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charge to ride throughout the country, raising the alarm and delivering a message concerning where the volunteer army was to assemble. Baking and packing occupied the women not at the meeting. Older men, who would not be going to the front, promised to care for the women and children, property and animals, of those who must defend the land. A farmer stood in the back of the room and waved his hat to get Lady Allerion’s attention. “Yes sir?” Lyll nodded in recognition of his right to speak. “I have a little bog land that runs along the river. Worthless bit of property, but no one goes there. Could that be used for this giant gateway you speak of?” “Tut-tut. Bog land worthless, did he say? Not a very intelligent fellow, I’m sure.” “Hush, Fenworth,” said Lyll. “Not all people understand your affinity for bog.” Another farmer spoke up. “I’ll vouch for the site being inaccessible, but how we gonna get men, equipment, and these dragons of yours through the bog to get to the gateway if we deliberately put it someplace nobody can go?” “We have a bog wizard with us, sir,” said Dar. “Are there any other suggestions for the location of the gateway?” No one offered a word. “Fine,” said Dar. “That’s settled. Let’s turn to another problem. We need four volunteers to go with Lehman Bardon, Regidor, and Leecent Kale to capture the peddlers.” Four young men stepped forward, Bolley, Gronmere, Mack, and Weedom. Dar nodded his approval. “Right. Report to Lehman Bardon when this meeting adjourns. Now, the boys who’ve taken the charge to spread the alarm and orders of procedure, meet with Wizard Cam for instructions. The gateway will be functional in three hours. Those of you who will be fighting, gather at the bog. Any questions?” Dar waited a moment, surveying the room full of mariones, looking many of them in the eye. “This meeting is dismissed.” The marione farmers and merchants rose from their seats and solemnly shuffled out of the building. Soon they would travel to a battle, the likes of which none of them could imagine. Master Meiger had presented the call to arms. Dar and Librettowit had done a good job of preparing the men in short and vivid speeches. But the concept of battling bisonbecks and grawligs seemed a nightmare, a nightmare they didn’t want to see materialize in their own fields. Kale pushed past the boys gathering around Cam and hurried outside. A large armagot tree spread its bare branches over one end of the road leading to the north of River Away. Kale strode over to lean against the wide trunk. The minor dragons climbed out of their pocket-dens. Gymn sat on her shoulder and cuddled his head underneath her chin. “You’re right,” she said, stroking the side of his belly with one finger. “I feel sick. But I don’t think it’s anything you can cure.” Dibl and Ardeo foraged for bugs among the purple fall leaf blanket beneath the tree. But Metta abandoned the hunt and flew to Kale’s other shoulder. “We’re talking about going into battle, and I’m scared.” She glanced around at the mariones dispersing to do what had to be done and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “Do you think they know, Metta, how awful it’s going to be? I’ve only been in skirmishes. I can’t imagine a full battle. I don’t want to.” “Do you remember how I got my medal, Kale?” She jumped at the sound of Dar’s voice at her elbow. “Your medal? For fighting the Creemoor spiders at The Hall?” “Yes.” “I remember.” “Do you remember I said I got the medal when I was just trying to stay alive?” She nodded. “Yes.” “That’s what it’s like in the big battles. You’ve fought before. You don’t think about your fear. You just try to stay alive. And if you see a chance to help a comrade, you take it.” She nodded again, but her throat had closed around that lump again, and she couldn’t speak. Dibl came to roost on her head, his little claws digging into her hair. Dar patted her arm. “Don’t worry. Wulder has given you what you need for this encounter, and He’s given you a place to go if you don’t live through it.” Dibl pulled slightly on the hair wrapped around his toes. Kale rolled her eyes at Dar and allowed a small smile to lift the corners of her mouth. “Thanks for the comforting words, Dar.” “Anytime.” He winked at her. “Come on, Kale,” Bardon called. He and Regidor and the four marione men stood across the road, ready to march to the market field. She shoved away from the tree. I’ll get right in the middle of that knot of warriors and let them protect me. “That’s a plan, Kale!” Dar beamed at her. “Your intelligence is a better weapon than your brawn.” She compared her skinny arms to the muscles rippling over the mariones’ backs and arms. “What brawn?” “Exactly!” said Dar as he waved her off and headed back to the meeting house. She took a few steps toward Bardon, stopped abruptly, and turned back. Dar strolled toward the meeting house. Did you just read my mind? He didn’t even turn. “Kale, you have more important things to occupy your mind.” Did you? “Of course not. Bardon is waiting.” “Won’t they know we’re coming?” asked Bolley. “That female meech can tell what you’re thinking, right?” Kale gladly answered. “Regidor can block her ability to know what our plans are.” Bardon led his men to the potion tent. Without waiting to watch that confrontation, Kale and Regidor entered the fortuneteller’s tent with the minor dragons flying in attendance. Gilda remained seated and did not move. Regidor stood by the door. The dragons swooped around the room, inspecting all the darkest corners. Gilda ignored them all. A surge of impatience rose in Kale. The woman swathed herself in thick clothing, moved only when forced to, spread discontent among people who had done her no harm, and acted as if she were a queen. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |