Jean Rabe - Dragons of a New Age

“Gale,” Khellendros hissed. “I am pleased you came.”

The lesser blue dragon nodded. “Yours to command,” Gale returned. “As always while I breathe.”

Khellendros knew his lieutenant was not as servile as he let on, yet he knew he had Gale’s temporary loyalty. The Storm had not destroyed the lesser dragon during the Dragon Purge, though he easily could have, and he kept the other overlords from doing the same. He had kept the smaller dragon safe. In return, Gale had vowed fealty, much as a knight would swear allegiance to a lord. Khellendros trusted Gale more than most.

“I’ve an errand for you,” Khellendros began. “One that will not take much of your time, and one that you might enjoy. Have you ever heard of Palin Majere?”

Gale nodded, a sly grin playing across his blue face.

They ate breakfast at Myrtal’s Roost—Palin at the head of the table. Dhamon, Rig, Shaon, Feril, Groller, Blister, and Jasper filled the rest of the chairs. The polished walnut box with the lance handle sat at Dhamon’s side. Everyone was in clean clothes, and looked more rested and presentable than they had in days.

Fury sat on the steps outside and sniffed at the wonderful aromas seeping from the crack under the door. His golden eyes sparkled hungrily as his tail thumped against the door. But the door stayed shut.

The captives had been returned to their ships, farms and businesses, grateful for their freedom. But their abuse at the hands of the ogres was something they never would be able to put behind them entirely. They’d forever be looking over their shoulders, cautious. They’d forever wonder what might have become of them if their rescuers hadn’t arrived.

Blister concentrated on a piece of sausage skewered by a corkscrew attachment on her black dress gloves. Feril sat next to her and frequently glanced at Dhamon. His eyes never met hers. He stared at the cider in his glass and busied himself with the food Palin had so generously provided for everyone.

“So what do we do now? Where do we go?” the kender asked between bites. “And how are we going to get where we’re going?”

Palin stroked his neatly trimmed, short beard and pushed his plate away. “Dhamon and I are going to the inn down the street to... pick something up. Then I suspect we’ll head toward the tip of the Northern Wastes.”

“The Blue,” Jasper cut in. He took a long draw from his cider mug and nodded for Palin to continue.

“And the spawn,” Shaon added.

“I think we should rent a ship to take us there, around the point past the Palanthas harbor,” the sorcerer said. “We’ll need a base from which to operate.”

“We should take the Anvil ,” Rig said quickly, surprising everyone. All eyes were on the big mariner, even Shaon’s.

“I’m a part of this, now,” Rig explained. “I guess I was only kidding myself that I could sail away and ignore what was going on around me. The dragons and all. it’s not safe for anyone anymore.”

Jasper’s fingers twirled in the air, making silent gestures to Groller so the half-ogre could understand the conversation.

“Thank you,” Palin said. “The Shadow Sorcerer and the Master have learned that Malys is up to something. She’s the largest dragon on Krynn, likely more formidable than the Blue in the Wastes. She bears watching, and that’s just what they’re doing.”

Palin smiled and looked at Rig. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a ship. I think it will feel good to travel someplace without having to employ magic to do so.”

Groller motioned to Jasper, forming a cup with his hands and tossing it back to his mouth. Then he made the sign for “ship,” another for “food,” and he rustled his pocket to indicate money. The dwarf quickly caught his meaning.

“We’ll need substantial supplies,” Jasper translated.

“But we don’t have any steel to buy them,” Dhamon said. He glanced up, caught Feril looking at him, then focused his attention on the eggs on his plate.

“I still have Raph’s spoons,” Blister said. “They must be worth something.”

“I’ll take care of the supplies,” Palin offered, as he tossed a small sack to the dwarf. “It’s the least I can do.”

Jasper looked inside the sack. It was filled with steel pieces. He nodded his thanks to Palin. “This will be more than enough,” he said.

“Then the least I can do is buy Dhamon a shirt,” the kender suggested. “He goes through clothes awfully fast.” She passed the bag of spoons across the table. “Dhamon, use these to buy something you like,” she laughed, looking directly at Rig.

“Rig and I will ready the ship,” Shaon volunteered. Jasper, Blister, and Groller agreed to help.

The half-ogre filled his napkin with a handful of sausages, stuffed it in his pocket, and strolled out to present Fury with a treat. Within moments, Dhamon, Palin, and Feril were left alone at the table.

Palin eyed his companions. A grand journey was in the offing, and it had been decades since he had involved himself in such an adventure—too long. Studying tomes and scrying were one thing, but plunging into a quest and personally dealing with dangerous matters himself was something he had to confess he had missed.

“Even with Goldmoon’s counsel—and the lance—we could die in the trying, you realize,” said Palin.

“Everyone dies,” Dhamon said. “It’s only a matter of when.” He edged away from the table and toward the door. Jangling the spoons, and tucking the walnut box under his arm, he looked over his shoulder at the sorcerer. “I’ve some clothes to replace. I’ll meet you at the inn down the street shortly.” The door closed softly behind him.

Palin glanced at Feril. The Kagonesti was eyeing the door.

“I speak from experience,” the sorcerer began. “Life is too short, even for an elf, not to fill it with something or someone important to you. My uncle was always alone. He filled his life with magic, but he still had this emptiness. I fill my life with magic, too. But I have Usha and my family. I don’t think my magic would be as strong if they weren’t there. I wouldn’t be as strong, and I wouldn’t have the same convictions.”

The Kagonesti offered him a slight smile, then rushed after Dhamon. She caught up with him outside. “Wait!”

“Feril, I...”

“I think I’m in love with you,” the Kagonesti blurted out.

Dhamon closed his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t....”

“Don’t you feel anything toward me?” The elf stepped in front of him, blocked his way.

“What I feel, or what I think I might feel, doesn’t matter,” he began. “Besides, there’s Rig to consider.”

“Rig? Because he fussed over me after we rescued him?” She sighed, putting her hands on her hips. The mariner had kept close company with her all the way back to Palanthas. She hadn’t minded the attention. Dhamon had been preoccupied with Palin—and at the time she thought it was because they were discussing the spawn or speculating about the Blue. Now she realized it was also because he had noticed Rig’s attention.

“You’re jealous,” she finally said. “Rig is just a friend. He flirts, that’s all. And if you weren’t so jealous you could see that. And if you are jealous that means you’re feeling something.”

“All right, I feel something ,” Dhamon confessed.

“ Something? That’s it?” The Kagonesti glanced toward the harbor and caught sight of the Anvil’s mainmast. “Well, when you decide just what it is you feel, let me know. Maybe I’ll still be interested.”

As she whirled on her heels, he closed his hand around the crook of her arm and pulled her close. His hand drifted up and cupped the back of her head, his fingers entwining in her soft hair, becoming trapped in the curls. He brought his lips down to smother hers hungrily. The force of his emotions surprised him, but she returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him fiercely. They were oblivious to the stares of the passersby, and to the bemused expressions of those in the shops who watched from behind windows. After several long moments, they released each other.