Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [121]
“No, I guess you’re right. She doesn’t have the personality to allow herself to be an insect.”
Ardeo and Gymn investigated the corners of the room. Ardeo’s light brightened each dark cranny. Gymn trilled in excitement.
She hurried to where the minor dragons danced around some object. “They found something.”
A coin lay on the canvas flooring of the tent next to the cushions that must have been Gilda’s daybed. Regidor picked up the large disk and examined it as Gymn and Ardeo hovered around his shoulders.
“No, I don’t think so,” said Regidor. He flipped it in the air and tossed it on the table.
“What about this?” Kale pointed to a small, standing mirror on an upright trunk. “This seems out of place. Why would Gilda want a mirror?”
Regidor started to cross the room.
“Never mind,” said Kale. “Metta says it was here before.”
She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the interior of the tent.
“This is hopeless, Regidor. What makes you think she’s still here?”
“I know she is. I can feel a sort of vibration in the air, one that I noticed when we were in the tent before. I thought it came from her.” He shook his head and grimaced. “Maybe I was wrong.”
She almost chuckled. I doubt that! He just needs to focus. “Stop and be still, Regidor. See if you can tell whether that feeling is stronger in one part of the tent.”
Regidor stood motionless for a moment with his eyes closed. Kale watched him breathe in and out. It occurred to her that Regidor, in this almost motionless state, reminded her of Gilda’s restrained presence.
Regidor moved to the shiny black table. The lantern burned with a flickering yellow flame. A handkerchief of white linen lay on the table where Gilda had been sitting.
Regidor picked up an earthenware jug with a cork stopper. He gently tilted it from side to side. Water sloshed within.
“A plain jug of water,” he said, his teeth gleaming white in the combined light of the lantern and Ardeo’s glow. “Or the essence of one meech dragon.”
Kale smiled. “You found her.”
“Yes, and unless we spill her, she should be easy to keep track of.”
Dibl gave a tiny hoot. Gymn landed on Kale’s shoulder and flapped his wings.
“I believe she did this herself, Regidor,” said Kale as she looked at the finely shaped clay bottle. “If Risto had been here and changed her, wouldn’t he have taken her away?”
“That’s a thought, Kale. But what if he wants her to travel with us and for us to think she is harmless in this state?”
She considered the possibility. “So we’d best be wary.”
“It is always best to be wary.”
50
BUILDING THE GATEWAY
A wide lane built atop a levee stretched into the bog from the main road. Neither the lane nor the levee had existed several hours before. Men, ready to fight for their homes, gathered on the main road. Women and children stood by their men, waiting to say good-bye.
Kale saw Master Meiger, and for the moment he didn’t have someone demanding his attention.
“You gave a good speech today, Master Meiger.”
He blushed and looked away from her. “Not as fancy as some, but I said what I knew to be true.”
“You said just the right thing, and these people believed you.”
“They’ve known me all my life.”
She wanted to say more, but words didn’t come to mind, and he looked uncomfortable at her praise. She thought of another topic to broach.
“The wizards haven’t called you into the bog?”
“No, they told us to wait here until they had the gateway constructed. Evidently it’s a rather complicated business, and it will take all three of them. That one wizard, Fenworth, he did that road all by himself. Amazing to watch.”
She nodded. “I’ll go in and see how close they are to finishing.”
“Should you?” asked Master Meiger. “I mean, interrupt them?”
“I won’t bother them.” Kale started toward the lane, but turned back. “Master Meiger, it might be a good idea to warn these people about mordakleeps. Remind them they have to cut off their tails to kill them.”
The old marione looked startled. “Yes. Yes, of course.”
She