Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [57]
“It will take us three days to cross the valley and another two days to climb to the fort.”
“We don’t have that much time.” Kale turned toward the woods. Celisse, come help us.
The riding dragon lumbered out of the trees onto the path and trotted the remaining few yards.
Kale transferred her gaze to Dar. His lips formed an uncompromising straight line. His scowl angered her. Gymn trembled on her shoulder, and she reached up to put a protective hand over the little dragon.
“Celisse is willing to help. I know you don’t trust her, but if we don’t allow her to take us, Leetu will die.”
Dar said nothing.
“Fine,” shouted Kale. She plucked Gymn off her shoulder and bent to place him in his pocket-den. She gathered up her cape and flung it over her shoulders.
“You walk.” She hurled the words at Dar. “I’m riding.” She picked up both of Leetu’s packs and marched to the dragon.
“Stop.”
Kale ignored Dar’s command. She tromped over to the dragon and asked her to lie down, standard procedure for mounting such a large animal. Celisse complied readily, and Kale attached Leetu’s packs to the proper straps at the back of the saddle.
Dar came up to Kale before she could put her foot on Celisse’s leg and give herself a boost up.
“Stop, Kale.” Dar placed a firm hand on her arm. “I agree with you, but stop and think. Calm down. You mustn’t act on emotion alone. You have to plan.”
Kale turned to the doneel, placed her clenched fists on her hips, and stood with her feet far apart.
Dar cocked an eyebrow and blessed her with his most charming smile. “You look like you’re about to challenge me to a round of fisticuffs. We’re on the same side, remember?”
The sparkle in his eye and the appealing wink he gave her undermined her determination to rush off to Leetu’s rescue. She frowned at him.
“Just what is it you agree with?” She growled the question, trying to sound unmoved by his winsome ways.
“We have to get to Leetu quickly, and the only way to do that is on Celisse’s back.”
“We have to trust her,” Kale insisted.
Dar nodded. He went to the dragon’s head and placed a hand on her cheek. Next to her profile, he looked very small indeed. But the huge dragon nodded gently, responding to his touch. The doneel looked deep into the dragon’s slanted eye.
“You know I don’t like this, Celisse. And you understand why.” He patted her and stroked the gray scales of her face. “I’m hoping you will do everything within your power to control your anger should we run into a skirmish with the enemy. I’m not only trusting you with my life, but with the life of this young o’rant girl and the life of a very fine emerlindian warrior.”
In touch with Celisse’s emotions, Kale’s heart swelled with the riding dragon’s desperate need to have another chance. If Celisse could succeed on desire alone, she would do well. She truly desired to serve Paladin and make up for her rash behavior back at the farm.
Kale pressed her lips together, waiting for Dar’s pronouncement. She feared any effort she made to sway the doneel in the dragon’s favor might fail and cause more anguish than good.
He stepped back and again faced Kale. “If Celisse will fly us to the other side of the valley and land not too far from Risto’s fortress, then we will plan how to enter. You said that Risto was expected at the farm tonight. If he is there, then he is not in the castle. We have a better chance of freeing Leetu tonight than at any other foreseeable time.”
He looked to the west. The sun had slipped behind the horizon. Only the soft orange glow of sunset edged the cliff top.
“We’ll wait ten minutes more to take advantage of the darkness. We want to get as close as possible.”
The few minutes ticked by torturously, but finally Dar gave the signal. He surprised Kale by allowing her to take the front seat. He situated his small frame behind her.
Once they were in the air, the frustration of having to wait faded away. Dread, however, crept into Kale’s heart. They would probably only have one chance to free