Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [39]
He clapped his hands together and rubbed them with enthusiasm. He moved around the table to slap one firm hand on Regidor’s shoulder and reached for Kale’s. She braced herself against the strength of the blow and even then bent under the wizard’s heavy hand.
One minute I think he’s a doddering ancient, and the next I think he could beat Brunstetter at arm wrestling.
“Right you are, Kale, my dear. I am indeed a doddering wrestler of many weighty things. Not Brunstetter, I think not Brunstetter.”
He squeezed his fingers into her shoulder and beamed at his two apprentices. “Now that your lesson on elementary wizardry is firmly established in your minds, shall we proceed with our quest?”
“No!” shouted Librettowit. “We must organize, gather pertinent data, assign responsibilities.”
Fenworth looked astonished. “But Librettowit, that is what I have just done.”
“Only in your mind, Fenworth.”
“No, no, Wit. Didn’t I just explain that until one masters certain knowledge one must content oneself with being a follower and not a leader? I carefully explained the complexity of what must be learned and that such knowledge is attainable.”
“Only in your mind, Fenworth.”
The wizard looked confused, but before he could voice an objection, the librarian pressed on. “We now have seven comrades, two children, two minor dragons, and an unhatched third, and four major dragons to consider.”
“Four?” Fenworth wrinkled his brow.
“Celisse, Merlander, and the two dragons ridden by Lee Ark and Leetu,” Librettowit explained. “And that reminds me, Lee Ark has information of import.” A hopeful tone slipped into the tumanhofer’s speech. “Perhaps his message will put off the quest to Creemoor.”
“I’m afraid not,” said Lee Ark.
All eyes turned to him. He stood and placed his fists upon the table.
“Paladin has given us a rescue mission. Our goal is to pull a longtime friend out of Burner Stox’s clutches. Until recently this devoted o’rant was relatively safe within Risto’s stronghold.” He paused, and his gaze shifted to Kale. “Your mother is in danger, Kale. She has one more task to perform for Paladin, and we are to be at hand when it is completed. We will then bring her out of Creemoor to safety.”
Kale’s breath carried a quiet question. “My mother?”
Lee Ark nodded. Kale turned to look at Dar. He gave her a gentle smile and a reassuring wink. She then looked to Leetu. The emerlindian’s eyes held a sparkle of joy in her otherwise serene expression.
But a question marred Kale’s anticipation. It hung in her mind like a black thunderhead. Who is this “mother” who left her child in slavery?
17
PEACE?
They traveled on dragons to the Valley of Collumna. Frigid air blasted them as they flew over the southern branch of the Morchain Range. Kale wrapped Toopka inside her moonbeam cape, keeping both of them warm. The little doneel pushed her head out to see the magnificent snow-covered peaks.
Kale noted the splendor of the dragons. The sun glistened off their scales, making them look as if gemstones covered them from head to tail. Their huge wings beat in rhythm. The thurumph of each stroke underscored the whistle of cool wind.
Celisse moved her strong, ebony wings in perfect synchrony with Merlander’s glistening red wings.
Leetu, with Librettowit, Bardon, and Regidor riding behind her, rode just ahead on a massive blue and green greater dragon. Lee Ark, with Wizard Fenworth snoozing in a passenger basket, flew on another of the larger dragons. This one carried even more supply bundles than the first.
Lee Ark rode point, and Kale gathered from his position that he was in charge of the expedition. She looked at the marione’s square shoulders and thick neck, his black, windblown mane, and pictured the kind, serious expression that dominated his features. Everything she knew about him made her feel safe under his command.
Kale put her hand out to rest on the silver scales of Celisse’s shoulder. Beneath her palm the dragon’s powerful muscles rippled in a majestic rhythm.