Chapter 19
“A fog rolled in with sunset,” Thysl said. “And although fog this time of year is not unusual, this fog carried a power that froze the muscles and numbed the mind. On my way to the sleeper’s common room, I waited at the hearth for Delc to join me when it overtook us. I must have gone into dragon sleep before they found and collared me.” The dragonkin’s hand still trembled slightly as he stopped and took a drink from the water flask.
Glyf glanced at Marley. “Hefldeep said they killed any they could not awaken or who fought. The Fates rolled in our favor, that Thysl survived their attempt.”
Marley frowned as he studied the three dragonkin. Worry evident on all of their faces. He was glad Kestrel still slept. “What does this mean for the Dragon Paths and those of the kith and kin that perished while in the sleep? Will their spirits stay within the Spindel they inhabit while in dragon sleep or simply move on from there to their element?”
Jayf shook his head, the blue-green swirls in his eyes barely moving. “An event such as this has never happened in our remembrance.”
Finally, Glyf spoke, as if still searching through their collective thoughts. “Those Spindels inhabited by the sleeping dragonkin’s spirits will continue to maintain the Paths as long as they can spin.”
With a moan, Thysl shook his head. His large, dark eyes glittered in the torchlight. “So many died here and many more were taken. With those collars on, my friends… my family can not help those trapped in their Spindel, either to release them or to give them succor or to spin…” A large tear slid down his cheek.
Glyf and Jayf both nodded in agreement as they wrapped their arms around Thysl. Glyf’s eyes sought Marley’s, her distress palpable. “Ymarii must be told as soon as possible.”
“Indeed, I fear the connection between what happened in Four Corners and what happened here and the attack on Ymarii’s mountain is beyond speculation.”
“It goes back even farther than that if we consider what the longriders reported and what Natalie told us,” Jayf added, moving back to stuff the last of the travel bread in a small cloth bag before putting it in the top of his pack.
Time and the Fates seemed to be playing a high stakes game and Marley felt ill-prepared for where he feared Ymarii’s request would lead. His gaze wandered from Jayf to the sleeping girl. Their night with Sirrsi was long, but well worth it. The trust Jayf developed with the creature allowed him to convince her to stop and warn the clans and give closure to Kestrel.
He felt confident after watching the two together that Kestrel would be safe and once back with the clans. It would be her choice to continue to Legacy or stay with the Thorn-Wolfs. Marley sighed. He was going to miss her. It seemed like they had traveled a lifetime in a short handful of days. He just hoped the Fates would be gentle.
Kestrel stretched, but the smile that appeared in her eyes as she opened them disappeared when she glanced around. “How do you tell whether it is day or night, confined within this dirt and stone?”
“Night or day means little to those that live in the tunnels and caves. We each have a natural cycle. We find it and it is our way of life. There is always something in need of doing and in its time it will get done, that is what…” Thysl stopped, a grimace pulling at his mouth, and he took a breath. “That is what Hefldeep used to say.”
“Well, I guess my natural cycle says it is time for me to go out and see the sky and Sirrsi.” Kestrel stood and stretched again. her smile once more in her eyes and finally, reaching her lips.
Marley grabbed the harness he worked on while the girl slept. “Let’s go see if this doesn’t work a bit better now,” he said, and they headed for the tunnel.
Kestrel and Sirrsi left for the clans and then on to the fabled town of Legacy, if that was her wish, at dusk. Marley knew it was the best solution for the tasks ahead and felt certain they would see Kestrel again. They had saddled and sent the two clan horses on their way earlier. All he could do was hope Plainstrider chose the clans over the Grieving Cliffs and Moira’s saddle would be returned to Dondorian and Caussara.
The two friends slipped back through the tunnel to find Thysl and Glyf distributing extra foodstuffs between the packs. Marley strode over to help the newest member of this group with the packs. “Thysl, are you sure you are strong enough to run the Paths?”
“Still a wee bit weak, but I am stronger than I look. The packs aren’t too heavy…” Thysl paused, scanning the forsaken aftermath of his home. “Glyf says we should be at the mountain in three days.” He shouldered his packs as he spoke, his eyes filled with resolute anguish.
Marley glanced around one last time as he slipped his pack over his shoulder. He shook his head and sighed, contemplating how quickly and completely life could twist in upon itself and resurface in an altogether different way.
“Let me know when you are ready. I can’t travel the Dragon Paths as easily as you and must use my dragon scale,” he told the dragonkin.
As one they said, “We are ready.”
He reached within the pouch secreted in his tunic, but before he could withdraw the scale, Glyf was at his side.
“Here, let me be your dragon scale for now. We do not know how these events have affected the Paths and you are my charge until we enter Ymarii’s great cavern.” She reached out, offering Marley Stonebender her small hand, and the world took on an ethereal sparkle as they headed toward Ymarii’s mountain.