The Bond (Book 2) (38 page)

Thank you for allowing us this opportunity, Chel. Please, meet your son.
He bowed to her and stepped to the side.

Aeron was so proud right now he could hardly contain himself.

Anaya let out a pleased rumble.

“
Please, meet your sons.” Fillion bowed and moved next to Willem.

Chel ducked her head at the two boys, then hurried over to the hatchlings. Croons and chirps and barks were heard as nose-touches and rubbed faces were passed around the dragon family.

Sharrah sighed. “Isn’t it just wonderful?”

“
Welcome to the family Chel, Balam, and Coatl.” Aeron thought his whisper had been too low to carry, but Liara looked at him and smiled, nodding.

Master Millinith leaned over. “Didn’t they seem a bit more confident than Zolin was?”

Aeron thought about it. “You’re right, these two didn’t seem to be very scared at all. At least once they hatched.”

“
I wonder why?”

Anaya, did you notice that Balam and Coatl weren’t as nervous when they hatched as Zolin had been, or you?

Nenet is wise. She and Chel spoke with the boys this past week about what was to come. She remembered how nervous Zolin had been and wanted to ease their minds before the hatching.

She is wise indeed. We should keep doing that from now on.

When Aeron explained it to her, Master Millinith agreed. “Absolutely. Anything that makes a hatching easier is welcome.”

“
I still can’t get over how big they are right out of the egg,” Gregor said, watching Balam and Coat. “Nearly as big as wolves.” He looked at Chel. “Then again, they’re small compared to a full-sized dragon.”

I am hungry.
The voice was the same as the one who had said he wasn’t afraid, Balam.

Willem laughed.

“I wish we could weigh them now, before they eat.” Sharrah’s mouth was twisted in a frown.

“
Unless you have a scale in your carryall,” Aeron said, smiling, “that’s not like to happen.” He grabbed one of the food sacks and Gregor grabbed the other.

“
Thanks,” Willem said, taking the food from Aeron. He squatted next to Balam. “Not to worry. There is some delicious meat for you in here.” He worked at untying the pack.

Paws clasped in eagerness, Balam sat on his haunches, wings twitching.

Willem looked at the little dragon and laughed.

He was having his own silent conversations now. It made Aeron happy and sad at the same time. He leaned over, squeezed the blond boy’s shoulder, and said, “Congratulations.”

Willem looked up, a mix of emotions on his face. “Thank you.” He turned back to Balam, laughing. “Yes, little one, I know. I’m trying to open it.” He resumed his work on the sack.

Aeron walked over to Anaya and hugged her neck.
Why do I feel incredibly happy, but also strangely sad?

You must share him now.

Aeron froze.
Is this how you felt when Willem and I started dating?
He hoped not. He didn’t ever want to cause Anaya any sadness.

Only a little. We are one, after all. I know how you feel, and you know how I feel. There is nothing separating us. You and Willem are not bonded, so the two of you are not the same. You must do more to know each other, to know each other’s feelings. Now, there is another clouding the issue.

Aeron leaned against her.
Nenet isn’t the only one who is wise.

A rumbling chuckle thrummed against his body.

Once the hatchlings had eaten, Sharrah got to work.

“
Willem,” she said, handing him a notebook. “Your dragon log. Let’s start measurements immediately.”

Brows raised in surprise, Willem took the log, smiled, and nodded. He looked at Aeron.

“I’ll help.” Aeron walked over, took the measure tape Sharrah handed him, and he and Willem began.

She walked over to Gregor and Fillion, who began doing the same several feet away, with Cheddar helping.

It was kind of fun, measuring again on a hatchling. Aeron smiled as Willem instructed Balam on how to stand, where to put his wings, and all the things the little dragon needed to know for measurements. Balam was so small, yet, that Sharrah only really had to help with some of the wing measurements. When they were done, Willem spent some time writing in the log.

Aeron walked over to Master Millinith. She looked troubled. “Anything wrong?”

“Wrong? No.” She shook her head. “I’m just realizing that we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

“
Even more than trying to get the guild approved?” Aeron grinned.

She returned his wry grin. “I know, as if we don’t have enough to worry about, I think of more to add to our plate.” She looked at the hatchlings. “Only two months ago we had but one dragon. Then we had two, and then three. Now we have five.”

“Our numbers are growing.” Aeron watched Willem and Balam. The little dragon, having eaten his fill, looked sleepy.

“
And quickly. We’ve got three males and two females, now. I hope our dragons choose their mating partners based on their bond-mates’ desires, at least to some extent. It will make things easier.”

Aeron nodded and blushed. The same concern had weighed on his mind every now and again. He didn’t want to force Anaya to mate with a dragon she didn’t want to, however, so he’d kept those thoughts tightly bound. Still, the idea that she’d end up with Zolin or Coatl bothered him.

‘The dragon chooses who he or she will.’ Those words, which he’d often used to explain bonding, could very well be used for who they’d choose as a mate.

“
And where are all the dragons going to live?” Master Millinith stared at the newest additions.

That was a good question. There were four dens, yet they had five dragons.

“I can bunk with Aeron for now,” Willem said as he walked over. Behind him, his bond-mate slept on the ground, curled in a ball. “We can put a cot in his room. Balam is small enough, still, that he should be able to share Anaya’s den with no issues. Assuming she doesn’t mind, of course.”

“
I’ll ask!” Aeron turned to Anaya.
Did you hear Willem’s suggestion? Would you mind if Balam shared your den until we have a bigger place?
That would give her and Balam a chance to be together, to maybe start liking each other! Aeron hoped she was okay with the idea.

It will be fun.

“She says it will be fun,” Aeron said, turning to Master Millinith.

“
It will be fun,” Willem said. “Almost like you’re back in the dorms.”

Well, not
exactly
like back in the dorms, Aeron mused. Instead of having to share space with dozens of boys, there would only be the two of them in his room. His brows raised. Only the two—

“
Well, it was going to happen sooner or later.” Master Millinith stared at him.

His eyes grew large and his cheeks warmed.

She turned to Willem. “We’re getting dragons so quickly that I knew we’d likely have to make some kind of temporary accommodations, at least until work progresses far enough at the quarry.”

Aeron let out a breath.

“The quarry?” Sharrah said.

Master Millinith nodded. “We’ve looked at several places, but have failed to find a more suitable location than Aeron’s initial suggestion. That’s where we’re going to build the guildhall.”

“Guildhall?” Liara looked excited.

“
Of course,” Master Millinith said. “Every guild needs a guildhall.”

“
That won’t do. We need the order completed as scheduled.”

Master Millinith looked up at Renata. The girl was talking with a Smith Craft representative. The investigation office had been even busier these past three months, since planning and construction of the guildhall had commenced.

“I’m sorry, miss, but with all the orders for the new hall, we’re backed up and stretched thin.”

Renata frowned. “There are too many projects waiting on that order; we cannot have it delayed.” She closed her eyes, no doubt going over schedules in her head. “Pull some people off of the weight scale, use them on this order instead. The scale can actually be delayed until near the end of construction.”

“That will help. Thank you, miss.” The young smith left the office.

Renata had a knack for keeping things organized. It had taken a while, she seemed strangely averse to being in charge of anything, but Master Millinith had finally persuaded the girl to be her assistant. Which, with the start of actual construction a few days ago, was proving to be most fortuitous.

Several weeks had been spent visiting the quarry, surveying, planning, and designing. The guildhall would be an exceptional place to live and work. It was also the source of her current headache. Renata handling minor issues was an enormous help.

Not since the early days of the Caer had so much enchanting needed to be done. Molding the stone at the chosen locations within the quarry into rooms, stairs, ramps, and hallways was taking a toll on the younger sorcerers. The enchanting shifts needed to be adjusted to give them more rest. And once done with that, she would have to return to the task of hiring personnel.

Master Millinith frowned. Magic Craft? Animal Craft? She was top of the game with those. Hiring and managing staff was another matter entirely. She’d met with the Caer’s chief of staff last month for assistance. The woman had given her much advice and some suggestions.

Posts looking to fill positions had been made. Couched, of course, in language that subtly implied a business position. She hoped the first hire would be a chief of staff. Though, to be honest, Renata was proving to be a genius with planning, scheduling, and managing. She glanced at the raven-haired girl before resuming the tiresome task.

With the last slot on Therday filled, Millinith was finally finished with the new enchanting shifts. She placed the schedule in her outbox and let out a loud breath.

“Should I get Cheddar to start work on making copies of that?”

“Renata, you are a blessing.” She smiled. “Please do.”

The girl laughed. “How goes the hiring?”

“Slowly. There are so many positions to fill! Administration, maintenance, janitorial and laundry, culinary, animal care, training . . . the list seems endless.”

“Training? Aren’t you, Gregor and the other masters going to do that?”

“I can continue training Magic Craft for a while,” Master Millinith said. “But with the actual start of the guild, I’ll be far too busy to do that, much less Animal Craft as well. And the guild can’t be beholden to outside personnel, like Masters Doronal and Canneth.” She shook her head. “No, we need our own trainers. Once Gregor progresses far enough in Animal Craft, he would certainly be a good choice for that position. Eventually, of course, we will likely need additional trainers, depending on the number of applicants that become candidates.”

“Yes, a great number of people are needed to keep an organization running smoothly.” Renata’s seemed somber.

“Speaking of applicants,” Master Millinith said, “I’ll also need a Dean of Admissions. Craft Halls generally have a master handle that task, but at the guildhall level, it will be a separate position.”

“There
have
been an increasing number of people, young, mostly, asking for information on how to get a dragon.” Renata’s mouth was twisted in a frown.

“Exactly. With five now, all of them bonded, it is only natural that people so inclined would ask.”

Those weren’t the only requests for information Millinith was getting, either. Lord Baronel now forwarded her all inquiries from lords, organizations, villages, towns, and everyone else asking about acquiring or hiring a dragon.

Some requests she declined flat-out. Buying a dragon for personal transportation? No. But figuring out what else, if anything, dragons would be used for was a task she would have to tackle at some point.

Also of concern was that no more dragons had come forth or returned to give their children a chance at bonding. A blessing in disguise, perhaps, as they—no,
she
—needed more time to get guild affairs in order.

“Well,” Renata said, “if there isn’t anything else for now, a bunch of us are flying over to the quarry for a swim in a little bit. They tell me its a last swim of the summer kind of thing. Would you like to come with us?”

Master Millinith waved her off. “No. No, I can’t. Too much to do. You go ahead, though. Someone should have fun, at least.”

+ + + + +

You’re positive you’re ready to carry Willem?
Aeron stared at Balam.
And don’t try to lie, Anaya will know.

Willem sighed. They’d gone over this before. Aeron’s caution could sometimes go too far.

A little impatient huff, almost identical to Willem’s sigh, came from the green dragon.
I am ready. Besides, it will be a short flight, through the gateway.

“
Balam says he’s ready,” Willem said, “and you’ve already looked at the flight exercise logs. He can carry my weight. He’s almost three months hatched and nearly as big as Anaya, you know.”

“
He’s only three-quarters her size,” Aeron said. He sounded a little defensive.

“
At any rate,” Willem said, “if Balam or Coatl feel any strain at all, we’ll land immediately.”

“
Exactly,” Fillion said. “So, if you’re done interrogating our dragons, then all we’re waiting on now is the girls.” He sat on the ground, back against Coatl, and stared at Renata’s study door. Liara, Sharrah and Renata had walked in there a while ago.

“
What’s taking them so long?” Jessip grumbled.

“
If we’re lucky, they might be close to done.” Cheddar grinned at him. “It takes nearly this long for just one girl. There’s three in there.”

“
Yeah,” Aeron said, “but two of them were ready.”

“
Well,” Willem said, sitting on a bench, “Renata had no swimming clothing, and girls wear a bit more than the swim shorts we have on. Don’t forget that she’s not the same height as Liara or Sharrah. She taller than both. They’re trying to come up with something for her to wear.” He did wish they’d hurry, though. This would be his first ride on Balam!

“
It shouldn’t take that long,” Jessip said. “Her hips are about the same as Sharrah’s and she’s only a little bigger than Liara in the chest. She can just wear a top from one and shorts or whatever from the other.”

They all looked at him.

Aeron raised a brow.

Cheddar’s eyes narrowed.

Jessip’s cheeks turned crimson. “I, ah, guess so, anyway.”

Fillion and Willem burst into laughter just a Renata’s study door opened.

“Finally!” Fillion jumped up. “Hey. Why are y’all wearing shirts and long shorts? Is that what you’re going to swim in?”

“
No,” Sharrah said. “But it’s cool on dragonback. We’ll take these off when we get to the swimming hole.”

“
Girls,” Aeron murmured, shaking his head. “We’re only going to be in the air for a couple minutes,” he whispered.

Willem shrugged. “Who knows? Who cares? Let’s get going.” He strode to Balam.
Ready to go?

I am!

Excitement thrummed back and forth through the link as Willem climbed into the saddle on Balam’s back.

Fillion scampered onto Coatl and grinned. “Our first ride!”

Willem smiled back, just as thrilled. It would be a quick ride, but that didn’t matter. He’d be in the air with Balam.

“
Just be careful,” Aeron cautioned. Then a smile lit up his face. “You’re going to have so much fun.”

“
Can Cheddar and I ride with you, Aeron?” Sharrah put her arm through Cheddar’s.

“
Sure. Liara, you’re going with Renata?”

She nodded and a smile dimpled her cheeks. “Yeah.”

“Okay. Let’s go!”

Unable to wait any longer, Willem gripped the handholds on the saddle, clamped his legs slightly, and took a deep breath.
Let’s fly!

Balam lowered into a crouch and then leapt into the air.

A powerful wingbeat
whoomped
on either side of Willem, resonated in his chest, and thrust him down and back. Another beat pushed him into the saddle, and another, over and over as his dragon lifted higher and higher.

Then, stillness. The yellow sun warmed his face, clouds dotted the blue, crystalline arc of the heavens, and a roar of happiness filled his ears.

He floated with Balam in the sky.

We fly!

His shout of joy was echoed by Fillion, not fifty feet to his right.

The short, sublime glide became a hover as Balam waited, along with Coatl, for the others.

“You two should have waited for the portal before taking off!” Aeron sounded upset when he and Anaya joined them with Sharrah and Cheddar.

“
Stop harping, and start weaving!” Fillion’s sharp words were accompanied by laughter and a smile.

Aeron closed his eyes—to calm himself, Willem knew—and moments later the portal appeared before them. “Hurry after!” Without checking to see if his instructions would be followed, he and Anaya passed through.

Willem guided Balam into the portal. On the other side, they followed Anaya down to land on a ledge nearly on a level with the so-called swimming hole.

The ‘swimming hole’ Aeron had showed them a few months ago was quite large, more on the order of a swimming lake. The small lake fronted the quarry, fed by what must be an underground source. A stream led from the lake’s southern end and wended it’s way down the hillside.

After dismounting, Willem patted Balam on the neck.
Never you mind about Aeron. He’s just nervous that we’d get hurt.

I know. And I am not tired or strained at all.
With a self-satisfied lift of his head, Balam strode over and sat next to Anaya. They touched noses and chirped at each other before laying down, eyes on their bond-mates.

Willem smiled to himself and joined Aeron, Sharrah and Cheddar.

Coatl landed and Fillion hopped down. His dragon joined the other two as he made his way over. “This ledge was formed when stone was removed, wasn’t it?”

It did look as if a few enormous blocks had been lifted away, like square pieces from a cake, leaving the empty space where they all stood. To the left and right, walls of stone rose twenty feet above them, part of the granite outcrop at the northern edge of the lake.

“Yes,” Sharrah said as they admired the area around them. “I saw ledges and terraces all over as we landed. I can see how this place can easily be enchanted with living spaces, halls, rooms and such.”

“
Won’t it be grand to have our own guildhall?” Fillion’s quiet question elicited nods.

“
Yes it will.” Cheddar eyed the western wall of stone and the workers beyond it.

Willem glanced at the laborers. They appeared to be clearing earth and rocks for a road between the hall and the lake.

Zolin landed, then Xochi, and Sharrah went to help Jessip and Renata unpack some things. Aeron looked up and stared at the portal a moment before it faded away.

Willem walked over to him and murmured, “I trust Anaya found nothing to worry about with Balam?”

“No.” Aeron’s lips quirked in a rueful smile. “She says he is perfectly fine, if not overly proud of himself.”

Willem grinned and bumped shoulders with him. “Told you.”

A quick sideways glance and Aeron bumped back. With a chuckle, he placed his arm around Willem’s waist and said, “Wasn’t your first flight amazing?”

“
It was!”

Willem looked at Balam. The dragons all lounged on the the ledge in the sun, gold eyes sparkling in the afternoon light. He couldn’t wait to fly more with his amazing green dragon.

“Woo-hoo!” Fillion ran screaming to the end of the ledge and jumped. His splash left dark spots in the granite.

“
Leave it to Fillion to be the first one in,” Sharrah said. She smiled and slipped off her shirt and long shorts.

“
W–What are you wearing?” Cheddar sputtered.

Sharrah looked down at her two-piece bathing suit. “This? Liara and I picked up a few of these at the Summer Trade Fair last month. We heard they’re the latest thing in Delcimaar this year. Do you like it?” She spun once and smiled at him.