The Bond (Book 2) (25 page)

“
Good night.”

He sure was acting odd. She watched him walk away. Even through the shirt she could tell he had muscular shoulders. He must have worked hard at something to get those. Blacksmith, maybe? Her gaze wandered. And, too, his bu—

Renata?

Yes?
She quickly turned back to Muffin, and with cheeks burning, stuffed the cookies in her backpack.
What is it?

I haven’t heard anything from you in a while.

Oh. I’m about to head back, sweetling. I should be there soon.

Okay. Can I go hunting then?

We’ll see.

Thoughts of all she’d seen and learned swirled through her mind as she rode back. They did seem to be good people. On the other hand, so did the Order, at least until you learned more of them. She shook her head.

Gods. What should I do?

It wasn’t quite full dark when she got to camp. After she dismounted, Xochi came bounding up and nearly knocked her to the ground.

Laughing, Renata said,
Careful, love! I don’t want to break any bones.

I would never break your bones.

I know you wouldn’t mean to, but if I fall down and land on a rock just so, who knows?

Oh, I see.

No worries, though, give me a hug.
The scent of Xochi, her warmth, it all helped relax Renata.
I missed you so much!

I really am almost too big to hug you anymore.

Hugs from you are not dangerous yet. I want to get as many as possible while I can.

After one last squeeze, Renata unpacked her things from the saddlebags and set them near the fire pit.

Xochi sat nearby on her haunches, tail wrapped around her paws. In the dim light, she again looked remarkably like a cat. An enormous, winged cat. She tilted her head, watched as Renata worked on the fire.

You said they know of the purpose?

They do.
Renata grabbed wood from the pile gathered earlier.
It seems as if all dragons know that they have a purpose. They may not know what it is at first, but, like us, they eventually figure it out.
She tossed some kindling and branches over the coals. It would soon be ablaze again.

Can I go hunting now?

Not quite yet. It isn’t dark enough. I don’t want you to be seen.

I’m hungry.

I know, love, I can feel it. Oh!
She rummaged in her backpack and removed the wrapped cookies. She took a bite of one. It was just as delicious as she remembered.
Here, try these. They’re very good.

Xochi sniffed at them, dubious.
They do smell good.

Oh, they are.

Carefully, with the claws of one paw, Xochi grabbed a cookie and placed it in her mouth.

Oooh, it does taste good!

After enthusiastically munching down the first one, she took the second and ate it as well.

What were those?

Cookies. Chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies are delicious.

Yes they are. Now, we only have to wait a little while before it is dark enough to go hunting, so try to survive those few minutes, will you love?

Xochi let out a breath.
I will try.

Let’s head east.

Xochi padded beside her as they walked. Whenever they were near a settlement, they would always head away from it to get some extra distance before Xochi took flight. She was difficult to see at night, her coloration tended to darker shades, but the extra precaution lessened Renata’s worry.

About a quarter hour later, Xochi took down a buck. It took her much less time than that to eat it.

Nice catch, sweetling. That should hold you for a few days.

As they walked back, Renata couldn’t help but notice Xochi’s digestion was a bit noisier tonight.
The deer not sitting well with you, sweetling?

I
 . . . am not sure.

They had nearly reached the camp when Renata realized that something was definitely wrong. There were alarming sounds coming from Xochi’s insides, and her color was off. She was very pale.

You don’t look—

A particularly long and loud gurgle ended with a gasp from Xochi and a violent release from her backside. Fear, embarrassment, and confusion came through the link. The dragon took one step, moaned, and sank to the ground.
I do not feel well.

Renata stared in shock as her bond-mate lifted her head and vomited.
Xochi! What’s wrong?

I do not know.
A pitiful wail was cut off as she vomited again, followed by another elimination.

Renata dropped to her knees and placed her hand on Xochi’s neck.
Sweetling, what can I do?

She looked over her pale bond-mate, mind and heart racing. What was wrong with Xochi? She couldn’t remember anyone experiencing anything like this. But maybe Xochi could!

Sweetling, can you remember any other dragon going through this?

I do not.
Another terrible retching fit followed, then she took a ragged breath.
It hurts!

Sitting next to Xochi, unable to ease her pain, was the most horrifying thing Renata had ever gone through. Squeezing her eyes shut, she raised her hands to her head. Tears from fear and frustration ran down her cheeks.

What do I do? Gods, how can I help her?

Xochi began panting.
Maybe they know what is wrong.

Of course! They’ve had a dragon much longer, they must know something. Renata stood and ran to Muffin.
I’m going for help!

+ + + + +

“Jessip, you going to write down the last measurement?”

Willem’s question brought Aeron out of his thoughts. He looked at the older boy who was standing, pencil in hand, staring at the logbook.

“Jessip? Did you hear me?”

He seemed to come to his senses then. “What? Oh, yeah. Sorry, was distracted.” He scribbled the numbers down.

“Distracted by what?” Sharrah had a knowing smile on her face.

“Or, more importantly, by whom,” Willem said, also smiling.

Aeron was surprised to see color rise in Jessip’s cheeks. He’d never seen him blush before. “And just who—”

Aeron, she returns. Something is wrong.

A horse approached at a gallop. It skidded on the cobbles of the road as its rider hauled back on the reigns, and nearly fell when it’s hooves met the grassy edge of the yard.

Renata threw herself off, even before the horse had come to a stop. “You must help me!”

Jessip dropped the logbook and hurried to her. “What’s wrong?”

Eyes red and swollen, she said, “Something’s wrong with Xochi. I think she’s dying!”

“Dying?” Gregor’s eyes were wide as he walked over.

“Who’s Xochi?” Cheddar had moved to stand near Sharrah.

“She’s—” Renata looked around at everyone, then at Jessip. A tear ran down her cheek. “She’s my dragon. But something’s very wrong with her, she’s throwing up and—”

“A dragon?” Aeron’s surprise was reflected in the expressions of everyone around him.

Questions started flying around. “Where did you get a dragon?” “Where are you from again?”

Aeron had his own questions to ask. But he just stared at the pretty girl with the dark hair and brown skin. She looked terrified.

She is near panic with worry for her dragon. Why do they not help her?

“Why didn’t you tell us you had a dragon?” “Do you think there are more dragons where you got yours?” “Is there—”

“SHUT UP!”

Everyone turned to Aeron.

He walked to Renata. “None of that matters right now.” He looked at the others. “There is a dragon out there, deathly ill, and all you do is nearly scare her to death with your stupid questions?”

Gregor cleared his throat. “True enough.” He turned to Renata. “What are her symptoms?”

“Symptoms?”

“What happened to her? What does she look like, how does she feel?”

Renata ran a trembling hand through her hair, then wiped her cheek. “We were hunting—she caught and ate a deer—and we were on the way back to camp when she started vomiting. She also has diarrhea. She can’t seem to stop either.”

“How does she feel?” Sharrah asked. “Did she say?”

“She only said that she does not feel well. It hurts when she vomits. She’s done it so much. She’s very pale, too.”

Turning to Gregor, Sharrah said, “It almost sounds like her body is trying to purge itself.”

“Of a toxin or . . . ” The healer turned to Renata. “Did she eat or drink anything out of the ordinary recently? Does she get into things she shouldn’t?”

“No, not that I know of. She ate a few days ago, the last time we hunted. And she drinks only water. Tonight was the first time she ate anything since—” Her eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh, no.”

“What?” Jessip said.

She turned to him, face pale. “I gave her the cookies you brought for me. She ate them both.” Turning to Gregor, she said, “That’s the only thing out of the ordinary.”

“The chocolate chip cookies?” Sharrah’s gaze was locked on Renata.

She nodded. “Why would those do that to Xochi?”

“Chocolate is toxic to some animals,” Gregor said. “Perhaps it is toxic to dragons as well.”

“Let’s get over there and see what we can find out.” Aeron turned to Gregor. “I’ll take you and Sharrah on Anaya. We can follow Renata.”

“I’ll ride with Renata.” Jessip turned and ran for the girl’s mount.

“I’ll grab a horse from the stable and catch up,” Willem said. “What direction am I going?”

Renata said, “East, about a mile or so.”

“Just out of dragon sense range,” Aeron said.

Her cheeks darkened.

Aeron turned to Willem. “I’ll have Anaya guide you there.”

He nodded and left at a trot.

“I’ll ride with Willem,” Cheddar said, chasing after him.

“Jessip looks to have your horse, Renata,” Aeron said. “Go on, we’ll follow in the air.”

She mounted, then helped Jessip up behind her. Once he was set, they left at a gallop.

“Are we going to be ready in time to catch up and follow?” Sharrah turned back to Aeron as Renata and Jessip passed from view.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, heading into the stable. “Anaya will be able to find them.”

Gregor helped him saddle Anaya.

“Barbs!” Sharrah said. “We’ll want to take water. She’ll need it after all the fluids she’s lost.”

“I don’t want to wait for that right now,” Aeron said. “Anaya, can you tell Willem to take water?”

I have told him. He will bring as many canteens as they can carry.

Thanks, love.

“Willem will bring canteens. Here put these on.”

With riding belts passed out, everyone mounted and Anaya  was airborne soon after. Her powerful wing beats more than made up for the few minutes of lost time.

I have them.

Take us there, dear-heart.

As she began her landing spiral, Aeron spied two lanterns lighting up Jessip, Renata and Xochi. A small camp fire burned a little ways away. This was the place.

She is weak, but her spirit is strong.

“Quickly, now,” Aeron said as he dismounted. “Gregor, Sharrah go see what you can do.”

Aeron walked over to Renata, who had stepped back from the ill dragon as the others began their examination. She stood next to Jessip, eyes on her bond-mate.

“Anaya says Xochi has a strong spirit.”

“She does. So much so, that sometimes it makes me want to kill her.” Renata’s chuckle turned to tears. “Gods, tell me they’ll help her. She’s all I have.” Her delicate fingers gripped her arms so tightly, the knuckles were white.

“We’ll do the best we can,” Jessip said. He placed his hand on her shoulder and looked in her eyes. “Listen. We all love dragons, we all want the best for them. We will do everything we can to help Xochi.”

She stared at him and nodded. “Okay.” Relaxing a bit, she looked back at the dragon laying on the ground.

Watching Xochi’s body purge itself made Aeron wince. His heart went out to the young dragon and her bond-mate.

Gods, I don’t think I would handle you getting sick any better. I’d be wrecked, too.

Anaya let out a soft croon.
It is not easy, watching and not being able to help.

I hope neither of us has to ever go through this, sweet-heart.
He looked at all those gathered.
Though, it is nice to have everyone helping out in what ways they can.
A sense of pride lifted his heart.

Gregor had cast a few spells, probably for diagnosis if Aeron remembered right from training, and continued to study the little red dragon. Sharrah used a more hands-on approach, having checked Xochi’s mouth, eyes, pulse, and who knows what all else.