A Most Refined Dragon by Paul Chernoch

Author:Paul Chernoch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24: The Holding Pens

April 14th. Noon. Pentown on Lisstear Lake.

The barge passed through the ancient locks at Wing Falls at midnight and continued up the Bittersweet until it reached Lisstear Lake near dawn. The captain remarked that in all his years he’d never made the trip in better time. On the lake, they caught a good wind, raised sail and continued east until the docks of Pentown appeared in the distance, and beyond, the snowy caps of the Hearth Mountains.

Melissa stood beside Mirrorwing, watching for signs of distress. At last, his eyes fluttered. “Olsurrodot, Orokolga,” said Melissa. “He wakes.”

Mirrorwing blinked many times. “The sun! The light of the sun!” He closed them again and purred. “I hear water lapping, how sweet the song. I feel warmth and not cold. I smell my own kind, and not dark, empty spaces. Whom may I thank for cutting me free from my prison?”

“Shoroko of Agotaras Springs, Lord Mirrorwing,” said the captain. “And Orokolga of…”

“Of the empty spaces,” said Orokolga, “along with Councilor Jessnee and the able captain and crew of this barge.”

“Lissai?” said Mirrorwing.

“I count them as worthy members of my crew,” said the captain. “Olsurrodot of Rampart and Melissa of…”

“Of many places,” said Melissa.

“Old Patch, my friend,” said Mirrorwing, “can you still fly this far from East Talon Ridge? Or did Skatskut have to carry you to the barge? I do not know Melissa, but her voice is familiar. The voices of Hands are also clear, but Orokolga has a strange manner of speech. What race of person are you?”

“Open your eyes and see,” said Orokolga. She held her breath and stood absolutely still. This Claw had been with Silverthorn. Had he tidings of her love?

Mirrorwing eased himself into a standing position, raised his right paw to screen the light, and opened his eyes. Instantly he fell down and stretched out his arms. “Twice saved by gold! The giver of blessings visits me again.”

“Kilgain?” said Orokolga. “You have seen my husband?” The Golden Dragon leaned forward so much she nearly fell over.

“When our provisions ran out, Kilgain…” Mirrorwing stared down at the deck, unable to speak. “Were it not for him, we’d all have perished. As it is, only two dozen of us remain.”

“Lord Silverthorn?” said Melissa.

Mirrorwing rose from his abasement and faced Melissa, only to fall prostrate again. “Honorable Hlissak, I did not recognize you. Yes, your Silverthorn lives.”

“He is not mine, for I am not White Talon.”

“What? But your armband…”

“White Talon has left, in search of Silverthorn. I have taken her place, and her body, just as she has taken mine, the body of a Hand from the other world. This world is plunged into crisis. Tell us what you know, for we are determined to rescue Silverthorn, Kilgain and their companions, else civil war may break out.”

The bewildered Silver swiveled his head back and forth, settling on Olsurrodot and issuing an unspoken plea.

“Melissa risked her life to spare White Talon,” said Olsurrodot. “Trust her. She has been drenched in rainbows.

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