Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [110]
“Shine,” barked Lee Ark as he strode against the quickening wind to the front of their procession.
The kimens produced a bright yellow light. Even so, Kale barely made out Shimeran’s form, and Seezle’s glow cast just enough light to make the path between the o’rant girl and the doneel visible.
The others must be having it harder than I am. I have the moonbeam cape.
They’d packed heavy winter clothing. After the encounter with the woman wizard and the three-headed monster, they had reached an altitude where the wind pressed like icy fingers into their skin. Lee Ark had paused long enough for everyone to put on the extra clothing. The kimens, of course, had no need for anything other than their usual light attire. Kale had gratefully tucked her feet into extra socks and her hands into mittens knitted by Granny Noon.
“Not much farther,” Librettowit called again.
Kale’s feet sank in the snow as it piled higher on the path. Lee Ark tramped back again. “Put a hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you.”
This time he brought Brunstetter to walk directly behind Shimeran and Wizard Fenworth behind the urohm. The giant walked, shuffling his feet, deliberately clearing a trail for those following.
Kale’s fingers on Dar’s shoulder grew numb. She switched hands, pulling the cold one into the warmth under her cape. Seezle held onto the back of Dar’s pant leg. Kale wondered if the little creature was warm, and if her light warmed the back of Dar’s leg.
“Not much farther,” Librettowit repeated.
Kale had no warning when they came to the massive wooden doors that made up the gate of Dael. Even standing huddled next to the others with Brunstetter applying his massive fist to announce their arrival, she could see only a dark bulk stretching out of sight to either side. The wind howled, and the snow swirled in a blinding curtain. Only one lantern beside a boarded window in the gate flickered a grudging welcome.
The wooden shutter swung back from the gate window. A square of light appeared and then was blocked by a head bundled in a dark scarf.
“What? What?” the gatekeeper growled. “No admittance after dark. Go to the caves for shelter and come again in the morning.”
The shutter started to swing shut, but Brunstetter caught it.
His low voice rumbled pleasantly as if he were explaining to a child some simple matter of courtesy. “We’ve Wizard Fenworth with us, and we’re on Paladin’s business.”
“That won’t work here,” grumbled the gatekeeper. His hands covered in thick gloves jerked at the edge of the shutter, trying to dislodge it from Brunstetter’s massive grip. “Here now, let go of that. Go to the caves like any decent citizen and wait for morning. Wizards, indeed. Using Paladin’s name as if it were a password. Shame on you, and let go!”
Librettowit pushed to the front. “Trevithick Librettowit here. I’m not interested in sheltering in the caves tonight. Let us in.”
“Wit? Wit? You don’t say? Bumby Bumbocore here. How’ve you been, you old bookhound?”
“Busy,” Librettowit snapped. “And cold.”
“Oh yes, just a minute.” He started to move away from the gate window. “Tell your friend to let go.”
Brunstetter released his hold on the shutter. The square patch of light disappeared. A moment later the rumbles and groans of gears meshing and grating together signaled that they would be admitted. The noise went on for a long time before a large door set in the bigger gate swung open.
Why would such a simple wooden door require all that ruckus to get it open?
Brunstetter stepped aside, allowing Fenworth to enter first, followed by Librettowit and the rest of the party. The urohm had to stoop to get through the entry. Gatekeeper Bumbocore shut the door, abruptly cutting off the sound of the howling wind.
Kale threw back the hood of her cape and shook snow from her clothing. She stamped her feet and hoped they all would soon be someplace where she could put her frigid toes next to a fireplace.
Librettowit introduced the gatekeeper. “A cousin,” he explained. He and Bumbocore did