Phoenix Rising (Dragon Legacy) by Previn Hudetz Page A

standing on the shore in silence.
    “That's beautiful,” she whispered. “What was it?”
    Mtumba looked at her and blinked. “My song.” Seeing her confusion, he continued. “My mother gave it to me at birth, and sang it to me every night until I learned it for myself.”
    “I wish I had a song,” she said wistfully, “but my mom...I never really got to know her. Basically just been me and my dad since then, but he...” She sat on a stone by the water's edge, her feet getting wet.
    “I'm sorry, Stella. I'm sure you'll find him.”
    She nodded to herself, then looked up at him and asked, “Can you teach me that song?”
    “I...not that one,” he apologized, “but maybe another,” he offered quickly. “One of the running songs?” He nodded to himself, and they shared a laugh. “Yeah, you could probably use one of those.”
    “Yeah, I noticed,” she snorted. “Where'd you learn to run like that anyway, mister Fasty McFasterton?”
    Mtumba shrugged, laughing. “You can do it, too. Just takes practice.” He walked over to sit down beside her, and she scooted over to make space for him. “Okay, listen closely” he said, “then sing it back to me. This song has three parts...”
     
    After a while, Stella felt she had most of the song in her ear. Mtumba had told her there were still some rhythms she wasn't getting right, but she decided to refrain from telling him that she was doing exactly what he had demonstrated, and kept working at it anyway.
    Why had he thought they weren't friends anymore? She needed to figure out what was going on with him. Just because Rok was with them now didn't mean she didn't care about Mtumba anymore. Surely, he understood that. She put those thoughts aside and focused back on learning the song. She almost had it when Rok showed up. She sighed. Perfect timing. She gave Mtumba an apologetic smile, shrugging. He nodded.
    “Commander Tobias and John are leaving soon,” Rok said. “John asked me to find you so he could say goodbye.” Rok looked up at the sky. “Oh, and he has something he wanted to tell you. But he wants to tell you himself.”
    “Okay,” Stella said, standing up, feeling rushing back into her legs. Kind of sharp and tingly, she noticed. “Lead the way.”
    Rok took them to the ship where Commander Tobias and John were preparing to leave. Stella's jaw dropped when she saw Old John. He was resplendent in his armor. It was similar to that of a Brigadier Knight's, but was a lustrous royal blue with gold trim instead of Tobias's black and silver. He shone like an ancient hero in the setting sun, his white hair flowing behind him over a billowing red cape. He smiled at them and beckoned them over.
    When they were close enough, he knelt down and put his powerful-gloved hands on her and Mtumba's shoulders, looking them square in the eyes, each in turn. There was intensity in that gaze that she was unprepared for when it focused in on her. Then he spoke to them softly, just loud enough for Stella and her friends to hear.
    “I have to go,” he began solemnly, quelling their vocal protests with a raised hand. “I wish things were different, but sometimes this life places demands on us that we can't in good conscience avoid.” He paused, regret etched on his face. “I don't know when I'll be able to come back. I'd bring you along, but where I'm headed will be fraught with danger, and you've had more than enough of that recently.” He looked again into their eyes, clearly wishing he had another option than to leave them. Old John sighed, and continued.
    “I've had Commander Tobias order a dispatch shuttle to pick you up at dawn and take you to the Garden Citadel. He assures me you'll find some people you know there, and more importantly, if I'm right, it'll be safe from what's coming.” He stood up, and gave them a gentle smile. “Before I go, I'd like to thank you for reminding me about what's important. You've done more than you know, and I will remember.