaten food on the bed, the empty bowl on the tray, and then Kale’s face.

“No, Miss Kale, I don’t know anything about the hills around here. My father was a fisherman. To me, a boat is the only way to travel.”

Kale stared at the woman for a moment and then blinked her eyes.

Is she telling me how to escape? If she is, she’s risking her life! I hope the guard believes I spoke first, and she answered. I can fix that!
Kale sent a thought to the guard. Now he would have a vague memory of having heard Kale say something he couldn’t quite hear right when the tumanhofer woman entered the tent.

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to sleep for another hour or so,” the servant continued, “but after that your mother insists this part of the camp be quiet. She wants her rest, she does. She’s very strict about no one prowling around. You’ll have peace and quiet then.”

She
is
helping us. Oh, Wulder protect her.

“Thank you, Taylaminkadot.” Kale kept her voice calm.
The guard must not suspect anything is amiss.
“I don’t need anything else tonight.”

Tayla curtsied, picked up the tray, and left.

“What was that all about?” asked Toopka in hushed tones as she slithered out from under the cape.

“The river is just a few yards from here, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” answered Toopka.

“When everyone is asleep for the night, we’re going on a boat trip.”

A smile spread over Toopka’s face.

“Now let’s get this food out of sight,” said Kale. “My mother may come to tuck me in.”

Kale didn’t regret that her mother did not return for a good-night visit. She believed that some drug had been given to her, for now that she had held Gymn for a couple of hours, the crippling lethargy had left. She felt strong and able to make a good attempt at stealing away.

When the only noises they heard were from the distant tents, Kale slit the small tear into a nice large hole to climb through. With the dragons in their pocket-dens and Toopka held in Kale’s arms with the moonbeam cape wrapped around them both, she tiptoed on bare feet toward the sound of the river. She passed a few tents and a couple of sentries, but the darkness and her cape kept them safe.

At the river they could see a number of boats tied up to docks a hundred yards down the bank. Kale crept along the river, keeping her eyes open for soldiers. She started to get in the first boat they came to, but a hand on her arm stopped her.

“Not this one, Miss Kale.”

“Taylaminkadot?”

“Follow me.”

“You scared me.”

“Follow me.” The tumanhofer servant ran to a larger boat at the end of one of the docks.

“Get in.” Tayla motioned to Kale as she knelt on the dock and held the boat steady.

Kale did as she was told. Tayla scrambled into the boat after her, the mooring rope in her hand. She shoved off.

“You’re going with us?”

“Aye.”

“Why?”

“I would be blamed in the morning whether I helped you or not. Have you ever rowed a boat, Miss Kale?”

“No.”

“Then that’s another good reason for me to go along, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

Kale sat on the wooden seat stretched across the stern of the little craft.

“Where does this river go, Taylaminkadot?”

“To the lake.” Tayla sat on the middle seat and began to ply the oars.

“Is that a safe place to go?”

“If we get there before sunrise.”

“Do you think we will?”

“If Wulder be willing.”

         
54
         

A
NOTHER
M
OTHER’S
L
OVE

The small river meandered in gentle curves. For the first half hour, grawligs could be heard on one side, with their raucous songs and loud snoring. Dibl thought the combination so funny he had to be popped inside Kale’s cape to keep him quiet. On the other side, bisonbecks loomed in the shadows between tents.

When they passed the last tent and slid between banks of trees, Kale’s breathing slowed to a normal pace, and her hands unclenched. A few minutes later, she spotted lighted figures darting along the river. One came to the shore and waved to the passing boat.

“Taylaminkadot, we must speak to the kimens.”

Taylaminkadot steered the boat toward the bank. As soon as they were within hearing distance, a kimen called, “We’ve been sent to bring you to Lyll Allerion.”

“Which one?” asked Toopka.

“It would be Mother Number Two,” answered Kale. “Mother Number One doesn’t associate with kimens.”

Several kimens gathered behind the first. “May we come aboard?” asked the first. “We’ll go down the river toward the lake and join Lady Allerion.”

The kimens jumped into the large rowboat as soon as it scooted into the shallow water. Tayla and the kimens propelled the boat to the other side where five more kimens hopped in. They bombarded Kale with their names, politely introducing themselves to her and referring to her as the Dragon Keeper. She remembered clearly the name Azalone and connected it with the one she thought might be the leader.

With a dozen kimens in the boat, you’d think we’d be going slower.
She studied the small people sitting around her.
What are they doing to make us go faster?

She never solved this puzzle and determined to get Regidor to think it through. If anyone could find the answer, he could.

“Azalone?”

“Yes?”

“Do you know what has happened to my friends, Regidor and Bardon? Regidor was with me when the grawligs attacked.”

“Both men went back through your gateway. They returned with many mariones, Wizard Cam Ayronn, and Wizard Lyll Allerion. Lady Allerion sent us to find you.”

“The mariones are not a large enough force to face Risto’s army.”

“More have come. An army under General Lee Ark. Our friends the urohms, led by Lord Brunstetter. Dragons are coming as well. Some through this gigantic gateway. Those who are close enough, fly in.”

They glided downstream for many minutes before Azalone spoke again. “We are close to the field in which your Celisse awaits. You must hurry now to the camp of your comrades. Your mother is injured and requires you and the healing dragon.”

“Injured?” She spun around on her seat, rocking the boat. “How did she get injured?”

“The wound is serious, but not life-threatening. When she heard you had been taken, she rushed out to save you. She charged into a trap, facing Risto and Burner Stox without assistance. Wizard Cam and the meech dragon Regidor soon arrived. It is likely Lady Allerion would have died without their assistance.”

She turned quickly away. Tears stung her eyes, and she found it hard to breathe.

Toopka took her hand and squeezed. “It’ll be all right. You and Gymn can make her well.”

Kale peered ahead, trying to spot the place where they would land. Tayla’s short, muscular body blocked some of the view. Her shoulders strained as she pulled even harder on the oars. Kale sensed the tumanhofer woman wanted to help Kale get to her mother quickly. The woman had done much for a stranger, an o’rant girl who had done nothing for her except expose the servant to danger.

“Taylaminkadot, will you be all right? Do you have someplace to go?”

“I was hoping to go with you, Miss Kale. I’d like to be your servant.”

Kale turned to Azalone. “Can you escort Taylaminkadot to our camp?”

“We will go with her downstream. It is a shorter distance to walk from the lake to your camp.”

“Can you protect her?”

“We will try.”

The boat pushed ashore where the trees thinned to reveal a meadow. Celisse paced over the winter pale grass, wearing a path. The moon reflected off her silver scales. She lifted her head and greeted her rider with a low call.

Kale leapt from the boat, waving good-bye to the others. The minor dragons flew ahead of her. Toopka pumped her little legs to keep up.

After a swift hug around the dragon’s neck, Kale scooped Toopka into her arms and clambered on board. As soon as her knees were snug in the saddle hooks, she gave the signal to fly. Celisse flapped her large wings and vaulted into the night sky.

A cold wind blew in Kale’s face. Not at all partial to frigid temperatures, the minor dragons hid in the moonbeam cape. Kale bent her legs back as far as she could and pulled the cape down over her freezing feet.

From the sky, she could see the sprawling Risto encampment, Bartal Springs Lake, and a camp just forming. Celisse banked and headed for the new settlement of warriors.

Celisse gave the warning. Behind them a dark dragon raced toward them. The smaller dragon flew at a faster speed and would soon catch up. With horror, Kale saw a stream of fire bolt out of the dragon’s mouth.

Kale reached with her mind, trying to send a clear message.

Bardon, Regidor, I need help. Dar, Wizard Cam, can you hear me? I’m being followed. Regidor, I need help. I’m being followed by a fire dragon, and it’s catching up to Celisse. Regidor, can you hear me?

She looked over her shoulder. The dragon was gaining. She couldn’t make out a rider on its back, but she remembered that the twelve fire dragons who had confronted Paladin were riderless. Celisse abruptly banked to the left. The other dragon kept close on her tail. She shot up, flying higher. So did the pursuing dragon, and he spit a blaze as if to say he was annoyed.

Bardon, help! There’s a fire dragon after us.

“I’m on my way, Kale.”

She looked to the south and saw a dragon rise from the small encampment. Another sprang into the air after it. A few seconds later, a third followed. Turning her head, she gasped when she saw how much the fire dragon had gained on them.

Hurry, Celisse!

The fire dragon spewed out flames. The heat of the blaze came close enough that Kale felt the force of it on her back. The next projection singed Celisse’s tail. Celisse screeched and beat her wings harder.

I should be able to do something.

Kale tried to pick up the enemy dragon’s thoughts. When she touched its mind, she backed away from its fury for only a moment before she closed in and sent a message.

You’ve picked the wrong target. Risto will be furious.

The fire dragon faltered, then roared and sent out another flame. But its hesitation gave Celisse enough lead to avoid being hit again.

They were close enough to the oncoming dragons for Kale to make out who they were. Bardon led the charge on Greer, Brunstetter followed on Foremoore, and Dar brought up the rear on Merlander. Both Bardon and Brunstetter held lances ready to throw. They swept past Kale on either side of Celisse. Kale whipped her head around to see them hurl their weapons at the pursuing fire dragon. Both lances hit their marks. The dragon bellowed. Dar bolted past her, and she saw him swinging a hadwig. The spiked ball soared through the air and hit the fire dragon square on its head. Brunstetter and Bardon turned in a wide circle and prepared to make a second assault. The fire dragon had had enough. With its wings beating an irregular rhythm, it lost altitude.

Foremoore, Greer, and Merlander took up positions to escort Celisse home.

Thank you.
Her gratitude went to each dragon and their riders.

“I’m glad you returned to us,”
Dar’s voice warmly greeted Kale.

Thank you, Dar. And thanks to you, Bardon. Brunstetter, it is very good to see you! Where’s Regidor?

Bardon answered,
“Regidor has been acting strangely. At first I thought he was ashamed because he was unable to protect you from the grawligs and prevent them from hauling you off. But I don’t think that’s really why he’s disappearing all the time. When he shows up again, he’s very morose.”

He could be worried about me. He’s bonded to me.

“You talk to him after you’ve seen your mother. Maybe you can determine what’s wrong with him.”

A thought occurred to Kale, and with it came a pang of apprehension. She kept these thoughts to herself as she speculated. Would Regidor consider joining forces with the beautiful, beguiling Gilda?

They landed in an open field. Brunstetter and Bardon offered to unsaddle the dragons so Dar could take Kale to her mother.

“Celisse’s tail!” Kale ran back to see whether her dragon’s hindquarters had been injured from the one blast of fire that had made a hit. A layer of soot covered the glistening scales, but no real damage had been done. Kale gave the black and silver dragon a hug and followed Dar across the field.

“Is my mother badly injured?” Kale asked as they hurried past mariones, kimens, o’rants, and tumanhofers sleeping on makeshift cots and bedrolls.

“Yes, she was,” said Dar, “but Fenworth and Cam repaired much of the damage. You and Gymn will bring her back to good health, I’m sure.”

They entered a large tent. Kale rushed to the figure lying on a nice bed, took her wrinkled hand, and pressed it to her cheek. Lyll Allerion looked as she had the first time Kale met her in Meiger’s tavern.

“Mother?”

Lyll opened her eyes, and a tired smile traced her lips.

Gymn came out of his pocket-den and hopped onto Lyll’s chest. Kale put one hand on the little dragon, and the other held her mother’s hand.

“I have something to give you, my child.” Lyll fumbled in her bedclothes and pulled out a disk on a chain. “I thought for a minute this afternoon that I had been foolhardy enough to lose my life. If that were to happen, you would be an orphan again. It is my hope that we might rescue Kemry. Take this disk. It will help you identify your father lest Risto try to trick you.”

“I have a disk like that.”

“You do?” The surprise in her mother’s weak voice made Kale smile.

“Granny Noon gave it to me, but she didn’t tell me how it works.”

“Do you have it now? I can show you how it works.”

Kale let go of her mother’s hand and pulled the thong around her neck, lifting the red pouch from beneath the nightgown she still wore. She emptied the coinlike piece of silver into her palm.

Lyll held out her hand. “Give it to me and watch what happens.”

Kale placed the notched disk into Lyll’s palm. At first, nothing happened. Then the shine of the metal grew brighter. As she continued to watch, one of the notches foamed at the cut edges and closed together. When the shine diminished, the coin had only one notch.

Lyll Allerion opened Kale’s fist by gently prying on her clamped fingers. She put the coin back in her daughter’s hand. “When you find your father, the other notch will heal.”

Kale stared at the one-notched disk and slowly closed her fingers over it. She looked up at the tired old woman in the bed.

“You really are my mother,” she whispered.

“Yes, I am. How do you feel about that?”

Tears rolled down Kale’s cheeks. “I don’t know.”

“Are you sorry I am not as beautiful as the other mother you found?”

She shook her head. “No, I always liked you better.”

“Do you think you could love me?”

Kale nodded and threw herself into her mother’s arms. She sobbed for a moment, but a jolt of energy passing through the circle of healing made her jump back. Still holding onto her mother’s arms, Kale looked into the young face of Lyll Allerion.

She giggled. “You’re young again.”

Lyll laughed. “Yes, that was a mighty potent healing. Now I must get up and get dressed. Bardon has been telling me Regidor is having problems. Shall we go see about our friend?”

Kale saw the morning sun peeking through the tent flap. She’d been up all night. But her mother was right. They must talk to Regidor.

“What color should I wear today?” asked Lyll. “Yellow or blue?”