Free Dragon and Phoenix by Joanne Bertin Page B

truedragon said. His mindvoice was slow, thoughtful. *But I do not see thee.* Once again he studied Maurynna.
    Behind her Maurynna felt Boreal shift, likely sensing her growing uncertainty. Swallowing hard, she took her courage into both hands and asked, “What do you mean, my lord?”
    *These old eyes see thee here before me quite plainly.* Morlen stretched out a forefoot capable of crushing a draft horse and touched her cheek with one claw tip, a touch as light as a child’s kiss. *I can touch thee. But thee are not there when I look with just my mind. It is as if thee have a cloud wrapped around thee. But because I know thee are here, I may speak to thee.*
    There was a hint of—fear? awe?—in the truedragon’s mindvoice. No, that couldn’t be right. Nothing as insignificant as she could inspire such feelings in one so huge and powerful and ancient. Still, Maurynna had the feeling that if he could have, Morlen would have wrinkled his brow in deep thought.
    Talassaene, the dragon to Morlen’s right said, *Grandsire, perhaps she is the one.*
    Morlen swung his great head to face his amethyst-scaled companion. Their gazes locked; Maurynna made no move lest she disturb the silent communion. Then Morlen turned to her once more and said, *So. Are thee, then, the newest Dragonlord? The one none of us sensed?*
    “Yes,” Maurynna said. “I am Maurynna Kyrissaean.”
    *Ahhhhhh.*
    The exhalation surged like a wind through her mind. Behind it Maurynna thought she caught a glimmering of understanding. But of what?
    *Little cousin,* Morlen said, *I must admit to a great deal of curiosity about thee and thy dragonsoul. I wish to speak with thy dragon half, Kyrissaean. Will thee allow this? There is no danger to thee, but I would not enter thy mind so deeply without thy permission.*
    Maurynna smiled halfheartedly. “My lord Morlen, if you can get Kyrissaean to speak with you, then have at her!” she said with a wry laugh. Maybe this lord of truedragons could talk some sense into her idiot dragon half.
    The great head tilted; Morlen looked puzzled. Then, *Very well, little cousin. Perhaps it would be well if thee sat down; it is best if thee can relax.*
    Maurynna had her doubts that she would be able to relax while someone she didn’t know went into her mind, but she was willing to try. She sat cross-legged in the long grass; at a grunt behind her she turned to see Boreal lowering himself to the ground, crosswise to her. “Thank you, Boreal,” she said as she leaned back against him and closed her eyes.
    Morlen’s touch was gentle, like kitten’s whiskers tickling her mind. Maurynna nearly laughed. But in the next instant, agony blazed through both mind and body.
    Kyrissaean shrieked in rage, lashing out at Morlen, at the other truedragons, at Maurynna. The breath froze in Maurynna’s lungs; she fell to the side, thrashing upon the ground, struggling for air. But the pain only grew worse and breathing impossible. The world turned grey.
     
     
    Linden knocked on the door to Otter’s chambers. The voices inside broke off their conversation. Then came the crisp click of boot heels crossing the floor; a moment later the door swung open.
    “Hello!” Otter said in surprise. “What are you doing here, boyo?” He stood aside.
    As Linden entered, Raven paused in the doorway of one of the three sleeping chambers off the sitting room of Otter’s suite.
    Oh, Gifnu’s hells , Linden thought sourly. He would have to be here now .
    “I’m looking for Maurynna,” he said. “Is she here?”
    “No,” Otter said. Then, “Can’t you tell where she is? I thought soultwins always knew where each other were, what was happening, that sort of thing.”
    Raven leaned against the door frame, arms crossed before his chest, listening. Every line of his body screamed insolence.
    Linden pressed his lips together in annoyance before answering, “I tried searching for her before. But she’s angry with me and shut me out. Since she’s not