The Return of the Dragonhawk

Chapter 16 -- The Call of Destiny

"No!" Arabelle said sternly, her voice edged with panic. "You will come to Helion with me, and that is final."

Rhoz sighed. She had been wrong to delay breaking the news until after Alyx' departure. It would be much easier to hold her ground if he were standing shoulder to shoulder with her.

"You know what Hekla read in the runes. My destiny lies with Dys."

"And where is Hekla now, if she is so wise?" Arabelle stormed. "For all I know, she is long dead!"

Rhoz decided to let the matter drop for the time being, and turned away without answering. No use wasting her strength on arguments. Alyx had promised to send an armed escort to fetch her when the Great Bridge was secure. Arabelle would have no choice but to let her go.

The weary survivors of the battle at Muktarshold had found a friendly haven with Jeannet and Roland. True to his word, Alyx had seen to it that nothing was despoiled -- rather, he had done everything to benefit his host. The morning after the arrival of the horde of unexpected guests, Alyx and Roland had organized hunting parties while Jeannet took the women and children berrying and digging for nutritious roots. An impromptu banquet followed, mellowed by the supply of beer that Roland had kept hidden under the floor of his barn. Afterwards, those who were fit to fight continued on their way with Alyx and the bodies of the fallen, while the rest remained to rest and heal under Roland and Jeannet's solicitous care.

In a fit of magnaminity befitting his new role as liberator of Dys, Alyx had set his prisoners free to go where they would, and all but two had countered by offering their swords to his service. After some intense interviews, he had accepted every one. His daring escape from the belly of his arch-enemy had caught the popular imagination and made him the darling of minstrels and story-tellers once more. Even though Muktar had conscripted every able-bodied man he could find, fighting men -- and some of their women too -- seemed to spring magically from the ground to rally to the banner of Dys.

On this fourth morning after the battle of Muktarshold, folk were flocking to Roland's farm from near and far to share their meagre supplies and lavishly embroidered tales of the Dragonkeeper's progress. Some swore that he had crossed the bridge and was preparing to attack Muktar from behind; others had it on infallible authority that he was on his way south to recruit more troops to help him hold Akynadar against all comers; yet others placed him in the forest with his troops, readying an ambush for Muktar when he returned.

Deprived of reliable information, Rhoz was growing restive. Why had Alyx sent no message? Surely he was at the Great Bridge by now. Had he attacked, or was he in hiding, planning his strategy? Perhaps he had stopped at Drawynsdell. She would have given much to have news of the Drawyns. Had they been carried off along with their horses?

She had sought to ease her mind by confiding in Arabelle, not stopping to consider that her abrupt change of plan would not be kindly received. She felt more alone now than she had been during her imprisonment in Alyx' camp. If only Alyn were here to share her heart!

Perhaps it is all for the best that Alyn is elsewhere, she brooded on her way to the pasture in search of the uncritical sympathy of Panax. Who knows? Alyn might take Grandmother's side -- she is ever consumed with thoughts of duty and sacrifice. She is like to argue that I must obey my elders and serve my own people. Grandmother's arguments are cogent and wise, but she is old. How can she understand what I feel? I cannot let her be a chain on me forever.

Panax was grazing with Astyanace perched on a dead stump nearby. He lifted his head and pricked his ears in Rhoz' direction, then gave a playful kick with both hind legs, sending the hawk screeching into the air. Rhoz laughed and reached for the bird with her mind. The hawk spiralled upwards, taking Rhoz with her through the wind and the sunshine, the green land turning below them.