Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [45]
Airon flew in from one of the side streets and announced that she was going to accompany them on the rest of their journey. With her along, the conversation soon turned to singing. The sun set, and they had a meal on the front porch of a small house. The only one who seemed disgruntled with the plan to move on was Tak. He wanted to be done with walking for the day, and he made that complaint clear through the two dragons.
After an hour’s rest, the moon came up and provided plenty of light, so they continued, following Det to the first house he had discovered.
Inside, they found an oven, stores of food, and huge baking sheets to make daggarts.
“Do you think the things in this kitchen are still good after four hundred years?” asked Ellicinderpart.
“I don’t believe it can be that old. Remember, the urohms died off naturally of old age. And I would suppose that Wulder provided fresh staples until the only food needed was enough to sustain the children and Old One.”
“And us.”
“And the dragons of the watch,” Bealomondore added.
“What happened to the people in the barren land? Are they still roaming around without a home?”
“No. According to the Tomes, they could not go into the good land until the generation of scoffers died off. Then the next generation would be allowed to enter.”
The goat came and stood beside Ellicinderpart and leaned into her leg, almost knocking her over. She smiled and rubbed the top of his head. “I’m so tired I can hardly stand up,” she said. “And so is Tak.”
They left the kitchen and found a room with a thick area rug, a couch, tables, chairs, and throw pillows. Bealomondore climbed an end table and hopped onto the sofa. He shoved a pillow to the edge.
“Look out below!” he shouted and heaved the plush cushion over the side.
He pushed another pillow off, then jumped, landing on what would be his bed.
Ellie giggled. She put a hand over her mouth and sobered. “Oh my. I’m getting silly, I’m so tired.”
“Well, then,” Bealomondore said. “Let’s turn in and discuss Wulder, wizards, and the world more tomorrow. And in addition to contemplating large issues, we can be practical as well. We’ll be able to see better in the morning light and take inventory of the cabinets.”
“If we find the ingredients we need, you know I’m going to insist on baking the daggarts.”
Airon and Det flew in, circled the room, then settled on an overstuffed sofa.
Bealomondore dragged a pillow through a doorway. “I’ll sleep in here. And yes, I figured we’d have to bake.”
“If we find eggs.”
“If we find flour, sugar, salt, and all those other ingredients.”
“If we find a working oven.”
He laughed. “Maybe we won’t have to bake after all.”
“Don’t count on it. I know a recipe for iffie pie.”
“Never heard of it.” He raised his voice to reach the other room. He removed his coat and sat to take off his shoes.
“It is my grandmother’s recipe. If you have an ingredient, you put it in. If you don’t have it, you don’t put it in.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to stick to daggarts.”
“How is that an adventure in living?” She sounded as if she had lain down, her voice muffled.
“Believe me, I’ve had enough adventure. I’ll be happy if tomorrow is nothing more than a day of baking.”
“Goodnight, Bealomondore.”
“Good night, Ellicinderpart Clarenbessipawl.”
“My family calls me Ellie.”
“Good night, Ellie.”
“What does your family call you?”
“Graddapotmorphit.”
She responded after a short pause. “Good night, Bealomondore.”
Ellie turned over again and greeted the lightening sky with relief. The cushion did not make a satisfactory mattress. Her bed in the library was much more comfortable. She’d tossed and turned most of the night. Tak raised his head and then put it back down quickly, as if to say, “Oh no! I’m not getting up. It’s too early.”
Ellie couldn’t stand the lumpy bed any longer and gave up any notion of sleeping a few more minutes. She changed out of her nightgown, folded the garment her aunt had purchased, and put it away in the little