The Bond (Book 2) (18 page)

The dragon boy
would
be found. And sooner, rather than later.

Arms pinned to his sides, he tossed and turned, trapped within twisted blankets.

Aeron.

“No,” he murmured, struggling. “W–What if I fail?”

Aeron, wake up.

“Anaya?” Eyes blinking, he turned over and looked into her den.

We must go see Nenet. She has laid her egg.

What!
A half-dead arm hampered his efforts to remove himself from the covers. Pins-and-needles and a dull ache eventually faded after vigorous rubbing. At the wardrobe, he began getting dressed.

When did she lay it?

Just now.

Good. Why did it take her so long? I thought they usually went to their chosen spot a day or two before?

I do not know. Perhaps she was not sure of how we would receive her so came to us earlier than normal?

Aeron nodded.
That makes sense. Alright. I’m going to go tell Master Doronal. Ulthis’ Eyes over Yrdra’s Gate he’ll want to go, too.

Ulthis’ eyes?

It’s from dicing. If you roll two ones—uh, never mind. I meant that I’m sure he wants to go, too.

He did.

“This is most exciting!” The magic craft master had to yell over the air rushing past.

Aeron leaned back. “Yes, sir, it is!”

Shades of green and brown covered the land below, spring’s mantle of life. The bright morning light intensified all colors. Flowers and young leaf buds bursting with potential added their own. Spatters of pink, red, yellow, blue and white dotted the landscape.

Far to the left, a hawk soared. It must have spied prey, because it suddenly dove. Not long after, Anaya began her own spiral downward to the sinkhole.

Holding a lantern up, Aeron lead the way down the passage. Master Doronal followed him with Anaya at the rear.

“I’m sure Master Canneth, Sharrah and Gregor will want to come as well,” Aeron said.

“I’m sure you’re right, but let’s see how receptive she is to us before we plan on having a crowd over.”

“Good point.”

Would you let her know we’re coming, dear-heart?

I have. She seems calm enough. And happy.

Happy?

A happy mother.

Ah, yes.
Aeron still wondered what had happened to Anaya’s mother, Malina. His bond-mate didn’t talk much about it—whether or not she wondered, too—but there was the sense that she missed her mother in some way. He completely understood.

When Aeron stepped into the cavern, he said,
Congratulations, Nenet, on your egg.

C–Congratulations?

It means that I wish you well, that I am praising you on a job well-done or on reaching an important stage.

I see. Thank you.

The three reached the bottom of the ramp. Nenet stood close to the egg, wings partially open. He and Master Doronal drew closer to the nervous mother and her child, but stopped a dozen feet back.

And what a beautiful egg it is!
Aeron was amazed.
Bold patterns in gold and red mottled the surface and a wide splash of black arced over one side.

“I completely agree,” Master Doronal said. He bowed to the mother dragon. “Well done, Nenet.”

She let out a pleased rumble, then sat and settled her wings on her back.

Anaya stepped closer to her, extended her neck, and then brushed the side of Nenet’s face with the side her own. After a quick touch of their noses, Anaya turned to the egg and said,
Nenet has done well!

Both dragons made happy little chirps.

The single egg again reminded Aeron that Willem was now one of five or six candidates. Was the dragon even going to be male?

Can you tell what sex the baby is, Anaya?

I cannot. It is too young.

Aeron stared at the future of dragonlinked. A future he wished he knew more about.

+ + + + +

Sharrah walked with Cheddar as they made their way to the dragon stables. “Something’s bothering Aeron,”  she said.

The rhythmic clomping of horses and the sharp sound of horseshoes and metal-shod wheels on the cobblestone road came from a passing carriage.

“What makes you say that?” Cheddar’s arm went around her, hand at her waist.

She put her arm around him and said, “He’s been, I dunno, quieter than normal, lately. You’d think that Nenet laying her egg would be the best news ever, but when he and Master Doronal came back this morning, he still seemed bothered by something.”

“Hmm. I hadn’t really noticed, but now that I think about it
 . . . he has seemed a little grim.”

“Especially considering how crazy–happy he was when he and Willem started seeing each other. Now, the only time he smiles is when Willem is around, and even then he doesn’t smile much.”

“Do you think they’re having problems?”

Sharrah had considered that, but Willem seemed fine. The only time her blond friend looked concerned about anything was when he, too, took note of Aeron’s somberness. “I don’t think so.”

“You could always ask him.” He looked at her.

“I know that, dummy.” She poked him in the ribs. “I was just thinking out loud, hoping something would come to me.”

As they walked in the courtyard gate, a horse came trotting up.

“Ho, there. Is this the dragon stable?” A boy, perhaps fifteen or sixteen, had called down to them.

Sharrah watched him, wary. “It is.”

“Golden!”

He looked like he was about to dismount, so Sharrah quickly said, “May I ask what your business is here?”

“I’m looking for Aeron. I met him and Anaya last month.” He must have seen doubt on their faces, because he went further, saying, “They came to investigate an attack near Cotter’s Grove.”

“Oh,” Sharrah said. This must be the boy Aeron had talked about meeting. “Are you Fillion?”

“Yes. Aeron mentioned me?” He smiled.

“Sure. He told us everything about the trip out there.”

“Why don’t you stable your horse across the road,” Cheddar said, pointing, “and come inside. I’m pretty sure he’s here now.”

“Yeah. We’ve got training in a few minutes, so he’s bound to be.”

As Fillion rode off, they walked inside.

“I heard you guys talking to someone,” Aeron said. “Was it another person asking about dragons?”

Sharrah glanced at Cheddar and grinned. “Yes.”

“I hope you sent whoever it was away.” Aeron’s voice was a little sharp and he seemed upset.

“Well,” Cheddar said, “we sent him to the east stables, to tie up his horse.”

“Horse?”

“Yeah.” Sharrah nodded. “He rode a few days to get here.”

“Guys,” Aeron rubbed his face and let out a breath. “We don’t need more people who want dragons hanging around. It’s bad enough that more people drop by and stand around the fences since Nenet showed up, but now you invite one in?”

Turning toward the den, he said, “What boy, Anaya?”

“Don’t ruin the surprise, Anaya.” Sharrah laughed.

“Surprise?” Aeron looked at Sharrah, then Cheddar. “What do you mean?”

Chuckling, Cheddar said, “Oh, you’ll see.”

There were voices outside and the investigation office door opened.

“—should be here,” Liara said, walking in. She was followed by Jessip, and then by Fillion.

“Fillion!” Aeron ran up to him and grabbed his hand, shaking it. After a quick hug, he stood back and said, “This is a surprise!” He shot a grin at Sharrah and Cheddar.

“Well,” Fillion said, blushing, “I heard that another dragon was here.”

“You heard about her, already?” Aeron looked concerned.

Fillion nodded. “Yeah, news got to Cotter’s Grove three days ago. I took a day to make sure it wasn’t a crap rumor, then I rode here as fast as I could.”

“What about your dad, Elder Cayo?” Aeron said. “Is he okay with you coming all this way?”

Fillion shrugged. “Sure. I told him I wanted to get away for a while and see this new dragon, maybe visit with you and Anaya. He was fine with it. Besides, I needed to get away from there.”

“What do you mean?” Aeron said.

Fillion looked at the people around him, then back at Aeron. “Well, I haven’t forgotten you and Anaya, haven’t been able to stop thinking about your visit, or talking about it. Everyone calls me dragon-crazy. Some even think I made the whole thing up.”

“Surely they remember that we went there to investigate the attack at the farm.”

“They do! And still they make fun of me. So, I decided to come visit.”

“Well,” Liara said, smiling. “I’m sure you’ll have a pleasant stay.”

“Besides,” Jessip said, “we’re all a little dragon-crazy here. You’ll fit right in.”

They all shook hands with Fillion and started talking about—what else?—dragons. Sharrah was glad to see that Aeron’s mood had lifted.

Willem walked in then, saw Fillion talking with Aeron, and looked at Sharrah. “We have a visitor?”

“Willem!” Aeron strode over to him. “You remember when I told you guys about the trip to Cotter’s Grove? This is Fillion.”

The brown-haired boy walked over to Willem, hand extended. “Nice to meet you.”

Willem shook hands. “Likewise.” He moved next to Aeron, put his arm around him. “What brings you to Caer Baronel?”

Fillion’s gaze flicked to Willem’s hand at Aeron’s waist. After glancing at Aeron, Fillion looked back at Willem, smiling. “I came to see this new dragon we heard of back home. And to see Anaya again, of course.”

Sharrah watched the exchange. Poor Fillion. He was quick on the uptake, though. Looking at Aeron, she wondered just how many hearts he would break.

It wasn’t as if he was stunningly handsome, and he certainly didn’t flirt. In fact, she doubted he even knew how. He was just a really nice guy, for the most part, and you liked being around him. She glanced at Jessip. The older boy was right about that point.

“Have you seen Anaya, yet?” Willem asked Fillion.

“Not yet.”

“Well, let’s go see her!” Willem lead them into her den.

Anaya made a little happy bark and extended her nose toward Fillion.

“She remembers me!” He reached out his hand and stroked the side of her face. “Gods, but she’s just the most golden thing on planet Lethera.”

Anaya let out a happy rumble.

“She really is,” Jessip said.

Liara nodded. “Dragons are my new dream. I know that boys are usually the ones interested in them, but I think girls who aren’t just haven’t met one yet.”

New dream, huh? Sure that she knew what Liara’s old dream had been, Sharrah glanced at Aeron.

The sound of a door opening back in the office drew all their gazes.

“Ah, we have a visitor.” Master Canneth walked into the den area followed by Gregor.

“This is Fillion,” Aeron said. “He’s from Cotter’s Grove.”

“He was the young man who took you and Millinith to the farm, correct?”

Fillion nodded. “That’s right, sir.”

“Let me personally thank you for your help,” Master Canneth said. “Much was learned that day that will help in our fight with nahual.”

Fillion blushed. “I just escorted them to the farm.”

“Still, all help is greatly appreciated.” Master Canneth looked around. “It appears we’re all here. Shall we begin?”

Fillion looked alarmed. “Someone mentioned training, should I just leave until you’re done with that?”

“He can sit in on it, can’t he?” Aeron looked at Master Canneth. “Fillion’s very interested in dragons, and Animal Craft training would let him learn even mo—” Aeron glanced at Anaya. “He’s a candidate, too?” He turned to Fillion, all smiles gone.

“It seems Anaya has preselected another.” Master Canneth stared at Fillion. “I think we can let you sit in. How long is your stay at Caer Baronel?”

“Uh,” Fillion looked uncertain. “I hadn’t really thought about it. Why?”

“Well, I will need to confer with Master Doronal, of course, but I don’t see why we can’t add another candidate to dragonlinked training.”

Fillion’s face split in an enormous smile. “Are you serious?”

“I generally am, yes.” There was a humorous sparkle in Master Canneth’s eyes.

After letting out a whoop, Fillion said, “I will stay forever, if it takes that. I’ll just send a letter to my da letting him know.”

Aeron, face pale, stared at Willem. Sharrah’s brows lifted. Of course. Why hadn’t she seen it before? Willem now had a great deal of competition for the next dragon.

“Good. After all, it pays to have a large selection pool, in case some fail to pass.” The Animal Craft master looked around at everyone. Somber faces stared back. He turned to Gregor. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

+ + + + +