Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) (46 page)

Kirynn gazed at Lenya. “You can continue to sleep in my lair if you wish. Or you can share the room near Marda that Emmaleen sleeps in when Maleena and Mckale aren’t here. You can have your own room if you want. And, if you want to be closer to me, the lairs on either side of mine are still open, although you have to understand that one day a dragon and their rider may need it.”

Lenya pondered, a serious expression on her young face. “I think I want to share with ‘leena ‘til you get back.” She looked at the babe and Maleena sensed an undercurrent of loss in Lenya. “She’s lot littler, but she reminds me of Annoc.”

“I think that is a great choice and it makes it easier on Marda since you’ll be closer.” Kirynn paused then said, “Vaddoc will be gone from Galdrilene a lot, like me. Maybe you can take care of Cat when he’s gone. Namir doesn’t want Cat hurt, so he’s decided to leave him here.”

“I can do that.” Lenya smiled, some of her former light shining in her eyes. “What about Mola? Can I take care of her too?”

Mckale grinned. “I think Mola would really like that. And I bet she would be happy to sleep on your bed with you at night if you want.”

Lenya’s smile grew bigger as she nodded. As if on cue, Mola rose from Mckale’s feet and made her way to the girl’s side where she laid her chin on Lenya’s knee. The little girl ran one hand over the dog’s fur while she ate with the other.

Maleena sensed the loss in Lenya fade as she pet the dog, and it was replaced with peace. If any of Mckale’s family had survived and wanted Mola returned, they would likely have to pry the dog from Lenya’s hands.

Lenya scarfed down everything on her plate, then she jumped from her chair and bounded out of the dining room with Mola happily following. Kirynn watched her go. “It seems the dog has worked some canine magic on Lenya.”

Maleena chuckled. “Animals have a way of easing the ache of loss and the fear of the unfamiliar.” She stood and placed Emmaleen on her hip. “I’ve got to get this little one to Marda so we can be on our way.”

W
hen Maleena came through the Slide with Nydara over the open field west of Markene, she glanced down. The dead were gone and makeshift tents now stood everywhere. The cries of the injured and the grieving had been replaced with children shouting as they ran among the tents. The blows of axes could be heard as trees were felled for wood. Along the river, the armies of Kanther and Boromar camped.

Nydara landed smoothly in the already worn grass near the edge of the encampment. Left as a wide spot for the dragons to land, it was far enough away that the wind from their wings wouldn’t kick up embers from the cooking fires.

After removing the safety straps, Maleena dropped to the ground. Mckale already strode toward the tents. Though he had said nothing, she felt his worry about the fate of his family and knew he intended to search for them.

She worked her way through the tents. With ropes strung between them to hang clothes with, cooking fires, children, women and men washing clothing in basins, and a myriad of other activities everywhere, she had to weave her way carefully through the maze-like field. Underneath it all, she sensed the undercurrents of worry, fear, and determination. The emotions clung to everyone though their faces were neutral masks.

“Dropping in to see us finally?” Sumara said with a smile as she fell into step beside her.

“After a bath and a night of much needed rest.” Maleena swept her gaze across the cramped tents. “How are things going here?”

Sumara paused, pushing the black strands of hair that had escaped her braid out of her face. She sighed, taking a moment to look at everything. “As well as it can be expected. But then, who expects such things? I think Kalila is ready to drown some of the Heads of Houses in the river. I have to admit, they do make life difficult when there is no need.”

“Then they’re fools. I will go into Markene and see if I can be of any assistance to Kalila. I know Kellinar elected to land at the castle. Between the two of us, maybe we can get something done.”

“May the Fates send you luck.”

Maleena took in the tired emotions emanating off the woman and reflecting in her tilted eyes. “Why don’t you and the others go home for a day or two and rest? Those of us who just returned can handle Markene for a while.” Before Sumara could protest, Maleena stopped her. “Go home, bathe, let Marda fuss over you and feed you, sleep in your lair. It’s needed. Trust me. I didn’t realize how much it was needed until I returned.”

Sumara opened her mouth, closed it, then her shoulders sagged. “I was going to insist I stay, however, Keta agrees with you. I will gather the others, and we will return to Galdrilene for a bit.”

“While you are there make sure all of you take some time to instruct the newer riders. Their training needs to be maintained, even with all of this going on.”

“I will see to it myself,” Sumara said before moving quickly between the tents.

As Maleena walked toward the city of Markene, she noticed Nolan, Loki, Brock, Marcaius, and Jocelynn headed toward their dragons. It would do them all good to feel the peace of Galdrilene again. When she saw Varnen, she shifted her direction to intercept him.

“Varnen, how are you doing?”

He shrugged and stared over her head, and she sensed the turmoil of emotions he held tightly restrained. “I’m fine. Galdrilene is my home now.”

Maleena braced herself for the onslaught and gently laid her hand on his arm. “That may be, however, it’s still all right to grieve for what is lost.”

“I know,” he said, his voice thick with buried sorrow. “I just wish Yarnns Bend could have been evacuated. My entire family lived there…” He looked at her with desperate hopelessness. “Are you certain it’s all gone? Is there any chance some could have survived?”

“No. There was nothing left. We barely got out of Taragen. Within moments of the eruption, all of Yarnns Bend was gone.” She pulled her hand away, unable to stand the building agony in her head. “When you are ready, Abrax can show you what Nydara saw.”

Varnen gave a tight nod of his head and swallowed hard. “I’m not there yet.”

“I know.” She paused then said, “Go home to Galdrilene for a few days, Varnen. It will help. I promise.”

He nodded and worked to control his emotions before asking, “Where is Jocelynn?”

“She is already on her way to Adirynn so they can go home as well.”

“Then I shall go with her.” He hesitated and blinked several times before looking straight at her. Unshed tears glistened in his eyes. “Thank you, Maleena.”

“May the Fates favor your day, Varnen.” She watched him walk away then started toward the capitol again. A cold wind had sprung up, driving low, dark clouds before them. Maleena glanced at the sky in confusion. They looked like snow clouds.

The tent city ended abruptly leaving a wide band of grass between it and the city wall. The gates stood open but there was little foot traffic between the two populations. Four guards stood uneasy at their stations, their confusion evident. Whoever gave them their task clearly hadn’t explained the duties expected. They just stood, watching the few that came and went from the city, and did nothing.

Inside the gate, the smooth stone of the narrow street began as did the houses and shops that were built right up against the wall. If one wished, they could make a short leap from the wall to a roof and traverse the entire city from rooftop to rooftop, only to leap back onto the wall on the far side. At one time, this city had been built for defense but years of relative peace with Boromar to its west, Haraban to its south, and nothing to the east had led to general apathy toward war and defense.

Many of the buildings rose three and four stories high and every so often at a cross street, the main road widened and there would be a small market surrounded by shops and businesses of all kinds before the road and houses closed in again. Maleena passed four inns on that street alone before she reached the wide circle that was City Center and housed the main market. Tiny snowflakes began to flutter from the clouds. She was suddenly grateful for the padded shirt under the chainmail that had become a standard part of their flying gear.

The shouts of those hawking their wares, cries of babies, price haggling, clopping of horses, creaking of wagons, coins clinking in exchange, and voices raised in occasional argument filled the Market. Two women fingered a bolt of cloth they both obviously wanted. A dog wound through the crowded space, snatching any food dropped. A man pinched the bottom of a woman as she walked by, and she smacked him so hard he fell down. Shouts went up as a young man ran with a bag in his hands and then a few cheers as the city guard quickly caught him.

Though it was noisy and crowded, the people parted around Maleena as she moved through them. Her Di’shan pendant caught even the dim light of the day as it hung from its silver chain. Though for the most part the citizens of Markene carried on as usual, the past year and a half had imprinted quite a bit into their memories. A few pretended not to see her even as they stepped out of her way while many offered her smiles or nods of respect.

The hawkers ran to her with bolts of fine fabric, delicious smelling vegetable pies, exquisite shawls, ribbon, and other tempting wares. Maleena graciously refused. She had no need for most of it.

A scrawny man with bristly white hair thrust a steaming meat pie at her. “Di’shan, do me the honor of accepting this as a gift.”

“Oh, no. I couldn’t.” She tried to step around him even if the hot pie did sound wonderful given the chilly turn of the day.

He stepped with her. “Please, it would make my day brighter. I have only one meat, the others are vegetable. It’s a gift.”

Maleena studied his earnest eyes as the aromatic steam wafted toward her and made her mouth water. “I will take the pie but only if you will accept the proper amount of coin for it.”

His growing smile faltered. “Di’shan, I can’t ask you to pay that price.”

“Why not?”

“Meat is in short supply these days, the price is high.”

Maleena glanced at the pie. “Then why offer it as a gift to me? Surely you can use the coin.”

“Well…I...” He looked away; a slight flush crept across his wrinkled cheeks. Finally he stood up straight and met her gaze. “It’s not just to be nice. If others see you accepting the food from my stall, it will raise my prestige and more are likely to buy as well.”

“I see.” If she accepted it, he would gain more business yet someone else was likely to lose. It was a difficult position. Why couldn’t it be like Galdrilene where places were visited based on the skill of the creator, their reputation, and the desire of the visitor? As much as she wished, it was going to take time for the rest of the world to shift from its ways.

She said, “I will buy the pie from you. If you wish my business, you will tell me the normal selling price. Otherwise, I shall find another selling such things.”

He blinked then told her the price. Though it astounded her, she kept her face smooth as she counted out the coins and accepted the paper-wrapped morsel. As Maleena walked away with the pie warming her hands, she glanced back at the small line forming in front of his stall.

Farther on stood a stall with carefully folded and arranged shawls on display. The thick material, as well as the various shades, drew her eye. Without meaning to, she found herself stopping. Maleena couldn’t help but touch the pale violet material of one shawl. Both its color and its texture intrigued her.