DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [159]
“Gymn, Ardeo, go warn them not to come!”
A look from Pretender stopped the flutter of leathery wings. The two dragons dropped to the floor and lay still.
A sparkle of light seen out of the corner of her eye caught Kale’s attention. A kimen stood beside Sittiponder.
Kale looked back at Pretender, but he didn’t seem to see the small, lighted figure.
Kale closed her eyes.
My thoughts belong to me and Wulder. In Wulder’s service, I search for truth. I stand under Wulder’s authority. I stand under Wulder’s authority. I am pledged to Wulder. Wulder is mine, and I am Wulder’s. His banner is over me. His girding is under me. His fortress surrounds me.
55
LIGHT VERSUS DARK
Bardon strode across the mountain meadow with Captain Anton. They headed for the dragon field to check on the dragons and the rider stationed there on guard. Behind them a narrow waterfall plummeted over a cliff. Even knowing the castle was there, it took concentration to distinguish rocks from turrets, and windows from crevices. Bardon glanced over his shoulder. The sight always fascinated him.
Two minor dragons winged his way. He stopped, and Captain Anton stopped as well.
“Trouble?” asked the captain.
“I don’t know.”
Filia circled his head, then landed on his shoulder. Metta landed on the other side.
Bardon listened to their chatter but heard words in his mind.
“Kale has gone into the cellar of the castle and is finding it unsettling,” he told the captain. “She’s looking for the boys and wants me to come along.”
Captain Anton’s eyebrows went up. “You can mindspeak with minor dragons?”
“With these, I can. That is, when Kale sends a specific message.” He stroked Metta’s back and then Filia’s, when she let out a jealous chirp and nudged his cheek. “I’ve tried it on my own, and nothing passes to me or from me to the little creatures.”
“I’ll go on to the dragon field,” Captain Anton said, “while you go rescue the fair damsel in distress.”
Bardon laughed, raised his hand in a half salute, and strode back toward the castle.
He went upstairs first, sure that Kale would want to know what progress was being made in waking the knights. The smiles on the faces of the wizards told him progress had been made. He looked closely at Sir Jilles and saw a slight rising and falling of his chest.
“How much longer?” he asked.
Wizard Cam beamed as he looked up from the young knight on whom he was working. “A matter of minutes.”
“I’ll stay and watch. Kale wants me to join her in the dungeon. Perhaps I can take her father with me.”
He’d been in the room only a few minutes when he heard Toopka tearing down the hall.
“Help! Help!” she cried through gasps for breath. She careened around the corner and straight into Bardon’s legs.
“Whoa!” He crouched to face her. “What’s the matter?”
“Kale’s in trouble.” She panted. “The boys are in trouble. Something bad is down there in the dungeon.”
Knowing her penchant for the dramatic, Bardon looked at her closely. Her alarm was genuine. He stood.
Toopka began to cry. “Kale said to get everyone. It’s big and horrible.”
“We nearly have the knights awake,” said Lyll. “Cam and I will stay here. The rest of you go.”
“I’ll get the men from the library,” said Librettowit. “I’ll send one of the guard for Anton.”
Bardon threw himself out the door and raced down the hall. He plunged down the stairs and realized all four minor dragons kept pace with him as he entered the maze of rooms in the servants’ quarters. He let them lead when they got to the cellar door, and beneath the castle, he followed them to the storage room where Sittiponder and Ahnek had uncovered the half door.
He halted and took a moment to slow his breathing, to prepare his heart and mind for battle. He put his great fear for Kale’s safety in Wulder’s hands and petitioned for clarity of thought, for precision in his combat ability, and that his decisions would honor