Dragonwatch, Book 2: Wrath of the Dragon King

by Brandon Mull

  Kendra looked up and found that Ronodin had approached. “You’re still here?”

  “You’re back,” Ronodin said, sitting down beside her and handing her a cup. “Just water. Nothing gross. I brought some berries, too.” He set a bowl between them. “Lots of good leftovers from the feast still.”

  “Why are you being nice to me?” Kendra asked. “What do you want?”

  “I believe in courtesy,” Ronodin said. “We want a civilized world.”

  “Are you after Bracken’s horn?” she asked.

  “Always,” Ronodin said. “Nobody could take it from you if they tried. They didn’t bother to confiscate any of your gear. Careless. Never underestimate an enemy.”

  “You think I can cause trouble chained up here?” Kendra asked.

  “Many of our worst choices are made due to overconfidence,” Ronodin said.

  “You seem confident,” Kendra said.

  Ronodin smiled. “I’m in touch with reality, so of course I’m confident. But overconfidence is sloppy. Have some berries. I selected only the ripest.”

  Kendra eyed the bowl. What if they were poisoned? Or sabotaged somehow.

  “If I wanted to harm you, there are easier ways,” Ronodin said.

  “I’m not supposed to underestimate an enemy,” Kendra said.

  “I captured Bracken and helped the dragons,” Ronodin said. “I guess that looks bad. The berries are fine.”

  Kendra took out Bracken’s horn and used it to stir the berries.

  “You’re teasing me,” Ronodin said.

  “I’m purifying your offering,” Kendra replied. She put the horn away and tried a raspberry. Ronodin was right. It was perfect. “Thanks.”

  “Festival night tomorrow,” Ronodin said. “That will probably be the night you lose the war.”

  “Feels like I already lost,” Kendra said.

  Ronodin laughed lightly. “You personally may have already lost. But this is just the start. Your whole side probably loses tomorrow. The dragons win.”

  “This is because of your advice?” Kendra asked.

  “It’s impolite to brag,” Ronodin said.

  “You shouldn’t be proud,” Kendra said. “What did you tell them?”

  He popped a berry into his mouth. “I’m almost tempted to tell you. Here you are, chained up and helpless. If we’re going to have a war, a connoisseur wants it at least to be interesting. Do you like sports?”

  “Generally, yes,” Kendra said.

  “How about basketball?”

  “Sure.”

  “Right now the Dragons are ahead of the Children by at least seventy points,” Ronodin said. “Their players are seasoned pros, spectacular athletes, most of them over seven feet tall. The Children are a team of young novices, still trying to learn to dribble, and none have reached the five-foot mark. How much fun is it to watch that lopsided game?”

  “Fun if you like the Dragons,” Kendra said.

  Ronodin winced. “Is it? Even if you adore the Dragons, you want them to be tested a little. A discerning fan hopes for some excitement. A chance for talent to be displayed. An opportunity for some heroism.”

  “What can you tell me?” Kendra asked.

  “Nothing,” Ronodin said. “I’m Team Dragons all the way. I was just explaining why giving you a hint is tempting.”

  “I think it’s kind of funny that you’re scared to give me a tip,” Kendra said. She shook her leg, jangling her chain.

  “Not scared, just careful,” Ronodin said. “No need to take unnecessary risks. Especially with nothing in return.” He leaned close, and his voice dropped to a whisper. Kendra tried to ignore the sincere intensity in his eyes. How crazy was she to find anything about him charming under these conditions? “Now, if you give me Bracken’s horn, I will tell you the secret—and break you out of here tonight.”

  Kendra paused. What good was the horn if the dragons won? What would happen to the horn if the dragons killed her? Could Ronodin just take it anyway?

  “I’m sorry,” Kendra said. “The Children want to win on their own.”

  “You hesitated,” Ronodin said. “It’s a good deal.”

  “Why do you want the horn?” Kendra asked.

  “Too many questions,” Ronodin said. “It’s creating a toxic atmosphere.” He stood up. “You want a guaranteed loss instead of a chance. Interesting strategy. I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy the berries.”

  He walked away. Kendra tugged on the chain. It was secure.

  She needed a plan! But what could she do? They had not confiscated her bow, but if she shot any arrows, they probably would. And what good were arrows against dragons? She could use her sack to make wind, but again, they would just take it from her when it ran out.

  She was chained up. She was stuck.

  And Ronodin was gone. If he came back, should she consider his offer? Not if it might make Bracken vulnerable to him. It wasn’t worth it. She would rather die. Bracken had trusted her with the horn. She had to hold true to that.

  A goblin blew a trumpet.

  “Announcing the Somber Knight,” the goblin declared.

  Kendra stood, her chain rattling.

  The Somber Knight came striding into the room, an imposing figure encased in full armor that left no flesh visible. He held an enormous sword, with another smaller one across his back, a slender chain looped at his side, and several knives in various sheaths. It looked like he had seen some fighting recently—his armor was scuffed, with grassy clods of earth stuck here and there. A huge bull made of tar trailed behind him.

  “You are unwelcome, Sir Knight,” Celebrant said from his platform at the far end of the great hall.

  “If I were welcome here I would be doing my job poorly,” the Somber Knight said, still walking.

  “You recently slew two of my subjects,” Celebrant said.

  “You recently declared war,” the Somber Knight replied.

  “I am a caretaker,” Celebrant said. “You serve me.”

  “I am here to remedy that,” the Somber Knight said, coming to a standstill. “The dragons I dispatched were attacking a caretaker.” He gestured at Kendra. “You have the other caretaker chained up here. And you have declared war.”

  “Mind your tongue,” Celebrant said. “Soon I will be the sole overseer of Wyrmroost.”

  “Not so,” the Somber Knight said, raising his sword. “As Dragon Slayer of Wyrmroost, enforcer of the treaty, I find you in violation of your caretaker’s oath.”

  “Nonsense,” Celebrant said. “The other caretakers were out of order.”

  “You were only ever a junior caretaker to them,” the Somber Knight said. “I hereby revoke your title, including all rights and privileges as a caretaker of Wyrmroost.” He planted the tip of the sword against the stone floor. A small shock wave radiated outward from that point, accompanied by a sound like breaking glass.

  Kendra smiled. Stripping Celebrant of his role as caretaker was a step in the right direction.

  “Very well,” Celebrant said, anger in his tone. “Who needs to be a lowly caretaker when he is king! Stripping my title is an act of aggression. You no longer have heraldic immunity.”

  “Your move,” the Somber Knight said.

  “Attack him,” Celebrant called. “Destroy him!”

  Kendra gasped as dragons swept in from all directions, blocking the Somber Knight from view. His bull charged one of the dragons from behind.

  Grabbing her sack of gales, Kendra pointed the mouth toward the knight and loosed the drawstring. With the howl of a raging typhoon, wind gushed from the mouth of the sack. The dragons who were airborne immediately twisted in crooked ways, three of them slamming brusquely against the far wall. Only those on the ground could resist the gale, keeping low, wings tucked. The wind did not seem to bother the Somber Knight, who was busy carving deep gashes into the base of an orange dragon’s neck.

  Kendra felt a rush of air from one side and found Raxtus had landed beside her. She had not seen
the fairy dragon since Jaleesa had taken her captive. Should she turn the sack on him? Was he attacking? Before she could determine his intent, Raxtus quickly bit through the chain near her ankle, leaving only a few links connected to the manacle.

  “Come on,” Raxtus said, grabbing Kendra with his front claws and springing into the air. Kendra yanked the drawstring closed.

  “Raxtus!” Celebrant thundered. “Don’t do this! Traitor! Stop him!”

  Raxtus zoomed toward the exit as other dragons closed on him. He spiraled and weaved to avoid swiping claws and gnashing teeth. A large black dragon blocked the exit, but Raxtus swooped up and shot out through an opening high in the wall.

  The speed left Kendra breathless as they whistled through the afternoon air. Roars sounded from all directions as dragons joined the pursuit. Kendra noticed that Raxtus was shimmering brighter than usual—certain magical creatures drew power from her upon physical contact, and Raxtus was one of them.

  “The Somber Knight,” Kendra said.

  “He’s on his own,” Raxtus replied. “Doesn’t stand much of a chance. Most dragons have wanted a piece of him for a long time. He has killed a lot of us over the years.”

  “What’s your plan?” Kendra asked as Raxtus steeply ascended. Below and behind them, many dragons followed.

  “I’m getting you out of here,” Raxtus said. “Hopefully back to Blackwell Keep. I just needed a diversion. The Somber Knight gave me the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.”

  They flew into a cloud. Kendra closed her eyes against the stinging mist. Raxtus tucked her close against himself, sheltering her as much as possible, but at high speed through moist air, there was no keeping Kendra dry.

  They burst through the top of the cloud into the sunlight, and suddenly the world looked pillowy and safe, no dragons in sight. Clutched by Raxtus, Kendra felt more secure than in the griffin saddle. She had traveled like this before and felt confident he would not drop her. “What will happen to you?” Kendra asked.

  “My father will disown me,” Raxtus said. “I’ll be wanted for treason.”

  “Death penalty?” Kendra asked.

  “A traitor’s death,” Raxtus said. “Bones scattered.”

  “I thought you intended to side with your father,” Kendra said.

  “I did,” Raxtus replied. “I wanted to live up to all his expectations. I wanted to make him proud. Even if he was just using me. I knew I could surprise him. Surprise everyone. Rise to the occasion.”

  Dragons began to emerge from the tops of the clouds. Raxtus tucked his wings and dove. Cool vapor doused Kendra as they knifed through foggy air. Kendra’s stomach flip-flopped as they plunged and swerved. Dragons bellowed.

  Back in view of the ground, Kendra saw that not only were the dragons on their tail, but distant dragons were converging on them as well. They could not flee forever.

  “And now you’re being hunted,” Kendra said.

  “Once you showed up as a prisoner, I knew I had to help you,” Raxtus said. “I’ve killed in battle, or hunting. I’ve never killed a captive, let alone a friend. If I had let them harm you, the most important part of me would have died. Probably forever. It was a point of no return. I could feel it. I wanted to be accepted by my father and my fellow dragons. But not at the cost of who I am. I thought for a time I could do both—be myself and have my father’s respect. I thought maybe I could help the dragons be more reasonable. Improve the system from the inside. I influenced them very little, but they were changing me a lot. In the end, it was one or the other—be myself, or please my father. I chose me. And loyalty to my real friends.”

  “Thank you, Raxtus,” Kendra said, tears in her eyes.

  “This feels good,” Raxtus said. “I’d rather die this way than live that way. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time.”

  Raxtus began changing directions erratically. Sometimes he rose, other times he plummeted down. The pursuing dragons continued to adjust, constricting the hunt ever tighter.

  “They are cutting off Blackwell Keep,” Raxtus said. “Keeping us away from there is clearly their top priority. Second priority is keeping dragons between us and the edge of the sanctuary. They don’t want us fleeing Wyrmroost.”

  “What does that leave us?” Kendra asked, watching forests and rivers below, miniaturized by their altitude.

  “I think our best bet is the Zowali Protectorate,” Raxtus said. “I could probably make it to the Sludgeholes as well, but the Protectorate contains your firmest allies.”

  “All right,” Kendra said.

  The wind washing over her cloud-dampened clothes felt chilling. Kendra gritted her teeth to stop them from chattering and tried to be brave. The speed was exhilarating, and the fear of capture helped her partially ignore the cold.

  “I’m trying not to be obvious, but they’re catching on where I’m heading,” Raxtus said. “They’re trying to adjust while still keeping lots of dragons between us and Blackwell Keep. I think we can make it to the Zowali Protectorate.”

  “Your father has a plan for Midsummer Eve,” Kendra said.

  “I have heard rumors,” Raxtus said. “I don’t know specifics. Supposedly it will help the dragons win the war.”

  “Do you know anything that can help us?” Kendra asked.

  “For a member of his personal guard, I was kept largely in the dark,” Raxtus said. “I don’t think Father ever really trusted me. But I’m not sure he realized I would defy him this openly.”

  Kendra scanned the horizon in all directions, counting so many dragons. Dozens. Maybe a hundred. “None of the dragons behind us are gaining,” she said.

  “I’m small but fast,” Raxtus replied. “We’re nearing the border of the Zowali Protectorate. I can’t come inside.”

  “Why not?” Kendra asked.

  “The protective barrier will keep me out,” Raxtus said.

  “But I’m the caretaker,” Kendra replied.

  “And the animals manage their own barrier,” Raxtus said. “It would take a lot of negotiating and effort for any dragon to pass. I’m not sure the animals would agree to it even with you vouching for me. And if they did agree, by the time they figured it out, the dragons would have torn me to ribbons.”

  “I’m not leaving you,” Kendra said.

  “I’m leaving you,” Raxtus said. “Nothing you can do about it. Don’t worry—without you, I’m faster and can fully use my camouflaging abilities. I’ll get away.”

  “Be careful,” Kendra said.

  “I can’t promise that,” Raxtus replied. “Fast and stealthy is more the goal.”

  Ahead, behind, and off to the sides, dragons were closing in. Raxtus dove low. Kendra could feel her toes skimming the top of the tall grass.

  “There is a creek ahead,” Raxtus said. “It marks the border here. I’ll let you down, and you run across.”

  “The other dragons are too close,” Kendra said, as the creek rapidly drew near. “After you drop me, lie low.”

  There was no time for a response. They had reached the creek, and other dragons were converging from multiple directions. Raxtus set Kendra on her feet at the edge of the water and then fell flat.

  As dragons dove toward them, she loosed the drawstring on the sack of gales. Wind screamed from the bag, and she aimed it from one oncoming dragon to another. The targeted dragons spun out of control, some thrust away haphazardly, others tucking their wings and crashing to the ground.

  Kendra backed into the creek, the water up to her shins, still letting the furious wind gush freely. “The sky is clear nearby!” Kendra shouted, closing the bag.

  Raxtus sprang into the air, wings flapping furiously as he turned invisible. “Thanks!” he called.

  “Help Seth and Tanu if you can!” Kendra cried.

  “You got it,” the unseen dragon answered, his voice more distant.

  Kendra reached the far side of the creek and exited the water. Her shoes were not much wetter than the rest of her.

  Drag
ons charged toward her over the ground, wings folded, keeping low profiles. Fire, acid, frost, and lightning blasted in her direction, coming to a halt against the unseen barrier above the middle of the creek. Roaring in fury, raging dragons lined up on the far side of the unimpressive stream.

  But none could cross.

  Kendra walked away.

  Incarcerated

  “The dragons are all flying away,” Seth said. “This is our chance.”

  “Could it be a trick?” Eve asked. “What would make them all leave like that?”

  Seth had been walking along the road with Eve, Tanu, and Tempest, heading toward the next roadhouse, waiting for the right opportunity. Despite her wild reputation, Tempest had remained calm since arriving. Dragons had circled above during the entire walk, but suddenly they were all soaring away in a similar direction.

  “Must be the Somber Knight,” Seth said.

  “They’re not going toward Skyhold,” Calvin observed.

  “Whatever they’re doing, while they’re not watching us, Eve can cloak us,” Seth said. “I don’t think we’ll get a better chance.”

  The gaseous form of Tanu waved for them to go. Seth helped Eve into the saddle and, with frequent glances at the sky, hastily strapped her in. Then he sat in front of her, unsecured. “Still all clear. Can you disguise us?”

  “Done,” Eve said. “Let’s go.”

  “Home, Tempest,” Seth said, flicking the reins.

  The griffin leaped into the air. Seth gripped with his legs and held on tightly. Since he wasn’t strapped in, the risk of falling was very real. The dragons in sight were all flying away from them.

  “Oh, no,” Eve said. “We’re not alone.”

  Seth looked back and saw a huge green dragon rising from some trees not far from the road. It looked like the same dragon that had taken Kendra, and it was coming right at them.

  “Dragon, Tempest,” Seth said.

  The griffin turned evasively. Seth hung on with all his might. The dragon followed.

  “It must have been watching us,” Eve said. “We need to get out of sight to lose it.”

  “Go into the trees,” Seth suggested.

  Tempest dove into the nearest stand of tall trees. Seth hunched down as branches whipped by. As the griffin weaved through trunks, tilting and swerving, Seth held tightly to the saddle, trying to lean in harmony with the movements of his flying mount.