“I see several people with dark auras.”
“And?”
“I think the auras reflect sadness and loneliness, not evil intent. There are a lot more somber shades than I’m used to seeing. It was like this on Effram, in the market before we found you.” Bixby didn’t like the atmosphere around them. “Let me examine this more closely.”
Totobee-Rodolow remained silent while Bixby chose targets and delved into their thoughts. Bixby sat straight, methodically choosing those whose physical appearance suggested prosperity. She reviewed several, but had to stop. The readings were repetitive and depressing. Moving on to those who wore patched clothing, she found the same sort of thinking. Their similar attitudes puzzled her, and the fact that so many dissatisfied people walked the busy wall road worried her.
She slumped against the convenient horn. “Their sadness is linked to lack of hope. Each one has specific problems, and their troubles are varied. The one thing they have in common is that they each look at their trials and can see no change in their futures. And so they despair.”
“We’re coming to the gate. How do you wish to present yourself to the guards? Do you want to get down and walk? Or would you rather ride in grandeur and impress them with your social standing?”
“Walk, but first I must change my outfit.”
“Of course.” Totobee-Rodolow leaned forward so her chin was inches away from Cantor’s ear. “The women in your party wish to freshen up. I see bath houses beside the main road. Shall we make a slight detour in order to present ourselves as emissaries of import, rather than dusty ragamuffins?”
She didn’t wait for his answer, but broke away from Cantor and led the female dragons away. Bixby heard Cantor’s exasperated objection. “When is anyone going to take heed of the time? Am I the only one worried about being late to the battle?”
OH NO, NOT AGAIN!
The guards at the gate looked askance at the five dragons but did not prevent them from entering the city. The friends searching for Chomountain and Dukmee had put together a plan to attract attention.
Bixby, dressed opulently in shimmering fabrics with glittering accessories and a spectacular crown, rode atop Totobee-Rodolow’s back. Totobee-Rodolow gleamed with iridescent colors and a rainbow of jewels scattered across her neck and tail. Jesha, her neck encircled with a shiny gold collar, sat in Bixby’s lap. The other dragons looked drab in comparison, but that was how they intended to portray themselves.
Cantor acted as spokesman, introducing Bixby as the Princess Bixby D’Mazeline. The rest of the party were her servants, including him. Cantor did not mention Chomountain. After showing papers with the royal seal of Richra prominently displayed, Cantor was allowed to lead the small procession through the gate.
Once inside, they went straight to the most fashionable inn and took rooms for a week. Bixby felt Cantor shudder as he made the arrangements. He feared they would not be prepared to deflect the Lymen invasion. Her efforts to ease his anxiety had failed, perhaps because she too was growing increasingly apprehensive over the delays.
Sitting by a large window overlooking the street, she and Totobee-Rodolow watched the mass of people passing by. She determined to remain focused on finding Chomountain and Dukmee. That was the most useful thing she could do to help Cantor.
They had calculated that their splashy entrance into Higtrap would draw attention. Rumors would fly. News would spread. Chomountain and Dukmee would hear of their arrival, and the two friends would find the five dragons and two humans.
Cantor approached their seats, though he didn’t sit down since his role of servant forbade such familiarity. “Are you ready for the next phase of our deception?”
Bixby carefully controlled her expression. She must look the aristocrat listening to her man of business, and not the friendly girl paying attention to her friend.
She glanced at Totobee-Rodolow, who gave a slight nod.
Lifting her nose in the air, Bixby responded with quiet hauteur. “Yes, we are ready.”
The roll of laughter from Cantor’s mind jerked her head around. She stared at his placid expression but saw the amusement in his eyes.
“Stop it. You’ll make me giggle and ruin my performance.”
“I’m sending Rollygon with you. Or would you rather have one of the girls?”
“I’m fine with Rollygon. We meet back here at four?”
“Yes. Send a message if you’re tracing down a lead.”
Bixby fought the smile that wanted to pop out on her lips. She just wasn’t a somber, arrogant person. Being arrogant was hard work.
She nodded regally, and Cantor left the room. Rollygon soon joined them, and the three went out the front door of the inn, intent on causing a stir and giving any messengers a chance to deliver a note without being detected.
In the courtyard at the side of the inn, Totobee-Rodolow paused. “Up on my back, darling. You must look like a princess.”
“I want to walk. I can look like a princess while I examine the goods in the market.”
“You don’t mingle with the riffraff.”
“What riffraff? These are well-to-do citizens.”
“Beneath your notice, dear Bixby. On my back.”
Bixby heaved a sigh and mounted. “How’s anyone going to slip me a note way up here?”
“If they are good at their job, they’ll manage.”
Rollygon took up his position in front of Totobee-Rodolow. Glancing over his shoulder, he winked at the princess.
Totobee-Rodolow poked him. “None of that. You are too in awe of Her Highness to be so cheeky.”
As planned, they slowly moved through the streets to the most prestigious market. Once there, Bixby overruled Totobee-Rodolow and got down to shop. She inspected the most expensive clothing and jewelry and made several purchases, endearing herself to the shop owners. By the time they had made a leisurely pass through the booths and indoor stores, no one doubted her legitimacy as a princess.
Rollygon acted as bodyguard. He stepped closer to her as she exited a storefront. “The councilman you pointed out to us was here.”
She moved on without comment. The fact that Rollygon had voiced this news without moving his lips almost undid her pretense. She choked on a laugh and quickly raised her handkerchief to cover her grin.
As she paused before a table of embroidered linen, he spoke again. “He pointed you out to three men. Now he is leaving. No. He’s moved away, but watches from the next café. The one across the lane and down three shops.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched her dragon bodyguard. He spoke loud enough for just her and maybe Totobee-Rodolow to hear. But his mouth never even twitched. Amazing. She wondered if she could develop that talent.
This time it was she who Totobee-Rodolow poked. “Pay attention,” she hissed. “These men are out to do you bodily harm.”
The pointy claw in her side and the tone of Totobee-Rodolow’s voice brought her up short. Yes, of course, this was serious. Pretending to be a princess — well, she really was a princess, so it wasn’t exactly pretending — had muzzied her brain. Those men wouldn’t be pretending to hurt her.
She stepped into the shop close by and took off her crown. Totobee-Rodolow was beside her.
With her hamper in her hand, she explained, “I’m going to wear the circlet that helps me delve into a person’s thoughts. Also, my aura enhancer, and perhaps my awareness crown.”
The shopkeeper came to offer assistance. “May I show you something in particular, Your Highness?”
Aha! So their ploy had worked. Everyone in Higtrap must be aware of who she was, and probably half of them knew where she was at this very moment. It wouldn’t be easy to harm her or snatch her under so many interested eyes.
She communicated that theory to her dragon friend and had it shot down.
“Darling, they need only say that they are emissaries of your father, sent to return you to his palace.”
“How about a portal? There must
be one around. We can pop through a portal, then come back through it when they’ve given up on us.”
“Excuse me, Your Highness. I carry the most exquisite perfumes, colognes, toilet waters, natural scents, and fragrant wax. What is your pleasure today?”
Bixby tightened her brows, glancing at the man at her elbow. “What?” She looked around. “Oh, this is a perfume shop.”
The shopkeeper took a long breath. “Yes, Your Highness. What may I bring to your attention?”
“The strongest scent you have, in the biggest bottle. Make that a very fragile bottle.”
The man frowned but went off to do her bidding.
Rollygon poked his head through the open door. “There are more of them now. Two stationed at each way out of this section of the market. You might be able to go out a back door.”
“I’ll look.” Totobee-Rodolow brushed past the returning shopkeeper.
Offering a large green bottle, he said, “Essence of Lalemdice. A fine bath oil with a strong aroma of the lalemdice flower. Only a small amount in a large bathing basin will provide a long-lasting subtle fragrance throughout the day or night.” He uncorked the bottle and waved it below Bixby’s nose to allow her a whiff of the oil.
Bixby cringed. “Oh my, that is strong.”
“But only a drop . . .” The man touched his thumb to the cork, passed his thumb over the fingertips of the same hand, then lifted his fingers to inches away from Bixby’s nose.
She didn’t bother to breathe in the whiff he offered. “That’s fine. I’ll take it.”
Totobee-Rodolow came back, squeezing past the shopkeeper who was again going the opposite direction.
“It won’t do, dear. There are a number of most disagreeable thugs in the alley.”
Bixby pulled out her hamper again. “I have a portal locator in here.”
Just as the shopkeeper returned with her purchase, Bixby shoved the fourth crown on top of the smaller three. Her scan of the surroundings revealed the man’s veiled impatience. His effort to control his dislike of royalty practically slapped her in the face. Startled by the intensity, she offered him a charming smile, hoping to soften his bitterness. His fiery aura dimmed not one bit.
The shopkeeper intrigued her, but she had other claims on her time. Opening another hamper, she found the traps to pay the man for the bath oil.
Totobee-Rodolow took the paper-wrapped bottle and led them out of the shop. She paused in the lane. The people around them didn’t seem to notice the loitering men surrounding the market block.
Rollygon edged closer to Totobee-Rodolow. “What is she doing?”
“She’s evaluating the force against us. She’ll be able to tell us where the weakest link is in the chain.”
“Huh?”
“Which men are the least evil, least motivated, least trained, most likely to be overwhelmed if we fight them. She’s also looking for a portal.”
“I like the idea of a portal much more than a fight.” Rollygon surveyed the narrow street, busy with shoppers and wares spilling out to be displayed in front of the stores. “It’ll have to be a portal. I couldn’t get enough of a wing spread to fly straight up.”
Bixby turned her full attention to them. “There is a portal.” She surveyed the stores they had already passed. “It is just beyond those men guarding at the cross lane. We’ll have to get past them.”
She and Totobee-Rodolow exchanged a glance. They both transferred their gazes to Rollygon.
“Are you ready for this?” asked Bixby.
The mor dragon swallowed hard. “Fighting?”
Totobee-Rodolow gave a soft chuckle and winked at her young friend. “Just pretend, darling, that you are wrestling with your classmates at home.” She patted his shoulder and leaned closer. “Only hit harder.” She straightened. “You’ll be fine.”
Bixby cleared her throat and spoke louder than her normal tone. “I’m weary. We will return to the inn now.”
She climbed onto Totobee-Rodolow’s neck, arranged herself to sit sideways, and took the perfume the dragon handed her. Jesha moved to perch on Totobee-Rodolow’s head as Rollygon took his position, looking only slightly nervous.
“We must hurry,” Bixby told her two friends. “The portal will remain open for only a few more minutes.”
She scrutinized the two men in their way as Totobee-Rodolow wound through the crowd. They were well-trained, delighted with the prestige of their job working for the councilmen, and proud of their fighting skills. Not exactly what she wanted to find. At least she and her friends had the advantage of surprise.
Totobee-Rodolow approached the intersection and maneuvered between the two thugs. Bixby kept an eye on the guard on her side, knowing the two dragons watched the man on the other side.
He moved to interfere with their leaving. A flick of his eyes was all the warning she had before his arm shot out, hand snatching at her skirt hem. She smiled, took aim, and swung the heavy bottle. The fragile glass shattered on the man’s head, and Bixby held her breath as oil flowed over his hair, face, and shoulders. Stunned, the guard collapsed in a coughing, choking heap on the stone-covered walkway.
A third man stepped out and grabbed Bixby’s leg, his fingers digging in to her calf. Her heart rate spiked; then the guard took a breath and the fumes from the bath oil hit him like a physical blow. He coughed and squeezed his eyes shut against the onslaught of tears. She took advantage of his discomfort, hurling a well-placed kick to send the man reeling.
With a glance over her shoulder, Bixby saw the other men running to converge on her and her friends. The townspeople huddled in the doorways, too timid to step out and help either side and too fascinated to disappear into the shops.
Totobee-Rodolow and Rollygon had sandwiched the second man between their tails. With a united effort, they hurled the guard into the air. His body landed on two men racing to give aid to the already conquered thugs. Tearing her gaze from the chaos behind, Bixby searched the area for the shimmer of the portal. There. She jumped from one dragon’s back to the other and pointed. “To the portal,” she commanded.
Rollygon sprinted the few feet and dove through the opening. Totobee-Rodolow followed with such speed that she slammed into them. They went through the portal in a jumble of tumbling bodies, accompanied by Jesha’s ear-numbing screech.
Bixby rolled the farthest and came to a stop when she ran into someone’s legs. She checked the polished boots and trim trousers. For some reason, they looked familiar.
Stretching out on her back, her gaze traveled up the lean figure to the face of a man looking down at her. He looked tremendously pleased.
“You came back! Will you marry me this time?”
Groaning, she covered her eyes with an arm. “No. I’m still busy.”
A TEGAN ENCOUNTER
Bixby stood and brushed dirt and bits of dried grass off her skirts. Still picking brittle brown blades out of the loose weave of her top, she checked to see if Totobee-Rodolow and Rollygon were all right. They sat next to each other. Rollygon grinned as his eyes roamed the surroundings. Totobee-Rodolow used a pocket mirror to examine her face.
When Bixby looked around for Jesha, she was startled to find the cat had made her comfy spot in Tegan’s arms. The bothersome man couldn’t be all bad if he’d won Jesha’s approval.
Still suspicious, Bixby narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
Tegan stopped stroking the cat to frown at Bixby. “Why do you always ask me questions?”
“Because I like to know things.” She watched him tickle Jesha’s nose with a feather he pulled from his pocket. When she responded enthusiastically, he set her down, tied the feather to a string retrieved from another pocket, and tantalized the cat by keeping it just out of her reach.
Bixby tried again. “So what are you doing here?”
Tegan shook his head. “I don’t remember.”
“Try.”
He let the cat capture the feather and swooped her up in his arms again.
His expression stilled. To look at him, one would think he pondered great and weighty matters. Finally, he shrugged his well-muscled shoulders. “I think I was waiting for something.”
Bixby was pleased to have gotten some kind of definitive answer. “What?”
His face brightened. “You?”
Her momentary hope fizzled. “You couldn’t have known I would be coming through the portal. We didn’t know we’d have to use it until five minutes ago.”
Tegan nodded, not terribly upset that his theory did not pan out. With a final rub behind Jesha’s ears, he put the cat on the ground with the feather and string. Jesha sat for a moment in a regal pose, then sprang on the feather. Trailing the string behind, she flounced off with her kill.
Moving in a languid manner, Totobee-Rodolow ambled over to stand beside Bixby. “Darling, please introduce us. I don’t believe I’ve met your handsome young man.” She batted her dark, thick, and exquisitely shaped eyelashes. “Although she did describe you.”
Starting with an impatient sigh, Bixby made the formal introduction. “Totobee-Rodolow, I would like to acquaint you with someone who tried to kidnap me the last time we met. Tegan —”
She stopped, her cheeks warming. Leaning closer, she whispered, “What is your last name?”
He gazed at her for a moment. “I forgot.”
She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Tegan, this is my friend and occasional constant, Totobee-Rodolow.”
Bowing with the grace and finesse of a courtier, Tegan smiled at the elegant dragon. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
Rollygon sidled up to stand on the other side of Bixby. Bixby realized he wanted an introduction as well. As soon as Rollygon and Tegan exchanged bows and polite greetings, Rollygon came out with a question he’d obviously been holding back.
“Tegan, can you tell us what plane we’re on?”
The tall man looked around. “This isn’t Effram.”
Startled, Bixby peered at the nearby countryside. Rock formations dotted the arid land. No, this wasn’t Effram or her home plane, Richra, or Dairine.