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8
It wasa lot sunnier and warmer on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. A lot browner, too, with the densely packed firs and spruce and ferns of the western side of the mountains giving way to more sparsely distributed ponderosa pines and junipers and eventually just sagebrush as I drove down Highway 26 toward Madras. When I’d packed, I’d grabbed my duster, jeans, and durable polyester tops. Maybe shorts and tanks would have been a betterchoice.
Bend, where my mother lived, was another hour out and six hours total from Seattle. The cat had complained the wholeway.
Maggie was part Siamese, a breed, the internet informed me, known for vocalization. Even though the car was climate-controlled, and I’d stopped often to check her food and water, it was clear she did not like her road trip. Or maybe the fact that she was stuck in a cat carrier for it. But I didn’t want to risk her escaping, especially not when I’d seen a coyote cross the highwayearlier.
The only good thing about the trip so far was that some of Maggie’s hairs were floating out and nestling themselves into the fabric of the seats. I didn’t know how much longer I would have this car, but the idea of Lieutenant Sudo getting it back covered in cat hair pleased the immature part of mysoul.
At a rest stop by a boat launch, I brought Sindari out for company. For the majority of the trip, I’d deliberately avoided doing so, lest his looming tiger presence scare the cat, but there was also the possibility that it would cause Maggie to fall silent. My rattled nerves were frayed after five hours of feline complaints, and an hour of quiet would beblissful.
Have you brought me into this realm to hunt vile enemies?Sindari asked when he formed between the car and a field of waist-high yellow grass with a few meandering trails throughit.
No, to babysit the cat and talk tome.
Already, Maggie had fallen silent, though that might only be because I’d opened the passenger door and she could see the roadsidewilds.
Babysitting is demeaning.Sindari’s nose twitched.I smelldeer.
Which you wouldn’t be able to eathere.
True, but I can still chaseprey.
Let’s not terrorize the prey, eh? Here. You can have the whole back seat.I opened the door and patted hisspot.
He eyed the back seat of the sedan.This is very small. Your other vehicle was also too small when the roof was on it, but it was better thanthis.
I know. This istemporary.
Sindari, amid grumbling noises, climbed into the back seat, knocking my sword scabbard, pack, and gun off to make room forhimself.
“Get comfortable, will you?” Imumbled.
The small feline rides next to you in the front?Sindari sniffed the ventilation window in the back of the catcarrier.
Maggiehissed.
She has to. You wouldn’t be able to fit up here. You barely fit backthere.
This vehicle is not suitable for my large majestic form. It is…Sindari shifted so he could look out the window and toward thesky.
“What is it?” I asked warily, tired of being followed and tired of beingsurprised.
The sky was blue without a cloud in sight. Just that very largebird.
No, that wasn’t a bird. Nor was it anairplane.
Dread took up residence in my stomach even before it—he—flew close enough for me tosense.
The dragon,Sindari informedme.
Is it the sameone?
How many dragons were youexpecting?
I wasn’t expecting any, and then he showed up, flambéing a forest to try to get tome.
You did kill hiswyvern.
