Javennor pursed his lips and nodded. “Well,” he said, “things will get better with herself back in charge.”
Xhinna nodded, then waved and, with a hand on Jirana’s back, guided the youngster into the Great Hall.
Inside they found Nerra surrounded by several others. She looked up as they entered and furrowed her brows.
“Jefric decided to stay at the camp,” Xhinna explained. “He said that they’ll need more wagons with supplies in the morning.”
“I’d already thought of that,” Nerra said with a nod. She turned back to the clay tablets in front of her and rubbed a hand across her weary eyes.
Xhinna moved behind her, laid a hand on her shoulder, and leaned close to say, “After a Fall, the riders sleep for hours.” Nerra looked at her blankly, and Xhinna explained, “After this night, you’ve got to be as tired as if you’ve ridden a Fall.”
“There’s too much—”
“There’s nothing to be done now that can’t wait until morning,” Xhinna said. “You’re exhausted, you need your rest.”
Behind her, as if in emphasis, Jirana yawned loudly.
“Very well, blue rider,” Nerra said. She glanced around the table and addressed those gathered there. “I’ve been reminded that even dragons need sleep.”
The others chuckled, some wearily, some in relief.
“We’ll begin again at first light,” Nerra told them. “Until then, let the normal guard be kept and a light kitchen for those in need.”
“Xhinna, Xhinna!”
Xhinna woke to the sound of Jirana’s voice and the little girl shaking her. She pulled away from the noise and the shaking. “What?”
“We’ve got to help them, Xhinna!” Jirana said, reaching out to shake her again. “We can’t just leave.”
“I know,” Xhinna said, focusing bleary eyes on the intent trader girl. “I hadn’t planned on leaving yet.”
“But—”
“Little one, you forget that Tazith can take us back when we want,” Xhinna said, pushing herself upright. “We’ve all the time we need here.”
“Oh,” Jirana said, placated. She added, “The necessary is through that door and there’s hot water.”
Xhinna moved to gather up her clothes, only to find that they weren’t where she’d left them.
“Here’s a robe,” Jirana said, tossing it to Xhinna. “They’re washing our things and will have them back shortly.” She waved at a pile of clothes stacked on a chair. “Someone left those for us.”
Xhinna grunted, pulled on the robe, and made her way to the necessary. She luxuriated in the hot water while Jirana prattled on in the other room, but dried herself hurriedly when someone—blessed person!—brought in a tray with klah and fresh-baked breadrolls.
After she’d dressed and eaten, she found Nerra once again bent over the table in the Great Hall.
Nerra waved as they approached. “Good morning! Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, and you?”
Nerra smiled. “For over two Turns I’ve dreamed of my bed.” Her smile widened as she confessed, “It was better than I’d imagined.”
Then her smile faded as she looked at the tablets spread out on the table in front of her. “Other things are not so good.”
“What can we do to help?”
“I—I didn’t think to ask—”
“You tithe to Telgar—it’s the least we can do,” Xhinna replied with a shrug.
“But your mission—”
“It will keep,” Xhinna replied. “We ride in Search, but the time is not immediate.”
Nerra nodded in understanding.
“How best can we help you?”
“What we need most is to contact the outlying holds minor and cotholds, to learn their needs,” Nerra told her. She nodded toward a small man standing beside her. “Pinnor here is our Storemaster; he’s known to them.”
“Well, Pinnor, when can you ride?” Xhinna asked.
“As soon as my lady wishes,” Pinnor said, his eyes on Nerra.
“I’m afraid I’m not familiar with most of the landmarks of Crom—” Xhinna began.
“But aren’t you a Telgar rider?” Pinnor asked.
“It’s a long story,” Xhinna said.
“One that the blue rider will not bore us with now,” Nerra added in a tone that brooked no argument.
“I’m sure if you can describe where you want to go, we’ll find it,” Xhinna told the Storemaster.
“Very well,” Pinnor said with a barely hidden sniff. “If you’ll give me a moment to get my things, I’ll be ready.”
Xhinna nodded and Pinnor left. Nerra leaned over to her and said, “He’s a bit of an old stick, but he’s good at his job.” She frowned. “I don’t think he quite believes how bad things are in the outlying holds.”
Xhinna nodded. She wasn’t sure how bad things were out there, either.
“If your blue can handle another, I’m at your service,” Tormic spoke up from the other side of Nerra. When Nerra looked at him in surprise, he explained, “Jefric should be here by mid-afternoon and it might be that a man-at-arms will be needed.”
“I’m afraid you might be right,” Nerra said. “Explain to those in need that we’ll get to them as quickly as we can.”
“They’ll be glad to see the news come a-dragonback,” Tormic said with a grateful look toward Xhinna.
“Ah,” Nerra said, her lips twisting into a frown, “you might explain to them that we’ve limited resources in that regard.”
“I will,” Tormic agreed sourly. He glanced to Xhinna and added, “No offense to you, blue rider.”
EIGHT
A Journey Through Twilight
It was, in the end, worse than either Xhinna or Pinnor had feared. The first four holds they reached were lifeless, barren.
“These were good holds, good lands,” Pinnor said sadly as they surveyed the last of the four.
“It was the Plague,” Xhinna said. “Too many people were ill at the same time.”
Pinnor jerked his head in savage agreement. “We lost many in the Hold itself.”
“I’ve no doubt,” Xhinna said. “Where to next?”
“Next?” Pinnor repeated, still eyeing the waste below them. He heaved a sigh, then said, “I suppose we should see about Keogh.”
Keogh was thriving, but the holders there greeted the blue dragon warily.
“We’ve nothing more you can take from us,” someone called when Tazith landed. “Go away!”
“I come from Crom Hold,” Pinnor called. “I’ve been sent by Lady Nerra.”
“Lady Nerra is dead,” a man said, stepping to the front of the crowd.
“Not so,” Tormic called. “She is in Crom Hold.” He peered closely at the man. “Is that you, Javver?”
“Javver was my father; I’m Jarren,” the man declared. “Who are you?”
“Tormic of the guard.”
“Crom guard?”
“The same,” Tormic replied. He waved a hand toward Pinnor. “And this is Pinnor, Storemaster.”
“Storemaster?” Jarren repeated, his expression darkening.
“Lady Nerra sent me to find out what supplies are needed,” Pinnor said.
“Needed?” someone in the crowd muttered. “Land’s what we need most!”
“Land? What about seed to plant it?” another objected.
“The last four holds we’ve seen are all barren, lifeless,” Tormic said. “I’m sure the Lady Nerra would have no qualm if you were to take hold.”
“First, we need to see what stores are on hand—,” Pinnor began.
“Ho! So you would take our food!” someone in the crowd cried out.
“Quiet!” Jarren shouted. “If he’s here from our rightful Holder, it’s our duty.”
“There are many starving throughout Crom,” Xhinna called from atop Tazith. “They need help.”