Vagrants: Book 2 Circles of Light series (21 page)

Later that day, Kija
entered the great hall. Ryla and Nolli said nothing as the huge
figure paced across to their chairs. It was the first time she had
left her injured daughter and now she reclined gracefully beside
the two old ones. Her gaze flickered over them and to Emla and
Kemti perched on stools on the opposite side of the wide
hearth.

‘Is Nya any better dear
one?’ Emla asked softly.

Kija sighed. ‘A little.
It will take more days of stillness to mend her.’ She stared into
the blazing fire where a great log sent sparks gushing through
flames of yellow, orange and blue. ‘Hani will be here soon, maybe
even before dawn. Then Kadi, Brin and I will accompany Tika and my
son to the south. Kadi agrees to bear two-legs if Gan wishes
it.’

Kija’s voice in their
minds seemed to slide into a dreamy inflection as she spoke. Emla
looked puzzled for a moment, then said: ‘Gan is determined that
Tika should have four Guards as a minimum escort to meet with the
Lords of the Southlands.’ She frowned as Kija’s head swayed gently
in the firelight.

‘No!’ Nolli suddenly
banged her stick on the floor. ‘Stop it,’ she shouted aloud, and to
everyone’s horror, she poked her stick into the nearest part of the
Dragon.

‘Kija, pull yourself
together! Look away Kija!’

Tika came in the main
door at that moment and leaped at the Dragon, pushing roughly at
her long beautiful face. ‘Kija,’ she called, then she yelled at
Emla to slide a fire screen across the hearth.

Emla’s face showed her
confusion even as she did as Tika ordered. As the leaping flames
vanished behind the screen, Kija shivered and her eyes flashed
rainbow colours. She stared at Tika for a moment then glanced
quickly at the others.

‘I offer most humble
apologies,’ she murmured. ‘Forgive me. I will check on Nya and
return later, if you permit.’ She raised herself, turned swiftly
for one of such size and, in one of less dignity, it might be said
she fled from the hall.

Tika sat cross-legged
where Kija had lain, shaking her head.

‘What was THAT about?’
Ryla asked.

Tika and Nolli grinned
at the blank expressions on the faces of the three
People.

‘Did you not know that
Dragons adore sparkling things Emla?’ Tika asked. ‘We found out
when we had to search through their treasure heaps for the sword
and the knife. They can sit and stare for hours, or days, at shiny
things – snowflakes, water drops, stones. They seem to become
entranced.’ She frowned. ‘I think Fenj said some Dragons have died
because they forgot the snows were coming or they neglected to
hunt. They see nothing except the patterns the sparkles make when
they stare into their treasures.

‘At the stronghold,
they never came too near the fire, but I thought they didn’t need
the heat as we do. Maybe they know that the flames can ensnare
their minds – as we’ve just seen with Kija.’

Ryla snorted.
‘Something else to put our minds to whilst you are gone to the
Southlands.’

‘Is it agreeable that I
travel with you Tika?’ Kemti asked.

‘Yes. Kadi will carry
Gan and Riff, Brin will take Sket and Drak. You will ride with
Nomis on Kija. Kija said that Farn is able to carry me – some of
the time at least, and if he tires, any of the three grown Dragons
can carry another rider easily.’ Tika stretched her arms above her
head and yawned. ‘Hani will arrive in a few moments. No Emla, you
must leave her.’ Emla sank back on the stool from which she’d
risen. ‘Kadi met her beyond your estate and has taken her straight
to the pavilion.’

As Tika finished
speaking, Shan slipped into the hall and crossed to join the group
by the fireside. Her round blue eyes shone with
excitement.

‘The new Dragon is
here,’ she whispered as though afraid of being overheard. ‘She is
so beautiful, and she spoke greetings to me. Her mind is very
gentle Lady.’ Shan looked at the Lady Emla. ‘Kija said I should
stay so Hani would HAVE to meet me and then perhaps she’ll meet
some others. She isn’t afraid, just so very shy.’

Farn marched into the
hall with Brin close behind him.

‘Ashta’s mother and
sisters are come Tika, and they all look so alike!’ His sapphire
eyes whirred cheerfully.

‘Mmm.’ Brin rumbled in
agreement. ‘Hani is indeed grown beautiful since last I saw her.’
There was a certain tone, even in mind speech that made heads turn
towards him at that remark.

Tika laughed as she
hugged Farn. ‘We leave tomorrow Brin, so you will have to wait a
while to start paying Hani compliments!’

‘I have checked your
pack Tika, and all is ready.’

There was a wistfulness
in Emla’s voice but it vanished as Ryla glared at her and said: ‘We
have much to do here whilst you are gone. But should we find
anything at all that could be of the slightest help to you, we will
send news by the Merigs.’

‘I hope my travelling
bag is properly prepared.’ Khosa stalked between Brin’s legs and
sat before the fire.

‘Do we come too
mother?’

Khosa turned her head
to survey the small bundle of brown fur perched on Ryla’s knee.
Then she looked at the faintly snoring orange ball nestled on
Nolli’s lap and twitched her whiskers. ‘I think not Resh. You are
far too young for such travelling. You will remain here and learn
dignified and mannerly ways.’

‘Yes mother.’ Resh sank
back under Ryla’s long fingers with a soft sigh of relief, which
grew into a rattling purr.

‘I am relieved that you
are leaving them here Khosa. I cannot imagine my lap empty of
Bakra,’ Nolli said solemnly.

‘Gan has chosen Riff
and Drak to join you Tika, as they have both had some service
against the southern Gangers.’ Emla smiled. ‘If he tried to leave
Sket here I think he would just start walking southwards after
you.’

Farn yawned then
hastily ducked his head behind Tika’s shoulder. ‘We like Sket,’ he
murmured, eyes half closed. ‘He is extremely brave you
know.’

Emla leaned forward to
touch the silvery blue head. ‘We do know Farn. And you should
return to your family and sleep, for tomorrow will be a long
day.’

Farn’s chin jerked up
to rest on top of Tika’s head, eyes flashing indignantly. ‘I will
go if you so wish Lady, but I am certainly not tired!’

Kemti stared seriously
at the back of Khosa’s head. ‘Of course you’re not tired, but we
must all prepare ourselves properly.’

‘Hmm. Well, I suppose
so.’ Farn sounded unconvinced but Brin rose to his feet.

‘We wish you all
goodnight,’ he said and made for the door.

‘I will be there soon,’
Tika whispered as Farn reluctantly followed the crimson
Dragon.

His tail had scarcely
disappeared when Khosa snorted. ‘Such a baby! My children do as
they are told, when they are told, with no arguments,’ she
spat.

‘I seem to recall a few
problems at the Stronghold,’ Nolli remarked
thoughtfully.

Khosa’s turquoise eyes
slitted at the Ancient One for a moment but before the Kephi had a
chance to respond, Nolli continued: ‘Seriously Tika, I fear we have
given you little real help in knowing how you will have to face
Rhaki. Ryla and I believe he has not guessed yet that there is
anyone who could match his powers. At least you should have the
advantage of surprise. We think you will just have to rely on your
own feelings once you are close to him.’ She glanced at Ryla. The
frail Senior fixed her still-brilliant eyes on Tika.

‘It is a hard thing to
tell you dear one, but I tell you now. Rhaki must be destroyed. It
is the only way to prevent his evil unbalancing all in this world.
Wound him and leave him alive, and he will return to be fought
again. He must die child.’

Dawn saw snow falling
yet again but softly, not driven by the winds that had raged from
the north earlier in the season. The company travelling south made
their farewells to Nolli and Ryla in the great hall.

Emla and Shan huddled
under their cloaks as the company climbed onto the backs of the
three great Dragons Kija, Kadi and Brin. Farn waited as Tika hugged
Emla’s tall slender body.

‘May the stars guide
your path dear ones,’ Emla called aloud and hands were lifted in
salute. ‘And stars keep you especially safe,’ she murmured against
Tika’s dark curls.

Tika pushed herself
free, grabbed Shan in a quick embrace and then ran down the steps
to Farn. As she looked back towards Emla and Shan, their shapes
blurred. Tika sniffed and wiped her sleeve across her face. ‘Cursed
snow,’ she muttered as Farn lifted from the ground. ‘Makes my eyes
water so.’

Chapter
Fifteen

Mim had gone down to
the lowest levels of the Stronghold to see how work on the future
growing areas was progressing. Jeela was hunting with the Snow
Dragons, and Fenj was deeply occupied in amusing Lula. Kera
appeared to be busy writing her interminable reports when Ashta
nudged her arm softly. Kera looked into the gentle green eyes with
their ridiculously long lashes and smiled.

‘All right,’ she
admitted in mind speech directed only to Ashta. ‘I was really
watching those two. What exactly are they doing?’

Although Ashta’s eyes
sparkled with merriment, her tone was solemn. ‘I think it is a sort
of hide and seek game.’

Kera put a hand over
her face and bent her head towards her notes. At that moment, the
immense black Dragon reared back and then slumped against the wall
as a tiny bristling Kephi leaped from behind a stool and advanced
on stiff legs towards him.

Kera choked and dropped
her head even lower as Ashta carefully avoided looking across the
hall.

‘I’ll have to go up to
my work chamber I think,’ Kera managed finally. She kept her eyes
on Ashta as she controlled her mirth. ‘I’m glad you are here though
Ashta. I wanted to know how Mim is. He is still changing isn’t he?
Is it because of the silver Dragon?’

Ashta’s eyes whirred
and for the briefest moment red sparks glinted in the prisms. She
shuffled her wings, fidgeting slightly. Kera thought perhaps she
would not answer. She wasn’t sure how the soul bonding worked and
if Ashta would thus be unable to speak any criticism of Mim. With a
sigh, Ashta leaned her brow against Kera’s.

‘He called to her. He
was cold, harsher than I would ever imagine my Mim could be. He
said if she screamed for him again, he would never ever contact
her.’

Kera realised she was
chewing her writing stick and placed it deliberately on the table
beside her. She held back the multitude of questions seething
within her and waited for Ashta to continue. She felt Ashta’s
affection and her amusement. The pale green Dragon was fully aware
of the Senior’s excitement.

‘Mim shielded the
Stronghold the instant he had spoken to Gremara, leaving only a
narrow channel open directly to his mind. She answered him at once,
in the faintest whisper, begging him not to abandon
her.’

‘So he is communicating
with her?’ Kera asked.

‘No. He told her he
would speak with her every three days, for a short while only each
time. Her voice became louder, demanding he pay her attention. Mim
stopped her at once. He said he was busy and either she would
accede to his wishes or he would have nothing more to do with
her.’

Kera leaned back in her
chair staring unseeing at the broken gateway. After a long moment,
she looked back at Ashta.

‘So he is containing
her power for now. Has he learnt anything from her, and how long
can he restrain her mind?’

Again Ashta shifted her
weight from foot to foot.

‘He has learnt from
her, but he stopped most of the information from coming into my
mind.’

Kera felt sorrow
washing through the young Dragon and realised it was probably the
first time that the two had not shared their feelings or thoughts,
and that Ashta was hurt by that fact.

‘Mim can restrain her
now I think because she is so excited that a Dragon Lord is
revealed to her at last. But if he tries to hold her for too long,
I fear her madness will burst forth even more wildly.’

As Ashta fell silent
the sound of voices came from the tunnel entrance leading to the
lower levels. Guards and Delvers emerged, chatting and laughing as
they returned for their midday meal. Stronghold servants supervised
by the chamberlain Yoral, brought dishes and bowls wreathed with
inviting aromas and steam. Ashta moved away from Kera as Mim
appeared, deep in conversation with Lorak and Bikram. Mim’s arm
slid across Ashta’s shoulder as they met and they moved together to
the gateway, pausing briefly to speak with Fenj.

Lorak looked down the
table, catching Kera’s eye and giving a slight nod of his head as
Nesh dropped onto a chair beside her. She returned Lorak’s nod,
guessing the old gardener wanted to speak to her alone.

The hall had nearly
emptied again before Kera had a chance to talk to Lorak. She saw
him check that Fenj was dozing, Lula cradled against the broad
black-scaled chest, then he ambled towards the hearth where logs
just piled on were beginning to snap and flare. Nesh drained his
mug of spice tea and pushed himself up from the table.