Dragon School_Initiate Read online

  “What about her?” Starie pointed at me. It seemed like terrible luck that we’d been put in the same knot.

  “Amel will carry Leng Shardson.” Grandis Leman took a few steps closer to me, so that he could speak more quietly. “Carrying an injured man – especially one as injured as Leng – is not a job for an initiate, Amel Leafbrought, but unfortunately, our options are limited. I will be shepherding his dragon, as well as my own, and the others will all have additional riders. You and Starie are not actually ready for this but we have no other option here. You must take care not to jostle him, monitor how he is doing and offer him the draughts prepared by the Healers. They tell me he is conscious now, but he will need all the rest he can get. I’m charging you with his care on the journey. Don’t let me down.”

  “Yes, Grandis,” I said, trying to convey that I took the responsibility seriously. Inwardly I felt a tingle of excitement at the prospect of being able to care for my friend in person. I wouldn’t have to worry if he were healing or not. I could see with my own eyes. On the other hand, if the best help he had was me, maybe I should worry.

  I’ll help you, Raolcan assured me.

  Did Raolcan know much about healing?

  I know enough.

  “The long pannier you’ve been issued has a sheepskin padding and several straps. We’ll strap Leng into the pannier until he recovers enough to sit during the day. Be sure to use your whistle to alert us if there is a problem.”

  Grandis Leman was about to stride away, so I spoke quickly. “Whistle?”

  He tapped a small silver whistle that hung around his neck, the length and shape of my smallest finger.

  “You’ll find it in your assigned gear. Now, hurry up. Our charges will be here any minute.”

  “Grandis Leman?”

  He adopted a patient look, like he’d spent too much time with me already.

  “Is our knot traveling alone?” I asked.

  “We are accompanied by Dragon Rider Kazatan and his Reds.” He pointed at the knot preparing beside us. “And Grandis Elfar and her Greens.”

  “Why does every other knot get to be with their own color and we have to be a big mix?” Starie asked.

  “You’re Gold?” Grandis Leman asked, as if we couldn’t all tell what color her dragon was. She nodded. “Might I suggest that if your calling is diplomacy, perhaps your teachers think you could benefit from practicing it.”

  I had to cover my mouth with my hand to keep my grin from showing.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You don’t need to check me so often.” Leng’s voice was hard to hear amidst the rush of air as we flew. He was propped up in the pannier in a semi-sitting position, so he could watch where we were flying but also lean against Raolcan’s hot back for support. Raolcan seemed unconcerned by the additional load.

  It takes concentration to remember not to move in a way that might dislodge you but you aren’t heavy, he reminded me again.

  I couldn’t help but check Leng often. I was worried about him. The Healers had given me a tincture for his pain and another to give him at night to help him sleep. So far, he’d refused to take either one. He’d also refused the dried meat and bread I’d offered but he was willing to share the hot tea that was packed in the flask I’d been given.

  “I don’t think you should be traveling in your condition,” I said. “You had a crossbow quarrel in your back only yesterday.”

  We were flying our dragons in formation. It had taken me the first few hours of flying to get used to watching my position and to watching Leng. With so much on my mind, I hadn’t really talked with him until now.

  “I was worried about you,” I added. It didn’t feel like enough – or maybe it was too much. Would Leng feel like I was a silly girl worrying over a man I hardly knew? “I delivered your message to the Envoy and I visited you.”

  He rubbed his nearly-bald head awkwardly, like he wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you.”

  I felt my cheeks go hot and diverted my attention to flying – not that Raolcan needed any guidance. We were flying in formation and off to my right I saw Starie fighting to keep Asteven in place. Not every novice dragon was so willing to work with his rider. Raolcan, however, could fly just fine on his own, even heavily laden with packages and two people.

  As we headed north-east along the coast I was seeing more of the country than I’d ever seen before. The grey, rocky beaches along the ocean rolled into ancient pine forests. Fog wreathed everything and the sky was grey with clouds.

  Why couldn’t you have received a position to the south? Raolcan complained. It’s getting colder, and I don’t like the cold.

  It wasn’t that cold but anything warmer than a furnace was cold to Raolcan. I noticed Leng was staring at me.

  “Do you need a drink, Leng?” I asked. “Some of your medicine?”

  “I’m glad that we’re traveling together, Amel. If I tell you something, will you keep it to yourself?”

  I shivered slightly at the thought of being trusted with a secret. I hadn’t been much help to Savette when she finally tried to share her secret with me.

  “Of course,” I agreed, swallowing as his dark eyes seemed to grow deeper and he leaned close enough to my saddle to be heard without raising his voice.

  “Something is happening with the Magikas. Watch yourself with them.” I bit my lip and he leaned against my leg, his face pale. “I think I might need to rest after all.”

  He fell asleep, leaning against my leg and Raolcan. At least I didn’t need to worry about staying warm with Raolcan under me. He kept us all warm with his furnace-like body heat. I watched the other dragons, trying to pick out the Magikas riding on their backs. What was I supposed to watch them for? Rais’ dragon behaved better than Starie’s despite being loaded down with three people, and Asteven was still giving Starie a hard ride. Beyond that, it was hard to see anything from this distance.

  Leng leaned heavily against my leg and it tingled as it fell asleep – just like he was. I didn’t mind even one bit. There was something endearing about a muscle-bound, intense man sleeping sweetly that tugged at my heart. I tried to think about anything else except Leng, but until we landed for a break two hours later, I couldn’t think of anything else.

  Chapter Fourteen

  We landed, a little after noon, on a rocky river bank where the river met the sea. The dragons descended quickly, lining up along the river bank. I was nervous as we landed, checking and re-checking that Leng was safe and not being jostled. He was still asleep as Raolcan settled gently on the ground. I had expected a much more jarring landing – like the one Starie treated Apprentice Corrigan to - and I breathed with relief as I tried to slide my leg out from beside Leng without waking him.

  You didn’t need to be worried. I can be as gentle as I need to be. Besides, Ahlskibi would be very displeased if I made his rider uncomfortable.

  I glanced up the river bank to where Ahlskibi stood with Grandis Leman’s mount, Leepsain. He bared his yellowed teeth at me and I looked away quickly. He certainly was an unfriendly dragon, although, if I was being honest, no other dragons other than Raolcan were particularly friendly to me. Maybe it was just a dragon thing.

  Yes, and no. Notice how Leepsain tolerates humans? Apparently, we grow used to your presence – or at least non-Purple dragons do. Purples never seem to really adjust to being around humans all the time. Ahlskibi wishes that Leng was on his back. It irritates him that you have him with us.

  It wasn’t my choice, but I didn’t like the idea of him being with anyone else when he needed protection. I dismounted from Raolcan, pulled my crutch from where it was strapped behind my saddle, and did a quick lap around him checking for any straps that might be rubbing or coming loose.

  They’re fine. I would have told you if they weren’t.

  He was busy draining the river of water, but I had no food for him. I should have asked about that.

  I can go a long time without food. Leepsain or Ahlskibi may hunt
for us. The rest of us will be required to stay here. They don’t trust us yet. We must prove ourselves as much as you must.

  It hadn’t occurred to me that he was being tested, too. He snorted, great gouts of steam streaming across the river. I thought that might have been a laugh. I ignored him and crouched beside Leng’s pannier, keeping my crutch firmly planted in the soft soil for balance.

  “Leng? Are you awake?”

  He groaned sleepily, wiping his eyes as he woke. I hadn’t noticed before that his eyelashes were so thick. It seemed a strange feature for him to have – completely at odds with his otherwise rough and energetic look.

  “We’ve landed for a short break,” I said. “I’m going to refill our water skin and see to necessities. Would you like help out of the pannier?”

  “Please,” he agreed.

  I loosened his straps and then stood, squatting slightly on my good leg and sliding my arm under his and across his back to help him up. He gasped as we stood, wobbling against my crutch.

  “The lame leading the lame,” Starie called out, elbowing Apprentice Corrigan. It turned out that she was the girl with the short dark hair who called me “Blighted” at the banquet the other night. I ignored her.

  “Can you help me to the edge of the forest?” he asked, his mouth tight with what could only be pain.

  “Of course,” I agreed. It wasn’t easy to move together with only my crutch to lean on, but the rock was flat and easy to navigate and the forest was close by. I left him beside a large clump of trees before scanning the area for a place to take care of my own necessities. A few moments later, I emerged. He was back where I’d left him, leaning against the largest tree of the clump. Maybe he needed help back again.

  “Are you ready to return?” He nodded with a tired smile, his body was hunched over and he flinched when he put an arm around my shoulders to be helped back. I eased him into his seat and then pulled the draught out of the saddlebag. “They said you’re supposed to drink this.”

  He started to shake his head but I frowned and took his hand with mine.

  “What?” he asked. He wasn’t unkind, but he seemed confused by my touch. I just wanted him to pay attention. That was all.

  “I need you to take your draught. If you catch a fever, it will be my fault for not taking care of you.”

  “I’m a grown man, Amel, and a full dragon rider.”

  “And maybe a bit afraid to admit you need help.”

  He looked away.

  “Just take it,” I said, pushing the skin into his lap. “I’ll go refill our waterskin.”

  I left and made my way down to the rushing river. It was too steep for me to reach the water where Raolcan was drinking. His long neck gave him a little more reach. I could see that the bank grew shallower a little way toward the sea, so I picked my way across the rock toward the spot I’d chosen. I was going to have to practice maneuvering in the outdoors with my crutch. Then, maybe I’d be faster. I was moving so slowly, that my movements were almost silent, so Starie and Corrigan didn’t hear me as I crept up on them.

  “Your father sent us a message only last week,” Corrigan was saying. “It’s one of the reasons that we came. Our loyalty to Atrelan Castel is of utmost importance.”

  “I would have thought that was obvious since you’re Dominion servants.” The cynicism in Starie’s voice made it sound harsher than usual.

  “You have a problem with Dominion servants?” Corrigan sounded almost as if that was funny to her.

  “I have a problem being one. I was meant to be more than a lowly Dragon Rider – a servant of the Dominar for the rest of my life! Tested and pushed and demanded from! This is not the life I was born to. I should have had power and influence as my siblings will.”

  “Perhaps that dream is not yet over,” Corrigan said. She leaned forward, glancing around as if she were about to impart a secret, but then she noticed me and she straightened suddenly, her face going blank.

  I held up my water skin as evidence of why I was there. Starie shook her head as if to say that I couldn’t even get a simple task like drawing water right. Corrigan spun on her heel and strode back up the river bank, giving me a wide berth. With a frown, Starie followed her.

  I dipped my waterskin in the river, letting it fill as my mind processed what they’d been saying. Leng had told me to watch out for the Magikas but they certainly didn’t bear any ill will toward Starie. In fact, Corrigan seemed anxious to befriend her. Could it really be true that the entire contingent of Magikas had come to Dragon School partly to see Starie? It hadn’t seemed like it when they were there. Perhaps Corrigan was lying to Starie because she wanted something from her. What could she want from a Dragon Rider trainee besides transport to another city? She was already receiving that.

  When I returned, Leng had fallen back asleep, his waterskin in his hand. I lifted it gently away, pleased that it was lighter and strapped him in. It was too bad he was so injured. I could have used a bit more information from him, and maybe some protection as well. I was getting a creeping feeling up my spine that usually accompanied disaster.

  You have all the protection you need from me.

  I stroked the scales on Raolcan’s neck in thanks as I finished buckling Leng’s straps and then settling myself into the saddle with my own safety straps. A moment later, his muscles bunched, and we were soaring into the sky. Elation overtook worry and I held on tight, delighted to be able to soar when I couldn’t even run on my own.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The rest of the day was spent at the rear of the formation of dragons. The Red and Green groups were both ahead of us and our hodge podge group was in the rear. I wanted to keep an eye on Starie and Corrigan on Asteven, but they were on the far side of our V-shaped formation, and I couldn’t make out more than a speck in the sky.

  Grandis Leman had told us at the beginning to just fly in a V behind the person in front of us and not to get creative. He said it was a pity we hadn’t had - at the very least - flying and formation training, and I had to agree as the sun sank low and it became harder and harder to make out the dragon ahead of me.

  Eventually, there was a long whistle and the dragon ahead of us seemed to be descending. Raolcan followed, without any need for me to suggest he follow. As we drew closer to the ground, a string of fires appeared, dotting the ground below. They were arranged across a hilly clearing and white tents were already grouped around the fires as the Reds and Greens settled in.

  When Raolcan landed, I dismounted immediately, my leg and rear aching from the long ride. I tried to shake out the soreness, but it wouldn’t budge. With a sigh, I moved around Raolcan to remove his baggage and saddle.

  “Inducted!” Grandis Leman called through the dark. “It’s late and we are all tired. The dragon picket is behind us to the south. Bring your dragons there. The Reds have already established a watering area and pickets.”

  Pickets? How did you picket a dragon? The idea was laughable.

  They’ll bind me with magic. It’s crude but effective.

  Would he be alright out in the cold and dark, bound in place by magic? His answering snort was all the reassurance I needed.

  “In your packs, there should be a tent and bedding. You will need to share your tent with the passenger you have brought. Get them settled, then come to the fires to cook your food. This will become habit. It is our standard routine when traveling in the countryside. Learn to do it quickly and efficiently. For tonight I will be happy with simple completion. Here after, there will be penalties to the one who finishes last.”

  Great. That was almost certain to be me. I would need to learn to be quick at this. Too bad I couldn’t just sleep against Raolcan like I had at Dragon School.

  Why can’t you?

  Leng would need a tent so he could rest properly. It seemed indecent to share one with him. I tried not to think of it as I hobbled beside Raolcan to the pickets. When we arrived, a Red Dragon Rider strode over, lifted his hands for a moment and t
hen moved on.

  It’s the binding. I’m trapped here, now.

  “What do you need, Raolcan?”

  Just get the bags off me and let me sleep for a while.

  I unloaded the bags, slipping them off and piling them beside him. Leng was still asleep, so I left his pannier to the last.

  “Leng?” I whispered in the dark. “Wake up, Leng. We need to unload Raolcan.”

  He grunted, but he sat up, easing himself out of the pannier before I could leap to his aid. He stood, breathing raggedly, both hands pressed to Raolcan’s side for support. Raolcan’s head swung back and forth. He’d better not be thinking about snapping a bite out of Leng or he’d pay for it!

  Empty threats, spider. You’d never go through with them.

  Well, he’d make me very sad.

  And that is all the motivation I need to control myself.

  I eased off the pannier, saddle, and harness, setting them in a careful pile with our baggage. I located the tent, bedrolls, and the draughts and waterskin, slinging them over one shoulder in a very awkward bundle. I could carry them all to the fires if I was careful, but it would be a difficult journey. I certainly couldn’t help Leng, too.

  “I’ll come back for you, Leng,” I said, worry in my voice. “Raolcan will take care of you while I’m gone.”

  “He’ll snap my head off as soon as you’re out of reach, Amel.” Leng snorted a laugh. “You give this dragon too much credit.”

  “I promise you, he will be honorable.” He would be, wouldn’t he?

  “I think I can make it. Just lead the way and I’ll follow.”

  I hesitated. This was a bad idea. He wasn’t in any shape to walk across unfamiliar ground in the dark. I wasn’t even in the right shape for that. He stood, straightening his shoulders with the stiffness of pain and I sighed. I could see a losing battle when it was before me. I gripped my crutch tightly, hitched my assorted bundles with the other hand, and began the rocky journey through the dark.