The pride found a place to hide in a thick copse of trees and brush. The dragons didn’t like hiding and their curiosity was so strong that they had trouble staying behind, but Brianna insisted they stay hidden. She wasn’t sure what she would find in Felson, but she was hopeful that she could find out where Zollin might be. She also wanted to start rumors of her own pride, so that when she revealed her dragons they might have a chance to show that not all dragons were monsters.
She was several miles from the city, so she left her pride well before dawn. Walking felt both good and strange. It was like she was crawling after the thrill of soaring through the air with her dragons, but stretching her muscles and feeling the strength in her legs was good as well. She got to the edge of the city an hour after sunup and it took nearly another hour to find her way back to the house of the one person she knew in Felson.
Miriam’s home had not changed much, although Quinn had made a few minor repairs. He was outside, gathering his tools and supplies in a small wagon, to which Miriam was hitching a large brown mare. Brianna saw them before they spotted her approaching and she was happy to see the easy way they worked together. Quinn had become like a father to Brianna since she had fled Tranaugh Shire with him and Zollin almost a year ago. She had been surprised to learn that Miriam had strong feelings for Quinn, but she was happy to see them together now. It made her yearn even more for Zollin and for the opportunity to have a life with him.
When Quinn glanced up and saw her, he did a double take and then rushed to her, his arms open wide and a huge smile on his face.
“Brianna!” he shouted as he ran.
She felt a warm sense of love and acceptance flood over her. She couldn’t help but run to Quinn, even as tears sprung up in her eyes.
“Look at you, girl,” Quinn said happily. “I’m so glad to see you. You look well. I mean, even better than well.”
“I am well, Quinn,” Brianna said.
“Miriam, it’s Brianna,” Quinn called over his shoulder, and then said in a quieter voice, “We thought you were dead.”
“What? Why?”
“Zollin said the dragon carried you off into the mountains. He’s heartsick over your loss.”
“But I’m not lost,” she said as they walked back toward Miriam’s house and barn.
“Well, he doesn’t know that. And he’s gone south. I suppose you heard about the invasion.”
“Not really, just rumors. What happened?”
“An army from Osla and Falxis invaded. It’s a long story, really. Why don’t we go inside? It looks like you could use a good meal-you’re little more than skin and bones.”
They went in and Miriam fixed Brianna breakfast. She wasn’t that hungry, but she ate a little of her food while Quinn talked. He explained how he and Mansel had come under the witch’s spell in Lodenhime, and how the big warrior had thrown Quinn overboard in the Great Sea of Kings. Then he told how he had been rescued by a fishing boat, and raced across Baskla and Yelsia to Orrock in hopes of saving Zollin. He told her how he’d been almost killed by Mansel-who was still bewitched-and then healed by Zollin. How Mansel had come back to his senses after being grievously wounded himself, and how Zollin had learned to use lightning to fight the dragon when it attacked the city.
Brianna shivered at the thought. She had never considered that lightning might be a danger to her pride, but just the thought of flying in a storm with thunder and lightning made her tremble. Then Quinn told of Zollin’s battle with Offendorl, and how they had defeated the invading army. Brianna was completely engrossed in the tale and didn’t even notice when Miriam refilled the small cup of wine in her hand.
“Did Zollin kill him?”
“No, the black dragon came and took him away,” Quinn said sadly. “Now Zollin has gone south to finish things with the Torr. Mansel is with him. He promised to return once the fighting was done.”
“And you’re content to just wait here?” Brianna said.
She remember the feeling she’d had when Zollin had given her the white alzerstone ring in the alley at Tranaugh Shire. From that point on she had lived in fear that he would leave her behind. When the wizards from the Torr attacked the village with their mercenaries, her new husband Todrek had begged her not to follow Zollin, but she couldn’t stand the thought of being left behind. Todrek had come with her, only to be struck down just outside Quinn’s cottage. It was a bittersweet memory. She had thought Todrek a good person, but she had not loved him. But now that feeling of being left behind rose up like a wave of nausea and she felt sick. She knew what she had to do now. If Offendorl had a dragon, she would bring her pride to protect Zollin.
“I have to go,” she said, before Quinn could even answer her question.
The truth was, he was having difficulty staying put and waiting on Zollin, but he was happy with Miriam. Their love had blossomed and grown. They were planning a wedding for when Zollin returned, but a part of Quinn felt like he was betraying his son. He knew there was little he could do for Zollin, but if his son was in danger, how could he sit back and do nothing?
“Where are you off to?” Miriam asked.
“I have to help Zollin.”
“You can’t,” Miriam said. “He’s hundreds of leagues away by now. He may already be in Osla. Besides, even if you were with him, what could you do?”
“I’m going,” Brianna said. “Thank you so much for the meal and the information.”
“Brianna?” Quinn said. “I know how you feel, but if you leave you may end up in trouble yourself, long before you ever catch up to him. Besides, how do you know you could even find him? He could be anywhere.”
“I’ll show you, if you don’t mind a detour from the city,” she said.
Quinn looked at Miriam. “I guess we could,” he said.
“I’ll hitch the horses to the carriage,” Miriam said.
It took them an hour to ride back to the small copse of trees where Brianna had left her pride. She was tired, but excited to know that Zollin was on his way to Osla. She wasn’t sure how she was going to find him, but she was sure she could.
Quinn reined in the horses when they approached the trees. He was on the bench seat with Miriam close beside him. There had been just enough room for Brianna on the far side.
“Stay here,” she told them. “And keep your horses calm, they’re in no danger.”
“What is she on about?” Miriam asked Quinn.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But there is definitely something different about her.” They watched her disappear into the shady stand of trees, then the trees rustled and she reappeared leading two small dragons. They were dark blue, with large intelligent eyes. Then another dragon appeared. This one was long and slender, moving gracefully even on the ground.
Brianna waited, watching Quinn and Miriam’s reaction. They were shocked, but not terrified. In fact, Miriam, who was an animal healer, seemed almost thrilled at the small group of dragons.
“You okay?” Brianna called.
“Yes, we’re alright,” Miriam called.
“Speak for yourself,” Quinn said under his breath.
“There are two more,” Brianna said. “They’re larger, but they won’t hurt you, I promise.” Ferno stepped out of the copse of trees. The sun glinted off his forest green scales as his powerful muscles rolled and flexed with each step. Then Selix appeared, moving to stand next to Brianna.
“I can’t believe it,” Miriam said. Then she laughed a long, full laugh that made the carriage shake.
Brianna knew her pride was surprised, but they all liked Miriam almost instantly. They knew she wasn’t laughing at them, but was delighted to see them. They were almost as happy to see other humans as she was to see them.
“Are you sure this is safe?” Quinn called out to Brianna.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she said. “This is my pride, Quinn. They chose to stay with me. You can come closer. They’re very curious.”
The horses were nervous and Quinn moved them further away before setting the brake on the carriage and climbing out. He helped Miriam down and they approached the dragons together. Gyia, the slender, dark purple dragon, was the first to step forward. It lowered its narrow head and gazed deeply into Miriam’s eyes.