Part 16 (2/2)
”We know,” Karia said. ”We realized too late that the ambush was a diversion. You were their target. They hoped to get you away while the rest of us fought. Then we would not know where you were.”
”You're pretty,” Melody said.
”For a troll,” Harmony added.
”Girls!” Karia snapped, cutting off Rhythm's conclusion.
”It's all right,” Cube said. ”I am pretty for a troll. I proved it when I vanquished him with a kiss.”
”We apologize,” Rhythm concluded belatedly.
”We must move on before more come,” Ryver said.
They moved on. On the far slope of the pa.s.s another band of trolls did charge them, but this time the others formed a wedge around Cube so she could not be reached. The three Princesses disappeared, then reappeared before three trolls, jumping up to kiss them. They giggled as the trolls fell.
Then the party hurried down the trail and to the level land south of the mountains. They were beyond the troll demesnes--but now they were in dragon demesnes.
Forili became human. ”Find thy dragon,” she said urgently. ”Before other dragons find us.” Indeed, they could see a large figure in the southern sky that wasn't birdlike.
Rhythm pointed west. They moved that way, and came to a projecting foothill. In Xanth, Cube thought, that would be in the shape of a foot, but here it was merely an adjunct to the larger mountain beyond.
And there was a well-beaten trail into the wooded wilderness of the foothill. That would be the dragon's path.
It occurred to Cube, somewhat belatedly, that she had little idea how to communicate with the dragon. Did he speak in the human manner? That seemed doubtful. Did he understand human talk? That was more likely; many creatures did, and if he was Becka's friend, they might have had that in common. So she would have to talk to the dragon, and hope that he understood. And agreed.
Suddenly they were at the dragon's den: a cave in the slope. Cube was sure of it, because there was a pile of bones outside it. Was the dragon there?
”We can s.h.i.+eld you from fire,” Melody said.
”Or smoke,” Harmony added.
”But we're not sure about stink,” Rhythm concluded, and they snickered.
”This is my job,” Cube said. She walked out to stand before the den. ”Drek Dragon--are you there? We come to talk with you.”
A large head poked out of the cave. It was typically dragon, with a long greenish snoot, myriad teeth, big eyes, and small ears. There was a faint odor of violets.
”I am Cube Human of Xanth,” she continued boldly, because she was afraid that if she were not bold she would soon be terrified. ”Your friend Becka Dragongirl sent me. She said you might be interested in my Quest. It is to find a--a new territory of Xanth that may not be like what we have known. The Good Magician told me I would be beautiful if I reached it. Maybe it would do something similarly good for you. I don't know and can't promise. But the Good Magician did say that my Companions would be rewarded. Are you interested?”
She paused. She wasn't sure the dragon even understood her. How could she tell? Then she noticed that though the rest of him was still, Drek's right ear was wiggling. That was all, but it was a start.
”I--I don't know how to talk with you,” she said. ”But I see your ear moving. Does that meaning anything?”
The ear continued to wiggle. Maybe it itched.
She tried again. ”Does it mean nothing?”
The right ear stopped wiggling--and the left ear wiggled instead.
Had she been in Xanth, a bulb would have flashed over her head. ”That means no, doesn't it! The right ear is yes, the left ear is no!”
The right ear wiggled again.
”I need nine Companions to achieve my Quest,” she said, excited. ”I would like you to be one of them. You could protect us.”
The right ear wiggled. ”Does that mean you are interested?”
The right ear wiggled again.
”Or not interested.”
The left ear wiggled.
She had it. ”Then let me tell you more about it, on the a.s.sumption that you will join our group. I will introduce the other Companions.” She did so, and each of the others stepped up to be seen as she named them. ”There are three others, but they are not from Xanth; they are helping us travel. They are a werewolf, a vampire, and a unicorn, and they mean you no harm. We have agreed to make them a suitable castle here in the Purple Mountains in exchange for their help.”
The dragon wiggled both ears. Then he drew himself slowly out of the cave. He turned sinuously as he emerged, going to the right. He started down the path there. He paused, glancing back, wiggling his right ear.
”You want us to follow you!” Cube exclaimed.
They followed the dragon to a valley behind the foothill. The forest gave way to widely s.p.a.ced larger trees leading down to a fair-sized river. The valley was ringed by mountains, hills, and foothills, with the river squeezing out by plunging underground. Overall it was about as nice and secluded a region as Cube had seen.
”I wish we could have our castle here,” Stu murmured, a.s.suming human form.
The dragon's right ear wiggled.
The werewolf turned to the dragon. ”Art thou offering us this valley during thy absence, if thou joinst Cube's Quest?” The right ear wiggled. ”Until thy return--and if thou dost not return, it be ours?” The ear continued to wiggle. ”We be caretakers in thine absence, protecting the valley from intrusion by others.” More wiggles.
”I believe we have a deal,” Cube said, more than satisfied. ”Girls?”
The three Princesses huddled, then produced their instruments and made their music. The very air around them seemed to crackle with invisible power as their magic gathered. Then a full-sized castle developed on the far slope beyond the river. At first it was tenuous, as if formed of fog, but gradually it firmed, until it seemed quite solid in every detail.
At last they stopped, and for the first time Cube saw them tired. This had been a significant feat of magic, requiring a great deal of power.
They went as a party to the castle. There was actually a drawbridge across the river, part of the conjuration. The castle itself was huge, with a front gate more than large enough for a unicorn or dragon to pa.s.s without being crowded. It was solid stone; Cube tapped on a wall to verify that. Inside were great halls and chambers, completely furnished. It was ready for occupancy, but completely empty except for them.
The folk of Phaze were plainly awed. ”You three indeed be Adepts,” Stu said.
Cube thought of something. ”If Drek returns--the castle is his?”
”Sure,” Melody said.
”That's the deal, isn't it?” Harmony asked.
”But maybe they could share it,” Rhythm suggested.
The werewolf looked at the dragon. The right ear wiggled. They did have a deal.
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