Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [56]
“Gentlemen,” said Paladin, “your talents are needed elsewhere. You will go to Prushing to rescue someone from Risto’s clutches. His trail will be hard to follow.”
“Prushing?” Regidor tilted his head as he thought. “The capital city of Trese, located north of the Odamee Channel, and noted for a fishing industry and trade with the Northern Reach.”
Paladin smiled. “Yes, Regidor.”
“Who are we rescuing?” asked Dar.
“Another meech dragon, one almost the same age as our Regidor.”
“Another!” Regidor’s tail came up around his side, and he grasped it between two scaly hands. “Another? I’m the only meech dragon born in over a hundred years.”
“It seems we were mistaken. There is another.”
Dar nodded his head slowly. “And Risto has him.” He thumped one fist into the palm of his other hand. “That’s why Risto let us get away with Regidor. That’s why he didn’t unleash his wrath.”
“I thought Wulder protected us,” said Kale.
“Wulder did, but the fight could have been longer. Risto could have caused trouble after the egg was delivered to Fenworth.” Dar searched Paladin’s face. “I always suspected there was too little hubbub when Risto lost his prized possession. He had another egg. Was Regidor just a decoy?”
“A decoy?” Regidor tugged on his tail. “Nothing as grand as a meech dragon can be a mere decoy.”
Paladin placed a soothing hand on the young dragon’s shoulder. “Risto wanted you, all right. His plan was to use your life force to create another race. The other meech hatched around the same time as you did, Regidor. From our sources, we know that he bonded to Risto.
“Wulder has been quiet on the matter of this dragon. We proceed with care, seeking His counsel. We won’t stand still and wait, since we know that Wulder is ever opposed to evil. But without clear direction, we take small steps, only doing what we know will cause no harm.”
He let his gaze move over the selected warriors. “Risto’s plan for this other meech dragon is to control all orders of dragon in the land. He will maneuver this meech into a place of leadership and be the power behind the figurehead. With that knowledge, we move into position to stop him.”
“Couldn’t I stop him?” Regidor grinned at the prospect. “Could I command the dragons to follow me instead?”
Paladin shook his head. “No, Risto has enhanced this dragon’s charismatic personality with a spell. At this point he is capable of gaining dominance over the dragons and causing havoc.”
Bardon placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword belted at his waist. “Then we find and destroy this meech dragon before Risto can use him for evil.”
“No, Bardon, my friend. This is a rescue mission. You are to bring the meech dragon out of the hell he was born into.”
Dar shook his head. “I’d rather fight Creemoor spiders. Simpler.”
23
LAST-MINUTE CHANGES
The sun burned away the morning mist.
Paladin had said they would leave this morning. But for now Paladin sat with Wizard Fenworth and Wizard Cam, Librettowit, Lee Ark, and Leetu Bends. Kale resisted the urge to listen in on their conversation using her mindspeaking ability.
I’m glad we’re leaving. I’m not sure I could stand this waiting much longer. Kale looked off toward the wood. But I’m not sure how I feel about going to Prushing.
“I get to go with you?” Toopka asked again.
“Yes.” Kale gave the doneel’s solid little body a hug. “Paladin said you would be helpful in the city. Dar knows about the aristocracy, and you know about the street people.”
“I’m going to call Dar ‘uncle,’ but I am not going to call you ‘aunt.’ No one would believe you’re my aunt. You could marry Dar and be my aunt, but that wouldn’t be believable either.”
“Why wouldn’t that be believable?”
“You’re so different. You’d fight all the time.”
“Not necessarily.” Kale tried to remember something she had read in one of the textbooks at The Hall. Something about Wulder making people different so they could work together more efficiently.