Michael Stackpole - Of Limited Loyalty

Vlad’s mouth soured. “I’ve been doing some researching myself. What Fire knows would be enough to scare most of Norisle by itself. If…”

“Begging your pardon, Highness, but this ain’t time for strategizing.” Nathaniel pointed at Rathfield. “Ain’t no way he’s walking out of here. I reckon we make a stretcher, strap it to Mugwump, and you fly him on back home. We’ll fit you with a journal, like I said, and some other things.”

The Prince nodded. “Of course. I’ll get him back to Prince Haven and the care he needs, then I can come back for you.”

“That ain’t gonna work, neither. We’ll be walking on out of here, bringing the girl and Fire with us. This being the sixteenth, we should be back early June. That’ll give you time to be doing some cogitating on all you’ll be reading.”

Vlad rested a hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder. “You want me out of here quickly, very quickly.”

“I reckon I do.” The man’s eyes tightened. “I ain’t wholly sure what I done seen tonight, and I don’t want you here if Rufus comes back. Iffen I thought the girl could survive the trip back on Mugwump, I’d be giving her to you, too. After what she’s seen in the last week, I ain’t sure she’ll ever be right.”

“But what if Mugwump’s presence is what is keeping the things at bay? What if Rufus is hiding until Mugwump leaves?”

“Well, since Ian can’t make it through the mountains, and Mugwump ain’t gonna be no good for hauling him that way, don’t see as it makes much difference.” Nathaniel shook his head. “You want me to say it, I will. I am pure-D scared at what I seen. Make me feel better a-knowing you’re back in Temperance figuring out how to stop it, than it would to have you coming along.”

“I agree, but not about the girl. The trip you’re suggesting will not be good for her.” Vlad walked back over toward where the others had gathered, and spun the left wheel on his glove. Mugwump’s head came up, then the beast reoriented himself. The Prince rolled both wheels forward smoothly, and the dragon padded forward.

Vlad smiled. “Owen, how would your friend, Becca, like to meet someone who came a long way to save her?”

The girl shrank back behind Owen.

Vlad crouched down, and offered her his right hand. “Becca, I am Vlad. These are my friends. Mugwump is, too. Do you know where Temperance is?”

The little girl shook her head.

“It’s to the east, over the mountains, very far away. That’s where I live. That is where we all live. And do you know what I was doing this afternoon?”

“No.”

Vlad looked back at Mugwump. “I was riding my dragon. He is the only dragon in Mystria. And he saved all of our lives several years go. And there I was, flying on his back, in the saddle right there, when Mugwump heard you were in trouble. He can hear very well.”

“He doesn’t have no ears.”

“Well, dragons, they can hear well without them. And he heard you needed help. Do you know what he did?”

Becca peeked past Owen at Mugwump, then ducked back when the dragon’s head came around. “No.”

“He flew here like a bird. Right here. Right here to save you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you, because you’re a very special little girl.” The Prince smiled. “Becca, have you ever watched a bird fly through the sky?”

She nodded.

“Have you ever wanted to fly like a bird?”

The hint of a smile crept onto her face.

“Well, I’ll tell you a secret. Do you know what makes you so special a little girl?”

“What?”

“You will be the first ever girl to fly on a dragon. Never been done before. Not even once. But Mugwump, he came here to get you because you’ll be the first. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Fear and curiosity fought for control of the girl’s expression. She peeked several more times at the dragon, but finally hung back in Owen’s shadow.

Then the Steward sat up. “Do not be afraid, Becca Green. God sent this dragon. You will return with him.”

Becca nodded solemnly and walked toward Mugwump.

Vlad caught up with her in two steps. “Becca, this is Mugwump. Mugwump, this is Becca Green.”

While the Prince performed introductions and showed the girl where to pet the dragon on his muzzle, the others cobbled together a stretcher and bound Ian into it. Linking together every cinch-strap they could find, they fashioned another harness and bound the bed tightly to Mugwump’s lower back. Then they found a small saddle, which they padded well and affixed to the rear of Vlad’s saddle. They fitted the girl with a safety harness and swathed her in blankets. They provided more of the same for the Prince, and added a satchel full of Owen’s journals and as many of the sheets containing the odd sigils as they could find.

Vlad mounted up. “You’re back to Prince Haven by June seven, or I’m backtracking you on the route you took getting here.”

Nathaniel nodded. “Godspeed and good luck. We’ll come back as fast as we can and make sure ain’t nothings following us.”

On the return flight, Mugwump followed every command perfectly, and seemed to be contrite for his earlier rebellion. He flew lower, keeping above the treetops but not much higher, which meant they remained warmer. The sun was rising by the time they returned, and Mugwump landed gently in the yard, between Peregrine’s pen and the house.

Becca had fallen asleep and even the landing failed to rouse her. Vlad freed himself from the saddle, then undid her buckles. By the time he could pull her from the saddle, Baker, Madeline, and the rest of the household had been roused and poured out to help.

Vlad passed the girl down into Madeline’s arms. “Baker, don’t worry about Mugwump. Send someone over to the Strake house. Get Owen’s men over here. We have to get Colonel Rathfield inside.”

Baker ran off toward the stables to dispatch one of the stable boys.

Vlad slid to the ground and again his legs buckled. He would have fallen but his wife caught him. “Gisella, I am so…”

She shoved him back against the dragon’s flank and kissed him mightily, then hugged him and sobbed within the circle of his arms. “If you ever do that again…”

“Darling, I had no intention…”

She pulled back and thrust a finger at Mugwump’s golden eye. “I was speaking to him!”

Vlad slumped against the dragon, and had he not caught hold of a stirrup, he’d have slid down to the ground. “I don’t think it will happen again. It’s a good thing it did.”

“What did you find?”

“Postsylvania and Ezekiel Fire.” Vlad stood and tugged the satchel free of the saddle. “And much more. If what we knew before was enough to change the world, what this might reveal could possibly end it.”

16 May 1767 Happy Valley Postsylvania, Mystria

Nathaniel watched after the Prince for as long as he could. The black fog had lifted, so he could see stars and the dragon silhouetted against them as he flew. He took great delight in being able to see the stars, but wished the dragon would be around to protect them. He didn’t know what the things were that they fought, but Mugwump didn’t seem to like them, and took great delight in dispatching them.

Kamiskwa ran in from the shadows. “It’s too dark to track Rufus. He crawled a ways, but I lost him.”

“I reckon he’s gonna lay up, rest up. He used a powerful lot of magick.”

Owen handed Nathaniel his rifle. “How about us? Do we wait until light to move out?”

“My druthers is to be shed of this place, but the Steward’s in serious need of rest, too.” Nathaniel pointed off toward one of the many bubbling grey puddles that used to be a demon. “I am thinking we needs to find us some pots or something and scoop up some of that stuff. Smells bad, but might keep them at bay. Take some bones, too, if you can find any.”