Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [77]
The attackers screamed and bolted for the shadowy alleyways. Even the two fighting Kale and Bardon took off.
Regidor stood with his two feet firmly planted, ready for another assault. His tail whipped back and forth in anger. His shoulders rose and fell as he took in deep, rapid breaths, fueling his body for action.
Bardon and Kale turned toward the rapid footsteps coming from behind. Dar and Librettowit were running from the house to their aid. With their swords drawn, they came to a standstill beside the two o’rants. Toopka, out of breath, joined them.
Up and down the narrow street, men in black garb lay crumpled in defeat. Occasionally, one would moan. Two got up and staggered away.
Regidor reached for his monk’s robe, shook it out, and donned it once more.
Kale raised an eyebrow at Dar.
“You saw?”
Dar nodded.
“I thought you said meech dragons were useless in a fight.”
“Apparently the traditions are wrong.”
Bardon cleared his throat. “He moves like a lizard.”
Librettowit nodded. “Agile like a lizard.”
“I don’t think I’d tell him that,” said Toopka, eying Regidor with new respect. “He might not like it.”
32
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
“I’m hungry.” Toopka picked up the parcel she had thrown down when she ran for help. She stooped for another. “Are we going to eat all this stuff we got, or just stand around in the street?” Her voice quivered. Tucking the second package under her arm, she reached for another. “I want to play with the little dragons. I want Dar to play music and Librettowit to tell stories. I want to eat a whole lot and have fun and go to bed.”
Bardon put his sword away and scooped Toopka into his arms. The packages tumbled to the ground as she threw her arms around the lehman’s neck, burying her head in his shoulder.
“I’m not big and strong. I’m not brave. Can we please eat dinner?”
Bardon patted her back. “Yes, we can. I think that is a good idea for all of us.”
After the meal and the singing and storytelling, Kale tucked Toopka into the bed they would share. The little doneel curled up with the minor dragons. Gymn snuggled next to her neck. Metta nestled on the pillow, crooning into her ear. Dibl played at the foot of the wide bed, doing somersaults and backflips. Kale knew he would eventually settle down. She kissed Toopka and whispered, “Sweet dreams,” then went to help Bardon clean up the kitchen.
“You were nice to Toopka tonight,” Kale said as she put platters away.
“You told me what to do.”
“I did not.”
“Oh yes, you did. I just followed your prodding.”
“I don’t remember any such thing. I do remember thinking she was scared and needed comforting.”
“And so I picked her up.”
She sat down in a chair by the table. “Bardon, we’ve got to talk about this. What passes between you and me goes beyond mindspeaking.”
Bardon sat down opposite her. He laced his fingers together and rested his hands on the tabletop. His serene expression denied the feelings she felt swirling within him.
“I agree.” He spoke slowly, deliberately. “And I must tell you something else I’ve discovered.” He paused and stared at his hands.
She resisted the urge to delve into his thoughts and pull the next sentence out of him. As she blocked the temptation to freely gather information from his mind, she felt an ebbing of the torrent of his emotions.
He stretched his two index fingers out straight so they pointed across the table at her, but she doubted he was conscious of the little gesture.
I’m going to lose all patience and shake him.
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry, Kale. I’ve irritated you again.” He heaved a big sigh. “I’ve discovered that I cannot mindspeak if you’re not in the vicinity. Whatever ability I have seems to be linked to yours.”
“That is odd.” She drummed her fingers on the tabletop. “I wonder if Librettowit has any knowledge of what’s going on between us. His books cover almost every aspect of life. I mean, I wonder if there’s a record of it happening before.”
“We could ask him. But his books are in the castle in The Bogs.”
“So we must