Free Soul Bonds Book 1 Circles of Light series by E.M. Sinclair Page B

whiteness and returning to his worktable. He gazed unseeing at a map, held unwound by a book on one end and a lump of rock on the other.
    Rhaki tried to imagine how the minds of a human or a Nagum would choose a route towards him. They had Dragons with them, but how or why they had made pets of a pair of young Dragons, Rhaki dismissed as of no importance. He was hoping Jal would at least have discovered their names. Once Rhaki had a name, he had something to work with. He had heard they had been seen in the foothills of the Spine Mountains. He mused again on the idea of pet Dragons. By the stars! A pair of fengars would have been less noticeable and more useful companions surely?
    There came a gentle rap on his door. ‘Come,’ said Rhaki, moving back to his fireside chair.
    Obviously Jal was intent on proving his devotion to duty; his hat was hung with rapidly melting icicles and his greatcoat was heavy with snow water. He started to squelch towards his master. ‘Stay,’ Rhaki ordered sharply, just before the man set a soaking boot to a rather valuable carpet.
    ‘The two you sent me to seek after are within the maze of the upper Spine Mountains, Master. They would seem to be heading for the Highlands rather than directly here.’
    ‘Seem? Do you not know more surely? What reports from the herders on the Middle Plains?’
    ‘Master, some herders saw two Dragons with riders on their backs. There is turmoil at such tales. Even those who saw the Dragons try to believe they imagined such a sight. Those who did not see the Dragons pour scorn on the idea.’
    ‘There has been no contact, no approach, made by the two I seek to any others?’
    ‘No Master, the opposite rather. They avoid humans and go far around towns and cities.’
    ‘And their names?’
    ‘I regret, no names were spoken Master.’
    ‘Hmm,’ Rhaki’s long fingers drummed on the broad arms of his chair. Jal did not move, a puddle spreading from his boots and steam rising from his coat. Rhaki abandoned his thoughts, ‘Go then Jal. Standing around in wet clothes will do you no good.’ He waved dismissively and Jal bowed soggily and left his Master’s presence.
    So the Dragons were being used as transport, not just as pet companions as he had supposed. Rhaki decided that that proved how simple minded and docile they must be despite their great size. He felt Emla had made a sad misjudgement here; fengars were naturally aggressive and fought fang and hoof with their riders whereas a slow and ponderous Dragon would be of no significance. Misjudgement by Emla was advantage to himself.
    They were in the Spine Mountains were they? He would appear to the Shardi later and tell them they could earn much of his pleasure by capturing these two servants of Emla’s. And he would have to remember to be very clear that he meant he wanted them captured alive.
    Rhaki pulled a tasselled cord beside the fireplace. At once, two knocks sounded on his door. ‘Come, Bark.’ Rhaki did not bother to turn as his body servant entered. ‘I have work to do but I will need food later. Roast meat, cheese, fruit and hot wine outside the door in two hours. See to it Bark.’
    ‘Yes Master.’ Bark bowed his shadow-like form at Rhaki’s back and silently departed.
    Rhaki lifted a lantern from the mantelshelf and lit it with a taper from the fire. He took a heavy cloak from a hook and wrapped it around his tall body. Going to the wall opposite the fireplace, just beyond the long run of bookshelves, he laid his hand on the smooth rock. He moved his fingertips lightly, feeling for the slight indentations, then he pressed harder in a particular sequence. The apparently seamless rock opened smoothly into a dark space.
    Stepping into the opening, Rhaki paused to touch points on the inner wall and silently the rock resealed itself. He had no real need of the lantern as he stepped quickly along the passageway. He knew this downward sloping path by heart. It amused him to use a light, as