DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [113]
“Regidor,” Bardon said after a long stretch. “Has Librettowit or Fen or Cam been able to uncover any solution? a spell? a recording of a similar circumstance such as Gilda’s?”
The meech dragon did not turn but shook his head. “Like the plight of the sleeping knights, Gilda’s end hinged on knowledge that apparently passed away with Wizard Risto. He cast the spell that placed her essence in a bottle. Presumably, he knew how to undo his enchantment.”
“You’re hoping to find something to help her, aren’t you?”
“I hope for so much, Bardon, my friend. To free Gilda from her prison. To find other meech dragons who can tell me more of my heritage. To break the spell that put good men to sleep to keep them from fighting for justice and against oppression. And even to serve Paladin in some outrageously heroic deed.” He turned slightly and flashed his toothy grin over his shoulder. “Perhaps we are destined to do all these things together.”
Bardon smiled back. Odd as Regidor was, he always managed to lift Bardon’s spirits.
Regidor turned a corner and disappeared from view.
“Oh, bother.” His deep voice rolled back to Bardon. “Gilda was right. We should have fetched Kale to help us.”
39
DRAGONS
Bardon heard Regidor’s sword glide out of its sheath just as a sinister hiss reached his ears. He clipped the globe light to the edge of his tunic at the shoulder, drew his own weapon, and leapt around the corner. He landed, ready to fight, side by side with the meech dragon. Regidor’s glowing orb floated next to his shoulder.
Of course he doesn’t have to carry it. The holding device was for my benefit.
Bardon followed Regidor’s gaze to a few feet beyond where he stood. Their globe lights cast a blue radiance on the pale skin of a cave dragon.
What type of cave dweller is this?
The animal guarded a three-way branch in the tunnel. The bulk of its body filled the lower half of all three openings. Both head and tail curled away from the men.
Bardon scowled and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
Is it sleeping soundly enough for us to crawl over without waking it?
Bardon looked to Regidor. The meech appeared to examine the beast blocking their way. He picked up a fist-sized rock, held it shoulder high, and dropped it. The clatter as it hit echoed in the chamber.
The creature stirred.
Glad we didn’t try climbing over. Now, we’ll see just what type of cave dragon we are up against.
Muscles rippled under the unnaturally pale skin. It rolled to get its feet underneath and push to a stand. As it gained its feet, the neck slithered out from the tunnel where it had been resting. As long as the body, the thin shank supported a small head.
Snake dragon! What do I know about snake dragons? Not enough.
The dragon rocked back and forth on two short front legs as if preparing to pounce. Its serpentine neck swayed to and fro like the head of a hooded cobra. Large eyes, stunted wings, and a powerful long tail added to its monstrous appearance.
The creature hissed and struck at Regidor, mouth open and ready for a chunk of meech flesh. Regidor blocked the strike with his sword but did not injure the beast.
Bardon kept his eyes on the ugly dragon.
You’re going to test me next, aren’t you? You want to see if I’m as quick as Regidor here. Well, you ugly brute, I’m close to matching his skill, and I’m ready for you.
The creature continued to sway on its front legs and bob its head. Bardon became impatient. “Regidor, couldn’t you tell this monster that we’re friendly?”
“Already did,” answered Regidor. “It’s not buying it.”
The beast made a double strike, first a thrust aimed at Bardon’s leg, then another at Regidor’s arm.
Both men protected themselves with precise parries.
Regidor chuckled. “I guess we now know why…umph…there was no sign of activity…in this part of the warren.”
Each sentence had to be timed so as not to interfere with their efforts to remain unscathed by the increasingly