The Awakening (37 page)

The maid shrugged, her mouth quirking in a small grin. “You’re right. Master Jaax needs to realize you are capable of making your own decisions without his consent and although I think your going to this meeting may not be the best idea, you do have a right to be there.”

Jahrra smiled, the tension of her irritation easing some. “Thank you, Neira.”

The maid heaved a sigh. “But don’t be too hard on him dear, he does what he thinks is best.” She glanced to the side, but her face cracked in a grin and her eye held a gleam of mischief when she looked back. “Do you know what else he did besides get rid of the she-dragon?”

Jahrra arched an eyebrow.

“Now, I wasn’t eavesdropping, mind, I just happened to overhear the end of his conversation with that other Tanaan, Kaller, Koeler . . .”

Jahrra gaped. “
Kehllor
?!”

“That’s it! Kehllor,” Neira beamed. “Yes, he was by earlier.”

“Whatever for?” Jahrra demanded.

Neira hushed her. “Don’t know, but I did happen to hear that Raejaax has given him Shiroxx’s old position.”

“What!
Why
?” Jahrra breathed, her mouth hanging open.

What on Ethoes could possess Jaax to take Kehllor under his wing? Did he know Kehllor was uncomfortably attached to Shiroxx? Jahrra felt a tiny bit of her anger melt away. Perhaps the golden Tanaan dragon had finally managed to pry himself free of Shiroxx.

“I’m not sure,” Neira answered, “but I liked the look of him,” she sniffed. “Honest eyes.”

Jahrra couldn’t fight her smile but it was entirely meant for Kehllor and his promotion; it had nothing to do with the fact that she was pleased with her guardian for being responsible for said promotion.

Neira helped her into her good jacket and Jahrra pulled on her practical boots.

The sound of movement below interrupted their activity and Jaax’s gruff voice drifted up to them from the first floor.

“Jahrra, I’m leaving for the meeting.” There was a hint of apology in his voice, as if he was sorry for his exasperation in their earlier conversation. “I may be home late so don’t bother waiting up.” There was a long pause. “We have much to discuss when I return. In the morning.”

Jahrra eyed Neira warily but the woman only shrugged.

“Alright,” Jahrra called back, doing her best to hide the sudden apprehension in her voice.
Much to discuss?
She didn’t like the sound of that and for a moment her uncertainty drowned out her ire against her guardian.

There was silence again for several moments, but the dragging sound of the great door being pulled open and then latched shut told them that Jaax was gone.

Jahrra pulled her jacket tightly around her and strode to her own door, pulling it open and turning down the hall towards the rooftop terrace.

“You know,” Neira called as she hurried to catch up, “you could go out the front, now that Jaax is gone.”

Jahrra turned and shook her head. “His senses of hearing and smell are too keen. He’ll know I’m following him before I have a chance to get halfway down the drive.”

Pulling open the window without the squeaky hinges, Jahrra stepped out onto the stone patio below and looked around. She hadn’t been out here in a while and she felt a pang of guilt as she spotted her small garden in one corner. She had been neglecting her dear apple trees and the smallest one looked rather morose.

Jahrra took a deep breath and strode forward.

“Thanks for your help, Neira,” she shot over her shoulder. “It would probably be best if you were in bed when we get back.” She swallowed and said mostly to herself, “There may be a fight.”

Neira merely nodded and shut the window with a soft click behind her.

Shaking off her nerves, Jahrra stepped up to her small orchard and reached out a hand, placing it against the thin trunk of the smallest tree. Its branches seemed to quiver at her touch and a vibrating, soundless hum moved just under the thick bark. Jahrra’s bracelet responded and with a flash of light only visible in her mind, Jahrra saw an image of her old home in Oescienne, a hidden memory of this little tree.

Jahrra bit her lip, trying not to get lost in the images of her old life, a life that seemed so forlorn at the time but would be very welcome now. She stayed there for a moment, her left hand pressed against the tree and her head bowed. She knew her presence brought this little one some joy; made its soul feel more connected to its old home.

Taking a deep breath that let in a bit too much of the cool twilight air, Jahrra pulled away from the tree and headed to the edge of the terrace.

She stepped up onto the balustrade and grasped one of the long, gnarled oak limbs that managed to reach the house, then turned her head back to the apple tree.

“When the days grow warmer, I’ll be out here more often,” she promised.

Grasping the oak branch firmly in both hands, Jahrra heaved herself up into its heights and climbed until her feet rested on a sturdy limb. Walking like an acrobat on a balance beam, she moved along the branch and across to another one. She decided it would be best if she stayed in the trees as long as she could so, mimicking a squirrel, she crawled and walked and swung down the steep side of their hill.

At the base of the hill, Jahrra climbed lower and jumped to the ground, landing in a crouch and looking around to make sure no one spotted her. The sky had taken on an inky hue so she wasted no more time in finding the trail she always took to Phrym’s stable. She followed the path for nearly a quarter of a mile before coming to a graveled road.

Jahrra walked briskly, her feet crunching upon the broken gravel. She met no one along the way, something she was both grateful for and wary of. The cackle of ravens above startled her at first, until she realized what they were. They noted her progress with glittering black eyes that seemed to accuse her of some heinous crime. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. The faint sound of horses and the smell of manure told her the stables were just over the rise in the road up ahead.

The old stable hand greeted her as she walked into the great barn.

“Going on a ride this late in the evening, Miss?” he asked as he went about his business lighting the lamps that hung around the horse stalls.

“Meeting tonight,” Jahrra answered.

She didn’t think it pertinent to give away too much information. This way, she told herself, no one would get in trouble with Jaax except herself.

A sharp whinny yanked her attention to the stall about midway down the huge barn. A storm-gray face split by a white blaze gazed back at her and Phrym’s ears pricked forward in interest.

Jahrra smiled widely, leaving the stable hand behind as she moved quickly down the wide isle. Many other horses and semequins eyed her curiously as she passed, some stomping and tossing their heads, begging for a treat.

“Phrym!” Jahrra breathed, stepping up onto a stool and placing her hands on each of his cheeks. He rumbled a low welcome, lipping her sleeves as he searched for apples.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have a snack tonight, but I need you to help me with a mission.”

Phrym regarded her with smoky eyes and Jahrra smiled. She quickly gathered his tack and had him saddled in ten minutes.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back before midnight but I’m not sure how long my meeting will last,” she told the stable hand.

He shrugged and gave a toothy grin. “Not to worry. I’ll just be sleeping in the back if I’m not up. If you need any help with Phrym, just come get me.”

Jahrra nodded and clicked Phrym forward, his marble gray coat blending into the deep twilight.

Once they reached one of the main roads through town Jahrra brought him up to a quicker pace, his hooves clacking sharply against the cobbled street. The lamps were lit and the streets weren’t yet empty, nor were they filled with those who preferred the night life. The night air was chilly and Jahrra clung to her semequin’s warm body as they moved towards the University.

Jahrra directed Phrym right down the center of the school’s main plaza when they arrived, the tall, leafless trees on either side standing stark against the black sky. A mixture of students, professors and others mingled about, chatting in small groups, playing an odd musical instrument or just passing through on their way home. A few people waved as they passed and once they drew closer to Emehriel Hall, Jahrra noticed the large figure of a dragon climbing the steps and disappearing between the columns.

Taking a deep breath, she directed Phrym off to the side, towards the wooden fence she had secured him to many times before. She slid from his back and dusted herself off, trying to smooth wrinkles and making sure her tunic was straight. She stood for a moment with her hands pressed to Phrym’s neck as she tried to rein in her nerves.

She knew she’d told Neira she deserved to be present at this meeting and she believed it herself, but it didn’t take away the fact that it was daunting to think of walking into that great hall in front of the entire Coalition to challenge Jaax.

No, it’s not really a challenge
, she told herself,
but he will view it as such
. Then she allowed herself a small laugh.
You have never once addressed the entire Coalition on any issue before, and this is how you decide to start?

Pushing away from Phrym, Jahrra drew in a great gust of air through her nose and stood up tall. She could do this. After all, she was one of the prime reasons why the Coalition existed. If she really wished to she could demand their loyalty and override Jaax’s authority. She never would, but that is what she told herself as she made her way to the steps, taking them with shaky legs, before passing through the massive columns. She paused outside the huge doors, their size and height large enough to accommodate the dragons that frequented the University for one reason or another.

Jahrra reached out and grabbed the metal loop of the much smaller door and closing her eyes, heaved it towards herself. A few of the lamps were lit in the lobby of the building, but they held no interest for her. Her attention was drawn towards the murmur of many voices drifting through the open doors of Essyel Auditorium. The sound of Jaax’s voice rose above them all and Jahrra froze in fright. She swallowed and experienced an overwhelming temptation to run back outside, grab Phrym and ride hard back to the stables before the Tanaan dragon detected her presence.

No
, she told herself firmly before making the final leap,
it’s time you stood up for yourself and proved yourself worth listening to.

With that last thought, she straightened her shoulders and passed between the massive columns and into the great hall before her.

-
Chapter Twenty-One
-

Enemies and Allies

Jahrra’s boot heels clacked and echoed horribly as she walked over to the open door leading into Essyel Auditorium. Taking one more deep breath, Jahrra fisted her hands and stepped through the entrance. Nobody noticed her at first and she was too frightened to clear her throat or call out, so she just stood there and listened, her eyes finding Jaax immediately.

Her guardian sat rigid behind the large podium on the presentation stage, Kehllor on one side and Dathian on the other. Jahrra released a huge sigh of relief. Even if he couldn’t help her in this latest challenge she had taken upon herself, it was a comfort knowing her elvin friend was nearby.

Scattered throughout the auditorium were other members of the Coalition, all sitting or standing, all of them seeming to be arguing amongst themselves about one thing or another. Jahrra didn’t feel as if the arguing was done in anger, just a general pre-meeting banter to get ideas flowing. She heard several complaints about calling a meeting on such short notice.

“Jahrra?”

Jahrra started and then froze at the sound of her name being shouted above all the noise. Dathian had spotted her and to her slight relief he had a small, encouraging smile on his face. The chatter slowed and then diminished, all eyes now on her.

“Your guardian informed us that you would not be able to make it to this evening’s meeting,” Dathian continued, his voice raised to carry over the space between them. He cast a wary glance towards Jaax.

Jahrra swallowed and answered, “No, I was delayed, but I am here now.”

Kehllor, Jahrra noticed, grinned and gave her guardian a questioning look. It was strange seeing the golden dragon at the center of the gathering and not sitting in the back of the room with Shiroxx. Would the female dragon even be here tonight, despite Jaax’s condemnation? She hadn’t bothered to check on her way in and she wasn’t about to now.

Dathian stepped aside and gestured towards the chair beside him, an invitation for her to make her way down the stairs and join those at the center of the room.

Jahrra shot a hooded glance at Jaax and nearly blanched. Oh yes, he was not happy with her presence. It looked as if he were digging his claws into the dark wood of the stage floor. Instead of letting it have a negative effect on her Jahrra decided to revert, if only a little, back to her haughty childhood self.

She held her head high and answered in her most determined tone of voice, “Yes, I’d like that.”

She took the stairs carefully, not looking at any of the other Coalition members as she sunk lower into the room. When she reached the stage she quickly headed towards the chair Dathian had indicated. It was a relatively safe spot, putting herself between a prince of Dhonoara and Jaax. He really couldn’t afford risking the life of an important royal ally should he decide to try and murder her on the spot, so at least for now she could rest easy.

“Shall we begin this meeting?” Kehllor asked Jaax in a lowered voice.

“Perhaps we should,” he growled, low enough for only those on the stage to hear.

Jahrra lowered her head, not wanting to look at him.

He cleared his throat and addressed the entire room, “Thank you all for coming to this special meeting. We have much to discuss for there have been recent changes that involve members of our cause that must be addressed immediately.”

Jahrra detected the bitterness in his voice as he spoke the words and she took the opportunity to glance about the room once more. There were three other dragons there besides Kehllor and Jaax. Two of them looked like Korli dragons in shades of grey and blue, the other one, although not Shiroxx, was just as bad as the vindictive dragoness.

Rohdann, his soot black scales standing out against the bright room and his pale blue eyes watching her with malicious intent, made her skin crawl. Whereas Kehllor had been Shiroxx’s loyal hound, abused and made to feel he couldn’t survive without her support, Rohdann had been her shadow.

Although he only attended meetings sparingly, the black Tanaan’s presence had always made Jahrra squirm. And in the last few months he’d managed to turn the subject of any meeting into a challenge, whatever that subject might be. It was no secret he despised Jaax and through him Jahrra herself.

The fact that he was present tonight without his leading lady and that his full attention was aimed at Jahrra, made her feel as if Shiroxx’s retribution had already been put into motion. Surely the malicious dragoness had informed Rohdann of her quandary. But did she yet know of Kehllor’s shift in loyalty? Jahrra cast this thought aside, for she wasn’t even supposed to know yet.

Shaking her head and swallowing hard, Jahrra tried to ignore her wandering thoughts and the black menace near the top of the room. Acting on instinct, she turned her head just enough to keep her guardian within sight.

Jaax glanced at Kehllor and the younger dragon gave a single nod, then he turned his gaze on Jahrra. Feeling a strange obligation, she looked back at Jaax with stubborn resolution. His own eyes were hard but they seemed to have lost a good deal of their wrath. Only a hint of confusion and maybe even pain clouded them now.

Jahrra was surprised at this. Had she managed to hurt Jaax’s feelings again? Was he so convinced that he thought he knew what was best for her that it pained him if she ever went against his word?

Turning his head, Jaax addressed the crowd once again. He chose to forego small talk and got straight to the point. “Earlier this morning I was impelled to dismiss Shiroxx from the Coalition. She will no longer be welcome at our meetings, privy to our actions or accepted among our members as a dragon fighting for the cause.”

The murmuring began before Jaax had even finished his statement. Jahrra darted her eyes around the room, noting who seemed pleased, angry or undecided. The dragons seemed to have mixed feelings; some were whispering to one another, their eyes wide with sadistic glee. Some merely glowered at Jaax. The elves among them were doing the same, though an air of nervousness flitted about them.

All the others, not belonging to the dragons or the elves, were talking the loudest, some starting full blown arguments. Jahrra swallowed and glanced at the golden dragon just on the other side of Jaax. How was he taking all this? He showed neither anger nor surprise, just a rigid determination not to let any of his emotions surface. His eyes merely scanned the crowd as Jaax tried to bring order to this meeting. He seemed to have adjusted to his newly appointed position within the Coalition very quickly. Jahrra didn’t know whether to be disturbed or impressed by this realization. It was wonderful to know he had finally broken free of Shiroxx and was now offering his loyalty to those meaning to do good in the Coalition, but the fact that he could slip into those shoes so smoothly within just a few hours was something not to be ignored. She would think about it later; right now she had other things to worry about.

“Citizens of Ethoes!” Jaax shouted above the clamor, “Hold your opinions until you hear the length of it.”

Reluctantly, the many facets of conversation ceased.

Jaax opened his mouth to continue, but was interrupted.

“And who are you to have made such a major decision without consulting the board?”

Jahrra felt her stomach flip over. It was Rohdann who spoke, of course. She took a deep, ragged breath.
So it begins.

Jaax shot his attention towards Rohdann’s pale blue glare and his jaw tightened.

“You’ll give me the courtesy of waiting until I am through,” he growled.

“And why should I?” the black Tanaan sneered. “You didn’t give us the courtesy of coming to a joint decision about Shiroxx.”

Jaax actually snarled but luckily it was low enough not to carry beyond the stage. Kehllor shifted and Jahrra could feel the tension rolling off of him.

Jahrra was beginning to worry. She hoped this wouldn’t turn into another argument over who really should be the leader of the Coalition. The last time Rohdann was given leave to speak his mind he outright challenged Jaax, accusing him of being an incompetent leader and demanded his colleagues seriously reconsider a replacement. Jahrra had later learned from Dathian and a handful of other Coalition members that Rohdann had a few loose supporters, but she’d been assured that their bark was worse than their bite.

The thought of someone else replacing Jaax, especially if that someone else was Rohdann, made Jahrra shudder. Suddenly, most of the boiling anger she’d felt against her guardian evaporated. She didn’t always agree with Jaax’s decisions, his most recent one a good example, but she would always stand beside him and support him. It had taken quite a while for her to see it but Jahrra knew without a doubt that no one else could have kept the Coalition together as well as Jaax had in Hroombra’s wake.

“Oh, do shut your mouth before any more untrained thoughts escape,” Anthar said, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his tail flicking his sides in irritation.

Rohdann shot the centaur a poisonous glance but those around him were snickering and tried to hide their smiles. Jahrra grinned in Anthar’s direction and he winked at her. She hadn’t seen him when she’d entered, but then again, she hadn’t seen much save for the two dragons and one elf standing beside her now.

“As I was saying,” Jaax continued, his tone holding a threat, “I will gladly explain my decision to all of you and hopefully then you’ll see why my choice was immediate, and necessary.”

Jahrra felt the bottom of her stomach drop out.
Here it comes
.

“It came to my knowledge that during my absence a few weeks ago Shiroxx paid Jahrra a visit. She inquired after me and when Jahrra informed her of my trip, Shiroxx became overly curious. When my ward would not reveal the details of my journey, Shiroxx grew hostile and accused her of disloyalty to myself, and in essence, disloyalty to the Coalition. Furthermore,”

Jaax paused and took a breath, casting a worried glance in Jahrra’s direction. She gulped down her nerves. She could tell by that look that whatever he was about to say wouldn’t be pleasing.

“I have been informed that Shiroxx has also employed spies to keep an eye on Jahrra and to report back everything they learned.”

An audible gasp permeated the crowd so Jahrra couldn’t say whether or not she made any noise herself. She suddenly felt as if she were made of jelly. She looked at Jaax and the answer in his eyes was pure apology. He had known, but hadn’t told her. Why? More protection? Yet, for once Jahrra was glad he hadn’t. Such knowledge would have only made her paranoid.

When the crowd eventually recovered from their surprise Jaax continued on, his voice sounding slightly hoarse, “We cannot afford to have her harassing Jahrra and distracting me from my duties and all of you from yours.”

The Coalition’s leader took a deep breath and blinked at the stage floor, studying the grooves his claws had created. He looked up after a moment and continued, “Jahrra is the reason we exist. Our pledge to Ethoes is to protect the human child and keep her safe from harm; to aid her in the fight against the Tyrant and his god.”

Jahrra resented being called a child but now was not the time to complain. She had never seen Jaax so serious, except for the time just after Hroombra’s death.

As if he could hear her thoughts, Jaax turned his gaze onto her, his mouth grim and his eyes troubled, almost as if they were beseeching her.

“And I assume you got both sides of the story?” Rohdann’s remark was snide but lacked much of its earlier bite. “And how can you be so sure Shiroxx sent out spies? Who informed you of this absurdity?”

Jahrra could have sworn the dragon’s gaze landed on Kehllor but it was a quick thing and she was more distracted by the falter in his tone. She suspected that perhaps the black dragon saw reason in Jaax’s decision, now that he knew why it had been made. Still, Rohdann wouldn’t roll over that easily.

Jaax’s softened gaze hardened again and he shot his head towards his challenger.

“Of course I did!” he hissed, answering Rohdann’s first question. “Despite your extreme dislike for me Rohdann, do you think I would make such a significant decision without a thorough investigation?”

A light murmur began once again and those standing closest to Rohdann started to move away.

The black dragon snorted. “For all I know you’re merely trying to remove a distraction of a whole other sort.”

Now
that
comment garnered a reaction. Jahrra gasped, Dathian made a strangled sound, Kehllor took a step back, and the entire Coalition started whispering harshly to their neighbors once again.

Jahrra dared to look at Jaax and she was almost sorry she did. He was angry, very angry, but he held onto his temper, better than he did whenever he was annoyed with her. But something about his stance rankled Jahrra. She looked over the crowd and most everyone seemed to be eying Jaax with suspicion now, hiding their quiet words behind hands, yet letting their intentions be shown on their faces; in their looks.

A slow, deep burning anger grew in the pit of Jahrra’s stomach. How dare they? How dare Rohdann make such a vicious, suggestive comment? And for most of their friends and colleagues to consider it? Jahrra threw aside her fears of being here, of her cloaked concern for Shiroxx and what removing her from the Coalition might do.