Dreigiau Book 1: The Gift of Flame

Chapter 26

"This way, just a little further now," SaRa urged, tugging gently at the reins of her mount as she led it over the craggy grounds.

The little girl slumped motionless over the back of the rhawn. She looked worse every time SoYa glanced up at her. Despite all the time that SaRa spent with the child in healing wraps and incantations, nothing seemed to be improving her situation.

No matter where we go, TsuYa will follow. And now that he's taken up the robes of the High Guide, he has the Council of Nefol to support his actions. He could follow us into any town and simply demand our capture.

SoYa eased Thorne around a particularly steep pile of stone, weaving between the scraggly rock brush. Sweat stood on his brow under the rim of his cap. The climate in this area was a lot warmer than a mountain range should be.

After all, I am Athrylith. That'll be enough to turn people against us.

Aunt SaRa's face was lined and grim, speaking measures of exhaustion and worry. Now and then, her head nodded, chin dipping to touch her chest.

"Are you okay?" he peered over one shoulder in concern.

"I'm..." the woman paused to catch her breath, "I'm fine. Just a tad tired. I'm not as young as I used to be."

We've ridden nearly non-stop and every chance she gets, she's been putting healing wards on the girl. It's no wonder she's about to pass out.

Aunt SaRa's eyes turned to look along the path, hardening in determination, "Just a little further. Then we can all take a rest."

She seems so certain. She claims a city is out here, yet, I haven't seen roads or other people.

Just as the question passed through his mind, the sound of the rhawns' hooves on the stone changed in pitch. Looking down, SoYa could see that the ground had leveled out into a wide hollowed area. The stone was perfectly round and inscribed with thousands of runes in a flowing, circular pattern.

The Apprentice couldn't help but take a sharp hissing breath, "The Host Gate..."

"What was that, dear?" Aunt SaRa asked.

"This looks almost exactly like the..." SoYa stopped and craned his head back, eyes widening as they fixed upon the looming dragon statues above. He barked a proclamation, "It is!"

"Come on now, we're almost there. I need you to stand in the circle, SoYa. Not much good in me leaving you here, now is there?"

"No, but..."

"If you really want to stay here, you can," she gave him a droll face.

He scurried forward quickly, leading Thorne into the center of the circle.

"I thought not."

SoYa watched in curiosity as the woman fitted blinders over the eyes of her steed.

"What are you doing?" he finally asked.

Aunt SaRa peered over at him, "In my experience, these Gates bother land creatures. I'd suggest you'd do the same for yours. They still won't like it all too much, but it prevents them from leaving the circle. Or worse, halfway leaving the circle."

"What happens then?" he asked in a wary tone.

"I doubt half a rhawn would be as useful as a whole one," she answered in a conversational tone.

SoYa choked. Without further words, he slid the blinders over Thorne's eyes.

Once that was done, Aunt SaRa gave a last long look around to see if all was in place. Then placing a steady hand on the girl's leg, her eyes closed. Instantly the runes upon the stone floor leapt to life, shimmering a brilliant pale blue.