Page 53 of Dragonbound

‘How may I help you, Skald Drekki?’ Her tone sounded oddly formal after their conversation of only last night. He wondered if she regretted her candour, but hoped she didn’t.

He needed her help.

I rescued the man, but he’s gravely wounded, and I cannot move him further. The woman is looking after him. However, she is not a natural healer. I fear… I worry… I’m afraid for him. The thought came out in a rush, in his desperation to convey his needs. He saw comprehension as his worry rippled his thoughts. I’ve come to ask if you’ll go with me, with food, supplies and herbs to help nurse Erann back to health.

Emma’s face changed. He couldn’t tell what it meant but could feel a warmth spread through her. Her response, when it came, was therefore unexpected.

‘It’s impossible, I’m afraid. We people of rún-ketill can’t leave here. You should have been taught this.’

But I need your help. Skaldi was shocked. But with a sinking heart he recalled the teachings of Naer-Vera, and knew she wasn’t lying.

He’d assumed Emma would help Erann. But if she couldn’t leave rún-ketill, what could he do to aid Erann?

Thinking frantically, he thought of another request.

Could he bring Erann here? Forget about the woman and the wolf – it was Erann that was important. Perhaps he could somehow carry Erann in a large basket. Would there be anything of a suitable size? Surely, the Others within Naer-Vera had to collect fuel for their fires. Would they have a large container for the purpose? Perhaps he could use one of those. Anything to get Erann away from the desolate place. He turned to ask, but Emma was gone. A moment of dismay rippled through him, until she once more stepped onto the ledge.

With a start, he looked at her. For a moment he wondered if he’d imagined her leaving. But when he looked closer, he realised she was wrapped in a midnight black fur, and there was a basket full of the food the Others consumed at her feet, and another packed to the brim with supplies including more fur coverings.

What is this? He looked at her quizzically.

She returned his look, not daring as such, but defiant. ‘I’ve never done this before, and I’m sure you haven’t either. I assume if you let me sit on your back, between your wings, or on your neck, but below your horns, if you prefer, I should be comfortable while you fly.’

How, how can you come with me? You said it was impossible.

A complicated change came over her face. He didn’t understand it. He didn’t know the Others well enough. Not yet. ‘I believe it was until you made the request. Now we’ll have to wait and see.’

He appraised her, hope rising. He didn’t fully understand her meaning, but if it meant saving Erann, he needed to try.

He kneeled down, low enough for Emma to scramble up onto his long neck, tucked just above where his wings opened and closed in flight. He could sense all his flying had made his body stronger. Surely, it would be possible for him to comfortably carry her weight and all she’d gathered together with him. He felt her settle on his back. It was as though his brothers were climbing over him, when they were little more than hatchlings. It felt uncomfortable for both of them.

By the time everything was in place, half the night had passed. The stars were sparkling crystalline above their heads. The shadowy planet was chasing towards dawn.

They were in such proximity to each other it was hard to avoid Emma’s thoughts. Try as he might, stray impressions entered his mind. A man he didn’t recognise. A man with dark blond hair and wise green eyes, who exuded exhaustion.

He shook the image away as he sprang from the ledge with a sharp crack of his wings. He needed to concentrate on what he was doing. He’d never had a passenger on his back before.

Vaguely, he was aware of a long, seemingly endless noise that only grew as he gained his flying height. As he levelled out, he understood the source of the noise. It was Emma screaming in fright, or joy. Her thoughts were too incoherent for him to decide.

36

SEREH

Sereh woke with a start. She glanced outside the cave opening. The sky was ablaze, the sun well over the horizon. She must have slept far longer than normal. She was astonished. She’d not slept so long since she was a child.

Her entire body felt heavy and uncooperative. She forced herself to sit up, every ache and pain letting itself be known. Beside her, Erann slept, his breathing slightly too fast, but his face no longer flushed or deathly pale. Arrow was missing from her place between them.

Something was different about the cave. It was warm, inviting almost. A tantalising smell filled the air. She could have been at home, waking from a long nap to find her mother smiling at her from where she prepared her favourite hare stew. Coming more fully awake, she was aware of a soft humming. Sereh twisted on her elbows.

The fire was blazing, and leaning over a simmering pot of something that smelled delicious was the most beautiful woman Sereh had ever seen. Her nose was wide and straight, her mouth small and mobile. She had dazzling blue eyes and long blonde hair that must reach past her waist when down. It was tied to the top of her head in an intricate pattern of coiled, looping plaits. It raised her height substantially.

Sereh shut her eyes and then opened them more slowly. She was so sure she must be dreaming, but the woman was still there. She smiled at her quizzically.

‘You’ve been asleep a long time. Come, have something to eat. You’ll feel better afterwards.’ The words were spoken in a beautiful, lilting tone that Sereh had never heard before.

Sereh blinked in shock, questions burning her tongue. But she said nothing. Instead, she slid out gently from Erann’s side and staggered to her feet.

Her legs wobbled beneath her. She glanced at the woman, but she had turned back to the pot and was adding some herb that spiked the air with a sweet earthy smell. Sereh was glad. She didn’t want this stranger to see her like this.