Frederica’s face twisted, as if she had tasted something unpleasant. “He never mentioned anything, but he was already so good at every aspect of magery I doubt he could tell. It was very annoying.”
“He might know more about companions in general,” Elizabeth said. “I will write to him. I wonder if Quickthorn or Cerridwen might have some ideas, too.”
Frederica looked relieved by the changed direction. “I will ask Quickthorn. And Darcy, I am here to help if you want to train this new weather Talent of yours. Which I would recommend, since right now we need every tool at our disposal.”
His brows drew together. “You think it could be useful?”
She shrugged. “Richard thinks I should practice with rain. He said a conveniently timed mudslide or a flood could be more powerful than an army.”
A faraway look entered Darcy’s eyes. “It is worth considering, I suppose.”
Chapter 19
Fredericadidnotlikebeing out of breath, so she slowed her pace as she approached the clearing. She was not fond of exercise for its own sake, and it made her cross that Quickthorn had insisted she come all this way to speak to her when her dragon could fly to the main house in a matter of a minute or two. Or simply tell her whatever she needed to know via a sending.
But no doubt Quickthorn was eager to show off her handiwork at the restored dragon nursery. Certainly the reconstruction seemed to be taking up a great deal of her time, which was another thing Frederica did not like. Of course she understood that Quickthorn had duties far more important than keeping her company, but this was not a good time for Frederica to be alone with her thoughts. Not when they kept drifting to the fact that she would never see Roderick again.
And there it was, the wrenching pain deep inside her that had become an all too familiar companion since he left. The ache made her stop in place, bending over to rest her hands on her knees as if somehow that might miraculously provide relief. Surely this ought to be getting easier by now!
But what did she know? She had never been in love before, and never would be again, if this grim agony was the result. Sometimes she wished she had never even met him, but then she recalled the joy that being in his armshad brought her. And then she hated him for leaving her with nothing but sleepless nights and arms that would be forever empty.
She blew out an annoyed breath and set forth again on the steep path. Perhaps Quickthorn had demanded that she come up here in the hope that the exercise would let her sleep tonight. It would take a great deal more than this to slow her spinning thoughts and regrets, though.
Enough of this. She was a mage and a dragon companion, and she would not wallow in her own misery. She hurried ahead, around the last curve in the path, and marched into the clearing.
And stopped and blinked.
Were those hatchlings, those small creatures tumbling across the grass, grappling with each other and wrestling? Little stumps of wings, and no scales, just a hide covering plump little bodies. They were totally unlike Agate, little Jenny’s nestling, but the head shape was similar, and their eyes were bright gold.
And they were adorable, like little puppies.
And the bigger ones - were theyplayingwith human children? Yes, three girls and a boy, no more than six or seven, were engaged in a game of tag with a hatchling, while another baby dragon was curled up in the lap of a slightly older girl who was cuddling him like a human infant. Wood anemones and early wild daffodils bloomed at the edge of the clearing behind them, creating a charming, if highly unusual, picture.
Quickthorn stood next to the dragon stones. Two women, tenants by their dress, sat together on the bench and sewed, a basket of what appeared to be mending beside them.
She reached out to her dragon.What is this?
Quickthorn's pride shone through her aura.Exactly what I hoped for. Mortals interacting with the hatchlings.
I thought you only wanted the nursery here to force the Nest to keep the wards up!
Now there was a hint of triumph.That was part of it. If the dragons of the Dark Peak are to stop skulking in their Nest and take their rightful place in the world again, they must engage more with humans. The old ones aretoo set in their ways, but these hatchlings have not yet been infected by fear of the world.
Frederica raised an eyebrow, impressed with her dragon’s scheming.This will make a difference?
Do you recall how frightened Agate was when he was offered to you as a possible companion?Quickthorn swept a wingtip towards the hatchlings.These little ones, if they live long enough, will not be afraid of humans. They will remember them as their playmates. They will want to take companions, because they trust them.There was a note of defiance in her stance.
Could Quickthorn possibly be worried that she would condemn her for this? Well, she could fix that!Let me help, I beg you. I want to be part of this new world where the dragons and humans can mingle.
A wave of pleased approval washed over her.I would like that.
Frederica began to make her way across the clearing to Quickthorn.How did you convince the parents to let their children take part?She needed no explanation for the children’s desire to do so - any youngster worth their salt would jump at the chance to play with baby dragons!
Quickthorn gave a smoky snort. No one looked up except one of the women, who quickly turned back to her work.The hard part has been keeping them away, once the offer was made. Everyone in the village wants their children to befriend the dragons.
Why?But even as she thought it, she realized the answer. Dragons had saved many lives during the floods fifty years ago. Having a dragon friend could guarantee their safety someday - not to mention the other gifts that could come from dragons.
Quickthorn clearly had no trouble reading her thoughts, even though Frederica had not intended to send them.They also want them to have a chance to be considered as companions. There are people here, the ones you call commoners, who have traces of Talent. Perhaps a match will be made here, though a bond could not happen for some years.
