Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [120]
I’m supposed to be looking for the meech egg. It is probably kept in the center of Risto’s stronghold. The bisonbecks were probably returning to their underground fortress. It is reasonable to follow them. Now, if I just happen to come across my friends on the way as I’m looking for the meech egg, and I happen to see a way to help them escape, then that wouldn’t be disobeying orders.
She could feel the direction she needed to turn each time she came to tunnels branching off, just as she could judge the distance between herself and the last of the marching soldiers. She put the hood and veil over her head so she could see in the dimmer passageways. Following her captured friends was not difficult. However, staying out of the way of citizens of this underground community became a problem.
For a while the stone corridors were eerily empty. No druddums, no insects. Kale concentrated on the movement of the troop of soldiers surrounding her comrades. Gymn and Metta darted about, unsuccessfully looking for snacks. As they approached one bend, the two dragons bolted for Kale and dove into their pocket-dens. She got the distinct impression someone was approaching around the blind corner and flattened herself against the wall, remaining still so that her cape hid her. She heard heavy footsteps slamming against the stone floor.
Five seconds later, two soldiers, large and surly, tramped past her without one look in her direction. She soon discovered that Gymn and Metta could hear someone’s approach better than she could. As they neared the center of Risto’s stronghold, the dragons warned her repeatedly when someone was coming.
The humid air became harder to breathe. A stale, rancid odor burned her throat. The dragons coughed, objecting to the unpleasant atmosphere. The tunnels widened, and they met carts pulled by donkeys and people on horseback.
Just when Kale thought she would not make any more progress with all the stopping they did for traffic, the army marched down a wide staircase and entered a less populated region. Kale and the dragons followed, and followed again, when the prisoners were taken down another, narrower set of stone steps.
The dungeon!
Gymn, Metta, soon they’ll put our friends in cells and leave them. Maybe then we can do some good.
Once more the tunnels branched, this time in three different directions. The major part of the bisonbeck guard marched off to the left. A few took the weary prisoners down the central corridor. When Kale got to the intersection, she turned right.
She stopped and turned around, coming back to the point where the tunnels merged. To her left was the way back from where she had come. Straight ahead she could sense more bisonbecks than she had ever encountered before. To the right lay the dungeons, she was sure. Her body turned and headed back down the wrong hallway. She stopped again and tried to turn.
I don’t know! she answered the dragons’ inquiries. One foot moved forward, and Kale strained to keep the other from following. She lost the battle and took several steps before she could stop again.
She peered down the dark, rocky hall and saw nothing beyond dreary walls and a few dim lightrocks. She took a few steps forward before she even realized she was moving.
“I want to follow Dar and Leetu.” She tried to turn. “But I can’t.” She stomped her foot. “What’s down there? Is this a trap? Maybe it’s the meech dragon egg pulling at me.” She shivered as she looked at the cold stone walls of the wizard’s domain, realizing she was far away from home, friends, and anything good. “Maybe Risto has some kind of enchantment that lures trespassers into his clutches. And I’m the next victim.”
Metta and Gymn exchanged a nervous chitter. Kale understood they wanted to stop her in some way. Metta began to sing, and for an instant Kale felt a release from the pull. When it came back, it tugged so hard she ran a ways before she could slow herself down. She couldn’t stop. Ahead she could see two bisonbeck guards standing at attention beside a large archway.
Probably Risto’s hall where he receives