Stone of Tears

The chain was too small for him. He handed it back to Rachel, telling her it looked prettier on her than it would on him, and then strung the Stone onto a leather thong he had ready.

He hung the Stone of Tears around his neck, along with the Agiel and the dragon’s tooth. From the corner of his eye, he watched the distant dot growing in the sky.

“Richard,” Warren said, “after seeing what I just saw, with the towers, I have no doubt you can do what you say you can do, but you have no time to reach where you must go. Tomorrow, the world is going to end if you don’t get there. What are you going to do?”

“Where is it we are going, my husband?” Du Chaillu asked.

“‘We” are not going anywhere, Du Chaillu. You are staying here, with your people.”

“Husband?” Chase said, a scowl finally starting to creep onto his face.

“I am not her husband. It’s just some silly idea she got in her head.” Richard watched the red shape growing, high up in the sky. “Look, I don’t have time to explain it. Sister Verna and Warren can tell you about it.”

Sister Verna, a suspicious frown on her face, took a step toward him. “What are you going to do? Warren was right, you have no time.”

In the distance, the red wings spread wide as the dragon plunged into a dive. Richard unhooked his pack from Bonnie, slinging it onto his back. He gave Bonnie’s neck a good-bye hug. He hooked on the quiver, and slipped the bow over his shoulder. From the corner of his eye, he watched the dragon plummet straight down.

“I’m going to have time. I must leave you now, Sister.”

“What do you mean you are leaving? How?”

At the last instant the dragon pulled out of the dive. Her long neck stretched out. Wings spread wide, she shot toward them at incredible speed, skimming along just above the ground.

“I have only one chance to reach my goal in time. I must fly.”

“Fly!” Warren and Sister Verna shouted together.

Scarlet swept up with a roar. Everyone else saw her for the first time. Immense wings beat to slow the dragon’s speed.

Their clothes flapped in the sudden burst of wind. The grass all around flattened in the gusts. Warren, Sister Verna, and Du Chaillu stepped back in surprise. Scarlet settled to the ground as her forward speed was brought to a halt by her beating wings.

“Richard,” Sister Verna said as she slowly shook her head, “you have the oddest pets of anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Red dragons are pets to no one, Sister. Scarlet is a dear friend.”

Richard trotted toward the huge red dragon glistening in the sunlight. Scarlet snorted a small cloud of gray smoke.

“Richard! How good to see you again. Since you called me so urgently with my tooth, I presume you are in trouble again. As usual.”

“Trouble indeed, my friend.” Richard patted a glossy red scale. “I’ve missed you, Scarlet.”

“Well, I’ve already eaten. I guess I must instead give you a ride in the sky to work up an appetite. Then I will eat you.”

Richard laughed. “Where is your little one?”

Her ears twitched. “Off hunting. Gregory is not so little anymore. He misses you, and would like to see you.”

“I would like to see Gregory, too. But I’m in a terrible hurry right now. I’m running out of time.”

“Richard!” Du Chaillu ran toward him. “I must go, too. I must go where my husband goes!”

Richard leaned toward Scarlet’s ear as she lowered her head and peered at him with one yellow eye. “A little flame, Scarlet,” he whispered. “Just for effect. Don’t hurt her.”

Du Chaillu leapt back with a squeal as a burst of fire charred the grass at her feet.

“Du Chaillu, your land is returned to your people. You must stay with them. You are their spirit woman; they need you. They need your guidance. I would ask something else of you: protect the towers that are on your land. I don’t know if they can bring any harm, but as the Caharin, I order that no one shall ever enter them. Guard them, and keep all others out, too.

“Live in peace with others who would live in peace with you, but continue to practice with the blades so you may protect yourselves.”

Du Chaillu drew herself up tall. The little strips of cloth on her prayer dress fluttered in the breeze, along with her thick black hair.

“You are wise, Caharin. I will see that it is as you say, until you return to your wife and your people.”

“Richard,” Sister Verna said. Her face held a serious look. “do you know where Kahlan is?”

“Aydindril. She would have gone there; the prophecy takes place before her people. She will be in Aydindril.”

“The time of choosing is upon you, Richard. Where are you going now?”

He looked long into her steady gaze.

“D’Hara.”

After appraising him silently for a moment, she at last embraced him in a warm hug. She kissed his cheek. “And then?”

Richard raked his fingers through his thick hair. “somehow I will stop what is to happen in D’Hara, and then I must get to Aydindril before it’s too late. Take care, my friend.”