Dragonwatch, Book 2: Wrath of the Dragon King

by Brandon Mull

  “You can?” Seth asked.

  “He declared war,” Ryland said. “I can and will revoke his status. I will approach in my capacity as a herald. And I will endeavor to rescue your sister. I will likely perish.”

  Seth didn’t want the knight to die. How did he speak so calmly of taking action that could end him? Could he die and still save Kendra?

  “Celebrant has her?” Seth asked.

  “I strongly suspect so,” Ryland said.

  “How is she all right?” Seth said. “I saw the dragon eat her.”

  “You saw Jaleesa scoop her up,” Ryland said. “I saw too, from a distance. The dragon did not swallow, but rather flew off toward Skyhold. If your sister had been killed, I would feel the crime. Such an act would reverberate across all the treaties of Wyrmroost.”

  “You don’t think you can survive rescuing Kendra?” Seth asked.

  “If I go as a herald in a time of war, the dragons cannot attack me,” Ryland said. “But stripping Celebrant of his caretakership constitutes an act of aggression, and that invites retaliation. A herald brings a message. Executing justice changes the nature of my visit. But the Dragon King’s status must be eliminated. The downgrade will weaken the dragon rebellion. Reduce their options. The dragons will kill me for it. I don’t know how I could get away. So I will do my best to save your sister before I expire.”

  “I’ll come help,” Seth said.

  “No,” Ryland said. “You cannot be jeopardized. Wyrmroost is in plenty of danger without handing both caretakers to the dragons.”

  “Then what am I supposed to do?” Seth asked.

  “Stay alive,” Ryland said. “Find shelter for the festival night in a roadhouse if need be. Then get back to Blackwell Keep alive and resist the dragons.”

  “We’ll have to go by Stormguard Castle,” Seth said. “You don’t know the story, do you?”

  “Stormguard Castle was never under my purview,” Ryland said. “It predates Wyrmroost. Old, powerful magic resides there. You would be wise to get no closer than necessary.”

  The translucent, gassy form of Tanu drifted onto the road. “Hey, Tanu,” Seth said. “More dead dragons over there.”

  Tanu covered his ears and shook his head, a pained expression on his wispy face.

  “I bet you want their guts,” Seth said. “You probably can’t carry much more anyhow. Even if you weren’t made of smoke.”

  Tanu slumped theatrically.

  “Kendra is alive,” Seth informed him. “The Somber Knight is going to try to rescue her.”

  Tanu brightened and gave a thumbs-up.

  “I will most likely fail,” Ryland said. “If I fall, I will instruct Umbro to come find you, Seth, and to help you get home. If I live, I will come help you myself. You will probably get no assistance at all. The dragons will most likely destroy both of us.”

  “You are not very positive,” Eve said.

  “I am positive we will all eventually die,” Ryland said. “Only the timing remains in question. Soon, by all realistic forecasts.”

  “He’s not the Cheerful Knight,” Seth said.

  The Somber Knight looked skyward. “Berzog and Luria are circling up there. Keeping their distance while we are on the road, I imagine. Wait, what is this?”

  Seth saw a griffin approaching in the distance, flying low, with three other dragons in pursuit. The griffin dove really low, disappearing into some trees, then popped out going a different direction.

  “That’s Tempest,” Seth said. He waved his arms and shouted. “Come on, Tempest! You can make it.”

  Tempest gained a little altitude, then plunged directly toward Seth and the road. The two circling dragons moved to intercept, but they were too slow, and the three in pursuit trailed by too far. All the dragons veered away as Tempest landed on the road.

  Seth ran to the griffin and hugged her neck. Her feathers were damp with perspiration, and flecks of lather stood out on her fur.

  “We might have a faster way home,” Seth said.

  “You want to risk the dragons?” Ryland asked.

  “She got here, didn’t she?” Seth replied.

  “She will not be as maneuverable with riders,” Ryland said.

  “What if one of the riders can disguise her?” Eve asked innocently.

  The Somber Knight rapped his helmet twice and pointed at her. “That thought has potential. Indeed it does.”

  Rescuers

  “I have bad news, and I have worse news,” Doren announced the day after Knox and Tess had arrived at Blackwell Keep. “And a bit of minor good news. And some random news.”

  Knox, Tess, and Doren stood in the nearest courtyard to the rooms where the satyrs were living. Several dragons patrolled up high, in the distance.

  “You’re starting to lose me,” Knox said. “What is the bad news?”

  “The griffins that we’re sending to rescue Seth and Kendra are no longer just getting turned back,” Doren said. “They’re getting killed by dragons. We’ve lost two so far.”

  “What is the good news?” Tess asked.

  “I finally learned how to make my yo-yo sleep,” Doren said. “You know, when it reaches the end of the string and just hangs there spinning? But a flick of the wrist will make it wind up again? It takes the right touch. I think I’ve got it.”

  “What’s the worse news?” Knox asked.

  “Still no sign of the barrel or the person who, um, did harm to the goblin,” Doren said. “The whole keep is on alert, and there are no leads.” He gave Tess a tentative smile. “But I’m sure we can all sleep tight and have happy dreams.”

  “I know the goblin is dead,” Tess said. “This is a scary place. What is the random news?”

  “I swiped a pie from the kitchen and ate it,” Doren said. “The whole pie. By myself. That could have been good news, but I saved none to share. I have selfish moments. Peach pie—never trust me around peaches.”

  “I’m sick of waiting,” Knox said. “What can we do?”

  “We really haven’t been waiting very long,” Doren said. “You just arrived last night.”

  “I want to help Seth and Kendra,” Knox said. “They’re in real danger. And I wouldn’t mind seeing some dragons up close.”

  Doren’s eyes widened. He gestured at the sky. “Those dragons are the perfect distance. Most people only see dragons up close one time. The experience does not last long.”

  “But the magic walls will keep them out,” Knox said. “Can’t you lure some down? Leave out a dead deer or something?”

  Doren put a hand to his forehead. “Where are we supposed to hunt deer? And why would a dragon want our shabby meal? These are apex predators. They eat whatever they want, pretty much whenever they want.”

  “It would be fun to see one closer,” Tess said. “But not if it eats us.”

  “You have seen dragons flying around all day,” Doren said. “Few ever see a dragon and live to tell the tale.”

  “But they’re so far away,” Knox said. “They almost look like kites.”

  “And where are the fairies?” Tess asked. “I thought this place was supposed to be so magical.”

  “The fairies are probably hiding like everything else with a brain,” Doren said. “The dragons declared war.”

  “Kind of a boring war,” Knox said with a sigh.

  Doren raised his hands. “That’s the best kind of war. Trust me.”

  “Have you been in a war?” Knox asked.

  Doren folded his arms. “I’ve seen plenty on TV. And I lent a hand against some demons once. Not a comfortable day.”

  Newel came trotting over, a shimmery length of fabric folded under one arm. He looked pleased.

  “How did it go this time?” Knox asked.

  “He finally gave me something,” Newel said.

  “Not bagpipes?” Tess asked.

  “Grippa is pretending he never mentioned bagpipes,” Newel said. “I keep pestering him to let us recover his investment for him by helping Ke
ndra and Seth. That troll is stubborn. I was as frustrated as a lumberjack in a petrified forest. But he finally gave me this.” He unfolded the fabric with a flourish. It was a hooded cape. “Behold—the cloak of innocence.”

  “That sounds weak,” Knox said.

  “Shows what you know,” Newel said with a huff. “If somebody is new to a preserve, has caused no harm, and intends no harm, this creates a powerful shield around them and any traveling with them. Even if the companions are scoundrels.”

  “How much protection?” Knox asked.

  “It makes you invulnerable,” Newel said. “It was crafted by the wizards who first designed the preserves to provide complete protection to neutral visitors. It draws on the power of the treaty that founded the preserve. The whole sanctuary would have to fall in order for the cloak to fail.”

  “What’s the catch?” Doren asked. “These things always have a catch.”

  “Don’t interrupt,” Newel said. “I was getting to it. If anyone under the protection of the cloak harms a creature or steals something, the protection is ruined for all.”

  “So the companions shouldn’t be scoundrels,” Knox said.

  “Or go near peach pie,” Tess added with a smile.

  “Why peach pie?” Newel asked. “I love peach pie!”

  “Kids,” Doren said with a vague shrug. “You never know what arbitrary examples they’ll mention next.”

  Newel looked betrayed. “You didn’t all share a peach pie without me?”

  “Who would share peach pie?” Doren asked, absently wiping the corner of his mouth.

  “The cloak,” Knox prompted.

  “Yes, the cloak,” Newel said, shaking it slightly. “This might grant you the freedom you had last time, Knox. We can use your innocence to rescue Kendra and Seth.”

  “I want to help them,” Knox said. “I feel terrible I messed up security here when I came through the barrel. Would the cloak protect against dragons?”

  “It should,” Newel said.

  “How will we know it’s working?” Knox asked.

  “It will kind of gleam,” Newel said, putting the cloak around Knox’s shoulders. The entire piece of clothing turned black.

  “Oh, dear,” Doren said.

  “What have you been up to?” Newel asked.

  “Nothing,” Knox said. “I’ve been with you guys.”

  Newel hit himself in the forehead with the heel of his hand. “You took the scepter. After you brought it here, that must have counted as stealing something.”

  “Am I innocent?” Tess asked.

  All eyes slowly turned to her.

  “She doesn’t even drink the milk,” Doren murmured.

  “No,” Newel said. “We couldn’t. She’s so little.”

  “I’m not little,” Tess said. “I’m ten. Two digits. Same as most people.”

  “Most humans,” Newel corrected.

  “Worth a try,” Knox said, taking off the cloak and putting it over his little sister’s shoulders. It shrank a little to fit her and turned a gleaming white, with faint hints of other colors.

  “Looks like we have a winner,” Doren said.

  “Take it off,” Newel said, removing the cloak. The fabric returned to a shimmery gray. “You’ll draw attention.”

  “I have magic,” Tess said. “I knew I was really a fairy.”

  Knox rolled his eyes. Newel glared at him.

  “There is definitely a certain magic to innocence,” Doren said. “Why don’t you go play with my yo-yo for a little bit?” He handed it over.

  Tess accepted the toy with a dubious look. “This is hard. It gets tangled.”

  “Up and down,” Doren said. “Pop your wrist a little. It takes practice. Try it over by the wall. Stiller air there.”

  “You want to talk without me,” Tess said. She skipped over to the wall.

  “We can’t really take advantage of an innocent little girl?” Newel asked.

  “You took advantage of me,” Knox complained. “With the bear that was actually a troll.”

  “An ogre,” Newel corrected.

  “And with the dragons,” Knox said.

  “That was primarily Seth taking advantage,” Newel said.

  “We were definitely accomplices,” Doren confessed.

  “It’s the same,” Knox said. “She’ll be safe.”

  “Were you safe?” Newel asked.

  “I think so,” Knox said. “More or less.”

  “Probably less,” Doren said. “But you survived.”

  “What would Stan and Ruth do to us if we even suggested it?” Newel said.

  “Stan and Ruth are not our grandparents,” Knox said. “The Larsens are. Seth and Kendra are my cousins.”

  “That doesn’t make you disposable,” Doren said.

  “How safe are we here?” Knox asked. “There’s a murderer loose. Didn’t they say the road is protected? We might be safer if we go. And we might actually be useful, too.”

  Newel stroked his chin. “Not a bad argument. Let’s face it. The girl will be safe with the cloak on. And Kendra and Seth need help.”

  “And I’m sick of being stuck in this boring fort with a killer,” Knox said. “I want to do something.”

  “This could all go terribly wrong,” Doren said. “We could get eaten. And by ‘we’ I mean you and your sister. Newel and I have a knack for escape.”

  “Especially when we’re with somebody slower who can serve as bait,” Newel said.

  Doren elbowed him.

  “As long as we don’t steal anything or harm anybody, the cloak protects all of us,” Doren summarized.

  “But it turned black for me,” Knox said.

  “Under the protection of Tess, we all get to start fresh,” Newel said.

  “If one of us under the protection breaks the spell, we are all exposed,” Doren reminded him.

  “Then we don’t break the spell,” Knox said, “and we’ll all be fine. Easy.”

  Newel cringed. “Don’t label any endeavor as ‘easy’! No matter how much you think it. Is this your first day on Earth? Avoid saying ‘nothing can go wrong,’ ‘all our trouble is behind us,’ and ‘this ship can never sink.’”

  “Common knowledge,” Doren said. “Even among the least superstitious.”

  “I’m not superstitious,” Knox said. “It doesn’t matter if I think something will be easy or hard. It will be what it is going to be.”

  “This guy might become a philosopher,” Doren said.

  Newel put his fists on his wooly hips. “A really unlucky philosopher.”

  “We have what we need,” Knox said. “Let’s go.”

  “I doubt we can get permission,” Newel said. “And we can’t just march off down the road. We’ll be spotted.”

  “I’ve been scouting,” Doren said. “There’s a secret way out of the fort. One below a wall without guards.”

  “Could we make it to cover?” Newel asked.

  “Maybe thirty yards to cover,” Doren said. “Then we can stay under trees until we join up with the road out of sight.”

  “Why the road if we have the cloak?” Knox asked.

  “We want as much safety as possible,” Newel said. “With Tess wearing the cloak, we can venture off the road as needed.”

  “I’m excited to learn the lay of the land here,” Doren said.

  “Dragon sanctuaries are legendary,” Newel agreed. “And of course we want to find Seth and Kendra.”

  “Stan and Ruth will flip when they find us missing,” Knox said.

  “I’ll leave a note in our room,” Doren said. “I’ll explain we want to help with Kendra and Seth, and we felt like a fort with a murderer loose was not a safe environment for children.”

  “That’s good,” Newel said. “Sounds responsible.”

  “More responsible than they deserve,” Doren said. “Who trusts satyrs to babysit?”

  “Very distracted people,” Newel said. “Should we pack up and go?”

  “No sense
waiting,” Doren said.

  “How did you find the secret door?” Knox asked.

  “When I get bored, I follow people,” Doren said. “From a distance. A certain minotaur who normally works in the dungeon has used this passage once or twice when he thought he was unobserved.”

  “That’s shady,” Newel said. “Could he be the murderer?”

  “I don’t think so,” Doren said. “I had suspicions too, and watched him carefully. He went to relieve his bladder in the woods and walked under the trees for a short time. Smelled some flowers. I think he just likes to get away from the dungeon from time to time.”

  “Good detective work,” Newel said. “Knox, grab your sister. Doren, write the note. I’ll gather supplies.”

  Tess wandered back over to them and held up a knotted mass of string connected to a yo-yo. “See, I told you it gets tangled.”

  Traitor

  Kendra sat on the floor in the same room where the dragons had held the feast. Her back was against the wall, and a chain connected an iron shackle on one ankle to a spike in the floor. She had expected a dungeon, but instead she remained in the same vast room with Celebrant and several other dragons. After some goblins had chained her to the spike, she had received no further attention.

  Seth had not yet appeared, which she considered a good sign. Celebrant had mentioned that he meant to take her brother alive. Hopefully his absence meant he had somehow given the dragons the slip. She tried not to think about him possibly being dead.

  Watching the dragons was interesting. They were so large, so foreign, so powerful. The way they stretched their necks or flexed their wings. The way their sides billowed as they breathed. The scrape of their claws over the rocky floor of the room. Kendra felt like she was at an exotic zoo, except inside the cage.

  Even all together in this huge chamber, the dragons did not socialize much. Most curled up and appeared to sleep. A few paced about. They struck her as basically solitary creatures enduring a social environment.

  “Want a drink?” someone asked.