Dragons of the Valley - Donita K. Paul [50]
“During the first few weeks of their lives, they harvest a library’s worth of information from anyone within reach. Of course, most minor dragons have specialized talents. As a chameleon dragon, Rayn has a wider variety of expertise. The things he pulls from our minds are sometimes things we have forgotten on the conscious level but nonetheless remain stored in the recesses of our brains.”
Tipper squirmed on the rock, trying to find a smoother spot. Adding to her discomfort, her backside objected to the ridges of hard stone. The River Hannit flowed peacefully close by, with hardly a ripple marring its pale green surface. An occasional fish flipped out of the water, causing the only disturbance in the wide river. No boats had passed. For this reason, she doubted they could catch a ride on some sort of transport going downstream.
“Is there anything stored in our brains that will suggest a way to get me to the boat stop?” she asked.
Librettowit held up a finger. “Not in my mind but in one of my hollows.” He began rummaging through the many hollow pockets inside his long jacket. “I believe I have a boat. More like a raft actually.”
After reaching as far as he could into one hollow, the librarian brought out a small pamphlet. He looked at it and grinned. “The instructions. The rest should be here.”
He handed the booklet to Bealomondore, who opened it and started to scan the contents. The artist shook his head. “I don’t know if I’m handy with a saw and nails.”
Maxon looked up at him. “I believe that should be hammer and nails.”
Bealomondore’s only response was a quick nod. He continued to peruse the pages in his hands.
Librettowit exclaimed, “Aha!” and pulled out a board. Tipper and Taeda Bel both giggled as he pulled more and more planks from the depths of the hollow. He found other things as well.
“Clamping rods. There should be sixteen. Tipper, keep count.” He handed her a metal contraption that had a hinge and two bolts. “Rudder. I’m not sure we’ll need that. Let’s put it to the side. The sail might be unnecessary as well. I’m thinking we’ll handle the craft as a barge. I do believe we can do both poling and the ropes.”
Taeda Bel looked into Tipper’s eyes. “Do you know what he’s talking about?”
“No, but I bet if we’re patient, we’ll find out.”
Bealomondore and Librettowit helped Tipper get comfortable on the ground again before they put all the boards together to make a flat platform. Tipper and Taeda Bel watched with amazement as the two tumanhofers and Maxon accomplished their task so easily.
Rayn first sat on her foot in all his green glory. Slowly he took on a brownish hue, then hopped off Tipper to join in the efforts to assemble the raft. He deftly wove a cord through the maze of planks.
Bealomondore studied his movements and compared them to the illustration in the manual. “He’s following the instructions precisely.”
“I’ve done this a time or two with Fenworth,” the librarian explained.
“Not you, the dragon.”
Librettowit squinted at the brown minor dragon. “So he is. Handy to have a chameleon dragon. I’ll have to talk to Fenworth about befriending one once we get back to Amara.”
They worked quickly and finished before noonmeal. Boards crisscrossed into a large square, big enough for one person to stand and pole and Tipper to recline. Two ropes attached to opposite sides would aid the progress of the raft.
“Aren’t we supposed to have kindia or mules or horses or goats or some kind of animal to pull the ropes?” asked Maxon.
Librettowit pinched his upper lip. “That would make our journey more pleasant. But I understand from you that the boat stop is only a mile or so.”
“Yes, but who is going to pole, and who will pull?” Maxon winked at Taeda Bel. “We can handle one rope, but someone will have to take the rope on the opposite riverbank.”
“And I have experience with the pole,” said Librettowit.
“That leaves me on the other rope.” Bealomondore looked at the river. “I’m not the best swimmer in the world. Someone else will have to swim across to the other side.”
Taeda Bel jumped