The Dragons of Sara Sara (40 page)

Rees sidled his horse around to get a better view of the crowd. Both he and Edina had been watching for signs of stealth. There were faces at windows here and there, quickly withdrawn when seen. No signs that there were others waiting to attack.

"The Dahar it seems may be moving with us. We know where to go, and they can probably sense our companion here." Mei'An pointed to Rees. "The warriors who passed in the night are with us. They will cut a way through the Gloom. The forests of the Tharsians."

The men in the crowd were now turning to one another and talking openly. The threat was gone. There was much to take in. Only the two men who had lost their family stood silent. Both were watching Mei'An. She signalled Luan to her, and called Rees and Edina over.

"This is very bad. The Dahar can only be destroyed by the power of the Seal of the Creator. So we believe. No one knows for sure. We do know however that no mortal man can get close enough to destroy them. Arrows and spears have no effect, and swords put the wielder in reach of the wings. Weapons bounce off their hide, which is like armour. None of the powers of the Wind Readers even cause them to blink. Anything we direct at them simply vanishes. So it has been told."

"Then," said Rees. "One of us must return to Xu Gui and bring Anan Hamar with the Seal."

"No, this cannot be done. We must not separate now." Said Mei'An.

Unnoticed except by Luan, the two men who had lost their wife and daughter had moved close by.

"We will go. Tell us what to do that we may avenge our loved ones." Said the youngest of the two.

"If I could find them, I would face them alone. My daughter was my life."

The man's eyes were distant, as though all hope had been taken from him.

He focused on Mei'An. "Where is this village you speak of. We will take the best horses and ride on the wind. We will go now." The man looked at his companion, who nodded once in agreement. Luan gestured to the village head man.

"Quickly man. A string of your best horses, water bottles and dried food. These men ride now!" He emphasised the word 'now'.

Suddenly, with a focus for action, everyone moved. Men were running off to fetch horses, some disappearing into buildings to fetch suitable food, others running to the well to fill goat skins with water. Mei'An quickly wrote out a message on parchment from here saddle bag. She sealed it and gave it to the eldest of the two.

"Go to the Inn of the Dog and Girl. Give this to the Trader. He will return with you we hope. You will ride west by south from here. Keep the sun on your right shoulder. It will take you two or three days to cover the distance. Do not ride at night, or if you do be extra vigilant. Do not light fires. Take turns sleeping, and keep watch at all times even when riding. You will almost certainly be followed."

The younger man replied. "We will not sleep. We will return within seven days for we know how to navigate by the stars and maintain our course. No more must be taken as my wife, my Laurina was taken."

"Go then, and guard that letter with your life. Without that, you will never convince the Trader to return with you."

The older man, Salasha by name, raised an eyebrow. Mei'An saw and said to him. "The Trader has the Seal. Only he may hold it - touch it. Go now. Safe journey. We will protect the village while you journey."

By now a string of fifteen horses had been gathered in the street. Two were saddled with light racing saddles. Little more than strips of leather across the horses backs, with stirrups attached. The men would not need comfort, nor working saddles. Meagre supplies were strapped to the back of some of the spare horses. Not much on each. The horses had to be kept as fresh as possible. Without preamble the two swung into the saddles and were at full gallop before they reached the edge of the village common. The roar of encouragement from their fellow villagers rattling the window panes. The men disappeared into the rolling plains in a cloud of dust. Those left behind now wondering what to do.

"Luan, you must ride ahead to the Hills of Annal, in Tharkan if needs be.... No, wait ..." Mei'An's voice trailed off. Suddenly she looked directly at Edina.

"There are those with the Maidens who can read the wind." There was some surprise in Mei'An's voice.

Edina's face was all innocence. "I do not know of such things my lady." She said quietly.

"No matter." Replied Mei'An. "It saves Luan a hard journey. There will be a Sept of Maidens here before the two men return from the village with the Trader. Two days at most. No Edina - the Broken Mountain sept."

Edina closed her mouth. She had hoped for her own sept, the Stone Lions.

"Why maidens, not the men?" Asked Rees thoughtfully.

Mei'An looked at Rees, then Edina. "Although Dahar are made to kill, their only purpose the destruction of the royal line, when they eat, they prefer only the female of the species. The warrior maidens will draw them."

Some of the men standing by looked a little pale at this news. Soon the street was empty of men. All over the village, the sounds of boards being nailed over windows and doors could be heard. Children were ushered inside, barns and outbuildings emptied of live stock and people. Homes sealed. Soon, a trickle of men began to gather outside the inn in the middle of town.

Meanwhile, Edina, Rees, Mei'An and Luan had also made their way to the inn. It was cool and quiet inside, and the woman in charge was all smiles, although it was a smile of habit because her eyes reflected her sorrow and concern at the recent events. Her white apron was spotless, stretched across her ample bosom and wrapped around her considerable girth. Inn keepers tended to portliness as even Rees and Edina knew, but this woman was in a class of her own. Her chest expanded forward like the bluff prow of a merchant ship, the white apron like foam over the bow wave of her ample waist. She was majestic thought Rees. It was the only way Rees could describe her. Her smiling round face was open and friendly, and she was taller than the usual plains people and this height gave her the correct proportions. Luan eyed her appreciatively. The wooden spoon in her hand was obviously to keep the serving girls in line. The smells coming from the kitchen area were making everyone realize how hungry they were. The only others in the common room were three merchants sitting in a booth, deep in conversation. Mei'An knew they were discussing the falling price of wool, and the rising cost of transport. The men gathered in the street outside began to crowd into the inn. They were at a loss now. There was really nothing to do but wait. These were the men with no families to guard. All carried axes, some even had swords that looked like they had been hastily retrieved from barns and stables where they had lain, long abandoned. They sat and nursed unaccustomed ales. Rarely would such men be in the inn during daylight hours. They were farmers.

Edina couldn't hold herself in any longer. Her voice on the edge of outrage, her eyes blazing, she confronted Mei'An. "You would use my sisters to draw the Dahar to us. I see your plan Wind Reader. you must stop this. I will not allow you to use us so." Edina was now on her feet, fists clenched by her side. Suddenly the innkeeper was there beside her. One large arm around the girls shoulder.

"Be peaceful girl," said the innkeeper in a quiet soothing voice. "I'm sure your friend knows what she is doing. Why, I will lead your sisters myself. Let those filthy Dahar try and take me and they will wish the Dark One had never agreed to their creation." She drew herself up straight as a rod, taking a deep breath as she did so. Even Edina had to admit she was impressed. The innkeeper was ... magnificent. Not a man in the room was looking elsewhere. Even the merchants had stopped their murmur. Edina had to smile, all the outrage died.

"We are warriors Mei'An. The Dahar will not take a single one of us." Edina smiled at the innkeeper. She still saved a fleeting frown for Mei'An.

"What is your name, if I may ask?" Edina asked the innkeeper.

"My name is Vlakere No Allenrood young mistress, and what is yours?" Replied the innkeeper.

"Edina, of the Stone Lion sept. Mare Altan." She replied.

"Ahh," breathed the lady innkeeper. "The Mare Altan. Yes, I have heard of you. Truly you are welcome under my roof. I too am from the warriors. Our people came from an ice bound land far away. I myself ended up here running this inn. There are others who live in this village as well. One day I will tell you how we came to be here. Maybe."

With a smile lighting up her whole face she added. "Woe unto anyone who thinks I am no longer a warrior. I run a good inn here, and take no nonsense."

While she had been speaking she had taken a long handled axe down from above the fireplace. Rees looked on in interest. He had never seen an axe like this one.

The shaft was very long, almost from floor to armpit. The head was a huge half moon blade with a wicked spike on the rear edge. The whole thing looked to be very heavy, but one swing with that would cut a man in half in a blink. The innkeeper was twirling it about with ease. It seemed as though it was a feather in her hands. The men watched in appreciation. Luan with obvious interest. Edina with a look of wonder on her face. "Mistress Valkeri," She said. "Should those Dahar come upon us again, I would count it an honour if you would join me in defeating them, for surely we shall." Edina's face was alight, and the innkeeper was beaming. With an effortless flick of her wrist she sent the shining silver axe spinning toward the front door. The 'thunk', as it buried itself into the solid door frame shook the building. A rough looking wagon master just stepping through the door let out a loud yell as he stared at the wicked looking axe buried in the door frame only inches from his head. He swallowed, and stepped into the common room. His companions were laughing at his discomfit, as he was gratefully accepting a huge tankard of ale from the hands of the innkeeper herself.

Mei'An suddenly sat up straighter in her seat.

"Luan - have a care." She whispered. Luan heard. He was meant to hear. His sword appeared in his hand in an instant. His gaze sweeping the room. He glanced at Mei'An.

"I have the measure of Cinnabar now. He is close by."

Luan's lips compressed into a thin line. His eyes glittered in the lamp light as he searched the room. Although the day was bright and cool outside, the common room, as in all inns, was almost in darkness. Small windows, thick walls and deeply recessed doors meant the room stayed warm in winter and cool in summer.

There was no sign of Cinnabar after a few minutes, and Luan relaxed slightly. Only Rees had noticed his sudden tension, and the drawn sword. Edina was deep in conversation with Valkeri the innkeeper.

Mei'An had not relaxed though. She could still sense the Morgoth warriors gateway. Perhaps it had not yet formed, but it was somewhere very close.

Mei'An was looking about the room, concentrating, looking for subtle changes.

'There it is.' She thought. The dust motes that swirl in the weak sunlight coming through a high window were streaming around a seemingly solid mass of air by the far wall. Without hesitation she raised her right hand, palm out, and a bar of pure white light flared out toward the area where the dust motes swirled.

The surprise of the flare of light, and the animal roar that filled the room had everyone on their feet. The roar was filled with pain as well as surprise, but it was cut off as though sliced by a knife. Mei'An smiled faintly. The solidified block of air was gone, and the sense of Cinnabar's presence was gone also.

'So, He had been eavesdropping through a half opened gateway.' Muttered Mei'An. The others looked at her. "Cinnabar won't bother us again for a time I think. I suspect he will be nursing burnt fingers and ringing ears." Mei'An chuckled.

The innkeeper stood quietly for a moment, watching Mei'An, deeply thoughtful. Without a word she turned and left the room. Edina shrugged and came to sit with Rees and Mei'An. Luan prowled around the common room like a caged cat.

Mei'An pondered the information about the Dahar. This was a serious development. They must continue their journey, yet they could not. If the Dahar were moving along the trail with them, then they could go no further. Cinnabar was bad enough, but the Dahar had to be dealt with immediately. The worry was that the Dahar were on their trail at all, but had just happened upon this unfortunate place by chance, as they themselves had.

If they were here by design, then it was Rees who had drawn them. They would come to him like lodestone, unless they already had the sense of Antonin. The coming night would tell them. Dahar did not go abroad in daylight. If they returned this coming night, then Mei'An could be assured that Antonin was not yet their target.

Edina was watching Mei'An from the corner of her eye. Did Mei'An realize how close to true Wind Readers some of the Maidens really were? Edina personally doubted it, but she would have to show great care in future. She had nearly been caught with her guard down completely. She would certainly be cast out of the society of maidens if she let this secret be discovered.

Rees wanted to be up and moving. All this sitting about was frustrating. That the sudden inactivity was weighing on the others in the common room was evident as well. Men were muttering and looking sideways at others. Rees was no leader of men, and knew it well, but something had to be done.

Rees stood, and banged the table with a large pewter jug that was in the middle. Everyone looked around in surprise.

"Do we sit and wait like lambs, or do we prepare to take this foe on, on our own terms?" He called to those gathered. Instantly the other men were on their feet. A general cheer went up. Rees started for the door, and a scraping of chairs and the banging down of mugs told him the others were following.

The huge axe of the innkeeper was still buried in the door frame at head height. Rees passed it by and went out into the bright sun light of the street. Soon the crowd from the common room were gathered around him. He stepped back up onto the front steps of the inn. He noticed Mei'An watching from the dark recesses of the doorway.