Golden Blood -- Ch. 53

Chapter Fifty-Three - Jay


Kraasua, what are we still doing here?

Sorry, Solan… I apologized. I just wanted to find out something, at least.

I think we should leave soon. he informed me. I know I said this place was better than the wind-killer camps, but that really doesn't mean I want to stay here.

We will, I promised. Don't worry.

Soon after I had spoken with the mysterious human telepath, I'd tried to track down his location. As we had been talking, I'd gotten a vague sense of where he was, and walked blindly in that direction, hoping to find something. My path brought me right to the circle of tents where the King resided, and I could go no further because of the tight security.

It seemed that Resk, whoever he was, had told the truth at least partially--he was certainly close to the King, too close for me to get at. It sure didn't make him any more trustworthy.

Nonetheless, I was curious about him. My stay in Dezla had reawakened many questions that I'd had about telepaths in general. There, every human and dragon possessed this strange power. Elsewhere, though, it was only the occasional dragon that was born with the gift. The occasional dragon, and me. Zirath's theory that telepaths outside of Dezla all died at a certain age seemed likely, considering that I'd never encountered one before.

So why was Resk alive and well? According to Zirath's theory, he must have been around dragons all his life, or at least for the latter part. Considering that he was travelling with the King and his dragon tamers, it was certainly a possibility.

This train of thought led to the most important question--why was King Tharan searching for telepaths--and Dezla? It was either friendly curiosity, or desire for power. And I had trouble seeing the ruler of an entire Kingdom seeking me out with all his soldiers because of his love of science.

Mailliw didn't trust Resk either, once I explained who Resk was. He even went so far to suggest that I refrain from using telepathy, so as not to alert Resk. Mailliw was anxious to leave as well--the only thing keeping us in this place was my own stupid determination. The surprising thing was that my friends were even humouring me, considering the stakes.

Yes, we would have to leave soon. But I just needed to know a few more things.

"So. What is it you've been planning?"

I looked up at Mailliw. We'd laid low in the travelling camp as well as we could, blending with large crowds and staying away from the other dragon tamers. One of us was always by Solan's side, ensuring that there was no dragon abuse going on while our backs were turned. Luckily, it didn't seem that torture was very common here.

I glanced around furtively, but no one was in eavesdropping range. "Just hanging around this place is getting us nowhere," I sighed. "If we're going to get any information, we have to go looking for it."

That wasn't part of the plan. Solan pointed out.

"…No, it's not. But we aren't learning much of anything just hanging around, and we're going to have to get out of here soon."

"I agree with the second part, at least." Mailliw commented wryly. "Jay, it isn't safe here, and you know that. Suppose you get yourself captured or killed while you're trying to find out some secret information that might not even exist. What then?"

I shrugged offhandedly. "Well, I'll be captured or killed anyways, if I ever try to go back to a city. I figure I may as well risk it for what I want to do, now."

I'm not sure if you're being brave, or just foolhardy. Solan offered, looking over at us from where he walked. We were currently on the move, and the pen had been taken down temporarily. To be honest, I've never really seen a difference.

"Maybe there isn't one," I crossed my arms, "but I still want to do this. Besides, there may not be as much danger as you think. If what Resk says is true, than the King isn't necessarily against telepaths. He wouldn't keep one so close otherwise."

"I thought the same thing." Mailliw admitted. "But there's no guarantee that Resk isn't being kept against his will, or that the King will feel the same way about all telepaths. What is it that you want to do?"

I took a breath. "Sneak into the King's area and eavesdrop on him."

My suggestion was met with silence.

This place is dangerous enough without you doing something like that, Solan exclaimed in astonishment. What on earth makes you think you can pull it off?

"I can use telepathy," I replied  in a hushed voice, as if Resk was listening just around the corner. "I can get inside the guard's heads and have them not notice me."

Mailliw shook his head. "Since when can you do anything like that?"

I shrugged with forced nonchalance. "I just have to get as far away from Solan as I can, and then my telepathy will start to sort of loosen. I'll be able to do it."

"Have you done it before?"

"…Well, no, not exactly," I hedged. "But I've been inside people's heads. I think I can do it. And if I can't, it's not so complicated to just stop and walk away."

"I guess not." Mailliw sighed in resignation, "but things usually don't go so smoothly for us. It's not like I can stop you, but I think I'd like to tag along."

"It will be difficult enough concealing just myself," I insisted. "I'm not sure I can do it for both of us."

"Fine," he growled. "Solan and I will wait for you not far off. Once you're done, we'll get out of here and head for the next entrance into the tunnels."

I nodded hesitantly. "That sounds okay, but Solan will have to be further off so I can use my power. I'm going to give it a try tonight, once the sun goes down, if that's all right with you two."

"It's your plan." Mailliw shrugged. "Just don't get killed, okay?"

I would also appreciate it if you at least tried to care about your own life. Solan put in.

I grinned. "I'll do my best."

That evening came all to quickly, and found me creeping through the scattered tents on my way to the place where the King rested. I hung around the outside until it was fully dark out, and most of the surrounding people had gone to sleep. Those who were still awake would not be able to see me in the darkness anyways.

I took a shaky breath and started to creep towards the guards, reaching out to try and feel their minds. My telepathy still felt firmly anchored, even though Solan had been placed on almost the other side of the enormous caravan. Not very promising.

One guard spotted me and came toward me with purposeful strides. I retreated into the nearest shadow and stared at him intently, reaching out for him with my telepathy. At first it seemed like nothing happened. A slight headache started up behind my eyes, and I could feel my power stretching out of me. I could sense the guard's thoughts, but vaguely and as through a veil of smoke.

There is no one here, there is no one here, I sent out intently, hoping that I could still effect him even without full use of my powers. If this didn't work, I'd be reporting back to the goldblood with nothing. And in a conflict of this scale, being so close to the King was a chance that could not be taken lightly.

I thought I felt a telepathic connection, but I couldn't be sure through the mental haze. The guard stopped suddenly, looking confused, and stared right through me even though he was only a few yards away.

"What's going on, Jorin?" Another guard called out from his post.

The closest guard shook his head in bewilderment. "I don't know… I thought someone was here. I guess my eyes are playing tricks on me." He cast one last glance around, staring as if he couldn't see me at all, then turned and headed back to his post.

I let out a shaky breath, astounded that it had worked. Perhaps my telepathy was more powerful than I assumed, if it could still pierce through people's minds when my power was not fully functional.

I encountered several more guards on my way, and with the same trick, I managed to get by them. As I neared the inner circle of tents my pulse was hammering in my ears, aiding the headache that had begun to spread through the rest of my skull. Damn, I was really beginning to hate headaches.

There were soldiers everywhere now. I doubted I would be able to avert more than one or two at a time, so I crept forward slowly, slinking around behind tents. One guard spotted me and called out, but I managed to get inside his head before he got anyone else to notice me. Shaking with adrenaline, I made my way deeper into the circle of tents. The King's dwelling place was obvious, a large royal-red tent with an embroidered front.

I sidled up to it, hearing every minute sound I made. The rustle of the tent as I brushed it with my fingertips seemed deafening. I let out a slow breath, trying to calm myself, and sunk down into a crouch to see if I could hear anything.

Then, suddenly, a presence, mere steps away! So it's you again! Resk exclaimed.

I jerked backwards involuntarily, falling onto my butt and probably making an enormous noise. I froze, but couldn't concentrate on listening for guards with Resk's voice in my head. So you've come to talk with me, now? I'm sure we can have a nice, civil conversation.

When I didn't reply, I felt him seek out for me. I struggled to shield my presence as Solan had done for me, but I could tell my defences were weak. …You're not here to talk? So what are you doing?

I should get out of here. I got to my feet and started to backtrack, hoping I wasn't stepping on any sticks or rustling any leaves. Damn it, I'd been so close…

A flash of alarm. Do you mean to harm the King?!

I couldn't reply, not without releasing my flimsy barrier and revealing my location.

Hah! Resk laughed bitterly. To think I led you here, thinking you just wanted to talk. I know you're there, sneaking about like a thief. I can sense you. Your powers really are weak, compared to mine. Your attempts at swaying those guard's minds were pitiful. You wouldn't have gotten this far if I hadn't decided to give you a little help.

That would explain why I'd felt no real connection to the guards I'd tried to control--Resk was the one who had used telepathy on them. I clenched my jaw. He was certainly more powerful than I'd thought, if he could do all that from within the King's circle of tents. Too powerful for me to handle. I should probably get out of here.

There! His telepathy pierced into mine, shredding my defences. I stumbled, then struggled to regain my footing. I saw one of the guards glance towards me. I didn't know if he could see me in the shadows or not. I crouched low and tried to remain as still as I could, while fending off Resk's telepathy.

I didn't come to attack the King, I swear, I insisted, trying to convey my truthfulness through my telepathy. Slowly I began to move again, creeping along the outside of the tents. Without Resk to distract the guards, I'd probably be spotted before I made it out. And since I was already deep inside the area, it wouldn't be as simple as just turning me away anymore.

Why else would you be here? he demanded, trying to dig into my thoughts. I struggled against him with all my might, feeling myself weaken physically.

That isn't any of your business! I shot. Why are you so chummy with the King, anyways?! Do you even know what he wants to do with us telepaths? I've literally been chased out of my hometown and down into the wildlands, because the King was looking for 'people like me'. I was nearly killed on several occasions. Do you even know how he is prosecuting our kind?

That is only so he can find you! Resk insisted. You've got it all wrong.

Hah! Well if he just wants to be my friend, he should rethink his methods. I paused. Are you his friend, or his slave?

There was silence for a moment. His friend.

I don't believe you, I replied. Backing up, I could see a promising break in the tents. The guards were good at keeping people out, but preventing someone from getting out probably wasn't their main concern. I took a breath and prepared to run for it.

Come back. Don't leave. Resk commanded me. Guards will be sent after you--we'll find you again!

I ran for it, catching the attention of several guards. Most were too surprised to react when I suddenly jumped out behind them and ran for freedom.

Mailliw! Solan! I called to both of them as I ran. Time to get out!

They gave me an affirmative. I broke through the outer ring of tents and jogged towards the place where we were supposed to meet, where Mailliw was waiting for me. I could hear guards shouting in confusion behind me, wondering where I'd gone and who I was.

With the soldiers on my heels, I rejoined Mailliw and we continued to run until Solan intercepted us. As swiftly as we could manage, we clambered onto his back and held on tight as he surged forward into the night, then unfurled his wings and lifted into the air.

I struggled to catch my breath, looking back at the guards. "Are they going to shoot at us?"

Solan tensed, preparing for evasive manoeuvres, but none of the soldiers even got out a bow. Some ran after us as we flew, but it would be impossible for them to catch Solan while he was flying.

"It won't take them long before they realize they can catch us on another dragon." Mailliw said.

"We need to get back to the tunnels," I agreed. Solan's flight path curved towards the mountains, and I ducked low as he accelerated and the wind streamed violently past. Had our trip been utterly pointless? Or had we gathered enough information to gain the goldblood's trust?

I guess we would just have to find out.