Chronicles of Han Storm - Leilaka #1 (Fantasy, Adventure, Dragon Riders)

Leilaka ***Chapter 4***

*** Four ***

I dreamt of hazel eyes in an oval face. Long, golden tresses were held in place by a golden band around the head.

At first I could not perceive what gender the person was. Only the large, sad, hazel eyes watching me.

A feeling of helplessness overwhelmed me and I was unable to breathe. As I looked on, the eyes and hair moved away from me, revealing a golden moustache and beard.

I knew I knew this man, but had no recollection of who he was.

The dream progressed and I saw a hand holding the golden hair, forcing the head back, exposing the throat under the neatly trimmed beard.

A dagger was held against the throat, then suddenly dragged deeply across it . . .

My whole body gave a start.

At least I did not shout out loud.

Strongclaw complained but did not wake up.

The sky could be seen through the open window. It was almost dawn. The bed was warm and comfortable and I could hear Brutus snoring from one of the other two beds in the room.

The face with the hazel eyes had upset me greatly. I knew this person was important in my life, yet could not get my memory to function. The two separate sets of dreams I was having left me exhausted and confused.

The only reality I had at the moment was what I was experiencing right now. Constant hunger and pain proved that I was alive. Strongclaw gave me a sense of security and I was somehow connected to Connor who seemed to know my real identity.

I lay there trying to banish the face that kept on haunting me until the other people stirred.

They washed and dressed and then Drake 'woke' me.

Strongclaw complained that it was still dark. I gently picked him up before unceremoniously throwing him out of the window, tossing last night's bread out too.

He caught it in mid-air and flew off.

The men looked at each other, shaking their heads. Brutus packed our belongings and Drake presented me with a new shirt and cloak that almost fitted. A pair of boots was standing in front of the bed.

The boots were slightly too large, but I did not complain. After days without shoes, my feet were only too happy to be confined again.

"Now, put on your hood" Brutus advised.

We did not stop for breakfast, but moved downstairs straight to the waiting horses.

Drake gave me a leg-up onto Bree. He obviously considered me healed enough to start functioning more normally. Smiling a thank-you at him, I asked Bree to move away. I did not need to guide her with the reins. It was easier to ask.

Drake grabbed the reins. "You should keep hold of your horse. It is dangerous not to be in control of your animal."

Bree sighed and I gathered up the reins for pretence.

Today we moved faster than yesterday. Most of the area we covered was flat and we allowed the horses to stretch their legs, thundering along the road.

We made an additional few stops to allow the horses to rest in-between. Drake mentioned to me that we were making great time. He also congratulated me on gaining the knack of horse-riding so easily.