There was no wood for a fire, but Kanin did not need wood. The dragon simply blasted the stone on all sides of them with his flame, warming it comfortably. Then the dragon curled in a half circle, creating a hollow for Khollo between his body and the back wall that supported the overhang. The young warrior ate sparingly from his provisions. Kanin watched him with his opalescent eyes.
A good day, Khollo said when he had finished his meal. We saved Ishkabur and finished the journey to the mainland. You were amazing, Kanin. The young warrior grinned at the dragon, then began working to remove a small stone from the sole of his left boot.
Thank you, Kanin replied, pleased. But, there is something that I do not understand.
Khollo looked up sharply. What’s that?
What’s what? The dragon lifted his head in alarm and sniffed cautiously. I smell nothing.
No, what did you not understand?
Oh. Kanin rubbed his snout against his left foreleg. The Keepers were dedicated to peace, yes?
Yes.
Then why do we fight this war? Besides the fact that we are hurting the vertaga.
We fight to restore peace, Khollo explained.
But we are still in a war.
Yes.
So there is no peace.
. . . Yes
Kanin cocked his head. I still do not understand.
Khollo sighed. Kanin, if we do nothing, there is no peace, but if we fight we have a chance to restore peace and end the fighting for good.
That is not how the original Keepers restored peace. They threatened the leaders into making peace. I think I would like that even better than slaughtering vertaga.
We don’t know where the vertaga leader is, Khollo pointed out. Or even if we could make ourselves understood. After all, they do not speak our language.
Do we know that?
Khollo shrugged uncertainly. They have never spoken our tongue to my knowledge.
Kanin rustled his wings, settling them more comfortably. I just worry that we are not living up to the Keepers’ legacy.
It’s a different age, Khollo said reassuringly. And it is a different situation. All we can do is try as hard as we can to bring peace, whatever that means. If it means fighting vertaga, it means fighting vertaga. If it means negotiating, it means negotiating. But we will bring peace.
I think I understand, Kanin replied after a long moment. I will rest now. It is late, and tomorrow is another long flight.
Yes, but maybe we will reach the West Bank, and you can see where I come from.
That would be interesting, Kanin mused. Do you think the ones who helped free me will be there?
I hope so, Khollo replied, realizing that he had not spared Sermas or Hern much thought recently, save for his vision not long ago.
Do you think they will be angry?
Not once we explain everything, Khollo assured the dragon. It will all work out. You have nothing to fear from my friends.
It is not me I fear for, but them, Kanin snorted. I am worried that they will provoke me to flaming them.
Khollo laughed, a little shakily. You won’t have to flame them. Don’t worry. Good night, Kanin.
Yes, it is, Kanin agreed drowsily. Then, he gave vent to a dragon-sized snore.
Khollo blinked in surprise, then chuckled quietly. “Sleep well, my friend,” he murmured.
The following morning, Khollo woke to find the sky still dark. Storm clouds rolled overhead, and there was a strong wind from the south. He shivered in the cold mountain air and stood, stepping around Kanin and out onto the ledge they were camped on.
Thick clouds clung to the rocky slopes of the mountains, concealing the lands below. The air was thick and moist, and all sounds seemed dampened. There was no sign of the sun, not even as a slightly brighter spot in the clouds. Behind Khollo, Kanin stretched and got to his feet slowly, shaking himself.
Good morning, Kanin said quietly, turning and butting Khollo on the shoulder with his snout. We will fly again today?
Not ideal conditions, Khollo pointed out.
We have the wind, Kanin said happily. We will fly very fast.
And if a storm pops up?
Then we will crash very fast. Only kidding, Kanin added hastily when Khollo shot him a look.
Do you really think it is a good idea to fly into this? Khollo asked.
No, Kanin replied, lowering his head to the ledge. But can we afford to waste a day sitting here and waiting for the weather to move on?
I don’t know.
What does your heart tell you?
Khollo frowned, thinking. We might be able to wait. I don’t think the vertaga were close to the West Bank in my vision, but it was hard to tell.
No, not your head. What does your heart tell you? Kanin repeated.
What do you mean by that?
I always have a feeling for what to do, Kanin explained. The day you rescued me, I knew that help was coming. So I did not flame the creatures coming out of the well-stairs like I normally would have done. Later, I flew to Ethgalin because I felt that I should fly south and east with the hot air currents.
But where does that sense come from?
It comes from within, Kanin said immediately. Some would call it instinct. It is a part of who we are.
Khollo grimaced. Well, I don’t seem to have it.
Clear your mind of reasons to stay or go, Kanin told him. Reason has no place here. With reason, we could decide both to go and to stay by using some of our knowledge and ignoring other pieces. Put reason aside and clear your mind.
Khollo took a deep breath and tried to clear his head.
