Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [98]
He shook his head at the memory of one conflict he’d observed. Two children rolled on the ground, each with a death grip on the other. Ellie hadn’t witnessed this type of vicious attack and therefore didn’t realize the immensity of the task she’d taken on. Since the children had become increasingly uncivilized over a century or more, a few daggarts and some etiquette lessons were not going to change them overnight.
Another thought occurred to him. These children left behind were the more placid of the horde. He wouldn’t call them gentle by any means, but they were not the instigators of cruel mischief.
Had someone taken the more unruly six-year-olds?
Had the wizard come out of hiding and snatched them up?
Had he loosed the wusstbunters on them?
More than likely, the wizard had nothing to do with this. After all these years of detachment, why would he return?
Had the worst of the bad children forged an alliance to plan an attack?
What terror could these permanently six-year-old hooligans conceive?
Whatever it was, it would be outrageous, reckless, and bound to cause destruction to property and probably people. Ellie would not like that. She would want him to stop it if at all possible. He sighed.
Now he wanted to find Porky and the missing children. On the battlefield he’d learned that a smart soldier knew where the enemies were and what they were up to. He’d had Det to help him, and between them, they’d saved their unit more than once. He couldn’t depend on Det at the moment since he was off doing the rounds of the watch. Bealomondore didn’t think he had time for the dragon to rejoin him.
He didn’t know where the brats were lurking.
He didn’t know the extent of the danger Porky had fallen into.
He could use some basic knowledge of the territory he sought to invade.
He could use reinforcements.
He wanted clear direction.
And now, he wanted his sword.
A rustle of wings announced a minor dragon’s approach. Amee dived from above the empty shops and businesses, coming straight at Bealomondore. Her black and white scales blurred into gray. Whatever her mission, it was urgent.
Bealomondore glanced at the children playing and noted that they seemed unaware of Amee’s approach. He ducked into an empty building, out of sight, and waited for the minor dragon to join him.
As soon as she landed, Bealomondore’s mind filled with her chatter and flashing pictures. Porky had been caught by the bullies. They wanted to know where Ellie and Bealomondore would meet Porky, Soo-tie, and Cinder. So far, Porky had not told. Amee showed Bealomondore the location of the dismal building Yawn had chosen as a jail.
The temptation to go get his sword wiled its way through Bealomondore’s thinking. But Ellie would have a fit, and truthfully, the prospect of inadvertently hurting one of the children turned his stomach.
Once she’d delivered her message, Amee waited patiently for him to decide his course of action. He pondered only a moment more.
“Gather the rest of the watch. I’ll go see what I can do immediately about Porky’s sticky situation. Bring Laddin, too, when you come. I predict it will be impossible, but try to keep Ellie out of this. She should guard Cinder and Soo-tie.”
Amee flew off toward the outer city, and Bealomondore began a stealthy advance on the nasty group of bullies who tortured Porky. The outside of the store they’d chosen as their hideout matched the pristine architecture of Rumbard City grandeur. The furniture emporium fit in well with the other city shops in the area.
When he’d first explored Rumbard City, Bealomondore had peeked inside this establishment. By the signs of rampant destruction, he’d surmised that the horde of children had used the inside for wild games. They’d broken most of the furnishings, pulled cushions off chairs and sofas. Mattresses had been dragged hither and yon and used as walls of fortresses. Sheets, blankets, and