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“We have found the culprits. There are two marione men and two ladies. One woman is also a marione. The other is our meech. She has a tremendously strong personality. She believes in what she is doing. Her drive to succeed is reinforced by her insatiable desire to win Risto’s approval.” Lyll turned to Kale. “Kale?”

  “The marione woman is bitter and angry. She resents the devotion her son and husband show to the meech.” Kale turned to Bardon.

  “The two men respond to the meech differently.” Bardon reached up and pulled a lock of dark hair. He smoothed it over his ear, a gesture Kale had seen him do many times. Now she understood the subconscious habit had a significance that probably even Bardon didn’t realize.

  I’m glad Grand Ebeck sent him with us. Bardon has secrets, and I think he’ll be better off once he gets rid of them. I have secrets too. Only my secrets are hidden from me as well.

  She looked at the woman who claimed to be her mother.

  There’s one mystery.

  “The father,” continued Bardon, “is motivated by greed. The son adores the meech with an unnatural devotion.”

  Regidor unclenched his fist and rubbed his palm down the rough material of the clerical robe. “Her name is Gilda. She’s proud, vain, and deluded. She believes Risto is the savior of the people of Amara. She derives pleasure from her power over men and dragons. She enjoys giving orders to destroy.”

  Kale’s mind had been puzzling over a problem, and she had to ask her question. “How does she influence the dragons as a fortuneteller?”

  “She sets up the farmers to distrust their dragons. She foretells the dragons’ defection. She warns of their treacherous ways coming to the surface. Then at night, she visits the dragons and sows seeds of discontent. She has a poisonous tongue.” He grimaced. “She then confuses their thoughts so her victims have no clear memory of where they acquired these errant ideas.”

  Regidor shifted his feet and took in a deep breath. “What I find most disturbing is the smile on her face as she contemplates evil.”

  “You could see her face?” asked Toopka.

  “No, I could feel the euphoria in her physical being as her mental images conjured up destruction.”

  “Not a nice lady,” said Toopka.

  “But one Paladin wants us to rescue,” said Bardon.

  Regidor clenched his fist once more. “It would be easier to destroy her than to change her mind.”

  “Well then,” said Fenworth as he came to his feet, “let’s go. Sounds like a delightful challenge before supper. Stimulate the appetite, or kill it. Interesting either way.”

  48

  CONFRONTATION

  When the companions reached the market field, they discovered two tents had been set up. One sold potions. The other, an elaborate green-and purple-striped canopy over yellow sides, was marked Fortuneteller.

  “She’s in the fortuneteller tent,” said Regidor.

  “I suggest,” said Dar, “that Regidor and Kale go in to have their fortunes told.”

  Lyll raised an eyebrow at the two. “I take it you do not believe in such nonsense.”

  Both Regidor and Kale shook their heads.

  “Good!”

  Dar looked up at his two warriors. “I’m sending you because you have the best chance of influencing Gilda. Regidor, obviously, because he’s a meech. Kale, because she’s the Dragon Keeper. Take the minor dragons with you.”

  Lady Allerion placed a hand on Kale’s shoulder. “Gilda’s clever, and she’ll likely uncover your true identity quickly. Deal in truth, and she cannot hurt you. Any deceit will give her the advantage.”

  While the wizards, Bardon, and Dar went to the potions tent, Regidor and Kale approached the fortuneteller.

  Regidor stopped at the opening, held the flap up, and gallantly gestured for her to proceed. “After you,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Thanks,” said Kale and stepped into the gloomy interior. With relief, she felt Regidor follow. His tall presence behind her gave her courage.

  The veiled figure sitting at the back of the tent did not move. In front of her, one lantern sat in the middle of a black table. The flicker of the flame reflected in the highly polished top, making the table look as though fire danced beneath its surface.

  “So you are the mighty Dragon Keeper.” The meech dragon’s sultry voice floated across the room. “I am disappointed.”

  Kale took two steps forward. In spite of the fact she knew Regidor had not followed her farther into the tent, she spoke boldly. “Paladin sent us to find you. He doesn’t want you to live in bondage to Risto.”

  “Oh, I see. He wants me to be in bondage to him. How nice.”

  “If you choose to break away from Risto, Paladin offers you freedom. He does not offer another form of slavery.”

  “Strange, but your words seem attractive.” She remained motionless for a moment, long enough for Kale to wonder whether or not she should say something to fill the silence.

  But Gilda spoke again. “Perhaps this inexplicable attraction is the lure that makes you the Dragon Keeper. However, I am not overwhelmed by your influence.”

  The shadows in the room pulsated with her words. Although the lantern had not dimmed, the darkness grew. Kale held her breath as the dragon continued.

  “I perceive that you speak out of an honest belief. Perhaps this is the strength behind your persuasive words.” Again the female meech retreated into silence.

  Abruptly she spoke once more. “What a pity your belief is ill-founded. You are a slave to Paladin whether you are aware of it or not.”

  The atmosphere in the room thickened as if a mist had infiltrated the tent. Kale looked down at her arms expecting to see dew clinging to her skin. Goose bumps rose as the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

  She tried to keep her voice calm. “It’s a little dreary in here, isn’t it?”

  She wished Regidor would step up and take over. Since he seemed determined to stay in the background, she’d call upon the minor dragons for moral support. She pulled her cape over her shoulders from where it hung down her back. “I brought some other dragons for you to meet.”

  Gymn and Metta came out and perched on her shoulders. Dibl took his place on her head. Ardeo snuggled in the crook of her arm, letting off a reassuring glow. The whole interior of the tent brightened.

  “So,” said Gilda after a moment, “does the Dragon Keeper keep pets or slaves?”

  “Neither,” she snapped back. “These dragons are my friends.” She lifted her chin. “And I’m not Paladin’s slave. But I don’t expect you to be able to understand that.”

  She heard Regidor prompting in her mind. “Wulder or Pretender? The Creator or The Destroyer?”

  Kale nodded slightly and spoke more gently. “I follow Wulder, who created the world. You follow Pretender, who seeks to destroy Wulder’s creation.”

  The female meech stiffened. “I follow only Risto.”

  “And Risto follows Pretender.”

  “You are wrong. Risto is our leader.”

  Regidor stepped forward. “Now that’s a fine tangle.”

  He removed his cowl to expose his distinctive meech features. Kale heard the sharp intake of breath by the female.

  “What you have,” explained Regidor, “is a usurper whose servant is planning to usurp him. Pretender tries to seize Wulder’s authority, and Risto tries to move into Pretender’s position. That’s going to be a nasty bit of business.” He tilted his head in a gesture Kale knew well, and he spoke even more deeply. “And where are you in all this, Gilda? You are a pawn.”

  He moved around the table, closer to the other meech. “But Kale was making a point before we got sidetracked.” He knelt beside her. “You can choose, Gilda, whom you will serve. Creator or Destroyer.” Regidor looked down at the hands she kept so still in her lap. “Put your hand on the table, and I will show you the difference.”

  Kale expected her to refuse, but after a moment’s hesitation, Gilda put her gloved
hand on the shiny black surface.

  “Will you remove the glove?”

  Again, the hesitation. Again, the compliance.

  As they focused on the meech’s hand with its scaly skin and fingernails that came close to being claws, an image formed in the palm. A small plant unfolded. A stem stretched upward, topped by a bud. The bud opened with pale pink petals uncurling around a golden center. A shadow fell over the beautiful blossom, and the plant shriveled to black stubble. The image vanished.

  “Creator or Destroyer?” Regidor whispered. “You can choose, Gilda.”

  Gilda clenched her fingers into a fist. “You are a fool, meech dragon.” She snatched her hand back from the table and held it against her chest. “You have to clear the field before you can till the soil. You have to break up the ground before you can plant the seed. Destruction is a part of the process.”

  Regidor stood with a sigh. “You do not plow down a field of corn to plant weeds, Gilda. Open your eyes and see.”

  Gilda stood. The top of her hat came to Regidor’s chin. With her shoulders squared, she looked poised to attack. Kale felt energy building within the female meech’s body. Kale tensed, ready to spring into action should the woman strike Regidor.

  Regidor spoke with urgency. “Why do you wear the veil, Gilda?” He paused for an answer, but the female did not give him one. “Risto told you these people would shudder at the sight of your face, didn’t he? He destroyed your self-confidence with a few words. He chained you to his side with lies.”

  “You wear a cowl.” Gilda’s words resounded in the tent like hammer blows.

  “I have friends from each of the high races. My appearance does not frighten them.”

  Kale felt Dibl stomp his little feet on her head, and she giggled. “I can tell you Regidor was kind of cute as a child, and now I think he’s rather handsome—for a bald man.”

  Regidor relaxed, threw her a grin, and waggled the hairless ridge that passed for eyebrows. “I didn’t know you befriended me for my stunning appearance.”

  “It’s the charm of your smile,” she answered.

  “Go!” The word exploded from Gilda. “I do not welcome your presence. I do not believe this act of camaraderie, meech dragon.”

  “My name is Regidor, and I am at your service.” With a swift movement, Regidor lifted Gilda’s clenched fist to his lips and kissed it. “Open your eyes, fair lady. Do not be afraid of what you will see.”

  She pulled her hand away from him and turned her back to the intruders. Regidor looked for a moment as if he would lay his hand upon her shoulder. Instead, he shrugged and marched out of the tent. Kale followed.

  The three wizards, Bardon, and Dar joined them as they strode away from the tents and toward the village.

  “What did we learn?” asked Dar.

  “They are very second-rate potion makers,” said Fenworth.

  “But none of their products is truly poisonous,” added Cam.

  “They are overpriced,” said Bardon.

  Lyll smiled. “The poor mother is justified in her complaints against her husband and son’s foolishness.”

  Dar nodded. “These tidbits are interesting, but our main focus during Kale and Regidor’s visit with the fortuneteller was to keep them safe.”

  Regidor looked back at the two men now standing beside the ornate wagon. “You kept them from attacking?”

  “No, we spoke to Wulder, requesting His protection be invoked on your behalf.” Dar turned to his o’rant comrade. “Kale, what did you learn from the meech?”

  “I learned nothing except I’m no good at diplomacy.”

  Dar touched her arm. “Often the results of our confrontations do not materialize immediately. You more than adequately engaged her interest while our meech friend did his best on our behalf. Regidor?”

  “Risto has gathered an army of bisonbecks and grawligs to the west of Bartal Springs Lake. Over five hundred dragons have joined his forces. He intends to swoop south three days hence. His goal is to annihilate anyone who gets in his way.”

  Kale stopped in her tracks, seized Regidor’s arm, and forced him to face her. “Where and when did you get all that information?”

  Regidor smiled. “Directly out of Gilda’s sweet little mind while you were first speaking to her. She could barely contain her glee, knowing soon your annoying little person and your senseless prattling would be eliminated forever. She’s got a heart of lead, that one does.”

  “Humph! I couldn’t get past the block she had on her mind,” Kale admitted. “You followed up with a mighty pleasant speech for one who knew what she was thinking.”

  Regidor shrugged. “Well, Paladin expected us to try to persuade her away from Risto.”

  Fenworth spoke up. “And what would you say was your level of success in that endeavor, my boy?”

  “Next to nil.”

  They began walking toward the tavern once more. The minor dragons flew about Kale’s head, trying to draw her attention. She ignored them.

  This means a battle.

  “So after we have a delicious meal,” said Fenworth, smacking his lips, “and a round of relaxing entertainment—music, I think—”

  What kind of forces do we have to meet such an army?

  “—and perhaps a few good tales and a good night’s sleep—”

  Fenworth said the mariones would turn out as an army to defend their land.

  “—what do you fine comrades suggest we do with this startling information?”

  Cam patted his damp beard. “Oh, I think we should go stop Risto’s army, don’t you?”

  Stop them? Just us? What about the marione army? What about Paladin? Where are Brunstetter and Lee Ark?

  “Quite,” agreed Fenworth. “There’s nothing like a mission to save the world to liven up a vacation.”

  “We aren’t on vacation, Fen,” said Cam.

  Vacation! Ha! And this isn’t exactly a quest, either. For a quest, you go find something and, hopefully, bring it back.

  “No, that was last week, wasn’t it? Or perhaps the week before?”

  “Last century, maybe.”

  “Was that before or after that uncomfortably cold spell, Cam? I do have to say my memory is getting worse.”

  “Could it be that you are getting old, Fen?”

  Senile! Both of you!

  “Never!”

  49

  PLANS TO PROCEED

  “The problem,” said Lady Allerion to the group crowded into the River Away meeting house, “is that once we’ve made a gateway, there’s no way to seal it up. And the size of the gateway we’re proposing…well, hiding it is going to be a problem.”

  “And what about those peddlers?” interjected Master Meiger. “We don’t want them here, causing more problems. We need to concentrate on our defense. With the peddlers and that fortuneteller in our midst, we’d have to keep an eye on them.”

  Regidor nodded. “We should take Gilda and her cohorts with us to the battlefield.”

  Kale sat at the head table, quietly observing her former neighbors. The assembly consisted of mostly men and older boys, but a few women had turned out to hear Master Meiger define the threat and recommend following the leadership of Ambassador Dar.

  With their propensity for long discussions, Kale feared the mariones would talk for days and not get to the point before the invading forces were at the door. But the people had surprised her. Once convinced of the danger, they took action. The boys grabbed the 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 la
nd 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.