Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [75]
“Kale.” Dar’s sharp tone forced her to open her eyes. He stood before her, shaking his head. “We’ve got plenty to worry about. Don’t waste your time worrying about things that didn’t happen.”
Kale sat up straight and glared at him. “Dar, if I find out you read my mind after you told me you couldn’t, I’ll be mad as two wolves after the same chicken.”
She saw Dar’s face lighten with his chuckle, but she couldn’t hear his laugh over the water.
He threw her cape into her lap. “I don’t need to read your mind. Your face tells it all.”
I wonder if that is truly so, Mr. Dar. It seems to me that doneels are full of surprises and mysterious ways. You cook and sew and sing and play all sorts of instruments and fight and travel and seek adventure. You aren’t like anyone I ever met.
He grinned at her, and the open friendship in that smile melted her anger. She stood and swung the cape around her shoulders. It felt good to have it on again.
I like having Dar as a friend. And Leetu, and Seezle. I wonder if they think of me as a friend. When you’re a slave, you’re nobody’s friend. Not really.
I think I might like questing just a little, because I have comrades, and comrades are like friends.
They entered the huge cavern with the river running wildly beside them. Seezle’s bright light cast a shadow in front of the doneel and behind the o’rant girl. Above them, Leetu’s shadow danced on the rock ceiling. A constant mist rose from the tumbling waters. Every surface glistened with a slick sheen of moisture. Their boots slipped on the uneven stone underfoot. The spray mixed with perspiration on Kale’s face as she held tightly to Leetu.
“I see lights ahead,” said Dar.
They paused, and Seezle dimmed her light.
“I see them,” said Kale. “They’re like fireflies.”
“Kimens!” squealed Seezle. She hopped out from beneath Leetu’s middle so quickly that the pull of the emerlindian’s slight weight caused Dar and Kale to stumble a step closer together.
“Put her down gently,” Kale urged Dar as Seezle skipped ahead of them. Kale collapsed on the stone floor and leaned against the wet wall. Dar stood with his hands on his hips, watching as Seezle greeted her kin-folk and brought them back. The sound of their merry voices rose over the raging water like melodious wind chimes. It reverberated against the cavern walls with ringing notes accented by laughter.
Every muscle in Kale’s body ached. She pulled Gymn into her hands and stroked him, knowing his healing powers would give her enough stamina to finish this trip.
She stood to greet Seezle’s friends. She held Gymn in her left hand with his head tucked under her chin. Seezle led four bright spots of orange light. The kimens glided over the rough passage.
Seezle hopped over the last small boulder. “Kale, meet Zayvion, Veazey, D’Shay, and Glim.” She pointed to each of her companions in turn. “They are the Trio family.”
“We got bored,” said one of the tiny men. Kale thought he was the kimen named Zayvion.
The second man, Glim, spoke up. “We’ve been waiting for you at the cliff. Nothing to do there, so we came to meet you.”
D’Shay bounced as she talked. “We can help you carry your warrior.”
Veazey grinned and blinked her eyes against a sudden spray off the river. “Paladin sent the Trio family, because we’re the best airborne escorts.”
“Trio?” asked Dar. “There are four of you.”
“Airborne?” asked Kale.
“The Trio family is made up of orphans,” said Zayvion. Kale liked his deep, strong voice, although it sounded funny coming out of his small body.
“Originally, there were only three,” explained Glim, pushing closer to Dar. “The three decided they didn’t like being orphans, and they joined together