Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [59]
Kale looked down at her moonbeam cape and remembered Dar tricking her into believing it was made from real moonbeams.
“No, Kale.” His voice interrupted her suspicions. “I’m not teasing. Kimens gather light. A kimen is just what we need to guide us in Risto’s castle.”
23
INTO DARKNESS
The travelers didn’t have to find the kimens; the kimens found them.
Kale sat on a log, watching Gymn catch bugs, so she was the first to notice the kimens. The little people appeared as tiny fireflies moving quietly through the woods close to the ground. As they came nearer, Kale realized they were too big to be insects, and then she could make out the familiar forms she’d seen in her own village.
In the dark of the forest, the kimens wore clothing in shades of deep blue, purple, and green. Kale looked closely at the fabric, trying to see woven threads. She saw none, but still she couldn’t believe that the wispy material was light and not cloth.
Out of the quiet gathering of tiny kimens, one stepped forward. His green eyes sparkled in a solemn face. His flyaway brown hair sprang from his head in the usual disarray of kimens. Kale looked closely at his blue garments. The flowing fabric looked airy and fragile, but not like any light she had ever seen. He appeared to be a warrior, strong and determined, but he carried no weapons.
A weapon wouldn’t be a bad idea, considering where we’re going. He could carry a sword or a bow. But…come to think of it, I’ve never seen a kimen carry anything. Not a sack, not a basket, not a weapon. Oh yes, I’ve seen them carrying their young.
The kimen gazed at Celisse, Kale, and Dar in turn. But when he spoke, he addressed just Dar and Kale. “I am Shimeran. I have been chosen to guide you.”
“You know where we’re going?” asked Kale.
A smile lit Shimeran’s eyes but only teased at his lips.
“Of course.”
Dar bowed with the same respect he had shown Granny Noon. “We would be honored to have your help, Shimeran. I am Dar.” He gestured toward the riding dragon. “Our friend, Celisse.” His hand moved to indicate Kale, but she spoke before he had a chance.
“I am Kale Allerion.”
Shimeran’s eyes widened for just a second, and the crowd of kimens around them shifted. A murmur among them quickly stilled as did their unease.
Kale glanced from face to face, trying to decide why they had reacted this way.
Did I say something I shouldn’t have? Was it rude to introduce myself?
She examined the faces of the kimens more closely. Their expressions were friendly and calm, no different from the usual expressions of the kimens who visited River Away. She looked directly at Shimeran and was about to ask if something was wrong, but Dar forestalled her by speaking.
“We thought this night would be a good time to rescue our emerlindian comrade.”
Shimeran nodded. “Risto is away. The guards have been drinking brillum all day. My kinsmen will cause a diversion, and we may sneak in through the main gate without detection.”
Kale wrinkled her nose at the mention of brillum. The ale smelled like skunkwater and stained like black bornut juice. The mariones used it to spray around their fields to keep insects from infesting their crops. Grawligs drank it. Evidently bisonbecks did too.
“All is ready.” Shimeran’s voice broke into Kale’s thoughts. “We should go now.”
Dar turned to Celisse. “Will you wait here?”
Kale felt the riding dragon sigh and reluctantly agree. Kale nodded to Dar. She knew Celisse understood Dar, but wasn’t sure if Dar could hear the dragon’s mindspeak.
They moved quickly through the dark forest, following the kimens. Three strode several yards in front of the group. These seemed dark in comparison to those close by.
Dar touched Kale’s arm and nodded to those ahead. “Scouts.” He spoke softly. “There are probably three more ahead of them beyond where we can see, and then three more ahead of them. You notice they’ve dimmed their radiance. These around us are lighting our way. Those ahead are watching