Drogoya: Book 3 Circles of Light series Read Free Page B

murmured.
    Fenj bent his head to
Mim’s.
    ‘Indeed, let us trust
that they will Dragon Lord. But there is no choice. She will die if
we leave her here much longer. Gremara’s healing was weakened by
her battle with the Forsaken.’
    Mim scratched his
talons along Fenj’s long jaw then ran lightly back to Ashta. The
four Dragons harnessed to the net, lifted slowly into the air until
they were perhaps three man heights above the ground and the ropes
tightened. There was a brief flutter of panic from one of the Snow
Dragons as she realised just how heavy a load Kadi was going to be
but, as quickly, she calmed. Mim watched, leaving Fenj to order the
beginning of the lift.
    With agonising slowness
the net drew closer around Kadi and then, suddenly, she was clear
of the ground. The four Dragons flew in precise formation, moving
across to the plateau’s edge. Kadi swung as a gust of wind caught
her, then steadied again. Further out they moved. Still so slowly,
they began to drop the two leagues down to the settlement of Arak.
Ashta swooped down, flying below but to the side of Kadi, guiding
the other four.
    Delvers craned out of
the enlarged opening as Kadi’s body descended towards them. Willing
hands reached to grab trailing catch ropes to pull the Dragon
inside. This was the moment Mim had been dreading. Fenj and the
Snow Dragons had still to bear Kadi’s weight, but that weight was
now unevenly balanced as she was drawn within the settlement. Fenj
lurched and Mim’s heart pounded in sudden terror, but the old
Dragon righted himself, murmuring reassurances through their
minds.
    The Delvers called out
that Kadi was secure, and instantly the riders on the four Dragons
released the harnesses, letting them fall to the waiting Delvers.
Fenj slowly manoeuvred his great bulk through the space beside Kadi
and paced further from the entrance to allow the Snow Dragons
passage. He reclined against a side wall, tremors rippling through
him, his eyes slate grey with weariness. The three Snow Dragons
settled nearby, trembling worse than Fenj. Lorak and the Delver
healers concentrated their attention on these four while Chakar
began organising the removal of the ropes and netting from
Kadi.
    Mim came hurrying to
Fenj’s side, the tension easing in his stiff shoulders as he heard
Fenj rumble: ‘Splendid fellow,’ and saw Lorak move on to a Snow
Dragon, flask in hand.
    There seemed no change
in Kadi’s condition. Chakar, with many willing helpers, continued
to apply ointments to the multitude of injuries, but although
Kadi’s breathing was regular, her eyes stayed closed and there was
no contact with her mind.
    A few days after the
moving of Kadi from the exposed mountain to the settlement, there
came a loud melodious call from outside the opening. Fenj woke with
a start, about to trumpet in reply until he thought better of doing
so inside the confines of the Domain. Chakar looked at Lorak across
Kadi’s outstretched wing. After a glance at Fenj’s sparkling eyes,
he shrugged.
    ‘Whoever it is, Fenj is
glad they’re here.’
    A flurry of wings
outside and a Great Dragon peered within. Lorak grinned. Chakar
could only stare at the huge, beautiful golden Dragon who now paced
towards her. Honey coloured prismed eyes whirred, and Kija lowered
her head to press her brow to Chakar’s.
    ‘I thank you for your
work on my beloved Kadi. I will help you all I can. I am Kija, of
the Broken Mountain Treasury.’
    For the first time for
longer than she could recall, Chakar found herself truly
speechless. Light glimmered and flashed on the gold scales as Kija
turned to press her brow to Lorak’s. Clearly the Dragon spoke to
Lorak’s mind because his gap- toothed smile split his face and he
chuckled softly. Kija studied Kadi for a few moments before moving
to Fenj’s side. Chakar’s breath caught as golden and black faces
touched, then the golden neck twined briefly round the black in
affection.
    ‘They Dragons be better
than your old