Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [125]
46
SOME THINGS CAN BE MOVED, SOME CAN’T
Kale peered through the little hole and almost whooped with joy.
Leetu sat with Librettowit, deep in a discussion. Lee Ark, Dar, and Brunstetter leaned against one wall, eyes shut, looking pale and unhealthy. Shimeran and Seezle were not in sight. Fenworth sat cross-legged in the center of their cell. One arm looked very treeish. But the other hand rubbed across his bald spot, keeping that side free of leaves and twigs. Without his hat, the old man looked very forlorn.
A wizard should not be without his hat. He looks so old.
As soon as the thought flitted across her mind, Gymn dove into the cape and came out, pulling the large pointed hat behind him. Kale grinned and nodded. She took the hat from him and stuffed it through the small hole. There she wiggled it back and forth, waiting for it to catch someone’s attention.
“See,” said Fenworth. “You lose things, you find things. Now there’s my hat, and it’s about time.”
Leetu jumped up and ran to snatch the hat out of Kale’s hand. The welcoming smile on her face transformed into a glare almost immediately.
“You’re supposed to be searching for the meech egg.”
“I’ve got it right here.”
“Then you’re supposed to be taking it out of the mountain.”
“I’ve been trying.” Kale glared right back at Leetu. “That’s not such an easy job. There are miles of tunnels down here, and most of them go in circles.”
“Here now, mustn’t quarrel.” Fenworth came up behind Leetu and reclaimed his hat. He smoothed the brim, straightened the pointy crown, and placed it on his head. “Ah, now that feels better.” He smiled broadly at Kale. “I assume you have your dragons with you.”
“Yes sir.”
“Let’s have Gymn, then, and if he doesn’t mind assisting me, we’ll patch up our comrades’ aches and woes. Metta could sing us some encouragement.”
Gymn wiggled through the opening and flew to the old wizard’s shoulder.
“I thought Gymn could only heal with me.” Kale frowned as both her dragons attached themselves to Fenworth.
Leetu put her fists on her hips and frowned. “Only you and any wizard in the service of Paladin.” Her frown deepened. “Actually, I think an evil wizard could also force Gymn to heal, but I also think it would hurt him.”
Kale started to tell Leetu that Risto had spoken to her, but she hesitated. Shame washed over her as though she had done something bad. Instead of confiding in her mentor, she turned back to the egg in its moonbeam cape sling and undid the knots so she could more easily get to the hollows.
She called Leetu back to the hole. “Here is your bow. Where are Shimeran and Seezle?”
Leetu took her weapon, running an experienced hand over the wood, checking for damage. “They are being kept someplace else. It would have been too easy for them to escape this cell.”
Kale looked across the small room and noted the wall of bars. The kimens could have walked right between them. She passed Dar’s flute and harmonica into Leetu’s waiting hand. Some of the instruments were too big to fit through.
“I have your books and Librettowit’s, but they won’t fit either.”
“Why did you bother?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d want them.”
“I seem to remember telling you—”
“I know, Leetu, I just picked them up. I don’t know why.”
Kale pushed Dar’s small sword and scabbard through the hole. She had difficulty fitting the hilt of Brunstetter’s sword through, and the sheath would not fit through even with Leetu pulling and Kale pushing. When she had passed as much of her friends’ belongings as she could to Leetu, she peered into the small room to see what progress Fenworth and Gymn had made.
Dar sat up and gave her a wave and a wink. Lee Ark and Brunstetter carefully inspected their returned weapons. Librettowit had his reading glasses on and was reading a small volume of poetry.
Fenworth walked over to the opening where Leetu stood on one side and Kale on the other.
“Food would be helpful, dear girl. And water.”
“Food?”
Leetu sighed. “You picked up books but not food.”
“I have some left from my provisions.” Kale handed over all that