A Storm in the Desert: Dragonlinked Chronicles Voume 3 (75 page)

Fillion, large smile on his face, nodded furiously.
This will be so golden!

It is a good idea. Perhaps you are as magnificent as I am.

Fillion’s chuckle was echoed by Coatl’s grunting laughter from the courtyard.

“Gentlemen?” Guildmaster Millinith looked at the masters and stood. They left together.

+ + + + +

As her hair whipped about, stinging her face, Millinith realized she probably should have accepted the riding cap Fillion had offered her. There’d been a great deal on her mind, however, so she’d refused. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

At the meeting, Lord Baronel had been a little concerned. She couldn’t blame him. None of them had any idea how much it would cost to acquire the Corpus Order’s assets. Doronal had even offered his family’s coffers, if needed.

Millinith smiled. What would Lady Erindia think of that? They’d find out soon enough.

Coatl banked down for a landing in the back yard of the Gallia country estate.

Master Gella had said she’d be happy to meet with them here. And, she’d said ‘Ana’ wanted to meet with them as well. Whether that was a good thing or not, Millinith didn’t know.

Kaiden waited for them at the door. “Guildmaster, please, follow me. Everyone’s waiting.”

Fillion glanced at Coatl—the dragon curled up on the ground—and then followed her and Kaiden into the house.

“Before we begin,” High Lady Hasana said, “I want to tell you how sorry I am at what must be done. If there were anything I could do to spare the Corpus Order, I would. Unfortunately, the law is the law.”

They were in the same room, almost like a library, that they’d met in before going to the South. A small table had been cleared and they all sat around it. Master Gella, High Lady Hasana, Lady Erindia Gallia, Millinith, and Fillion.

“We completely understand,” Millinith said.

Master Gella’s brows furrowed.

“You, my lady, must hold to the laws even more tightly than anyone. You cannot be seen to be favoring one cause over another.”

High Lady Hasana blinked. “E–Exactly. I’m beyond happy to see that you understand. That being the case, however, I have to confess to confusion as to what you want to discuss.”

“If I may?” Fillion turned to Master Gella. “You mentioned to me that Lord Eldin will be acquiring land from National Transportation once it has been shuttered.”

Master Gella nodded. “That’s correct.”

“The Guildmaster mentioned that you said something about him being allowed to purchase the land at fair market value less a discount?”

“That is also correct.”

“Now,” he said, “even as little as I know of the man, I can’t help but wonder if he made inquiries about increasing that discount as much as you could.”

Master Gella chuckled. “He did. And, in consideration for services rendered, the High Council often grants further price concessions in cases like this. I’m not at liberty to discuss how much of a discount he will receive, but it is appropriate for his company’s assistance.”

Millinith nodded. “He helped transport your people to and from the South, so it seems a fair enough trade-off.”

“Indeed.” High Lady Hasana smiled.

Millinith returned the smile. “The Dragon Craft Guild wishes to purchase all assets of the Corpus Order.”

The silence was broken a few moments later by a grunt. Master Gella looked at Fillion then at Millinith.

“And we’d like to do so at whatever discount you feel is appropriate for an organization that assisted in dismantling a massive currency counterfeiting ring.” She clasped her hands on the table.

“You’re going to be one to watch, I can see.” High Lady Hasana raised a brow and smiled.

“So she is,” Lady Erindia said. Did she look impressed?

“A number of people in the Order have left,” Polandra said, reading over her notes. “From what I gather, most of them we’re better off without, anyway. Egomaniacs, cruel bastards, and the like.” She frowned. “How the Observers know these things is a mystery, but that’s what they tell me.”

She looked up from the notes to Guildmaster Millinith. “And speaking of which, why are we keeping any of them? The guild has no need to spy on itself.”

“No, but Fillion made a good point.” She glanced at the young dragonlinked. “They could teach us much about blending in and about unobtrusive observation.”

“Exactly,” Fillion said. “If we need to help Master Gella or anyone else with investigations again, those kinds of skills could be important.”

“Think of it as another kind of Investigation Craft training.” Guildmaster Millinith’s lips curved in a crooked smile.

Polandra twisted her own lips, but in a grimace. “I suppose. At any rate, Capu—” She frowned. “That is, Cirtis is more excited than I ever remember seeing him. He’s working with the Quartermaster to make sure their property catalogs are updated and correct. There are also a great number of art pieces—paintings, statues, tapestries and the like—depicting dragons in an unfavorable light that he wishes to dispose of through sales or other means. He’s also going over membership rosters with Renata, and they’ll have an organization listing finished soon. Surprisingly, Yiska has been vocal in getting Order members to help us in any way they can. With all the assistance we’re getting, things are progressing well.”

“Good.” Guildmaster Millinith nodded. “The trial isn’t for another week, but I want to have as much ready for us as possible for when we acquire them.”

“What of the Hour of Creation tablets in the entrance?” Sharrah looked from her to the Guildmaster. “When will they be fixed?”

“A correction for the last tablet has been commissioned,” Guildmaster Millinith said, “as well as a full—correct—set for the Guildhall itself.”

“Fantastic.” Cheddar smiled. “I really like that story and love that we’re incorporating it into guild lore.”

“It’s as good an explanation as any and better than most.” A tiny crease appeared between her brows. “’Ulthis’s luck, like lightning, never strikes twice.’”

Polandra raised her brows. One of the names they knew Ulthis by in the South was Bearer of Lightning. Apparently they associated him with the stormy bolts here in the North as well.

It is nearly time!
Ikan’s excited pronouncement drew all eyes to the courtyard door.

Polandra’s heart began to race.
Whose eggs?

Anaya’s.

She nodded. “Anaya’s eggs are ready to hatch.”

How long?

Perhaps two hours.

Damn. It was good families had been brought in yesterday. Well, those that wanted to, were brave enough to, anyway.

“We’ve got maybe two hours.” She turned to Fillion. “You two were going to take Gregor’s family and Willem was going to take Lord Baronel’s, right?”

He nodded, said, “Yep. We better get started, we’ve got another trip after,” and ran off, Gregor on his heels.

Polandra watched them leave. Another trip after?

“We’ll continue this tomorrow.” Guildmaster Millinith made shooing motions with her hands. “You all worked out who was going with who already, so go on, I’m sure you’re all dying to get the the clutching room and find good seats.”

Chuckles and laughs were followed by pounding feet as people ran for the door.

“Jessip was going to contact Renata, wasn’t he?” Polandra turned to Guildmaster Millinith.

“Yes. He’s picking up Isandath and can let her know at the same time. When the ‘writer for Bataan-Mok comes in, it’ll make communicating with the South so much easier.”

She shook her head and headed for the door. “At any rate, I need to change. I’ll meet you in the courtyard in fifteen minutes.”

Polandra turned to Liara. “We should get ready, too.”

Liara smiled. “I’m so excited! I’ll be back as fast as I can.” She ran for the door.

Polandra chuckled.

Outside, Mia chirped at Polandra and followed her to the stable.

What of Nenet’s eggs, Ikan? Any word?

They are nearly ready to hatch, too. It is strange, is it not, that Anaya and Nenet both lay eggs close to the same time and now it appears that those eggs will hatch close to the same time as well, as if the two are somehow synchronized.

Do you not have memories of this happening before?

It is extremely rare. I can only recall it happening twice. And when it did happen, the dragons were friends. That itself is rare as well.

They walked in her study. Mia hopped on the couch and lay down, chin on her forepaws.

Polandra glanced in the den at Ikan.
Perhaps it isn’t so strange after all. A similar thing happens with human girls who are friends. Our monthly cycles tend to synchronize.

I see. So if two, or perhaps more, females who are friends become ready to lay eggs close to the same time, they will synchronize. Fascinating. Sharrah will likely want to hear of this.

Polandra laughed.
You are so right about that.

Still chuckling, she sat on the bed and sighed. So much had happened in the last couple of days. She’d gone from feeling completely defeated, to being excited, to feeling a little overwhelmed. Never a dull moment here.

And her dream was going to come true!

It would seem so.
Ikan looked at her from the den.

One day, dragons
will
live in those caves again, and the sky above will be full of them.

As I said, not such a silly dream after all.

She sent a hug through the link and felt it returned.
You’re a big, lovable beast. And if I didn’t have to get ready, I’d run over there and smother you with real hugs.

We have some time, do we not?

She smiled.
Perhaps later tonight, love. I need to get ready before Guildmaster Millinith returns.

She stood, stripped off the riding gear, and tossed it on the bed. Opening her wardrobe, she removed her formal riding gear. Willem made them all a set a few months back. Mostly of dark blue leather, it had white leather accents and sparkling steel hardware that set everything off quite nicely. It was gorgeous.

After dressing, she spent a few minutes in front of the full-length mirror admiring the gear. “Damn. This looks good on me.”

“Yes it does.”

Polandra, cheeks warming, spun around. “Liara!”

“Sorry” Liara laughed and walked to the mirror. She turned this way and that, watching her reflection. “It’s true, though. The dress gear is beautiful. Willem really outdid himself. I just wish we had more opportunities to wear it.”

Zolin and Xochi return.

The sound of two dragons landing, enormous wings beating, came from the courtyard.

Polandra and Liara headed for the door.

“If you’ll excuse me for but a few minutes, Capu, I need to change.” Renata ran for her stable.

“Of course.” He turned to Isandath. “Though I’m not sure I should be called Capu anymore.”

Isandath smiled when he spotted her and Liara walking over. “Polandra!”

“Well, Capu you will be until we come up with a title for you in the guild. It is good to see you both again.”

Jessip excused himself, saying, “I, too, need to change. Polandra and Liara can keep you company until we return.”

“Of course, of course.” Capu Cirtis turned to Polandra. “I have to say, I am extremely excited to see this ‘bonding’ that I’ve heard so much about. Is it painful at all?”

She chuckled. “No, it isn’t. It tingles a little as the spell bonds you. Then, it feels . . .” She thought back. “. . . like an expansion of yourself. Suddenly, there is a lot more of you there, your bond-mate. I felt him—his heart beating, his lungs expanding and contracting, I sensed everything, including his thoughts. And I knew he could feel the same from me.”

She chuckled. “I must admit that I was a little worried at first. Here was this other entity, this other person, with complete access to everything I am. Everything. It caused more than one night of sleeplessness, let me tell you. But then I realized that all I felt from him, all I have ever felt from him, under everything else, was love. He loves me.
Me.
Even with all my stupid faults. And I love him just as much.” Surprisingly, she had to swallow past a tightening throat. She chuckled. “Sorry. I got a little carried away there.”

A hand took hers. She smiled at Liara.

“Not at all,” Isandath said. “There is no need to apologize. It sounds incredible.”

“Oh it is,” Liara said. “It does come with a huge responsibility, though. We pledge to help people whenever and however we can, particularly by fighting nahual. I think the dragons are worth it though, by a long shot.”

“They are amazing.” Capu Cirtis smiled at Zolin and Xochi.

Zolin let out a happy rumble and Xochi chirped.

“Excellent.” Guildmaster Millinith walked into the courtyard. “I take it Jessip and Renata are changing? When they return, we can head off to the Guildhall.”

“I wonder how Cheddar and Sharrah are doing?” Liara chuckled. “They must be as nervous as all the candidates.”

Polandra nodded. “I don’t doubt that they are.”

Come on out, lazy boy. It’s almost time.

I suppose.

And tell Mia, too.

Mia padded out with Ikan. She chirped at Liara.

Jessip arrived, then, running and closing the last snaps on his jacket. Renata returned not seconds behind, ready and smiling.

Guildmaster Millinith looked around. “Shall we?”

At the dragon’s landing outside the clutching room, a thrumming, a kind of musical reverberation, filled the air.

“They’re humming!” Renata hopped off and turned to Jessip. “Anaya did this to calm Nenet when we went to see her eggs all that time ago.”

No sooner had she said that, when Ikan, Xochi, and Zolin joined in the soothing croon. Polandra glanced at him. When had he learned it? When had the others? Was it some kind of instinct?

What is this hum?

It is to calm and welcome the young dragons. They will emerge from their eggs soon.

Polandra looked at Liara. “We should hurry.”

Everyone headed into the wide dragon passage.

The dragon hum seemed to intensify in the closer confines of the hallway. It was soothing, almost mesmerizing, but it also filled Polandra with energy and excitement. She picked up the pace.

From the clutching room ahead, Anaya’s and Balam’s croons came to her. Of varying tones, the dragon croons still all worked together in harmony. When she and the others entered the room, the acoustics of the place made the welcoming song even more incredible.

Liara whispered, “Wow.”

“Come, let’s get seated.” Guildmaster Millinith made her way to the left, toward the new seating sections.

Capu Cirtis and Isandath followed her, chatting excitedly. Jessip and Renata started to trail behind them, then they split off when they saw Aeron and Willem.

Polandra frowned. There wasn’t room near them for her and Liara to sit with Aeron, Willem, and the others. Even though those rows were filled, Polandra was disappointed to see that many of the others were empty. It did seem as if everyone who could call any of the candidates friend or family was in attendance, but still. She’d ask later if there were rules about who could be invited.

“Come on,” she said to Liara.

Casting occasional glances toward the middle of the room and the eggs there, Polandra followed the Guildmaster.

Like Balam, Ikan, Mia, Xochi and Zolin took up positions along the edge of the sandy area, sitting on their haunches, heads lifted, adding to the thrumming song. Anaya, also humming a welcome, sat several feet back from her two eggs. The candidates, all in riding gear for protection from young, clumsy dragons, stood opposite Anaya in a half-circle facing the eggs. They all looked excited and nervous.

Where were Coatl and Kisa? Polandra didn’t see them with the others. Nenet wasn’t here either, though she was likely with her own eggs in the cavern.

The front row of seats on the left had been reserved for the Guildmaster and her guests. Masters Doronal and Canneth were seated there already, on the far left, with the auditors, Oran and Komako. Lady Rora, Lord Baronel and their family, along with Lady Lora, Lord Eldin and theirs, sat in the row behind. After greeting the lords and ladies and introducing them to Capu Cirtis and Isandath, Guildmaster Millinith sat in the middle of the front row. Capu Cirtis sat to her right, and Isandath sat to his right. Polandra and Liara sat to the Guildmaster’s left.

All eyes were on the candidates, and many people were leaning forward slightly in anticipation.

How much longer, do you think?

It is up to the younglings, for the most part. Though, they do seem to be getting more and more excited about emerging. It should be soon.