Read The Endonshan Chronicles Book 1: DragonBond Page 22

  * * *

  The ground shook and swayed beneath me. Rhythmic.

  Voices drifted at a distance. Sunlight filtered down through blurred streaks and blots of green.

  One voice raised in an almost jubilant tone. The responses matched the tone but remained quieter.

  Rik adjusted me in his arms, and I could dimly see the other men walking through the forest, keeping a careful distance from him.

  “She told us you can understand us through her,” Rik said, his voice low and cautious but steady. “Or at least understand the basic meaning of what we say. So I hope you understand when I say that I appreciate your care for her. I care about her, too. I know why you want to keep a close eye.” He hesitated. “I was just wondering if you might consider keeping your eye a little… less close.”

  My vision cleared some more. Rik walked through the forest, carrying me. Axen trotted happily on his heels like a tame pet, her massive head bobbing just above his.

  I closed my eyes. Axen.

  Her delight flooded my body. Small meat one! Where did you go? You disappeared and everything was dark and there were very bad things on the ground trying to kill me so I had to fight them but then I heard your voice and I looked for you but I couldn’t find you.

  I let my mind mix with hers, basking in the familiarity, the rightness, the wholeness I felt. She would never fully understand what had happened, and I wasn’t inclined to tell her. We lost each other for a time. But now we’re back.

  She snuffled in joy.

  Rik jumped and tensed at the abrupt sound, but to his credit continued onward at the same calm, steady pace.

  I finally forced myself to stir. “I can walk.”

  He looked down at me, surprise and relief on his face. Then he returned his eyes forward. “Nope.”

  I almost laughed at his audacity. “No?”

  “Magra was willing to let you run yourself into the ground only because it was an emergency and because you were going to do it whether she gave you enough energy to keep going or not. But she’ll have my head on a pike if I let you push yourself beyond what your body can handle now that the emergency’s over.” He shrugged awkwardly. “She’s a leader in our village, and not far from eldership. I’m way more scared of her wrath than of yours. Besides, I agree with her. You need rest to recover.”

  I snorted, but he continued onward undaunted.

  Axen, give me some energy.

  Nope.

  I glared up at her. You too?

  He’s taking you to rest and get better. You’re hurt more than I can help. I like his plan.

  Traitor.

  She snuffled again, her giggles dancing through my mind.