Half Awakened Dreams: Volume II of the Carandir Saga by Wimsett David

Author:Wimsett, David
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cape Split Press Ltd.
Published: 2022-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

Ryckair and the Zerites were lashed to one of the platforms, which they learned was called a sinthra, as the six footed peretan they rode on moved across the desert. Neither Neshra nor any of her company spoke to them.

There were dried meats, roots and hard bread they had to soak in water before it could be chewed. Ryckair’s thoughts moved to Mirjel. He wished he had a terec to send her a message, then realized he wouldn’t be able to form one.

He saw her face in his mind. A wall stood between them. They no longer spoke of poetry or art or the beauty of a sunset. Beyond court, they spent much of their days alone. A spark once ignited their hearts. It no longer burned. He ignored this decline. Everything was focused on Baras and an heir. An ache grew inside him, as when he lost the love of his brother.

They approached a camp after sunset three days later. Fifty white tents spread out from a much larger one.

Ryckair and the Zerites remained bound on the sinthra for several spans. The air become chilled as stars moved overhead.

Six people came out of the tent and walked to the king and his companions.

One of them said, “You will come. Judgement is here for you.”

The king and Zerites hands were bound behind their backs. They walked across hard ground dotted with low bushes. The three were pushed into the large tent.

Neshra sat on a padded stool. Three others, a woman and two men, also sat on stools.

Neshra said, “Untie them.”

The prisoner’s hands were unbound. Two robed Ostos stood next to them with drawn swords.

Ryckair rubbed his freed wrist.

The Zerites appeared to have suffered no discomfort.

An aged woman with gray hair stood. Her tan face was creased. “We are the Council of Elders for the Osto people. I am Verka, senior of the council. How came you to find Arhan’s peretan?”

Ryckair said, “We found the animal in a Masna cellar. No one was there to claim it. The city was destroyed, attacked by the army of the boy general. We’re on a mission to…” Again, his voice failed as he tried to speak of his true nature.

Sif said, “Forgive him, Honored One. An ailment effects his speech.”

Neshra said, “It is true. I have seen it.”

Tarawee took a step forward. “We’re on a quest to find a great evil and put a stop to it. We seek information about a dragon who flew from the southwest twenty years ago.”

Ryckair choked out words. “It’s said… an Osto saw him… then.”

One of the men pointed to Ryckair. “Drag them into the desert and kill them before the dragon returns.”

The other man stood. “Would we be like the Dharam? Hear them out.”

Verka rose and stood before Ryckair. “I saw the dragon. Neshra was a child. She still remembers, don’t you?”

Neshra swallowed hard. “Yes, Verka.”

The Osto leader sat back down. “It passed overhead like a demon wind. A horrid dread fell on all. The dragon swept down, grabbed sheep in immense talons and ripped them to shreds in its teeth.

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