Dragons of the Valley - Donita K. Paul [79]
Taeda Bel has been helping me, and she says that communicating with Rayn has increased my ability.
“Very good. Has she also taught you how to protect your mind from unwanted intrusion by the enemy?”
Yes, but I hope never to have to use those techniques.
“I sense a peace in you, Tipper.”
I … I understand now who Wulder is.
“Good indeed, for the techniques of protection do not work for those who reject Him.”
Tipper felt a buzz in her head as if bees swarmed around her.
“Sorry,” said Paladin. “I was thinking several things at once.”
I didn’t know that was possible.
She heard him laugh and felt it too, as if her body responded to a laugh of her own.
“Tipper, I have learned so much since I left the Valley of Dragons with you and your questers. I am so much more aware of what responsibilities I will have to carry. I know there are many obstacles in my way. The part of me that is Prince Jayrus trembles at the responsibility. But the paladin in me joins his heart with Wulder and knows the outcome will be good.”
Tipper closed her eyes and concentrated. Some thought she could not catch whirled around with others in his mind.
She felt anxiety tremor in her breathing. Nothing disturbed her at the moment. The feeling must come from him.
You’re worried?
“Troubled. I bring you news that will burden your heart.”
Before she could completely form the thought, he answered, “No, not your parents. They are well, and so is Sir Beccaroon.”
The buzz crescendoed until she put her hands over her ears. That didn’t block any of the irritating drone. She retreated with her mind and broke contact. Breathing heavily, she opened her eyes to see the dragons descending. She heard the rush of air beaten by strong, leathery wings.
Rayn jumped up and down, sprang into the air to do somersaults, and jigged like a street dancer on her shoulder. She gathered from his celebration that he was overjoyed to see the riding dragons.
She laughed, infected by his exuberance, but felt it necessary to point out a pertinent fact. “You’ve ridden on one when Paladin brought you to the kimen village.”
He gave her an image of his sorry state at the time. Paladin had doubted he was strong enough to survive and hadn’t handed him over to Tipper until he was sure the young dragon would live.
The image of the puny minor dragon caught on another thought. She winced as a word covered the visual impression. Heavy, oppressive, inevitable. Death, slaughter, pain, tears.
She shook her head, trying to rid her mind of the fearful prospect. A strong, gentle hand came through the wavering vision, larger than an ordinary hand. She held out her own and felt her fingers clasped in a tender embrace. She looked at her empty hand but felt the presence nonetheless.
Fear banished, she once more looked at the terrifying revelation with calm. The prediction remained. War.
31
Bad News
The dragons landed in the field above the river. They trumpeted a greeting to those watching, then wandered away, evidently not interested in the plans of their two-legged friends. Paladin strode through the tall grass, his face reflecting the somber images Tipper had viewed in his mind.
With one look at their guest’s expression, the group waiting to greet him ceased waving. Tipper felt the air still around them. As if she or Paladin shared the essence of the news he brought, dread squashed the traveling troop’s enthusiasm for their visitor.
Fenworth stared at the fish frying in the skillet. One flipped over to cook on the other side. The action distracted Tipper for a moment. Of course, the wizard had turned the meat, but for an instant she thought the fish had jumped in the same manner the minnows had rolled and twisted away from Wizard Fenworth toward the river. Common sense said a gutted, filleted, and battered fish could not rise up and turn over on its own.
Librettowit stepped forward. “Tell us straight out, son.”
Paladin halted, drew in a deep breath, and expelled it. His jaw shifted back and forth twice before he managed to bring himself to speak. “Odidoddex