Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) (8 page)

Kellinar flashed him a grin. “You have to be careful who you bed, Vaddoc. The woman has to have the right attitude.”

“Oh, really?” Taela slid him a dark look through narrowed eyes.

“I didn’t always have a bondmate you know. “He cast a look around the table, his sudden discomfort visible.

Serena nodded. “He’s right. Kellinar used to bed many different women. He was such a lecher.”

Kellinar gave her a flat look. “Way to help me out there, and here I thought you were my friend.”

Taela leaned forward. “Many women? In Trilene? Anyone I might know?”

“No way, I’m not going there.” He held up his hands as if to ward her off. “You’re my bondmate and the only one for me now.”

A sudden flash of sadness crossed Taela’s face, and Maleena picked up her unspoken thought.
“Yes, I’m the only one now because my bondsister is lost to us.”

Maleena reached out to her,
“I don’t think he meant it that way.”

Taela looked at her.
“I know he didn’t but the thought hit me nonetheless.”

“Hey now,” Mckale interrupted, “no talking in your heads at the table.”

“Sorry, habit,” Taela said.

Kirynn shook her head. “I’m glad I don’t have anyone in my head except Syrakynn.”

Loki raised his glass toward Kirynn. “I agree. The last thing I want is some bondmate bossing me around.” He glanced at Taela and ducked his head. “Not that any of you do that or anything…it could happen though…”

The arrival of Marda and the food interrupted their conversation. After the last dish and pitcher of drink was set down, Marda glanced around at them and dabbed her eyes. “It’s so good to see all of you here again. It’s felt so empty since…” She shook her head. “Call if you need anything.” Herding the rest of the servers out, she closed the door behind her.

While everyone began passing around dishes, Maleena placed small portions on her plate. She didn’t really feel hungry this evening, which was unusual of late. As the conversation flowed around her, she nibbled at her food. It felt good to be back in the presence of her friends, even if there were a few missing. She watched Jocelynn and Varnen, noting how seamlessly they had become part of the rider family, as if they had always been a part of them.

The others too had become a part of the rider family. She glanced at Brock, Sumara, Marcaius, Belynn, and Nolan. They had taken their first Slides with their dragons a few weeks ago. Nira’s yellow, Saria, was close to doing so as well. Toren’s red, Rahu, still wasn’t old enough to fly. Nordhas had hatched his blue, Arkhas, one week before the battle at Trilene. It would be some time before he flew as well.

Though they felt a part of the family, Maleena sensed a slight gulf between them and the older riders. And from what she sensed, Varnen, Jocelynn, and Loki were included in the older riders. Maleena shook her head at the thoughts that filtered out from the younger riders. They would have their chance to battle Shadow Dragons with the rest of them. It didn’t take going into battle together to make them full members of the rider family, but they wouldn’t really listen even if she told them.

In fact, she wished she had never gone into battle. As if being heavily pregnant wasn’t enough to disturb her sleep, the nightmares of the battle at Trilene interrupted it as well. The images of the people she had killed, even if it had been at a distance, turned her dreams to nightmares.

Though Kirynn laughed and joked, it was strained, as if she forced herself to be a part of everything. And maybe she did. There was emptiness within Kirynn and Jocelynn, a break between them and their emotions.

Maleena shifted uncomfortably as the muscles in her abdomen tightened. She ran a hand over her swollen belly. Mckale glanced at her, his silver eyes sharp as he appraised her. Knowing he sensed it through their bond, she sent him a reassuring smile and shook her head slightly. It wasn’t much more than she’d been feeling off and on for the past couple of weeks. These little tightenings had been happening all day. Maybe things would get moving soon.

When the meal was finished, tea and coffee were served. Marda pointed to two different pitchers. “Mckale, you’ll be interested to know that these two pitchers of coffee are made from the beans you developed last year. Of course the other fields are still producing, but I thought you would like to try the new ones.”

Mckale poured a cup and raised it in Marda’s direction. “Thank you, Marda. I will taste it as soon as it cools.”

Kellinar raised an eyebrow. “A new strain of bean?”

“Yes. After Taela told me of plants growing in the south of Haraban that resemble the coffee plants here, I went down to take a look.” Mckale blew lightly across the steaming surface of dark liquid in his cup. “They are indeed like what we grow here, although the people of Haraban don’t seem to know what to do with them. I brought several plants back and the Tower of Earth and I, along with Sumara,” he nodded at the young woman sitting a few chairs away, “worked to blend the two together. The beans produced by the southern plants created a smoother taste. I’m trying to see if I can cultivate the two to create a smoother aftertaste.”

“I’ll have to try this new blend of yours,” Kellinar said, reaching for the pitcher.

Maleena poured a small cup of tea and took a sip. Fates she was tired, and there was still a Hatching this evening. The muscles in her abdomen tightened once more, and then disappeared after a few seconds.

“So, Maleena, who is the new Foundling?” Kirynn asked as she rocked her chair back on two legs and sipped from her cup. “Mmm, Mckale, this really is good.”

He nodded and took a shallow drink from his own cup as Maleena answered. “She is from Trilene actually. The Dellar District. Her name is Liora. Mage Councilor Amariel had to smuggle her out at great risk to both of them. Since the Shadow Riders have gained full control of Trilene, anyone found with magic is automatically shipped to the Kormai to either hatch an egg or become a mage.”

Jocelynn raised her eyebrows. “They give them no choice? I thought they had to abide the same as we do.”

“Sure, they have a choice.” Taela snorted as she stirred cream and sugar into her tea. “The same choice I was given. Do as they say, or die. They can’t afford to allow magic users to make their way to Galdrilene. Those the Shadow Riders or Benduiren find either go to the Kormai and become what the Shadow Riders wish, or they die. There is no middle ground.”

Belynn shuddered, her hazel eyes fixed on the table. “I’m glad I was able to answer Farynn’s call.” She raised her eyes and tucked her short blonde hair behind her ears. “I can’t imagine being called to Galdrilene, and then held against your will in the Kormai and forced to choose death for you and your draclet, or hatching one of those foul things instead.”

Maleena shook her head. “Attempting to hatch a shadow when already called would result in your death. A black hatching can be difficult to survive anyway. Trying to do so while called would shred your spirit. The only choice possible if one wished to live would be to become a dark mage.”

“A horrible choice to make either way,” Kellinar said, taking a long sip. “Mckale this is delicious. You and Sumara did a great job.”

Sumara smiled and brushed her long black hair over her shoulder. “The mages at the Tower of Earth worked on it too, as did the Agricultural Guild.”

“Very true, Sumara.” Mckale nodded at her then drained his cup. “Like most things, it takes more than one person to accomplish something.”

Maleena yawned and stood, glancing at Mckale. “It’s time to prepare for the Hatching. If we don’t get started soon, I may fall asleep during it.”

“Yes, the time has come to welcome a new member into our family.” Mckale stood as did everyone else. “Serena, would you do the honor of taking her to the Hatching Chamber?”

She nodded, brushing a few stray crumbs from her skirt. “Certainly.”

Maleena walked in silence next to Mckale, a deep sadness shadowing the joy of a new Hatching in her heart. In a few moments, they would stand where Emallya and Bardeck had always stood, reciting the lines they had always said. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them back, feeling the loss of the older couple.

They turned the corner and the large, heavy doors at the end of the hall beckoned to them. Maleena easily heard the humming song of the egg in the room beyond the closed doors. This first Hatching since the loss of Emallya and Bardeck would mark a new beginning in Galdrilene. One where Bardeck and Mernoth wouldn’t be there to teach new dragons and riders. Where Emallya wouldn’t be there to impart hundreds of years of wisdom. Where it would now be up to Maleena, Mckale, and the others to do their best to take their places and carry Galdrilene into the future.

She laid a hand on her large, rounded belly as she positioned herself next to Mckale in front of the doors and felt a twinge of fear for the future. What kind of life would her child face? Would he or she be a Dragon Rider? Those questions were something she had carefully avoided while searching the lake for answers. She already knew her child would likely face the future without her.

The appearance of Serena and Liora at the end of the hall interrupted her thoughts, and she set aside her heartache and fears for the future. It was time to welcome a new rider. Liora’s long, white-blonde hair hung loose about her shoulders, and a mixture of excitement and fear of the unknown rolled off her. Though several inches taller and only about four years her junior, she seemed so young to Maleena. How long before the Shadow Riders shattered the innocence still lingering in her large, pale blue eyes?

“All will be as well as can be. Put away such sad thoughts and focus on the joy of the moment. The future will bring what it brings, and we will face it together. Until then, live for the here and now,”
came the sending from Nydara.

A small smile touched Maleena’s lips, and she sent love flowing along the bond to the silver.
“You are right, as usual.”

“I know,”
Nydara returned, a smug note in the sending.
“Now, do what needs to be done so that I may meet my newest offspring and the newest rider.”

Mckale’s voice filled the hall as he began. “Beyond this door, a future you cannot yet comprehend awaits you. Within is a very large chamber with a circle of eggs in the center. Though the chamber is large, only those Hatching and a couple of witnesses are allowed. Hatching is a personal thing.”

Feeling as if Emallya’s spirit stood close, encouraging her, Maleena picked up the ritual. “Once we open the door, Mckale and I will step aside. You must step through the doorway and into the chamber of your own free will. Once you are in the chamber, the compulsion to bond with your dragon will overcome you. You must be absolutely sure this is the path you wish to take and accept the offered gift of the bond without reservation. If you feel any doubt at all, turn and walk away from this door. At the end of the hall, you will find someone ready to guide you from the Dragon Hold. No shame will be on you for your refusal. Shame can only be found in a false acceptance.”

Liora stared at the doors, and Maleena could feel the pull of the call on the young woman as she answered, “I accept the offered gift without reservation.”

With a nod, Maleena and Mckale pushed on the set of double doors until they were open. Liora walked down the hall, drawn irresistibly by the call. Serena turned and left. They would see her again when Liora exited the chamber into the caldera. With a deep breath, Maleena followed Mckale and Liora into the chamber.

A blue egg pulsed with a soft glow, the humming filling the chamber even louder now that the rider was here. Liora walked into the depression in the middle of the chamber where the eggs were nestled, her eyes never leaving the blue one.

The young woman reached out and touched the shell with a shaky hand. A shell Maleena knew felt like satin. With a gasp, Liora dropped to her knees. Fascinated, Maleena watched. She’d only ever been present at the Hatching of her own dragon. At the time, Maleena had been so swept up in the visions of the past given to her by Nydara as the dragon hatched, she’d seen nothing else.

Liora’s eyes were wide as she stared into the visions her draclet sent, her hand still firmly held to the shell by a magic beyond understanding. A sob of emotion broke past Liora’s lips, and tears flowed down her face as fractures skittered across the shell and a long blue tail broke through and uncurled. Another large chunk fell away as a damp blue wing unfurled.

A loud crack echoed off the walls. Liora’s hand came loose and the rest of the shell fell away. For a brief moment, the new blue draclet was bathed in soft glowing light that seemed to radiate from the draclet herself. Hatching emotions filled the chamber, breaking through Mckale’s shield and astounding her.

Tears flowed as freely down Maleena’s face as they did Liora’s. Mckale slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Maleena leaned her head against him as she watched the new relationship unfold between rider and dragon. The little blue unfurled her other wing, sending a clinging piece of shell to the smooth rock floor where Liora lay sobbing. Slowly, the young woman gathered herself and sat up. The little blue reached her wedge-shaped head out and touched Liora’s wet cheek with her nose.

“You are so beautiful, Pachua,” Liora said, her voice ragged with emotion. The blue snorted slightly and tried to fold her wings over her back. It took four tries for her wings do as the draclet wished, and even then, the tips still dragged the floor.