Dragonquest - Donita K. Paul [99]
The farmer nodded. He shifted his feet and glanced again at his sons. “Aye, I have a family to protect. Times aren’t as they once were.”
“This is no problem, Farmer Deel.”
Dar returned to Merlander’s side and spoke to her. Soon the other dragons followed Merlander into the sky and off to the east.
Kale watched them go, knowing they would come quickly if summoned. She approached the marione men. She had worked as a slave in their household many times.
“Good morning, Farmer Deel.”
He examined her face before a light of recognition changed his expression. “Kale?”
She nodded and grinned. Mack stepped forward and pumped her hand in a hearty handshake. Weedom pushed his brother aside and did the same. Neither young man voiced pleasure at seeing her, but her hand felt as if all the bones had been crushed. She massaged her fingers and smiled.
“Enough of this,” said Farmer Deel gruffly. “We’ve business to attend to.” Before he turned to lead the way to the village, he patted Kale’s shoulder. “You be sure to visit my goodwife. She was mighty fond of you, and it would do her heart good.”
Goodwife Deel was fond of me? Kale pictured the farmer’s wife stopping during her chores to pick up a crying child. The brusque manner in which the mother administered a hug and a kiss and a word of consolation demonstrated the fashion of her relationships. Not much tenderness flavored her life.
They strode the two miles into River Away at a quick pace. The first things Kale saw among the familiar cluster of humble buildings were the chickens and glommytucks pecking in the yards and roadways. The unpaved streets saw little more than foot traffic, a few goat-pulled carts and handcarts, and an occasional horse and rider.
On market days, either dust or grumbles hung thick in the air. Traffic kicked up dust after a dry spell. Farmers bogged in a rain-soaked road spit out grumbles.
They rounded a corner to the main street through town where the inn, tavern, and mercantile lined up close together. On the bench in front of the tavern sat an old man talking to a tree, which also sat on the bench.
Toopka gave a whoop and ran ahead, throwing herself into Wizard Cam’s arms. She hugged him and smacked his cheek with a loud kiss, then turned to the tree.
“Wake up, Wizard Fen. We’re here now! Wake up and say hello.”
The tree shuddered. Leaves fell on the ground and covered its exposed roots. A bird peered out of the branches with a disapproving glare at Toopka and flew away.
Toopka scrambled down from Cam’s lap and took hold of one of the branches. She gave it a little tug.
“Come on, Wizard Fen. Don’t you want to see us? Don’t you want to hear about our ’ventures? Regidor can spit fire!”
Cam placed a hand on the little doneel’s shoulder. “It’s getting harder for him, little one. Give him a minute.”
The tree rumbled. “You’re implying I’m getting old. I’ll wrap you in bogweed, Cam, and throw you in a lake! Can’t a man rest after slaying 2,356 Creemoor spiders?”
Fenworth stirred himself again. The woody look about him disappeared except for a few stray leaves in his hair and beard.
Toopka clapped her hands and hopped.
Fenworth glared at her, but she just laughed.
“You, child, are impertinent.”
“Does that mean hungry? Because I’m starved!”
Fenworth ignored her and turned stiffly to see the others approaching. “Good!” he exclaimed. “There are my apprentices. Thought I’d misplaced you. And my librarian! What I wouldn’t give for a tankard of mallow and a good book, a cozy fire and Thorpendipity cawing on and on about Bog news.”
He shook his head. “But you’ve brought that pesky doneel who’s always wanting us to do things.”
He stood and pointed a finger at Dar. “You, stay here.” He pointed the same finger at Kale and crooked it. “You, come with me. Your mother’s been worrying me like a dog with an old bone. Let’s go meet her.”
42
MOTHER?
As Kale followed Wizard Fenworth across the threshold of the tavern, the dimly lit room brought back memories. Fenworth stepped farther