reason. Those females are even more remarkable than I thought.
We reach the village, and Chief Brax’tan comes towards us.
“Anything, Swordmaster?”
“No dragon, no enemy tribe,” I reply. “Only Bigs, getting closer. But we can deal with them.”
Brax’tan scans the edge of the jungle. “Indeed. And we can deal with the tribes. Our only worry is the dragons. I’m not sure it’s a good sign that they’re nowhere to be found. Not so long ago, we would sometimes spot them or they would make themselves known to us on purpose. To tease us or because they crave attention, perhaps. But lately, there’s only been the occasional sighting.”
“Perhaps they’ve left this part of the jungle,” I suggest. “They’ve found no hoards here, after all. Maybe they’re searching elsewhere.”
“Maybe. Or they’re planning something. I can only assume that even dragons can be forced to cooperate when they get desperate enough. An assault like that is the last thing we want.”
“What do our own dragons say to that possibility?”
The chief sighs. “You know how hard it is to get anything out of Kyandros and Aragadon. It’s all ‘lesser beings’ and ‘they will burn to ashes’. But as far as I can understand, they don’t think it’s possible. To which I can only say that those two are probably among the strongest dragons here. They might not need to cooperate with other dragons, though I understand Aragadon got pretty close when he gained entry to the volcano with the gems. I think less powerful ones might have no choice if their lives depend on it.”
I slap the hilt of my sword. “We’re ready for anything, Chief.”
He gives me a tight smile. “So we are. Get some rest, Swordmaster. You had a long mission. I will order food brought to your hut.”
He turns and walks away, his black stripes making him look as if he’s always partly in shadow.
I gaze over the fence to the alien section of the village. I can’t see Dolly’s work area from here. Would it be right to just walk over there, like I ache to do? I don’t feel like quite as much of a failure as before.
No, I better not. It would be awkward. Our mission together was plainly a one-time thing. I had an absolutely wonderful time for two days. And now I want more? Am I not happy with that extraordinary experience?
One good mission doesn’t clean away my deep, scandalous failure. Not even a thousand successful missions would. Brax’tan is being very nice about it. But in his place, I would say the same thing, trusting the failed warrior to do the right thing without being ordered to. And I shall. I just need a new plan, and then I will rid the jungle of the dragons.
“Will you eat here, Swordmaster?”
A young warrior with white stripes holds a pot which emanates steam and a mouth-watering smell.
“Put it in front of my hut, please, Tanx’zan.”
“Very well.” He turns and walks in among the low huts where we warriors live.
I slowly follow.
Yes, I would want to spend more time with Dolly. The rest of my life, if possible. But I’m not worthy of that kind of special happiness, as we all know.
It doesn’t bother me. I will learn to live with the loss. And really, what have I lost? Nothing. I never had her, and I never will. Still, I’m happy and honored for the two days and the incredible Mating. How many from my old tribe have done that?
Nobody.
I raise my face to the sun and once more mouth a quiet, but sincere ‘thank you’ to the Ancestors.
It was more than I deserve.
17
- Dolly -
The sun sets, and after a day of experimentation I have a much better idea of how to extract both saltpeter and sulfur.
I stretch my legs and casually look over towards the army section. I can’t really see much, but it looks like the guys there are mostly back from their drills and patrols and things in the jungle.
I make my way over to the two main campfires outside the first cave where some of the girls lived for months. Now that cave is just another part of the village, and the hillside above it is used for both huts and growing things.
The campfires light up all the faces in the two circles, one with girls and one smaller with the married girls’ husbands. The conversation is lively, as usual. Looks like everyone is there for dinner.