Melanie Rawn - The Dragon Token (Dragon Star, Book 2)

The Dragon Token

Book 2 of the Dragon Star series

Melanie Rawn

CONTENTS

The rush of wings startled Pol. It was not the sound of dragon wings, strong and sure in the dusk, but the swift feathery strokes of a dozen hawks. Independent like all predators, the hawks clung together now like timid waterfowl fleeing winter. Tiny golden bells on their jesses flashed with the last sunlight as they sought to climb higher and higher into the sky.

Escaped, was Pols first thought. His second: Releasedand panicked. They dont know where to fly when theyre not flown at prey.

Maarken watched, too, absently picking at the crusted blood on his tunic. A mere pinprick in his shoulder, it might have taken him; he had been Sunrunning when the arrow struck his flesh. Only its quick removal had saved his life. Theyll find it hungry living in the Desert. I wonder how they got out of the mews.

Pol steadied his horse as the tired animal stumbled. Their hoods are gone. Someone freed them. Turning in his saddle, he watched the remnants of an army trudge past. Maarken...

Yes?

It hurts.

Faradhim usually possessed an excellent sense of direction. The scent of Water, the sighing of Air, the suns Fire, the feel of Earthall these things combined to tell a Sunrunner precisely where was where without having to think about it, even in unfamiliar territory.

No one had ever taught Hollis how to discern direction underground.

Elemental presences there were, but she could make little of them. Moisture oozed at intervals from cool, smoothly hewn walls, and a breeze from somewhere bent the candle flames and torches. But it was the profound silence of rock that seemed to change her perceptions of all else, a quiet extending for measures all around her. In the world above, sky made of wind and light arched overhead, and the ground was divided by rivers. Here, Earth had complete dominion. Water slid stealthily from stone, and Air crept past, and even Fire seemed to hunker warily. Hollis did not know where she was, with the familiar balance of forces gone and only one Element surrounding her: brooding, silent, massive Earth.

She had called a halt to their journey through the passage, knowing that while there must be others as unnerved by this place as she, they must also all catch up with each other. They had been walkingsometimes up gentle slopes and occasionally a series of four or five steps, but mostly downfor what seemed like years. Hollis only indication of the time was the fat candle Betheyn had taken from a storeroom, one of those marked with dark lines and made to burn in precise time to the levels of a water clock. It had descended five lines of the nightor at least what was night up above. Here there was always darkness.

The idea made her shiver slightly. She refused to think about it, just as she refused to think about Rohan and Sioned and Chay and Pol and most especially Maarken. And about the weight of the Earth pressing all around her, stifling Air and Fire and Water.

Hollis? Beths soft voice was welcome distraction. Take this, please?

She was given the wide, round candle. It was down to nearly the sixth line; past midnight, she thought, although she couldnt be sure.

You should try to sleep, Beth. I can help, if you

No, but thank you. Im going to go back and make sure all the stragglers have caught up. Betheyns thick plaits had come undone, and she scraped the dark hair from her face with a bruised hand. Maybe youd better use some of your Sunrunner magic on Chayla, though. Shes up front making her third round of the wounded. She looks ready to drop.

Hollis nodded, and the younger woman threaded her way amid the people crowding the passageslumped with their backs to the stone, curled up in sleep, holding injured limbs at awkward angles, lying flat on stretchers with spouses or children or friends watching over them. Hollis went farther up the narrow tunnel, searching in the gloomy golden glow of torchlight for her daughters fair head.

Chayla was bent over a litter, applying a fresh dressing to a sword-slashed leg. A fingerflame of Sunrunners Fire hovered at her shoulder. Hollis wondered when she had learned to do that. Then she realized that it wasnt Chay-las Fire at all; it belonged to Camigwen, who knelt beside Chayla with the coffer of medicine.

Jeni, if you can spare a moment? Hollis said quietly, and Alasens daughter looked up. As another little flame appeared, Jeni relaxed and allowed her own to fade. Rising as if she were seventy instead of seventeen, she shook long brown hair from her face and waited for orders like a good soldier.

Chayla hadnt even glanced up from her work.

Hollis drew Jeni aside. Id like you to watch Jihan and Rislyn so their mother can get some sleep.

Of course. I think I saw them somewhere up front.

How did they get there? They were almost the last through.

Jenis smile, for all its weariness, held her father Ostvels quick humor. With Jihan wanting to lead the way into the magical maze, can you wonder?

Hollis shook her head, momentarily amused. That child! I didnt even notice them get past me. Doubtless shes giving her mother no peace at all, for wanting to continue on. See what you can doand try to get some rest yourself, my dear.

The girl nodded, turned, then turned back. Hollis

... I know its not the right time to ask, but when were safe somewhere, will you tell me what happened to me in the courtyard?

She kicked herself mentally. Jenialong with Jihan, Rislyn, and Tobrenhad been caught in Sioneds weaving. For children completely untrained as Sunrunners, the shock must have been terrible. I ought to have asked before how you were feeling.

Tired, and Ive got a bit of a headachebut Im all right. Mainly its... She trailed off and shrugged. I just dont understand, thats all.

Sioned will be better able to explain it than I.

Hollis Her voice was hushed now. They died, didnt they? Morwenna and Lord Walvis Sunrunner.

Yes. Hollis pushed away the memory of Meaths knife, ending heartbeats in bodies whose minds had already fled.

And we could have, too. If not for Sioned.

Yes.

No wonder Lord Andry doesnt like her much. Then, abruptly recalling that she spoke to the wife of Lord Andrys brother, her eyes went wide. Im sorry, my lady, I

Its not important, Jeni. But as it happens, youre right. Go find Princess Meiglan and the girls.

When Chayla had finished her work, Hollis placed a hand on her shoulder. The girl glanced up, startled, squinting by the light of the fingerflame.

I dont have time to lie down and sleep, Mother, she said before Hollis could draw breath. Theres a head wound I should check again.

Hollis drew her to her feet, alarmed when Chayla swayed a little to catch her balance. Later. Come with me.

I cant. Im needed.

Youre needed strong and well yourself, so that you can help others become so. Hollis readied herself to weave sleep. A useful trick, and one she would use on others once Chayla was resting. A line of the candle and they could start out again, to Skybowl or Feruche or wherever they could find safety. Part of her worried about feeding and housing so many in either keep; most of her was so weary that she wished she could perform the gentle witchery on herself. She found a clear spot against one wall and coaxed Chayla to sit down, prepared to drape soft threads of sleep around her daughters thoughts.

Dontplease! I can feel what youre trying to do

Chayla! Dont fight me, heartling, she added more softly. Youre exhausted. Youve done enough for

Its never enough. All at once she was not the accomplished physician but a frightened fifteen-year-old girl. Hollis gathered her close and rocked her, murmuring wordlessly, strangely glad that the grim mask of adulthood had fallen away and she could be a mother to her child again.