Khollo let out a small snort of laughter. Then, he turned to survey the next shelf. He was on the fourth level now, and still no results for all of his work. The maps that he was sure had to exist eluded him.
It had taken Khollo a day and a half to finish the second level and search the entire third. The previous day, he had started on the fourth. Now, he was on the last three rows of shelves, which were packed with an inordinate number of scrolls. So far, all he had found was reconnaissance reports.
Why keep these things in the library? Why not clean them out? Khollo wondered distractedly as he unrolled another crackling scroll.
Because reconnaissance reports are fun to read?
Khollo scanned the scroll quickly, then sighed in disgust. Not hardly. This one is a report on herd strength in the northern plains on the island.
Herd strength is important.
When you have an Order of hungry dragons, yes, Khollo agreed. When you have only one dragon and no way to return to the Sthan Kingdom or heal a leg wound . . . not so much.
My leg is feeling better, Kanin reported.
Yes, but you’ve said yourself it’s still not fully healthy.
And you’ve said that it will heal, we just have to wait.
Khollo reached for another scroll, in a cubby hole high above. I hate waiting.
I’ve noticed.
The young warrior scanned the latest scroll briefly, then rolled it up deftly. At least he could roll the scrolls in a second now. When he had picked through the first level, he had wasted a fair amount of time struggling to roll the scrolls tightly enough that they would fit back in their places.
What was that one about?
Grain levels in the storehouses, Khollo replied.
That is not useful.
Khollo ignored the dragon pointedly and went back to work, reading scroll after scroll. He finished a row of shelves and made his way to one of the wide windows that overlooked the waterfalls surrounding the library. The streams and brooks were burbling along pleasantly, carefree and cheerful. Khollo envied them their simple existence, free from problems that needed solving and questions that needed answering.
The young warrior returned to the rows of shelves and continued his monotonous task, working his way through the last two shelves and finishing off the fourth level. All that remained now was the lowest level in the library, which was slightly smaller due to the fountain in the center of the space.
What time is it? he asked Kanin
The dragon was silent for a moment, judging the angle of the sun. Three hours until sunset, he said finally.
Khollo sighed. Well, I finished the fourth level. Why don’t we call it a day and head back to the hold?
Hunting first? Kanin asked.
Sure, Khollo agreed. We could use some fresh meat.
The young warrior sensed the dragon rousing himself from the sun-warmed stone in the courtyard, eagerly anticipating the hunt. I am very hungry, Kanin announced. We will hunt the wild cows today.
Khollo grinned. Kanin had taken a particular liking to the steers and cows that roamed the plains. There were more of them than anything else, and they were slow compared to the bounding deer and the aggressive hogs.
The young warrior paused only briefly in the courtyard before climbing onto Kanin’s back. He had hardly found a secure seat before the dragon launched himself into the air, wheeling to face the north.
Kanin glided easily towards a lower than normal gap between two of the peaks. As the mountains rose up to meet them, Khollo caught sight of a structure of stone, tumbled and broken, at the highest point of the pass.
This must be one of the watchtowers the old one mentioned, Kanin observed. But it is not intact.
Maybe the valley was attacked after all, Khollo mused. But why leave the other buildings alone?
A puzzle for another time, Kanin decided, adjusting his course as they emerged from the pass over the northern slopes of the mountains. The jungle had transitioned to forest now, and in the distance was a tan haze that marked the northern plains. To the east, Khollo could see the headwaters of the river that wound slowly northward, weaving its way to the sea and giving life to the forest and plains.
Kanin increased his speed, beating his wings faster. The forest became a blur. Khollo caught a flash of white and tan through the trees. A moment later a herd of deer bounded through a clearing, fleeing the dragon.
They are quite safe today, Kanin observed.
Are you sure? You could have one of them in a few seconds if you wanted.
Steers and cows are better eating, Kanin replied. And I have not eaten for four or five days.
Is that normal? Khollo asked, suddenly worried.
Kanin thought about this. For me, yes. I do not know any other dragons, so I don’t know if that’s typical for all dragons, or if it’s a result of my imprisonment.
Khollo nodded thoughtfully. I hadn’t thought of that. There’s a lot we don’t know.
And a lot we can learn, Kanin agreed. The library will be a good place to start. I’ve been thinking lately, that there are things we must do before we return to your homeland.
Such as?
We have never fought together, as man and dragon, Kanin began. We don’t know how to use our strengths to best advantage. Should we fight from the ground or the air? Should you fight from my back or beside me? Can you even reach vertaga from my back? Can I fight on the ground or will I be vulnerable to smaller, faster enemies?
You’ve put a lot of thought into this, Khollo said, surprised.
This is a matter of life and death. It needs a lot of thought.
But
