Chapter 2 Bassil
Another Man's Storm
Arriving at the campfire where the warriors gathered, Ala at his side, the new-found hatchling in the boy’s arms, Malosi took his place to the right of Teo. Firetongue slept quietly behind the man, unbridled, tame as a lamb it seemed. When Ala took a seat near Teo and his beast, the sire-dragon lifted his head and sniffed.
Ala jerked back, fear in his eyes. Malosi looked to Teo for an explanation, not surprised that Ala feared the dragon. A hatchling was small enough to hold, and attractive enough to care for. But the size of Firetongue alone was intimidating for a boy his age. Even Malosi questioned whether they were safe sitting so close to the beast. Heat radiated from the creature, and its scales clattered as it lifted its head.
“He wants to see his son,” Teo told them. “Since the Keeper left these lands, this is his only heir.”
First looking to Malosi for approval, Ala hesitated before he scooted nearer to the dragon and held the hatchling for Firetongue to sniff. The dragon pushed Ala backward with the sheer force of its nudge. The hatchling stretched its neck, spread its wings and trembled, but when it caught sight of its father, its eyes brightened.
“You need to name him.” Teo said.
“I will name him Bassil,” Ala said. “Power and Protection.” The boy looked up at Teo, his youthful face reflecting the red of the fire, his eyes shining as if as a surge of supernatural energy had taken hold of him. “Power of the will, that my heart will soar again like the eagle at hunt. Protection of our people so never again will the land fall from the mountain and take a father and mother from us.”
Malosi bit his lip, and his eyes welled with tears.
Firetongue snorted, lifted his head, and released a whiff of flame into the night sky. The dragon shifted in the nest he had made on the grass and curled back around, resting his head on his tail. He didn’t close his eyes, but watched through scaly lids as Ala tucked the hatchling under his arms.
“He approves.” Teo smiled and patted Ala on the back. “Power and protection will be your magic, yours and Bassil’s.”
Ala grinned and when he turned to his uncle, Malosi caught the pride the boy radiated, his own heart rejoicing that the wounds of the past year were finally healing. For Ala, at least.
Ala’s innocence afforded him no misgivings for the past; grief at his loss, but no anger toward those who caused it. He did not understand that if Dai’s father had not worked so hard to convince the boy’s parents to travel with him to such a dangerous place, they would be here today. If Dai and Machail had not encouraged the couple that it was a safe journey, Ala’s parents might still be alive. Both Dai and Machail helped the couple prepare, sending them off with baskets of food, clothing, and weapons. A funeral parade. Malosi would not be so bitter if Dai’s entire family hadn’t taken such a significant role in their deaths. Perhaps Malosi would also be celebrating a new dawn with Ala.
Around the circle sat other warriors, and in their midst were Machail, and his wife Amber, a woman with the courage of steel. That they had a say in this matter sent a wave of indignation through Malosi.
He had once loved both the man and his wife but today fumes of hurt rushed through him. As hard as he tried, he could not quench the rage. Machail never apologized, but Malosi would not have accepted even if he had. Apologies don’t hold ground when it comes to death and leaving a youngster to fend for himself.
“We’re here to decide if we will be accepting Sir Walter’s request.” Teo’s words burst into Malosi’s thoughts, bringing him back to reality.
“Why would we risk our lives and the lives of our beasts to travel so many miles and join in a war that isn’t ours?” Bram, a cousin of Teo’s, asked. He had no hostility in his voice, only a calm that demanded reason. Bram was a diplomat, a man who questioned everything, but who would be the first to admit the truth.
“That’s what we must weigh tonight,” Teo declared. “Is it worth it to honor our customs? To show hospitality to our neighbors, or should we, instead, send them away without hope? Let’s consider the options.”
“I believe it is too dangerous. I wouldn’t want to see my friends risk their lives for a cause that does not concern us,” Rena said, taking Dai’s hand. “Nor would we want to risk the lives of our dragons.”
Several of those listening mumbled. Malosi regarded the crowd, looking for people who were hesitant. Other than the soft whispers, no one voiced any objections to Rena’s argument.
“I see no reason to leave home,” Dai agreed. “Why ride into a storm that is not coming our way?”
“Because it could come our way,” her brother argued. He stood and paced in front of the fire, not only talking to her, but to the others who had gathered. “Sethland’s emperor does not respect boundaries, and what we have on this mountain is wealth that men in the valley covet. Our caves are the vaults of ore those people use. Gemstones, rare herbs, and spices that do not grow in the plains, and most coveted of all are our dragons. It has taken twenty years to see the first hatchling since the Keeper departed.” He pointed to Ala and Bassil. “It will take ten more to see another. Should these creatures be stolen from us, what would happen? They are our defense. If these invaders don’t kill us for our wealth first, then they would make slaves of us. War could easily reach our foothills, whether or not we involve ourselves now, sister,” Machail spoke roughly, clear that they had had this conversation before.
“No disrespect, Teo, but our customs are old and out of date. It would be difficult for new generations to understand the reasoning behind such a tradition. Still, it could be prosperous to help Ellington if they had anything worthy of trading,” Amber added. “Dangerous, yes, but it’s not like we don’t face danger every day where we live. Snowstorms that bury our homes, avalanches, heavy rains that flood our crops, Landslides,” she looked right at Malosi, as if bringing up the cause of his brother’s death should somehow spark a desire to go to war. “Danger should not prevent us from being neighborly. They have farmland and grow more crops than we do, and they have sheep. Not to mention the fabric they sail all over the world to gather. Silks and satins.” She gave a knowing smile to the women. “Dyes from flowers we cannot grow here.” She shrugged.
“I take it you’re in favor of going?” Bram questioned.
“Both Machail and I can fight. Dai is a healer as is Laurel.” Amber looked at Dai, who bowed her head. “Laurel has been known to heal other dragons as well as reindeer. I don’t see how we would come away defeated. If things get bad, we can return home.”
“Turn tail and run?” someone asked.
“If it means saving our dragons’ lives,” she answered.
There were comments from the crowd, now, but angry voices drowned each other out. Some folks stood and argued among themselves. Teo shook his head but said nothing.
“Teo? You have the final say,” Malosi blurted, his voice resounding over the others. He turned to Firetongue’s rider. The dragon, stirred by the commotion, lifted his head. His body burned as bright as the campfire. Teo stretched and yawned, scratching Firetongue between the horns to quiet him. He stood. Teo was a middle-aged man, strong and fearless and of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He took a moment to survey those watching him. The congregation quieted, waiting for his reply.
“There is no doubt in my mind we should help our neighbors. Those who choose to stay, that makes sense, as well. You can take care of the summer crops and forage for the winter cache until we return.” His expression soured. The firelight cast wicked shadows on his face when he scowled at Amber and Machail. “As long as my generation is still alive, strong, and worthy of respect, we will honor our ancient tradition. We will help these people. Bram will lead the deer riders. I expect you all to honor his position. We have much to do for this expedition if we’re to leave before the rains.”
Firetongue followed him into the night while the others lingered and murmured among themselves. How quickly the decision had been made, Malosi thought. He had expected more of an argument, but Amber had offended Teo.
Now that Teo had declared the ultimate word, the apprehension of what was to come took hold. They were going to be fighting a war, something the Telwa had not been involved in since he was a child when invaders from the north tried to rob them.
Those raiders were not Sethlanders. That empire had not yet been formed, but instead it was a nomadic army who had attacked. The Telwa lived in the valley in those days, in a remote village. When the invaders came, surprisingly, an enormous dragon rescued the Telwa. Why this creature chose their people above any other remained a puzzle, but the Telwa soon named him the Keeper. The dragon led them away from the desolation, the burning battlefields, the countryside that had been rampaged, into the mountains. It was then that Teo found Firetongue, The Keeper’s sire, and befriended him. The dragons promised to protect the Telwa as long as they lived humbly off the land and peacefully among themselves, and that they promised not to make wars with other nations. It was never required of them not to help others in battle, though. Firetongue would have told Teo that evening around the campfire if it were forbidden.
Malosi sighed, realizing his friends seemed as stunned as he was. Without speaking, he dusted his shirt, rose, and nodded at Ala to follow. Ala hugged Bassil close to his chest and jogged alongside Malosi away from the campfire.
“Will Bassil and I be going with you?”
Malosi kept his silence for he didn’t know the answer. Dai had insisted he stay home, but Malosi didn’t want to leave him behind. What if something should happen now that Ala held one of the dragons? He glanced at the sleeping hatchling in Ala’s arms, and at the boy who clung to him tightly.
Ala didn’t press for an answer.
The two walked in hushed steps, Malosi deep in thought, debating whether he should include the boy, afraid he’d be doing so just to contradict Dai, and knowing decisions made in anger were never beneficial.
Before they reached their house, Malosi took a deep breath and considered the heavens. The stars were exceptionally bright this evening, and the smells of the crisp mountain air refreshing. When Ala stopped along side of him, Malosi put a gentle hand on his shoulder. Ala was growing into a man almost overnight. No doubt the climb to the caves was a turning point into maturity. Perhaps the magic of the dragon already filled Ala’s veins. If he didn’t look so much like his brother, Malosi might not recognize him.
“We’ll discuss it again with Dai.”
Thank you for reading chapter 2 of Another Man’s Storm.
I was invited to participate in BookTopia’s September event on Backerkit, a partner site to Kickstarter. I’ll be offering a beautiful genuine leather, special edition of Thread of a Spider, my Irish historical fantasy.
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