Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [54]
The old wizard took a look at the dragon stretched out in Kale’s hand, then threw back his head and laughed.
22
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
As Kale and the wizards returned from the forest, the entire camp came out to greet them. The dragons knew of Dibl’s birth and spread the word. Paladin’s warriors from the seven high races greeted the small yellow and orange dragon with smiles, laughter, and songs of joy.
Kale sat on a log by a small copse of slender heirnot trees. As the troops of soldiers filed past to look at the dragon, some admirers merely gazed upon Dibl curled in the palm of her hand. Some stretched out a finger to touch him lightly.
As the afternoon progressed, the camp became quieter. Kale pulled her attention away from the newborn long enough to notice that most of the troops had departed. The huge greater dragons carrying supplies and men had spread their wings and lifted into the air with quiet grace.
A shadow darkened her small spot at the edge of the meadow. She looked up to see Brunstetter looming over her. His massive fourteen-foot frame completely blocked the sun.
Brunstetter’s handsome face always looked gentle to her. Laugh lines fanned out from his clear blue eyes across tanned cheeks. His lips often twitched with suppressed humor. And Kale had seen this giant man tenderly scoop up a wounded kimen with as much care as a mother lifting a hurting child.
She smiled back at her friend. “Where have they gone, Lord Brunstetter?”
“To their fighting positions.” His rumbling voice held a note of sorrow. “We engage the enemy tomorrow.”
“Are you leaving too?”
“In a few moments.” Brunstetter touched the tip of his finger to her cheek. “We shall not see each other for some time. I have a message from my heart to yours.”
She blinked back sudden tears and nodded.
“The gift of laughter before the storm strengthens our resolve. It is good that Dibl came to us now.” Brunstetter moved his hand to rest it like a cap over her head. “You, little Dragon Keeper, are important in Wulder’s plan. I would give you wisdom if it were like a gem to be plucked from one of my crowns. But I can only whisper caution. I can only say, ‘Be still when dark clouds threaten. Listen for the word of Wulder.’”
He stroked Dibl, then stood and strode away to his magnificent dragon.
The group around the campfire that night had dwindled to the same number as before the landing of reinforcements. The peaceful atmosphere occasionally bubbled with friendly laughter.
Kale held the sleeping Dibl in her hand while Gymn lay curled around her neck. His tail flicked up to tickle her left cheek as he kept time to the music. Dar and Regidor had served a cold meal of field greens and sliced jimmin poultry, flavored with a spicy dressing. Now the two chefs played lighthearted tunes on various instruments from Dar’s pack.
Toopka danced around them with Metta sometimes balancing on the little doneel’s head and sometimes doing her own aerial dance above the merrymakers.
Leetu read a book, holding a lightrock to illuminate the text. Bardon, Librettowit, and Lee Ark played a game of benders. The two wizards rested against Merlander’s massive side and could be heard to say things like “Remember old Hoobenanny? I wonder where she is now.”
Kale smiled. “I just thought of something funny, Gymn.”
The green dragon stretched and lifted his chin to rub against her neck.
“If Chief Councilman Meiger and his goodwife, Mistress Meiger, were here, they’d be scowling and harrumphing and muttering about all these people. Master Meiger would say any ninny knows that wizards don’t exist, and doneels and tumanhofers keep to themselves. Mistress Meiger would say emerlindians don’t speak a language anyone can understand, ’cept themselves.”
Little Dibl rolled into a ball in her cupped hand and spun himself like a