Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [140]
As Metta sang a song of rejoicing, Kale’s spirit revived. The small piece of her heart that had been discontent even while she enjoyed the company of her own people now felt at peace. Gymn’s healing touch took away her aching fatigue.
Before settling down for the night, she carefully broke away the dead branches of the bush that ensnared the cape and egg. She explored the pockets and found all six unhatched dragon eggs safe. She delved into the hollows and discovered treasures from her travels and from Granny Noon. She wrapped herself in the moonbeam cape, and the sticky heat of the cavern no longer bothered her. Metta assured her she could drink the spring water, so she drank her fill. At long last, she lay down, curled herself around the thrumming meech egg, and let its soft vibrations lull her to sleep. The minor dragons would take turns watching through the night against a visit from the worm.
Kale awoke to Metta bouncing on her shoulder and chirruping a warning. Sunlight filtered into the cave. Kale saw clearly the huge worm slowly advancing across the open space. Worms on a fishhook had never been a lovely sight. A worm the size of six cows walking one behind the other made Kale sit up and stare. Pinkish gray flesh undulated as the creature inched forward. It moved sluggishly, rippling and sliding toward a tree near one of the hot springs.
Kale blinked at the sight of the stubby tree. She didn’t remember it from the night before. A tangle of long moss hanging off one side caused her to sit up even straighter and squint at the thick limbs.
“Wizard Fenworth!”
Metta and Gymn left her and flew to the tree. They circled Fenworth, chattering in high-pitched squeals. Kale stood and grabbed a long branch she had broken off the dead bush the night before. She charged the worm, hitting its head. It recoiled and turned away. Its retreat was slow and cumbersome.
“Well, if I have to face an enemy alone, that worm will do.”
Gymn landed on her shoulder and scolded.
“Excuse me,” said Kale. “Of course I wasn’t alone.”
Fenworth stretched and began to look more like a wizard. He yawned and shook his head. His hair and beard flew about him.
“Tut-tut. Shouldn’t sleep sitting up at my age. Puts cricks in my shoulders.”
“Good morning, Wizard Fenworth,” said Kale. “Did you follow me yesterday?”
“Follow you?” The wizard harrumphed. “I didn’t follow you, my dear. I led the others.”
Kale looked around the cave. No one lurked in the shadows as far as she could see. “Where are they?”
Fenworth glanced around in puzzlement. “Oh dear, where did I put them? No, no, I remember. I came on ahead. Got tired of walking.”
He watched the tail end of the worm disappear through one of the many cracks in the cave walls. “What a dreadful existence. Makes one glad one’s a wizard.”
“Yes, being a wizard is much preferable to being a worm.”
Kale recognized the voice before she turned to see Wizard Risto. Amazed, she realized how closely the evil man resembled Paladin. They were about the same build and had the same coloring and similar facial features.
He stepped into the cave from where he stood by the entrance. “But being a wizard who has taken his destiny into his own hands is infinitely preferable to being a wizard who lives to please another.”
“Tut-tut.” Fenworth shook his head and slowly stood. Shaking out his robes, he dislodged a lizard and a mouse. As always, leaves fluttered to the ground as he walked over to Kale and put a hand on her shoulder. “He means me, you know. Not the first part, the ‘destiny in his own hands’ part. The second part, about pleasing.” He shook his head again. “I don’t think Risto has ever given me a compliment before. And really, I should compliment him back. Polite, you know. But I can’t think of anything nice to say. Oh dear.”
Risto sneered at Fenworth.