Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [71]
“Kale, read these bisonbecks’ minds. Find out why they’re here, and how long they intend to stay.”
It took Kale only a minute. “They’re looking for a place to set up a hospital for their wounded.”
“Tell them this isn’t the place. Suggest they look for someplace closer to the stables.”
“Why?”
“Because we want them to move.”
“No, why would they want to be closer to the stables? I need a logical reason.”
Dar rubbed his hand over his chin and closed his eyes. In a moment they popped open with a twinkle. “Because Risto will have their heads if they put smelly, bloody soldiers this close to his living quarters.”
She closed her eyes and concentrated. Opening her eyes again, she grinned at Dar. “It worked.” Her pleasure evaporated. “Oh!”
“What’s wrong?”
“They’re coming this way.”
Dar put strong hands against Kale’s waist and pushed. They dove behind a fountain surrounded by bushes just before two hulking bisonbecks in tattered uniforms came through the gate.
One stopped inside the entryway, grunted, and looked around suspiciously. “Did you hear something?”
27
LOCKED DOORS
The two bisonbeck soldiers snorted and grumbled at each other. Kale couldn’t make out what they said. She watched with relief as they ambled in the other direction, carelessly poking under and around the bushes.
Afraid of drawing their attention, she mindspoke to Dar. What are we going to do?
“Stay hidden.”
That’s all right for us, but we didn’t exactly hide Leetu. Kale glanced back at the alcove and gasped. Dar, she’s gone.
Dar’s head snapped around and then back at Kale. “She’s not gone. She’s wrapped in the moonbeam cape. Kale, try to keep calm.”
Kale bit her lip and turned back to study the patch of ground beside the carved bench and stone maidens. After a moment, she detected the tip of Leetu’s boot near the foot of a marble dancer and a tendril of blond hair close to the elaborate seat.
The soldiers worked their way around the far end of the courtyard and started back. She held her breath. As long as Leetu stayed still, she would be practically invisible. That could happen. After all, the emerlindian hadn’t moved on her own since they found her. Kale’s head swiveled as she first watched the bisonbecks and then Leetu’s concealed body.
The soldiers rattled the bushes directly opposite their hiding place. Dar touched her arm and motioned her to follow. Darting from a clump of tall flowers to a fountain, from bushes to statues, from one spot of cover to the next, he took them to the area already searched by the enemy. They passed the gate they hoped to use for an exit. From the new location, Kale eyed Leetu’s position and then watched the warriors. The bisonbecks, growling and poking swords into the shrubbery, edged closer to the statue.
“Tell him to be still,” hissed Dar.
“Who?”
“Gymn.”
Kale followed Dar’s gaze. He stared at a place between the tip of Leetu’s boot and the lock of hair. The moonbeam cape presented a bump in midair that gyrated, clearly visible.
Gymn, oh Gymn, don’t move. The enemy is close. Be still. Please, be still. Don’t wiggle. Don’t move. Freeze!
Gymn responded. Once again the moonbeam cape served as camouflage.
One of the big brutes thrust his sword into the shrubbery behind the statue. The other leapt onto another bench and peered in and around the alcove.
Kale thought her heart would pound right out of her chest.
Be still, be still, be still, she chanted in her mind. The words were for herself as well as the baby dragon. Kale wanted to bolt out the gate.
The soldier on the bench jumped down behind the statue and started around it. He stumbled over Leetu and fell flat on his face.
“Aargh!” The battle cry came not from the fallen man but from Dar. He rose up beside Kale with his short sword drawn and charged the man on the ground. Kale’s eyes widened as she watched Dar’s blade sweep across the back of the man’s neck. The soldier howled and rolled. Dar held his sword in two hands now with the point down. The bisonbeck’s arm came out to catch the doneel’s leg in