Yes. It was like the draw I felt when I saw you for the first time and it kept pulling at me.
Why didn’t you say something?
I thought it was a trick from a dragonrider and we were still making progress north.
Maija eyed the ships in the distance to the south, Let’s go see who those ships belong to.
Are you sure? What if it’s more of Merglan’s people?
If it is, then I guess we’ll be in the same situation as before. But if what you just told me is you sensing my sister and naturally being drawn to her presence, then it’s worth investigating.
I’ll take us closer, Raffa said.
As they approached, Maija scrutinized the ships coming into view. Growing up on the Kewian Islands had given her a healthy education in classification of sailing vessels. She could see the shallow-hulled design of Rolloan Naval ships leading the pack. Behind them and sailing at a slower pace were the Southlanders’ traditional style merchant ships escorted by heavy gunner ships that had to be from the King’s Navy. As Raffa descended, Maija’s hopes skyrocketed. Could this really be Natalia with friendly troops?
She was so excited, she whooped with joy, “Yeeewwww! Do you see that, Raffa? I bet my sister is down there.” Before he could respond, Maija enacted her senses to search the vessels for her sister’s consciousness. Almost instantly she sensed a vast wealth of power onboard one of the ships. She instinctively recoiled as the last time she’d felt that much power it had come with Merglan and Killdoor.
I hope those riders didn’t get to them before we could, she thought and reached out with her mind again. This time she avoided the ship with all of the power and instead began to feel a collective thought of hope arising from all of the ships. She was aware that the passengers would be human, with the exception of her sister, the elf. The energy here felt much different than the thoughts of those on board the orc ships they’d spotted early in the morning.
I think it’s safe to greet them, Maija told Raffa.
I feel a very powerful source of energy down there. Is your sister a strong sorceress? Raffa asked.
I mean, she was, I guess, Maija said tentatively. But her bond was broken months ago and I think she’s lost power. I’m not sure what that power is, but it feels inviting.
That’s what I was thinking, too, Raffa said.
Flying quickly now, Raffa glided lower, quickly nearing the ships. Maija warned him to keep his distance even though they knew these were their allies. She had been warned that there were many people who still viewed dragons as evil creatures that would eat them on sight. She didn’t want to start an unnecessary fight if she didn’t have to. Maija and Raffa flew just beyond range of any possible cannon fire yet close enough to see people onboard. She attempted to locate her sister several times but couldn’t find her. After a third pass across the entire fleet, Maija felt someone trying to access her mind. Because this was allied company, she let her walls down and answered.
Maija, is that you?! she heard Natalia’s voice say into her thoughts.
Natalia! I’ve been searching for you, she said.
I knew you would do it, find the dragon I mean. Have you bonded?
Maija’s thoughts grinned, Yes, Raffa and I formed our bond only two days ago, but we have a more important message. I must talk with you in person.
Okay. It’s safe to come closer if that’s why you are keeping your distance. Can you have Raffa fly alongside our ship. You could come aboard if he doesn’t mind the transfer.
Maija was about to ask Raffa when he said, I don’t mind. I can get you close enough for you to jump off.
Wow, that’s a powerful mind, Natalia said.
Thank you, Raffa replied.
Which one is your ship? We’ll come closer.
We’re on the last of the Rolloan ships in the front. It’s the one with a red sail.
Maija located the ship her sister spoke of and they flew closer to it. Raffa dipped his body down so they were flying just over the water, his tail and claws splashing across the tops of waves. Raffa’s body was larger than the Rollo ship, so Maija had to choose how to get onto the ship.
I’ll run down your wing, then jump onto the deck, she told Raffa. Maija rose out of her saddle and prepared to come aboard Natalia’s ship. She waited until Raffa’s red wing extended out to the level plane of the ship’s deck. Maija said, I’m going, and ran out across Raffa’s wing, trying to step lightly. Her feet dipped into the soft leathery expanse as it glided through the air. She hoped she wasn’t hurting him, but knew she probably wasn’t as she was very small compared to him. His wing dipped slightly, and she nearly fell, but ultimately managed to keep her footing as she used her elven speed to run to the ship. Raffa lifted his wing tip slightly and Maija jumped, swimming with her arms through the open air. Landing solidly, she balanced on the wooden deck floor. Grinning, she began searching for her sister.
“Maija!” she heard Natalia shout as she came running from the group of Rollo warriors near the stern. Maija swiveled and opened her arms in anticipation. In a flash, her sister’s hug consumed her and the smell of weeks of traveling through the woods and days of fighting filled her nostrils.
Maija let out a “humph,” and held her sister tightly. She hadn’t fully realized how close they’d become over the few months they’d known one another, but she truly had missed her sister and was grateful that she’d survived the venture in Southland.
“Ah, it’s great to see you, sis,” Natalia said, releasing her from the hug. “And with a dragon, no less. I knew you were the next rider.”
Maija grinned and looked to see Raffa banking out in front of the ships to circle overhead. “It’s been quite the journey since I last saw you.”
“You’re telling me. Just wait until I fill you in on what’s happened. Come, I have something to show you.”
Chapter 77
Rider in Brookside
“How can we trust that he’s telling us the truth?” Tony asked, his eyes pinned on Anders, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table.
“Can you think of another reason why the dragons would be flocking north? You must have seen them, like the rest of us,” Rune said, leaning over the table and blocking Tony’s view of Anders.
“I didn’t see them,” Tony muttered loud enough for all to hear.
Because you were too busy getting drunk, Anders thought.
“What was that? Speak up,” Rune responded to Tony’s mumbling.
“I said, I think this is a trap!” Tony barked at all seven seated around the table. “These magicians are not to be trusted. Don’t you remember what happened the last time, or am I the only one among us who took up arms against the imposter?”
