Chapter 28
“You must stop fretting so much,” Cerridwen told Elizabeth. “It is not good for you.”
Elizabeth struggled not to snap at her dragon. The knot in her stomach had not left her since Darcy and the others had departed for London, and she struggled to sleep at night. “I could not agree more, but that is easier said than done.”
Cerridwen eyed her craftily. “Would you like to go with me to the new Nest?”
She might have laughed, if she had been less worried. Her dragon was so transparent in her motivations! “You are trying to distract me.”
“Is it working?”
“You know how much I wish to see your new Nest.” It was probably the only thing that could tempt her right now, apart from racing off to London. “When shall we go?”
“I will take you there this minute, if you wish.”
Compared to the Dark Peak Nest, where every inch of space was covered with elaborate sculptures and tile, the new Pemberley Nest seemed stark. The walls were still rough-hewn, as well they might be, with four arches leading into other rooms.
“Astonishing, that anyone could create such an enormous grotto so quickly,” Elizabeth said to Cerridwen. “William told me this cavern was tiny when he explored it as a boy. Apparently he and Jack had to wriggle through on their bellies.”
Cerridwen said, “That part still exists, for it has a beauty of its own, even if it is too small for dragons. This will be our main gathering space, the heart of our Nest. Rana Akshaya is creating the design for it herself, to reflect who we are.”
As Elizabeth's eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, she could make out sketches on each of the archways, perhaps a guideline for future carvings.
The one that was most developed was in the Indian style, with scalloped lines along the top.
Another had an upturned roof similar to those she had seen in Chinese art.
A third was made of Ionic columns that would not have been out of place in a Roman forum.
The last, the one that was nearest to them, had a keyhole shape drawn around it, like the designs in her Arabic books.
“It seems like it will be a tour around the world,” Elizabeth guessed.
Cerridwen ducked her head. “Yes, exactly. Rana Akshaya wants us to represent all dragons, not just British ones. She has sent out word that we will welcome dragons from other countries who want to pursue diplomatic solutions and study how dragons can prosper in this world together.”
Elizabeth, realizing her mouth had fallen open, closed it. Of course Rana Akshaya would have a much greater goal than simply running the smallest Nest in the British Isles. “What does the Eldest of the Dark Peak think of this plan?”
Cerridwen's chest rippled with draconic laughter.
“As little as possible! She thinks it is a fool's errand, that no one will want to abandon the Great Concealment. Wait until she hears that we have already had inquiries from dragons in Norway and North Africa. Two Scottish dragons are making plans to visit with an eye towards joining us. They think it is a good thing to have a Seer here.”
That, at least, was good news. “Unless I miss my guess, there must be ships bearing letters to the Nests of India, too.”
“Of course.” Then, suddenly shy, she asked, “Would you like to see my chamber?”
“I would love nothing better,” Elizabeth said firmly.
Her aura flushed with pleasure, Cerridwen led her through the Moorish archway into a winding corridor. Just before it reached a dead end, she turned into a darkened cave room.
A sense of gathering Talent tickled Elizabeth’s skin, and then the dragon tossed a ball of pure golden light into the air. The glowing ball hung in the arched roof like a tiny sun, making the cave as bright as day.
Elizabeth gasped at the sight it revealed.
A mosaic of glass tiles and stones, seemingly lit from within, portrayed a landscape full of dragons and mortals, working together in fields of grain and pastures of sheep, with the unmistakable outline of Mam Tor and the surrounding hills in the distance.
Other dragons flew over the countryside, ignored by the birds in the trees.
Was that Pemberley House in the middle, as seen from above?
The detail was extraordinary, and it filled her with a sense of peace and beauty. It was incomplete, though, with uneven edges on the top and to one side.
“Did you make this?” she asked Cerridwen, her voice choked with wonder.
The dragon ducked her head. “Quickthorn helped a little, with preparing the wall and obtaining supplies.”
“I am all astonishment! It is exquisite, dearest Cerridwen. I never knew you possessed such artistry. You have created a thing of beauty.”
“It is a vision I had – a Sight of what could be. But it does not carry the same power as the horrible Sights, and other dragons do not feel it. Why is it that fear is so much more powerful than hope and beauty?”
Elizabeth gazed at the mosaic. So this was another future that might await them, one which did not end in flame and death, but instead with dragons and humans living together in harmony as they had long ago.
“I wish I knew why fear is such a powerful impetus, when I would far rather believe in this vision of yours.”
“I thought perhaps if I made it visible to others, they might see it better, too.”
“I cannot imagine anyone would remain unmoved by this. You are as fine an artist as any of the dragon sculptors.”
“Do you think so? It is very different from most dragon art.”
It was true, from the little Elizabeth had seen at the Dark Peak and Vosges Nests, where the extensive decoration was more mysterious and swirling than this naturalistic style. Was it because Cerridwen had spent so much of her life among humans instead of dragons?
This project was clearly meaningful to her, though.
“Is there anything I can do to help you?” Elizabeth asked.
“I have not your artistic vision, but if it would help for me to hold pieces in place for you or merely to keep you company, it would be my pleasure to do so.” Not that she knew how she would find time for it, but somehow she would manage.
Cerridwen clasped her forelegs together.
“Truly? Could you help me to get the glass for making my tiles? The Dark Peak Nest does not have enough for everyone who wishes to use it, because it is so hard to trade for the sand we need to make it. Rana Akshaya says it will be easier to get supplies once we are accepted among humans again, but that will take time.”
Elizabeth had never given a thought to how Nests obtained the things they needed. Perhaps their mortal servants, the Kith, made their purchases. “Tell me exactly what you need, and I will make certain we get it.”
Cerridwen’s aura seemed to turn gold with pleasure.
Elizabeth snatched the letter from the salver held out by the butler. Frederica’s handwriting! Finally, some news!
She ripped open the seal and began to scan the contents.
Dear Elizabeth,
It has been a most interesting time in Town.
I managed to call on my aunt, Lady Catherine, but unfortunately she took ill while I was there and has been in retirement ever since.
There is no need to worry for her; my particular friend has been attending to her and says she is well, but unlikely to return to public life.
The previous King's Mage has stepped into the role again, which means I need not stay in London indefinitely.
It may be some time before I return to Pemberley, though, for my friends in Windsor are insisting I visit with them first.
Elizabeth let out a breath. Lady Catherine had been stopped! What did it mean that Frederica had met with her rather than Lady Anne, as planned? Had something gone wrong? But Frederica sounded pleased with the outcome, and she did not mention anyone being hurt.
Roderick is doing well, apart from his difficulties with his new valet.
Although the man seems competent enough to me, and has certainly performed his various duties admirably, Roderick complains of him constantly.
In my opinion, he simply dislikes having a valet.
He will have to live with it a little longer, though, since he has several important meetings coming up which require him to put on a gentlemanly appearance.
Despite his many excellent qualities, I despair of Roderick ever managing a cravat suitable for London society on his own!
William was safe! Cerridwen had said he would be, but she had still worried.
Foresight could be wrong, after all. She would have to thank Frederica for finding a way to include that news without mentioning William by name.
If only he could write to her directly! A letter went through too many hands, though, and the French assassins were no doubt watching the post coming to Pemberley.
What was the king doing? He must be the friend in Windsor, and why did he want them to stay?
It appears our friend Jack has some hidden talents.
Talk about hiding a light under a bushel!
I had no idea he was so astonishingly musical, and completely without training.
He is making the rounds of musicians here, trying to find a teacher to develop his skills.
Roderick, who hates music, will have nothing to do with his quest. He has loaned Jack his valet, who knows some of the basics of reading music, though it is truly expecting too much of him.
I wish Roderick, who is well-trained despite his dislike for the subject, would help more, but I fear that is hopeless.
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. What in the world did that mean? A talent must mean his Talents, and it was hardly surprising Jack would be discovering new abilities, but why would William be the one helping him? His strengths were in land Talent, while Frederica and Roderick were better mages.
She must be missing something in Frederica's hidden description.