Dragon's Future--Chapter 12 a

Twelve—The Aftermath

Upon dismounting at Three Spans Canyon, Ruskya found he could not stand.  He held to Wyeth's side as Kyn came running up.

"Hurry, please," he called both mentally and verbally.  "Carryl needs help.  Please, someone get Meredyth, and the others come with me."

Ruskya stood rooted to the spot not able to move.  Wyeth bent down and nuzzled him, "Little one, climb aboard.  I will take you to Carryl."

Ruskya nodded and slowly clamored aboard.  Glendyn who had not dismounted, flew off to get Meredyth.  Duskya walked unsteadily after Kyn.  Ruskya wasn't able to follow any of the conversation that Kyn was relating to Duskya, but he was able to note when icy blue sparkles fell on the boy and on his sister.  He sent a mental thank you to his dragon and let his head fall against Wyeth.  

The next thing Ruskya knew was he was lying on a bed.  He opened his eyes and saw Carryl's green ones gazing at him intently.

"Are you here to stay?" she asked him.

Ruskya just nodded.  His throat was dry and his mind foggy.  He couldn't remember much.  He saw not only concern but pain in her eyes.

"Can I leave you here with your sister, and you won't do anything to hurt her or yourself?"  Carryl inquired.

Ruskya looked puzzled.  What did she mean?  Then he understood.  If he did something to hurt himself, Duskya hurt also.  He nodded that she could go.  She stared down at him uncertain, but something seemed to pull her away.  At the same time Ruskya heard an inhuman cry of rage and pain from outside wherever he was lying.  

"I'll be back when I can, Ruskya," Carryl called running after the sound.

"What is it?" Ruskya thought hoarsely.

"It's Wyn," Duskya replied coming into his field of vision.  "Her rider didn't make it, Ruskya."  Her eyes were red-rimmed from tears.  "Carryl is trying to save Wyn.  No one has ever done that before.  Usually, the dragon will die also."

Ruskya nodded.  "Is there something to drink?" he asked.

Duskya brought over a cooling tea.  "Carryl said to have you drink all of this.  It will help clear your thoughts.  I had to read your thoughts to see what was wrong.  Ruskya, what did you do with that rider?"

Ruskya shrugged.  What could he say.  He wasn't sure himself what he had done.  He did what felt right.  He tried to sit up to take a drink and fell back.

"Would you let me help you?" Duskya said a little perturbed.  "You used to not be
able to do anything without my help.  Now you go off and attack a dragon rider.  What are you going to do next?  You'll be the death of me."

Ruskya knew that she was just venting her emotions.  Especially since all of this was said while she helped prop him up on some pillows and held the mug to his lips.

After a couple of sips, Ruskya replied in a stronger thought, "And without me, you would have a boring life, and you know it, too."

Duskya smiled.  "You're right, but it helps to keep you in line.  You almost killed us both with that dragon fire shield.  What gave you that idea?"

"It worked didn't it?  We couldn't have stood up to his fire without it."

"Yes, but next time, let me help you, and we can make it through without the mental wear and tear on you and the residual on me."

Ruskya tried to sit up, but Duskya pushed him down.  "Not yet, silly."

He nodded.  "How is Carryl?" he asked.

His sister looked at him funny, then replied, "I don't know."

"Well, can you see if you can feel her?  I'm too exhausted or else I would."

Again Duskya gave him that look.

"What?" he asked.  "I just want to know she is okay."

Duskya nodded and stretched to find her roommate.  It was easier than she thought it would be.  It was almost like finding Ruskya, but not quiet that easy.  Maybe more like finding her mother.  She found her and felt her exhaustion and her struggle to somehow control the wild dragon.  Carryl had given the dragon half of an herb remedy and the dragon was calming down.  Carryl still didn't know if it was going to work or not.  She was also talking to the dragon in soothing tones, calming her.  

Duskya turned back to Ruskya and saw that he was asleep.  

She sat down and thought about what Ruskya had just had her do.  Was it possible to find other riders and see what they saw?  She thought of another rider and immediately found the rider.  The rider was with her dragon upset at the thought of Wyn and her rider.  Duskya pulled away.  She stretched out to Glendyn and found him.  He was with Meredyth.  The two were holding each other in a hug.  Glendyn seemed to be explaining about the attack.  He led her back to Wyden and helped her up.  Meredyth seemed to protest, but Glendyn insisted.  He put his arms around her protectively.  

Duskya pulled away.  It was still difficult to think of Glendyn as a distant uncle.  He was more like a father.  Maybe he would always be that way.