The Dragon Guard (26 page)

“Wrong. That one Magicker would have been with one of you, but the rest of us would have been pursued by the Dark Hand. They want us, even if you do not.”

“Jason, is that fair?” Bailey blurted out.

He didn't take his eyes off Freyah. “I don't think we're talking fair here. We're talking survival.”

Freyah glared back at him. “There are many of us who survived without help.”

“So you pass it on? Are you trying to get even with someone? And you had your power. From everything I see here, you were fully grown into it.”

Her mouth tightened. It made sharp knifelike wrinkles in her face. “I won't discuss that with you.”

“Gregory the Gray couldn't handle Brennard, what makes you think any one of us alone could? But we're not alone. We have each other. And you're not alone either, Freyah, and you know it. You choose to live here alone, but you can reach out and touch a dozen Magickers in a wink if you wish.” Jason took a deep breath then, and Trent saw his left hand tremble a bit. The scar on the back of it looked angry and pink although it had healed last summer.

“I'll get Gavan.” Freyah stood. “You need to go now.”

Jason stood as well. “Get him then, but we're not leaving. You say we'd drain you. I say we can help sustain this place.”

Freyah ignored him. She pulled a long hairpin from her silvery coif, glaring into its gemstone butterfly decoration, and Gavan appeared with a blink.

He looked a bit rumpled as if he'd fallen asleep with his clothes on, a faint shadowy beard on his cheeks, his hair mussed, and deep lines across his face. “Auntie dear,” he said, bemused. Then his eyebrow went up as he caught sight of everyone gathering around him. Four or five voices broke into explanations. He did not listen but raised a finger, and as everything became quiet, he said, “Now I understand. As a popular movie once stated, ‘There was a great trembling in the force.' ”

Gavan straightened a little. “I felt it, of course, but not in the way you did. The dark curtain that shrouds Eleanora suddenly got stronger. Deadlier. It took everything FireAnn and I had to hold it back.”

The teacup in Freyah's hand rattled in its saucer. “Is she all right, then?”

“She is holding. Not better than that, but at least, not worse. I am beginning to think there is much about Magick we all don't know, and that the ignorance of it could be fatal.”

“All the more reason they cannot hide with me.”

Bailey had jumped to her feet, dumping little Lacey unceremoniously to the cottage floor. The wee pack rat scampered here and there, gathering flaky crumbs from dropped food and then bolted off altogether, disappearing into the unknown depths of Freyah's abode as she had once before. Bailey's jaws opened and shut, and she looked desperately at Jason who merely shook his head. She wrung her hands and stood still as Freyah and Gavan yelled at each other a bit.

“I have important work going on, not the least of which is warding Eleanora.”

“They are your charges, and it was your head-strong decision that put them in jeopardy.”

“For pity's sake, woman, I cannot be everywhere all the time!”

“If not Ravenwyng, then perhaps Tomaz can take them. Surely he has a hidden nook or two in the desert.” Freyah drew herself up stubbornly.

“Tomaz is missing and has been for days.” Gavan ran his hand through his hair. He looked much older than Trent remembered, with lines in his face and weariness about his eyes. The care of Eleanora had taken a toll on him.

“Nonetheless, they are not staying here.” Freyah folded her arms over her chest and looked stubborn.

“No,” answered Gavan sadly. “It is apparent they are not. I don't know what happened to you, Freyah, or when, but a great selfish thing has crept into you and taken possession. Eleanora loves you, and I have always respected you, but turning the children out is an act I can't forgive.”

Freyah's expression hardened. “There are reasons, Gavan, you know nothing of.”

“I know only that you used to be a pillar of the side we thought was good.” Gavan held his hands out. “Gather round, everyone. Time to go.”

“I can't!” wailed Bailey.

“Of course you can,” snapped Freyah. “And the sooner the better.”

“Not without Lacey.”

Rebecca put her hand on her daughter's shoulder. “Honey, I don't pretend to understand most of this, but we can't stay where we're not wanted.”

Freyah sighed, and sat down heavily. “It's not that I don't want you.” She waved a tired hand. “I can't possibly explain, but someday maybe all of you will understand. Even you, Gavan,” and she looked at the other sadly.

“A little late to get the sympathetic vote, Auntie.” He rubbed the pewter-and-crystal head of his cane. “Leave the beast. As I noted, the trembling in the force could be felt by many, and I for one do not want to see what reaction it may bring. There are other things besides the Dark Hand and wolfjackals to fear.”

Bailey closed her eyes tightly. “Just one minute more. Please! I can call her back.”

“She's a little wild thing,” her mother soothed. “You were bound to lose her sooner or later.” She patted Bailey's shoulder.

“Mrs. Landau, I don't think you quite understand,” Gavan began, but Bailey's squeal interrupted him.

“She's coming! Hold on, wait!” She bounced in place a moment as the others gathered in a circle, holding hands as they needed to. With a frantic skittering of nails on the wooden floorboards, the pack rat scampered into sight and then up Bailey's leg.

“Now!” she cried out triumphantly, clasping Lacey's furred body close.

“Now, indeed,” said Gavan and waved his cane before Trent could even take a gulp and pray he wouldn't lose his meal.

How he
hated
Crystaling.

T
HE step through with Gavan was barely more than a blink. It left only a moment of disorientation, and his stomach did not seem to notice it as it stayed pleasantly full from Freyah's midnight supper. If that gave him a hint of the relationship on other planes of Ravenwyng to Freyah's cottage he didn't trust it. More likely, Jason thought, it was sheer skill and experience on Gavan's part.

They stood outside the Gathering Hall of Camp Ravenwyng, and he felt for a moment as though it were a year ago and they were all just arriving for a summer of unknown adventure. The bright blue wooden cutout of Lake Wannameecha hung on its nail below the camp emblem. Some things never seemed to change, and some things he could barely recognize.

Bailey said quietly, “Ting should know.” She stroked Lacey between her hands and was rewarded with a contented chirping. The pack rat's tufted tail hung between Bailey's fingers and swung back and forth in a slow wag, the little black knot of a tuft emphasizing each swing.

“We'll have some time to tell her. In the meanwhile,” Gavan rubbed his face. “I think a good night's sleep is in order. The cabins and cottages aren't ready for summer campers yet, so we'll have to rough it in the Hall.”

“Just like old times.” Trent grinned. He nudged Henry. “Remember that down sleeping bag you had? The one that kept exploding like an air bag and swallowing you whole.”

Henry managed a smile for the first time. “Yeah,” he said. “Rolling that back up . . .” he shook his head at the thought.

“All I've got are blankets, but you'll be inside the wards, and nothing will disturb you.” Gavan glanced at Stef. “Unless someone cannot keep control of himself.”

Stef muffled a belch. Rich thumped him between the shoulder blades. “I've noted,” offered Rich, “that being well fed seems to help.”

“Well, that's something, then. I think Stef polished off most of the hamper all by himself.”

Stef's face reddened. “Did not!” He pointed. “Trent helped.”

Trent grinned, and straightened his lanky body. “Prove it.” Of all of them, he had a body type that would probably never exhibit what he ate.

“Inside, all of you!” With a roll of his eyes, Gavan waved them inside. He touched Rebecca on her arm. “And you, dear lady, are welcome to have the chair in my office or the cot near Eleanora in FireAnn's cottage, if you wish.”

“She's in a coma?”

“She's lovely,” breathed Bailey. “Just like Sleeping Beauty.”

Rebecca shifted uncomfortably and then said, “I think I'll stay with the kids, if you don't mind.”

“Extra blankets, then. You should not have to sleep on floors.” Gavan frowned slightly, as he unlocked the great doors to the Gathering Hall and flung them open. The air inside smelled a little of old wax and old stuffiness, having been shut away for a long time.

Jason rubbed his crystal, murmuring the Lantern enchantment, and it set off a warm yellow glow that-illuminated all of the Hall. There were chairs pushed to one side of it, but basically it was just a large, wooden-floored room, rather like a dance hall or some such, with a small stage at the far end. Gavan left and returned with an overflowing armful of blankets and began handing them out to everyone.

They were suddenly, eye-drooping, bone-aching tired. Stef plopped down first, hugging a blanket to his chest, and settling in rather like a big dog. He let out a wide, pink-mouthed yawn and fell immediately into sleep. Bailey blinked at him.

“Is it just me, or . . .”

Rich shook his head. “He gets more bearlike every day.” He sighed, and unfolded his blanket neatly. “I think, even if things settle down, he might not ever be able to go back home. Medically, it's fascinating, but realistically, he doesn't want a life as a freak.”

“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Gavan handed the last three blankets to Rebecca. “Rest well. FireAnn will be around in the morning, with shower towels and breakfast call. I'll be here if you need me.” He rubbed his eyes. “Even if you don't.”

“Good night, and thank you.” Rebecca Landau paused, then added, “Eleanora is very lucky, I think.”

Gavan cleared his throat and looked a tad embarrassed before striding out of the Hall. His cloak, so much a part of him, as were the blue jeans, swirled about and then hid his passing.

After a few trips to the lavatories down the passageway and some muted talking while Stef began to snore as soon as his eyes closed, everyone seemed to settle down except for Bailey who had developed a rather odd eye twitch every time she looked at Jason.

Finally he stood up and gave a twitch of his own to the corridor, went out and waited for her.

She bounced in.

“What is it? We're all tired.”

“I . . . we . . . that is, Lacey . . . saw something at Aunt Freyah's.”

He stared at her. “I'm tired.”

“You're tired, I'm tired, we're all tired. But she saw something.”

“What?”

“That's just it, I don't know.”

He leaned against the wall. “Give me a little hint. Something big and furry with fangs or maybe a human or what.” Lacey was more than a pet, she was a familiar to Bailey's budding Talents, but the two of them were far from sure what their partnership could do.

“Well, it was downstairs. Down into a creepy cellar like. Lots of stuff was stored down there, old vases, trunks, lamps, you know. A wine rack, I think.”

“Like antiques and stuff put away?”

“Exactly. And something else, something big, something that scared her a lot. It had power to it. She ran off before she could give me a clear look at it, but even then, I don't know that I could be sure what it was. Seeing what a pack rat sees is kinda difficult.”

“It's not like you've had a lot of practice at it yet, anyway.” He rubbed his nose which felt as though he was on the verge of a sneeze or snort. “That does explain why she doesn't want us, or anyone, there. She might have a power source or something to keep her little place going. From what I've seen, most Magickers would love to have some sort of battery that boosts power.”

“You think?”

“I only think I don't know what it is she's hiding down there. What I do know is that she doesn't care if it costs Eleanora her life or hurts us to keep it secret.” He let out a short breath of disappointment. “So it must be pretty important to her, at least.” And something that the Dark Hand might well kill for.

“I wouldn't normally believe in blackmail,” said Bailey, frowning. “But the next time one of us needs help, I'm gonna pull her chain.”

“Not yet, Bailey. You don't know how strong or desperate Aunt Freyah is, and I don't think you want to learn.”

“She should be helping us!”

“Bailey, we can't make someone feel that kind of obligation. You know that. There's a lot of that going around in the world, and nobody's been able to solve that problem yet.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “What you found might matter later, but we have to see how without hurting her. Let's keep it quiet for now and see what tomorrow brings.”

“What will tomorrow bring?” She looked at him. The Lantern spell on his crystal had nearly worn off, and the glow it cast was down to a faint, but steady gold. It brought out the gold in her hair and made the dusting of freckles across her nose look like pixie dust.

“I wish I knew,” he said. “But then again, the way things have been going, maybe it's a good thing we don't!” He turned her around and pointed her back in the direction of the Hall. “One disaster at a time.”

He trotted down to the bathrooms where he scrubbed himself as clean of the soccer game and all that had followed as best he could. He'd changed his clothes at his home, but there'd been no time for a shower. Coming back to the Hall with his hair still wet and plastered to his skull, he could see Bailey sitting up, her amethyst cupped in her hand, an intense look on her face and her mouth moving a bit as if she whispered to herself.