The Bond (Book 2) (39 page)

“That looks great on you,” Willem said, brows raised in appreciation of the blue two-piece.

The swim shorts covered only two inches of her legs and rose not at all above her hips. The top was essentially a short, backless bodice, with cloth straps at the bottom, just below the breasts, to tie behind the back, and straps at the top that tied behind the neck. The front of the bodice had a V that dropped five inches below her throat.

Willem chuckled.
That’s
why they wore shirts and long shorts while in the Caer. The suit left pretty much the entirety of her legs exposed, along with the lower half of her torso, most of her back, and a wonderfully teasing amount of her chest.

An awed whisper came from the water. “Yrdra’s tits.”

“What did you say?” Cheddar spun to face Fillion.

“
That really does look amazing on you.” Aeron’s words drew Cheddar’s attention back to his girlfriend.

Sharrah, still looking at Cheddar, raised an eyebrow. “You don’t like it?”

He swallowed. “A–Actually, I love it.”

Sharrah smiled. “Come on, girls, let’s have a swim.” She turned to Liara and Renata.

Liara looked at Aeron and the others and blushed. “S–Sure.” She dropped her shirt and long shorts next to Sharrah’s, then looked up, eyes glued to Sharrah’s face.

The poor girl seemed terrified. Willem had no idea why. Maybe she was worried about the amount the suit exposed? With her amazing complexion, she needn’t worry. “That color is really nice,” he said. “Your skin practically glows in it.”

“You think so?” Liara turned to him with a shy smile. “I wasn’t sure about wearing . . . about wearing black.”

“
It’s very nice.” Aeron nodded. He seemed a little flushed.

Willem stepped next to him and took his hand. The sound of more clothes hitting the ground drew their attention.

Renata wore the same style of suit as Sharrah and Liara, but the bottom was red and the top was white with red straps at waist and neck.

“
Wow,” Jessip murmured.

Willem had to agree. The suit color went very well with her skin tone. And those shorts with her long legs? Willem sighed. He took a sideways glance at Aeron, then moved a little closer to him.

“It’s remarkable that the red of your bottoms matched the red of my top.” Liara looked proudly at Renata.

“
Isn’t it?” Sharrah beamed at Renata. “Because of that, the mixed suit looks like it was designed to be worn that way.”

A quiet whisper. “Wow.”

Zolin let out a grunting, draconic laugh and Xochi chirped at him.

“
She has nice legs,” Aeron murmured to Willem.

“
She does.” He squeezed Aeron’s hand. “Now stop staring. Or, ah, you’ll make her nervous.”

“
Wow.”

Renata looked at Jessip. A smile curved her lips and her cheeks flushed.

Sharrah grabbed her hand and Liara’s and they ran and jumped into the water. Their happy screams of delight were answered by barks and chirps from the dragons.

I want to swim, too!
Xochi stood and ran to the water.

With a crouch, a jump, and a flap of her wings, she sailed over Fillion and the girls and landed with an enormous splash. As if a dam had burst, everyone, human and dragon alike, ran and jumped in the lake after her.

Laughter, roars, delighted screams, and shouts echoed from the granite walls, as splashing, dunking, and later, dives from atop those stone walls, had everyone in a relaxed and happy mood.

Willem lay on his stomach atop Balam’s back as the dragon lazily paddled near the end of the outcrop. He watched the workers as they loaded up a wagon with material cleared away. Others worked at grading and tamping gravel and sand in preparation for cobblestones.

Aeron, laying on Anaya, used his hands to help his bond-mate paddle. “This is a most excellent way to spend an afternoon.”

Willem nodded. “Your idea was great, especially after the enchanting shifts these past few days.”

They floated there atop their bond-mates for a while, enjoying the warmth from the sun above and from their dragons below. The sheer peacefulness and comfort lulled Willem to sleep.

Quiet voices woke him.

“Look at ‘em, lazing about, while we work our arses off.”

“
What are you talking about?”

“
Them kids with their fancy pets.”

Willem opened his eyes, lifted his head, and looked around. Who was talking? It had to be some of the men on shore, he decided, even though they were quite a ways away.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

“
No. Came for the construction work.”

“
Well firstly, those kids have been on the enchanting crews working inside the hall all week long. And secondly, those ‘fancy pets,’ as you call them? The dragons have saved lives.”

Willem turned to Aeron. He was staring at the shore, a dark expression on his face.

“So, a word of advice? You’d best watch your tongue when you talk about our dragons and dragonlinked. We’re proud of them.”

Another voice. “What’re you two doing? Let’s go, it’s time for lunch!”

Willem watched the men head away from shore and into the treeline.

“
I’m getting hungry,” Aeron said. “Let’s get to the ledge.” He and Anaya paddled away.

The words of those men upset him.

I know. I’ll talk to him later.

He and Balam followed them back to the others.

“About time,” Fillion said. He stood and grabbed sandwiches from a pack. He handed one to each of them. “We already started lunch.”

“
I fell asleep on Balam,” Willem said, accepting one. “He’s so nice and warm, I couldn’t help myself.”

Aeron silently took a sandwich and sat down. He began eating.

Willem sat next to him.

“
We were just talking about gateways,” Fillion said, looking at the others. He turned to Aeron. “When do you suppose Willem and I can start learning the portal destinations like you’re teaching Jessip and Renata?”

Aeron chewed, eyes on the ground.

“Aeron?” Fillion raised his brows.

“
Hmm?”

“
When can Willem and I start learning portal destinations?”

Aeron swallowed his bite of sandwich. “Tomorrow? After all, it seems your dragons can carry you comfortably.”

“Golden!” Fillion’s smile was enormous.

“
However,” Aeron said, “you’ll all have to get Master Millinith’s approval to cast the gateway spell yourself, which means a test. I’d go back and review the enchantment with your dragons as soon as you can. Make sure you understand all parts of it, especially the hyper-magic states.” He paused and looked each of them in the eyes. “It’s a powerful and dangerous spell, so if you don’t understand something, ask. In the meantime, I’ll portal you to the gateway destinations we know so at least you’ll have been to them.”

“
And I can print up more copies of the destination sketches for them,” Cheddar added. “They can add them to their own gateway sketchbooks.”

“
Perfect.” Willem smiled. He couldn’t wait to have the freedom of being able to whisk away at nearly a moments notice to anywhere he’d been before.

“
How are you guys memorizing the destinations?” Fillion sat between Cheddar and Jessip and they started talking about gateways and their sketchbooks.

Aeron stared at his sandwich.

“What’s troubling you?” Willem murmured.

Aeron glanced at him before looking back at his lunch. He took a bite. “You heard those men, right?”

Willem nodded.

“
How can anyone think that dragons are pets, fancy or otherwise?”

Willem chewed on the last bite of his sandwich and pondered the question. “Well, if you think about it, all that most people know of dragons is what’s in tales of fancy. Most of those stories, if not all of them, describe dragons as pets. Big, powerful pets, to be sure, but in the end, nothing more than overgrown dogs or cats. That’s all people out there know. Those here have met Anaya and Balam and the others. They’ve seen the training we do and know that we’ve gone after nahual. Hells, some people out there still think nahual are wives’ tales.”

“You’re right. Barbs and blades, but that’s another obstacle we’re going to have to somehow overcome.”

“
We’ll figure it out,” Willem said.

Aeron leaned against him.

He put an arm around Aeron and, with a light heart, took in everything around.

The others still talked about gateways, voices growing excited every now and again. Balam lay next to Anaya in the sun, napping. And above, the sun was bright, the blue sky clear, and it seemed like he could see forever.

It was an altogether great day.

A crash of thunder shook the room. Rain pelted the roof and made gray the view through the windows. Only a few minutes into it, Master Millinith’s Magic Craft lesson already went unheard as Aeron watched the deluge outside.

Slouching in the chair, he frowned. There would be no flying today, at least not as long as the thunderstorm kept up. It was dangerous. Could be dangerous. No, no, it
was
dangerous. If lightning almost struck him and Anaya once, it could happen to anyone.

The strike had been incredibly loud and so very close. They were both temporarily blinded, and Anaya dove to get away. She had nearly plunged into the ground, but they regained some sight in time to see how close they’d come to becoming one with Lethera.

It had been fun, though, flying through the storm, through the darkened clouds, with rain smashing against his face mask, his goggles, and his chest.

“Aeron, I know you are beyond these lessons, but a review never hurt anyone.” Master Millinith stared at him.

“I’m sorry.” He sat up. “The weather has me distracted.”

“You are not alone.” She gazed at the others. “I’ve noticed a few not paying close attention. Why is that?”

“If the storm doesn’t stop,” Fillion groused, “we won’t be able to fly today.”

Sharrah rolled her eyes. “Thinking about the storm, worrying about it, won’t make it go away any faster.”

“And besides,” Liara added, “you can’t fly during lessons anyway. Pay attention during class and worry afterward, if you must.”

“Some of us,” Gregor added wryly, “don’t have that worry.” He’d taken to attending Magic Craft classes, saying it couldn’t hurt to know more magic beyond what he’d learned for healing arts.

A knock on the door was followed by the entry of a mail courier. “Pardon, miss,” the young woman said, “I’ve an urgent delivery for you.” She strode quickly to Master Millinith.

“For me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She held a package out with both hands. “Triple urgent. From company headquarters, even.”

“What?” Master Millinith’s eyes narrowed, and she took the large parcel.

“If you’d sign here?” The courier held out a clipboard and used a pencil to note a location on the form.

It was signed, and the woman bowed and left.

After unwrapping the package, it was a flat box, Master Millinith opened it. She removed a sheet of paper and read it.

“Barbs and—” Her whisper cut off and she looked up. Clearing her throat, she said, “It’s from my aunt. You may all recall that she owns the company that runs the mail delivery and stage lines in our region.”

Aeron nodded. He’d been surprised to learn of Millinith’s ties to the mail and stage company.

Looking back at the letter, Master Millinith began reading aloud:

‘I know you’re probably tired of hearing from me with questions about the dragons, but I have an urgent request for you. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of the horse disease in the east, but what you may not know is just how devastating this equine influenza is. In an effort to prevent panic, some information about it has been held back while the Animal Craft, Magic Craft, and Healing Craft guilds worked on a vaccine. After tireless months, they’ve succeeded. Unfortunately, it may be too late. The flu has reached us. Unless we can distribute the vaccine, and soon, the same economic calamity that has devastated the eastern cities and communities could spread across the entire continent.

‘Nearly every aspect of life is touched by horses. With so many of them dying or ill, businesses suffered and some closed. People lost their jobs, banks failed, and financial panic set in. It could take decades for recovery.

‘We need to prevent that from happening here.

‘With that in mind, most shipping and transportation companies have banded together to distribute the vaccine. Despite our best quarantine efforts, however, over half my horses have already contracted the disease. Of those, almost a tenth have died, and those which lived will be ill for days.

‘My remaining healthy horses are in the process of being vaccinated, but they are not enough in number to cover all my company’s delivery routes. If you would plead our case to Lord Baronel, get him to allow you to use your dragons to cover the routes in your region, then I could pull many of my healthy horses from there and use them in other areas.

“Hoping you see how dire the need, I’ve included maps with routes and distribution points. I’ve also indicated the location where vaccine will be waiting for pickup.

‘May Alandra's hand guide and preserve us.

Caryn.’

The silence was broken by a distant rumble of thunder.

“A ten percent fatality rate?” Sharrah stared at Master Millinith, eyes large. “That’s
 . . . that’s unprecedented.”

“And frightening,” Gregor added.

“We have to help.” Jessip clenched his fists. “We can’t just let all those horses die.”

“Isn’t this outside our purpose?” Cheddar said. “We fight nahual.”

“When you remove weeds from your garden,” Fillion said quietly, “is your purpose to fight weeds? Some might say so. But isn’t it more that you’re helping the garden to grow?”

“He’s right,” Willem said. “Our purpose, in the end, is to help people and dragons. Saving the horses will help people.”

“I agree,” Aeron said. “If we can help prevent what her aunt described, I don’t see how we can refuse.”

“We’ve been trying to keep our heads down, though.” Liara looked concerned. “Something this big, this important, will surely put us in the public eye.”

Renata frowned. “And in the eye of whoever it is that works against us. Dare we risk it?”

Aeron understood the concerns, but honestly, they couldn’t keep hidden forever. At some point, they had to come out of hiding, step into the light, or they’d shrivel and die in the darkness. “We already have someone out there trying to stop us,” he said. “I would not have us fetter ourselves.”

“Well put,” Master Millinith said. “Besides, that person knows about us already.” She glanced at the letter. “We’re going to help. I’ll let Lord Baronel know our plans.”

Aeron was glad. This was something they could do and should do. Still, butterflies filled his stomach. This was going to be a large undertaking with the lives of hundreds, maybe even thousands of horses at stake, as well the livelihoods of countless people.

You ready for an adventure, sweetheart?

When am I not?
He felt her excitement through the link.

Despite his nervousness, Aeron smiled.

+ + + + +

“The routes she wants us to cover are indicated in red,” Master Millinith said.

Masters Doronal and Canneth leaned over the map. Lord Baronel ran his finger along one route, leading out of West Gate and angling down toward the southwest.

She had started to distance herself and the others from the masters and Lord Baronel, wanting to prepare for when the guild would be completely autonomous, but for something this important, she wanted to let them know of their plans ahead of time. She’d asked for an emergency meeting.

“And you’re sure your five can cover all of these?” Bushy brows drawn together, Lord Baronel lifted his gaze from the map.

“Yes, my lord.” Master Millinith nodded. “Once they could ride their dragons, they were keen to learn all the gateway destinations. They spent the last two weeks doing so and proving they could use the spell itself. Through sheer luck, they are ready for this.”

She pointed to the map. “As our gateway destinations were chosen due to their size, most of them coincide with vaccine distribution points. The dragonlinked can portal directly to them. Only the smaller points will need to be flown to.”

“Even so, that’s a lot of ground to cover.” Lord Baronel rubbed his chin. “Have they the stamina?”

“If need be, we’ll divide the task over two or more days,” Master Millinith said. “All mail stations have sleeping quarters their couriers use. If any dragonlinked or dragon gets tired, I will instruct them to sleep at the nearest station and continue their deliveries in the morning.”

Master Doronal stood and nodded. “It looks as if you’ve thought of everything.”

“What if one of them senses a nahual?” Master Canneth turned to her.

“They’ll kill it.”

“You and your aunt seem to have worked everything out,” Lord Baronel said. “I approve of the plan. Please proceed.”

“I agree,” Master Doronal said.

“As do I.” Master Canneth smiled. “If you need anything from us, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Master Millinith looked from one to another. “I think there may have been a misunderstanding. Aeron left with Anaya to retrieve the vaccine ampules an hour ago. This meeting was to inform you of our plan.” She left out ‘not to ask for permission.’

“I see,” Master Canneth said.

Lord Baronel sat in his chair and gazed at her. He seemed impressed. “Thank you, then, Master Millinith, for keeping us apprised of, ah, guild activities.”

Master Doronal stared at her. His expression, his eyes, held pride, humor, and something else. He smiled. “Do let us know of any developments in your plan.”

+ + + + +

Willem stared out the office window into the cloud-darkened courtyard. With nothing to do, nothing to occupy his mind, thoughts, worries about all that could go wrong, plagued him.

What if they got struck by lightning? The rain had abated somewhat, but it still fell, and clouds still cloaked the sky. Or, what if they grew too tired and miscast the gateway spell? And what if they got lost? He was unfamiliar with most of the area they were to cover.

All will be well. We are good together!

Willem glanced through the office door into the den Balam and Anaya shared. His bond-mate watched him, gold eyes glimmering in the subdued light.
I know we are, love. All this sitting around doing nothing lets these annoying worries creep in, is all.

Aeron and Anaya will be here soon. Once they get the, ah, vaccine, a portal will bring them right back.

They’d gone to pick up the ampules over an hour ago. Cheddar, after discussing it with Millinith, had left soon after to make copies of the delivery routes for the five dragonlinked. Millinith then went to meet with the masters and Lord Baronel. Since then, Willem, Fillion, Renata, and Jessip had all saddled their dragons, donned riding gear, and returned to the office. Now they all waited. And waited. And waited.

“Barbs and blades!” Jessip slammed a gloved fist on the table. “What is taking everyone so long?”

Renata placed a hand on his arm. “Remember that they had to fly all the way there. They’ll be able to portal back, so I’m sure it won’t be too much longer.”

“And what of Master Millinith and Cheddar?” Jessip frowned. “All this waiting with no news of anything doesn’t sit well with me. The longer we take, the more horses could die.”

Renata smiled. “Your concern does you credit,” she said. “But you must be patient.”

“I understand his frustration,” Fillion said. “Though for me, it’s more that we finally get to do something and are forced to wait.”

That’s true,” Liara said. “All these months being secretive, studying, practicing, working hard as we can between our other craft duties, and now there’s actually something we can do out in the world, something with our dragons.” She quirked her mouth, dark-brown eyes sparkling. “Well, those with dragons, anyway.”

Fillion and Liara having voiced it, Willem realized that he felt that way too. It
would
be good to finally do something . . . dragony.

“I mean, sure,” Fillion said, “Aeron and Renata have taken Milli—ah, Master Millinith to a few attack sites the past few months, but that’s it.”

Willem nodded. “Exactly. Going to the gateway destinations and testing for the portal spell last week is the most some of us have ever done.”

The door opening drew their attention. Cheddar stood outside under the awning, shaking off rain from his coat.

“As much as I want a dragon,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door, “I don’t envy your rain-soaked flights today.”

He placed a slim leather satchel on the table.

“How is it that you are soaking wet,” Sharrah said, “and yet your satchel—” Her brows raised. “Waterproofed?”

Cheddar smiled. “Exactly. These document satchels are enchanted to repel water. It glides right off. So, too
 . . .” He removed a stack of sheets from within. “. . . have these been. You can write on them with pencil, but if you rub hard enough, the writing will come off. Not much will stick to them.” He handed out the copied map sections.

Willem accepted his. There were two sheets. One was a smaller version of the region map, with the area of his route marked with a rectangle, the other only displayed his route, which had been enlarged somehow and filled the entire sheet. They were exact copies, fully detailed, if only in black ink. “How was this done, and so quickly?”

Cheddar hung his coat on a wall-hook. “It’s not an easy process, but I convinced Master Freida that the need was great. Truth be told, I think she was just happy that using this process wouldn’t require interrupting our current print jobs.”