Bonds of Fire

First Steps

Drekken squinted at the bridge ahead and, more importantly, the river running underneath it. The construction looked pristine, it had not been blown up, and that is what made him suspicious. It was the only route over the river and the mountains beyond and the Feras had to be watching it. Malachi came to crouch down next to him behind the wall he was using for cover and whispered, "It's not clear, is it?"

Drekken was impressed by the youth's assessment of the situation and he shook his head in agreement.

"Is there another place to cross?"

"There's a ford just down past that bend," Malachi pointed down river, "but with the Spring flood waters, it's not passable at the moment."

"We'll have to see," Drekken decided it was their best option and waved them all down the edge of the village away from the bridge.

It was not far to the ford, but it was hidden completely from the bridge by the bend in the river, which was a good start. However, the fast-flowing water was at least waist deep for a human. Assessing the terrain from their hiding place in what had been someone's back garden, Drekken quickly went to work. He reached for his utility belt and unhooked the end of the cord concealed inside. It was a very fine wire, reminding him of the days he had gone fishing with his friends, but it was much, much stronger, and he attached a small, but equally tough, three-barbed hook to the end. The end of the hook then slid neatly into his very well-designed armour gauntlet and, with a careful aim and a small push of magic, the arrow and its cord went sailing over the river, unwinding from his waist and embedding itself in a tree on the far side. Drekken pulled and the cord held fast, so he pulled out the rest of the length, detached it from his waist and wrapped it around a second tree.

Finally, he turned back to his charges.

Malachi and Yakov were both eyeing the wire and then the hatchlings dubiously. However, Drekken had been considering that.

"The Blue is with me," Drekken began, but was interrupted by Yakov, who told him, "His name is Renar."

"Renar is with me," Drekken corrected tersely. "You two, take off your coats, take two of the others each and tie them to your back with the coats."

The young men did as they were told without complaint, but Drekken could see the fear in their faces.

"Across this river and up into the foothills, then we'll stop for the night," Drekken tried to offer them something to aim at.

From the way Malachi acknowledged the information, Drekken knew his intentions had been understood, but the trauma of the day was clearly affecting Yakov, who was moving slowly, head down. Malachi paused in his own work, turned to his friend and wrapped him in his arms. Yakov moulded instantly to Malachi and the young men held together in silence, faces buried in each other's shoulders. The only person Drekken shared affection with in public was Miri, and only then discretely and, not sure where to put himself, he turned away and rechecked the attachment on the tree.

Wire was not the most interesting of items, but Drekken had adjusted and quadruple checked how it was wrapped around the tree before there was a polite cough and movement behind him. He turned and was greeted with a sheepish glance from Yakov, who immediately apologised, "I am sorry, I have a fear of water, but I am ready now."

Drekken just nodded and then they were moving again. Malachi took the two Sandys, one over each shoulder, their tails entwined tightly together. Yakov chose a different way of carrying his charges, the River Dragon curled herself around his neck while he used his coat to tie the Hawkhead to his chest. All were very quiet as they prepared, the youngsters making only the smallest of noises as they were carefully fixed in place against their carer's bodies. Drekken waited until all the others were in place before he crouched down to Renar. The young Blue had been watching proceedings quietly, but Drekken could see the fear in the child's eyes. Blues were not known for their affinity with water and the hatchling looked from Drekken to the river and back again.