Dragon School_Dire Quest Read online

  Somehow, I didn’t think saffron was the worst of my worries.

  The best part of leaving people you love is coming back to them.

  Chapter Four

  The others slowly grew to tiny pinpricks until it was just Hubric and Haskell on Kyrowat and me on Raolcan soaring over the gray water of the Eastern Ocean. I was already feeling nervous. When Rakturan had set sail for Baojang he’d had a ship and he’d known where he was going. I had none of those things. We couldn’t just fly over the ocean – Raolcan had been clear about that – which meant we’d need a ship I couldn’t afford to hire, or we would need to take a very long journey far to the north – through the war-torn Dominion – and eventually swing east from there to Baojang. Neither solution sounded promising. When we landed just before dark on a sandy stretch of white beach, I was still chewing my lip with worry.

  You shouldn’t be worried. Whatever path we take, we’ll make it work. Worry steals joy out of the moment and doesn’t buy you future safety.

  I hastily unsaddled him so he could go and hunt. With the Ifrits far behind, we were safe enough here. Hubric was already lighting a fire of driftwood and Haskell was quietly gathering food. She smiled at me when I stumbled over. The battered kettle I’d found in the farmhouse was already filled with water and ready to brew tea.

  “There’s a safehouse to the north, just south of Hezba,” Hubric said without small talk. “We can resupply there and get you ready for a very long journey.”

  “I don’t have any coin,” I said, nervously.

  “There will be coin there.”

  “I was thinking maybe a ship...”

  “No.” His bright eyes glittered in the multi-colored flames of the driftwood fire. “The ocean will be full of the enemy by now. Rakturan was safe enough – a prince of Baojang on a Baojang ship. A ship of the Dominion would not be so safe.”

  “But if I fly north the whole way and then head east, I’ll fly right through the war. Besides, it will take ages to get there. By then, I might be too late.”

  “Better late than never,” he grunted, but he poked at the fire with an expression on his face that I knew was deep thought. What was he concocting? “Go get our blankets. We don’t have a tent in the packs anymore, but a beach fire should be fine.”

  When I returned, we drank tea and ate dried food in silence. Haskell began to set her blanket up the way she liked. The dragons returned, bellies full, and spread themselves out on either side of us, promptly shutting their eyes. They needed the rest.

  You try flying that hard. It takes it out of a dragon!

  “There’s a woman I knew in Baojang,” Hubric said suddenly. “Jasmeer of the Fragrant Islands. She’s a saffron honey dealer in the city of Abalang. I think she could help you, Amel.”

  “Where is Abalang?”

  “On the southern coast of Baojang.”

  I was silent, staring at the fire. It would be nice to have a friend, but the southern coast of Baojang was a very long way off.

  Hubric chuckled. “You should see your face. So, you doubt you’ll get that far, do you?”

  I nodded.

  “Can I offer you a solution?”

  “Please.” Why was he being so secretive? Why didn’t he just come out and tell me his solution?

  “If I’d been there when Rakturan sailed off like a fool, I would have told him this, too. There’s an old path across the Eastern Ocean from a time when our nations were better friends – or maybe they were one nation, who knows? But there is a path. It’s part of Dragon Rider lore, though it’s more obscure and not everyone knows it. I can draw you the map and leave you the clues I was given so long ago.”

  “What kind of a path goes over water?”

  He scratched the side of his face while behind him, Haskell broke out in snores. I felt so jumpy at the thought of setting off on my own that I didn’t mind the snores. Haskell wasn’t worried about where she was going. It made me feel like I could calm down a bit, too.

  “It would only work for a dragon,” he said eventually. “The path takes you from island to reef to other places that only a dragon could perch on and sleep. They would be hazards to a ship and useless to anyone else, but if you follow the path exactly, a dragon could fly across the Eastern Ocean. Rather quickly, in fact.”

  I’d never heard of anything like that – but then again, there were many things I didn’t know.

  “And will it be fast enough?”

  He shrugged. “It’s safer and faster than a ship or the northern route. Fast enough? Who can say? We don’t know how things have fared for Rakturan. He may have only arrived there a few days ago, even with strong winds in his favor.”

  “How are you certain it’s really there? No one talks about it.”

  “What choice is there, Amel?” And with that, he turned and settled himself in his blankets.

  I stayed awake hours longer than everyone else, jittery at the thought of taking a journey across the ocean on a path that even Hubric had never before tried to take. But, like he said, what other choice did I have?

  When I woke the next morning, I felt like I’d never gone to sleep. A night spent tossing and worrying is no night at all.

  Personally, I like the idea of a hidden path. It sounds like an adventure. You can look at life as a place full of obstacles or a place full of opportunities. Most of the time – if you’re watching for it – you can turn an obstacle into an opportunity.

  I barely registered the scenery as our flight north took us over land instead of water again. When, the next evening, we settled down at the safehouse, I was quiet, not wanting to talk after a day of fighting voices in my head – first of worry, then of gnawing doubt and burning anxiety. I was not seeing this as an opportunity – unless it was an opportunity to fail miserably. My belly swirled uncomfortably as Hubric drew the map in careful pencil and wrote down the notations.

  “If the winds favor you and if the clues are true, it will be a fast journey,” he said.

  “And if they don’t?”

  But there was no answer to that question. I carefully chose out supplies from the storeroom of the hidden fortress Hubric had led us to. Food and drink that would keep, a pot, blankets, clothing and other essentials.

  “Freshwater is the most dire need,” Hubric warned. “You will not find it on the path.”

  We gathered barrels and skins of it until Raolcan was mentally groaning. “How far do I need to carry all that?”

  But when night fell again I didn’t sleep in the soft bed Haskell kindly turned down for me. Instead, I crept out to where Raolcan slept and laid my worried cheek on his hot shoulder.

  Sleep, Amel. Stop letting worry drive you. It’s a cruel master. I will keep us safe.

  Chapter Five

  Hubric held the map too tightly for me to take it, even though he was clearly offering it to me.

  He doesn’t want to let you go.

  “Keep an eye on things around you. Notice everything. Keep careful watch over your water as you cross the ocean and remember that the culture of Baojang is different than what you are used to. Watch and remain as silent as you can.”

  “Hubric,” Haskell said gently.

  “Mmm?” He looked over to where she was seated on Kyrowat’s back, waiting for him.

  “You said it would take her all day to find the first waypoint. Perhaps it would be best if she had an early start.” Haskell’s tone was kind. They were a strange pair – her young and him old, her kind and him gruff.

  He nodded and finally let go of the map, turning away.

  “Hubric!” My voice sounded panicked.

  He looked back, a brave smile on his face. “You’ll be fine.”

  “What if I can’t find him?”

  “You will.”

  “What if I can’t find the waypoints?”

  “You will.” He mounted Kyrowat in a single movement.

  I licked my lips. I wasn’t ready, I had so much more to learn.

  He looked me deep
in the eyes. “Amel, you’re a faithful, loyal apprentice. You will find a way to do this for Savette and for all of us. I know you will. Be strong and remember to read your prophecies and play cards as often as you can.”

  I let my fingers travel over the deck of cards he’d given me with the map. It figured that he would have spares with him.

  “I will.”

  “We’ll miss you.”

  Haskell cleared her throat and Hubric nodded, saluting me and calling a goodbye as Kyrowat launched into the air. I stifled the sob growing in my throat and looked out over the rolling fields below the cliff we’d said goodbye on. He was heading inland toward the capital. We were heading northeast, past the city and off to the first waypoint. What if we didn’t find it? What if we were lost along the way? I’d grown used to companions.

  You still have me. I’m starting to feel like you don’t appreciate how lucky you are...

  I should have stayed with Savette and made that stand against the Ifrits.

  She would have been irritated at your choice not to take her message. And did I mention that you still have me?

  I should have gone with Hubric.

  Seriously, you need to buck up. We’ll be fine. And just for the record ... you still have me. What more could a girl want?

  With a deep breath and a final sniff, I checked Raolcan’s straps, mounted and strapped in. By tonight we needed to reach a small island marked on the map. Raolcan swore up and down that this first landmark would be easy to find.

  It’s an island. Believe it or not, they stand out against the sea.

  He leapt into the air and I clutched at his saddle feeling abandoned and a bit sorry for myself.

  Well, you can be sorry for yourself this whole journey or you can embrace it and love the adventure ... like me. At least you aren’t the one carrying all the water.

  We flew so far east of Hezba that all I saw were the distant silhouettes of buildings in the haze of the sun. I turned over the map and read the notation again and again. I couldn’t afford to get this wrong. The notation read,

  There is a small island just east of the Dragon Head Islands. Reefs surround this island, making it a terrible choice for sailors, but a safe and secluded resting place for dragons. If you stay on course, it will appear when the Lesser Dragon Head is in sight.

  It sounded simple enough.

  Honestly, I could find that in my sleep.

  I let myself relax into the flight, even enjoying the salty smell of the breeze over the ocean and the puffy clouds that formed pictures in the sky. It wasn’t until well past midday that I began to worry about when we’d be able to take a break.

  Not for a long time. This is as hard on the rider as the dragon. Don’t drink too much or it will really be bad for you.

  I tried not to think about that. It would only make things worse.

  I’m more worried about who is following us.

  Following us? I spun in my seat, looking behind us, but there was no sign of a dragon anywhere that I watched.

  My eyes are better than yours. He is behind us, but when we stop to rest he will have time to catch up.

  How long until we could stop?

  Still many hours.

  Ngh. I was already well past uncomfortable.

  At least the winds are strong. I’m letting them push me. We’re making great time.

  Now I had two things to worry about – a mysterious person following us, and whether my bladder would make it to this mysterious island.

  Chapter Six

  I would have been more worried about whoever was tailing us if I wasn’t practically hopping up and down by the time we found the hidden island. Raolcan skidded across the loose gravel in his hurry to land and I was even faster to find a lonely bush and take care of things.

  About done?

  “Yes. You okay?”

  I think I’d like you to unload my burdens, though we should probably keep a sharp eye out. Whoever is following us is going to find us. There’s no hiding on this flat rock.

  I hurried to unload his burdens and stow them to the side, but with so many and my slower speed, it took longer than I’d like.

  He’s circling. I think he hopes to land somewhere else, but there is nowhere but this little spit of rock.

  Raolcan wasn’t exaggerating. The island was about the size of four Raolcans. There were a couple of scraggly bushes and some shards of rock, and that was it. There weren’t even bits of driftwood to make a fire with.

  He’ll come down eventually. Wake me when he does.

  Wake him?

  I’m the one who flew all day. You take first watch.

  Fair enough. Raolcan hunkered down low on the ground and closed his eyes. I leaned against him and let myself relax into his warmth. If I was going to keep watch, I might as well do it in comfort. I barely noticed when my eyes began to flutter closed.

  Someone cleared his throat and I sat up, wishing I could leap to my feet. I tried to look calm and cool instead as a Dragon Rider in black leathers wearing a mass of gold scarves and slender chains stood over me. He was tall for a dragon rider – I’d noticed that most were short and wiry – and his arms were crossed over his chest.

  “You sure seemed to be in a hurry to reach this rock, Purple.”

  I settled on something safe. “I have messages to deliver.”

  He wouldn’t know I was an apprentice – not in these black leathers.

  “There’s no one out here to deliver them to except whales and ships. Do you have a message for a ship?” His tone was playful, but his brown eyes watched me carefully. He was maybe thirty, his face unshaven and his leathers battered.

  “Are you here to negotiate with them?” I countered. It was probably better that no one knew my business. And he’d been following me, after all. “Why are you following me?”

  He barked a laugh, but then his eyes grew serious. Anything else in his expression was hard to pick out, despite the bright lace of stars in the sky above us.

  “There was a Purple in my wave in Dragon School. We were friends. He mentioned something about a hidden path to the lands of Baojang. I was looking for the start of that path for weeks and then a Purple flies by headed in the strangest direction. It occurred to me ... could she know where this path is? Could she be flying a message to Baojang? So, I follow, curious. And where does she land but a black rock on a dark sea – like she’s lost, but not lost. And I think perhaps this not-lost one can guide me down the path. Hmmm?”

  He had a strange way of talking. I cocked my head as he spoke trying to follow it.

  The people from the northwest of the Dominion speak that way. He’s likely from there. See how his hair is tightly curled? That’s a trait you see in the northwest.

  Was Raolcan angry that I fell asleep?

  I want to go back to sleep. You decide what to do with this golden rider.

  Should I let him come with us? I didn’t know him. He might not be trustworthy.

  I’m pretty sure he’ll follow you like a lost puppy either way.

  “What happened to your friend?” I asked. “Why can’t he show you this ‘path’ if it exists?”

  “Died. In sacking of Casaban.”

  I felt my belly sink. They’d been rounding up Purples there to give to the Dusk Covenant. It’s possible that his friend died on the mountain where I fought the Magikas and saved Leng from them. We’d lost all the others. I bit my lip at the memory. What if it was me who had lost Leng that way and was seeking help? But then again, anyone could tell a story.

  “Why do you want to go to Baojang?”

  “Why do you?”

  He had me there. I wasn’t ready to share my secrets any more than he was ready to share his.

  He laughed at my silence. “I’m Renn Woelran of the Gold.”

  Woelran. I’d heard that name before ... in Dragon School.

  The arrogant one all the girls liked. Jael, wasn’t it? He died in training.

  I swallowed. What would Renn thi
nk, if he knew that?

  I wouldn’t bring it up if I were you.

  “I’m Amel Leafbrought, Purple – obviously.” Probably best to stick with my name. “There’s not much room on this island, so I guess we’d better be friends.”

  “Does that mean that you are going to show me the way to Baojang?” he pressed.

  “Ask me in the morning.”

  He laughed again – he did that a lot – and walked over to the side of his frilled gold dragon. It reminded me a little too much of Starie’s dragon.

  “What’s your dragon’s name?” I asked as I settled back down, leaning on Raolcan.

  “Ahummal. He doesn’t like Purples.”

  He can go eat feet.

  I fell asleep with that sweet sentiment ringing in my ears.

  Chapter Seven

  I woke before Renn did, though Ahummal was wide awake and glaring at us with baleful eyes. He shifted further away when he saw me watching and ended up with his tail falling in the water. His hiss almost sent me into giggles.

  Don’t encourage him.

  Raolcan yawned beside me, clearly showing off his gleaming teeth. Oh. It was going to be one of those, ‘which dragon is deadlier’ contests again. I should hobble out of the crossfire while I still could. I took my own advice, helping myself and Raolcan to some water and dried meat. There was nowhere to resupply here, but I took time to examine the tack and make a few adjustments. I needed to make a decision about Renn and I also needed to look at the map. It had us headed due east – which made no sense at all. We ultimately needed to go north.

  If you don’t trust the map then there’s no point in trying to follow this path.

  I didn’t like blindly trusting things. I frowned over the map. The picture on the map was a ring and then a tangled symbol – Hubric’s fault or the original sign? And the notation said:

  Fly like an arrow to the rising sun. Waver not from dawn to midday. Let the sun be your guide.

  At least if we found it on time we would be there by midday.