Embers at Galdrilene (32 page)

Serena nodded and seemed to retreat into herself as if her mind turned over the limitations of healing with magic.

Kellinar glanced down at his empty cup. Would it be rude to leave? His dragon drew him. The need to be close was so strong it made a knot in his stomach. Just as he was about to ask, Emallya smiled at him and said, “It is never rude to leave the company of humans when you or your dragon have need. Even if the need is as simple as being close to one another.”

The sound of Kellinar’s chair scraping back was echoed by the chairs of his companions as they all stood and headed for the door. The others seemed content to let him lead the way. He had a feeling they still weren’t sure which direction to take. He would have to work on finding that short cut; it would make things much easier for all of them.

When he finally stepped out onto the green grass of the plateau, Shryden was there to greet him, shoving his long wedge-shaped head against Kellinar’s chest and crowding close. Never in his life had he felt such love and acceptance.

Even with Serena as his friend and Loki with him like a shadow, he’d kept a careful distance from everyone; it was safer that way. With Shryden he didn’t need to keep a distance. More than that, he didn’t want to. Meshed so closely together they were no longer two separate entities–they were one.

He ran his hand down the dragon’s long neck, admiring the way the sun glinted off the multitude of tiny soft scales. The draclet unfurled his wings and the sun shown off the thin leather-like skin. He’d missed the physical presence of the dragon during the meal.

“I missed you, too,”
came the sending from the young dragon.

Kellinar spent several minutes reveling in the simple joy of being in the presence of such a magnificent creature.

“Bardeck wants us,”
the draclet sent.

Kellinar looked up and saw the older man waving them over to join his companions and their draclets near the lake. He ran his hand over the scales one more time, then turned and walked across the grassy plateau to join the gathering group with Shryden walking at his side.

Bardeck’s gaze wandered over the group. “In two days there will be a celebration in honor of the Hatching and the successful bonding. Normally the celebration would be held a week after Hatching. But it has been long since there were any new riders, you will have to forgive the inhabitants of Galdrilene for their impatience. Under normal conditions the celebration would be attended by all family members of the newly bonded humans. However, unfortunate as it is, the times no longer allow that.

“As many riders as could come from their posts in outlaying holds would also attend, but again, times have changed. So instead of the great welcoming you should have, there will be only Emallya, myself, and the people of Galdrilene to welcome you to our ranks.”

A low rumble issued from the massive bulk of the gold dragon that rested behind him. Bardeck turned an affectionate eye on the dragon. “Yes, of course, there is also you to welcome them.”

Maleena, her violet eyes misty with emotion, looked adoringly at the silver draclet by her side. “The moment Nydara hatched I had all the welcome I could ever want.”

A smile of understanding crossed Bardeck’s face and Mernoth rumbled approvingly. “I am glad you feel that way,” the older man said. “But even if there will be a lack in some of the attendance there will still be a proper celebration. The entire city of Galdrilene plans on attending as does everyone in the mage towers.”

“Mage towers?” Kellinar remembered Emallya saying something about people coming to learn how to use magic.

Bardeck nodded. “Yes, all of those who have not been called by the Dragon Song but can use magic are housed and trained in the mage towers. You will see what I mean and meet them at the celebration.

“You have the next two days to relax and enjoy your dragon’s company. I suggest you take the time to rest as well. An introduction ceremony will begin the celebration. You will be formally introduced to the inhabitants of Galdrilene on the steps of the stairs that lead to the front entrance of the Dragon Hold.

“After that you will be introduced to the various leaders of the city and its crafts. Galdrilene is completely independent. Even in those terrible years after the war we maintained our independence. We have no need to trade with outside sources. Everything we need is produced in the city, the bay or the surrounding mountains. It makes it easier to be a neutral force in the world if we are beholden to no one for our survival. So there are many different trades and crafts to get to know about and the people involved with them.”

He smiled. “There will be more about that in training, which won’t begin until after the celebration. I will stop taking up all of your time this morning. Shortly, the head of the Crafts Guild and her assistants will be here to measure you for your celebration clothes. After she is done with you, the day is yours. We do ask that you remain within the hold until after your introduction.”

M
aleena stood inside the doorway to her sleeping chamber where she could dress in private, but still be close to Nydara. The new clothes she wore fit perfect. Formal wear. She’d never owned formal wear of any kind. The yards of silky, silver material that draped her body felt strange. A low neckline left her shoulders bare and the cut of the dress accentuated her slim waist. Dragons and roses embroidered in silver climbed the snug bodice of the dress. A shade darker than the fabric of the dress, they made subtle accents rather than garish decoration.

Her long, chestnut hair had been pulled up at the sides into an intricate mass of curls while the back, left loose, fell in more curls to her waist with threads of silver worked into it. Marda had delighted in the opportunity to fashion hair for such an important ceremony.

Hearing a snort, Maleena peeked into the lair, but found Nydara still sound asleep on the smooth stone of the floor. Another snort issued from the long nose accompanied by a tiny curl of smoke. How old were dragons when they began to flame? She would have to remember to ask Emallya or Bardeck.

As she watched, the young dragon raised her head and blinked open her eyes. Maleena marveled again at the violet color and how beautiful they looked against the silver of her scales.

“I am hungry,”
the young dragon sent.

Maleena smiled. When wasn’t the draclet hungry?
“Well go eat then and don’t forget to wash. But don’t take too long. You slept so late that if you don’t hurry, we’ll miss the ceremony.”

“Would they start without us?”
Nydara asked, sincere worry in the dragon’s sending.

“No, I don’t think they would. You and the other draclets are the main reason for this celebration,”
Maleena reassured the draclet.

“You are as much a reason as I. Without you, there would be no me.”

A warm wash of love accompanied Nydara’s sending. The feeling so strong it brought tears to Maleena’s eyes. She blinked back the tears and smiled. “Go eat and bathe. I will wait for you here.”

The draclet pulled herself up and lumbered out of the cave. Maleena followed her out and settled on the top of the wide steps to watch Nydara’s feeding, shocked at the difference in the draclet’s size from two days before. The draclet seemed to take what she ate in meals and turn it immediately into growth while she slept.

Nydara joined Mckale’s green Tellnox and Vaddoc’s gold Namir. She saw no sign of either rider or her other companions. Nydara managed to stuff herself full in a very short time and immediately took to the lake, rolling and washing herself.

After she finished she waddled back toward the lair. Maleena met her at the bottom of the lair steps. “We are supposed to meet Emallya and Bardeck in the Great Hall so they can instruct us on our part in the ceremony.”

“You are nervous?”

“Yes, I am,” Maleena said, smoothing her skirts. “Aren’t you?”

“No, I find it all rather interesting.”

Maleena smiled. “I can’t believe people have been taught for so long that dragons are evil. You are such a miracle to me. I know there were black dragons and I guess that’s where the stories of evil came from, but still, how did they forget all of the good dragons?”

The silver’s head drew up and her wings unfolded as a low rumble issued from her. “Soulless Shadows,” she growled in Maleena’s mind.

Maleena ran a soothing hand down the silver’s neck. “Let us not think of that right now. I think everyone but Mckale and Vaddoc are already up at the Great Hall. We should join them as soon as possible.”

Nydara furled her wings and blew out her breath in a snort.
“I am sorry. I have only seen Shadow Dragons in my memories and still the unnaturalness of them goes against my instincts. I will put the thought of them away.”

Maleena gave the draclet a final pat and began walking with the silver at her side.

A blur of activity in the Great Hall greeted them. They wove through the controlled chaos to reach the others. Although not bombarded by the emotions of others since the hatching of Nydara, Maleena could still feel the tension in the air. Whether servants hard at work getting things ready, or her companions who stood nervously around her, the coming ceremony consumed the thoughts of everyone around her.

Except Kirynn, cool and unconcerned as she leaned against her red Syrakynn, idly toying with her zarhi. Some might think her behavior a facade, but Maleena knew better. The woman truly wasn’t nervous at all about the coming event.

She eyed Kirynn’s dress. Dark red with a high collar, it clung to every curve of her body. A large oval showed the inner curves of her breasts and a slit up the side exposed one leg nearly to the hip. Pale red dragons and roses climbed the dress and shiny red thread worked through her long braid. Maleena shook her head. The dress seemed scandalous, though Kirynn said it was the style in Boromar.

Kirynn saw her looking at the dress and smiled. Maleena returned the smile. “Are you sure that dress is proper?”

The redhead rolled her green eyes and laughed. “It’s entirely proper in Boromar. There are things more scandalous in the world besides this dress. I’ve heard the stories about the women of Calladar.” She looked pointedly at Mckale as he and Vaddoc arrived.

Startled, Maleena followed her eyes. “Calladar? What do you mean?”

Kirynn laughed again. “Ask Mckale about the dance they have every spring in Calladar.”

Maleena watched Mckale come toward them. He looked magnificent in his high collared, deep green doublet and matching undershirt, pants a shade of green so dark they were almost black and boots to match. The collar of the doublet was embroidered on either side in pale green with detailed dragons and roses. The vines of the roses created elaborate scrolls on the material. Kellinar and Vaddoc were dressed in the same style as Mckale only Kellinar wore shades of dark blue while Vaddoc was resplendent in shades of gold.

Serena looked stunning in her dark yellow dress, the skirt slashed with pale yellow and the bodice subtly embroidered in the same pale yellow with dragons and roses.

Kellinar kept tugging at his clothes as if unsure of wearing such fine garments. Mckale and Vaddoc stood tall and silent next to their dragons while Serena occasionally swirled the skirt of her dress about her ankles as if she reveled in the pleasure of the fine silk.