Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [65]
With each sway of the carriage, the crowded passengers leaned into each other. In his nervous state, Regidor’s tail took up more room than usual. The meech dragon had to keep a firm hold on the tail to keep it from twitching in his comrades’ faces.
Librettowit interlaced his fingers and rested his hands on his stomach. “The trick was designed to lure someone away from the crowd. Was the trick aimed at just anyone, or at Kale, in particular?”
Bardon nodded. “Was this a random group of footpads, or were they paid to waylay our party?”
Regidor’s tail flicked out of his hands and slapped Librettowit alongside the head. The librarian scowled. The meech dragon grabbed his tail and pulled it back into his lap.
Regidor voiced his opinion. “I would have said random had they not lured our Dragon Keeper into the woods.”
Dar studied Kale with a thoughtful eye and his arms crossed over his chest. “I agree with Librettowit. I think it was an illusion.”
Kale frowned at her friend. “But when I hit the man’s legs, they were solid and folded just like you’d expect.”
Bardon joined the discussion. “The people disappeared from the pile of clothes, then the clothes disappeared during the fight. Illusion!”
“Yes,” agreed Dar. “Kale, did you use the words Granny Noon gave you to protect yourself before you entered the fray?”
Her eyes opened wide. I stand under the authority of Wulder. In Wulder’s service, I search for truth. My thoughts belong to me and Wulder. I haven’t repeated those things since before the last encounter with my mother.
Dar nodded, knowingly. “So you haven’t been protecting your mind.”
Kale glared at him. Do you read my mind?
“No!”
Dar sighed. Since she was already connected to Dar by the brief interchange of mindspeaking, Kale felt his frustration ease out of him. It flowed out of her as well. This was her good friend. She trusted him.
An emotion transferred from Dar, and Kale almost gasped when she realized it was love. The warm feeling embraced her. It resembled the peace she experienced when she was with Granny Noon.
A new realization struck her. This is how I feel when I’m aware of Wulder’s presence. Only this isn’t as grand. When I felt Wulder near me, I didn’t see His love. It was too big. This small feeling is more comfortable than Wulder’s majestic, commanding love. A shiver of contentment raised goose bumps on Kale’s arms. Wulder loves me.
She could not recall ever being aware of another’s love for her. Lyll Allerion’s professions didn’t count. Something about that relationship continued to rattle her peace of mind.
“Kale,” said Dar, pointing a finger at her, “you’re subject to evil influences because you’re a spiritual being. You must always be on your guard.”
“On guard?”
“The enemy targets one he feels is furthering Paladin’s agenda.”
Toopka bounced on Bardon’s knee. “Maybe Kale should let herself get caught. Then she can mindspeak to us and tell us what’s going on from inside.”
“Inside where?” Kale asked.
Toopka shrugged. “I don’t know. Inside Risto’s castle, or inside the prison where they’re keeping the other meech, or inside the army headquarters.”
“I’ve been inside Risto’s castle.” Kale shook her head. “And I don’t care to go back. I don’t think they’re keeping the dragon in a prison, because he’s supposed to be out influencing other dragons.”
“And,” interrupted Librettowit, “the bisonbeck army’s headquarters is in Risto’s castle.”
Bardon cleared his throat. “Where Kale does not care to go.”
The lehman sat scrunched between her and the carriage wall with Dibl on his shoulder. Kale twisted in her seat to look at Bardon’s face. She didn’t see any amusement in his expression, but a shimmer like an unvoiced chortle passed through her mind. She narrowed her eyes at him, convinced that the ripple of suppressed laughter had come from him.
At that moment, the door to the driver’s seat above their heads opened. Kale looked up and saw the back of the driver’s boots and trouser legs.
“Begging your pardon,” Bruit said with a country drawl, his voice raised