She walked to the entrance hall and pulled a coat from a peg. The Fog of Balian had started that day, and she hadn’t even seen it. It had been one of her favourite days in her childhood, the day when the awful rains had finally stopped, and the mysterious fog had descended, shrouding the Bulwark. She pocketed the spare set of keys in case Hilde got up and locked the door, then stepped outside.
It was like being inside a cloud, she thought. The forecourt was invisible, hidden behind the thick blanket of mist. Dozens of tiny yellow lamps marked out the openings to the barracks and the Wolfpack Tower, and she began walking, breathing in the cool night air.
‘A beautiful night, miss, isn’t it?’ said a voice.
She turned, and saw a figure emerge from the fog. It was the sergeant from the gatehouse.
‘Yes,’ she said; ‘I love it.’
‘I see you had the champion visiting you today.’
‘How did you know that?’
‘I see pretty much everything that goes on here, miss. So, how’s the Old Lady doing these days? I heard a whisper that she’s reconsidered, and we might see her flying alongside Buckler this coming winter. Do you have any gossip for me?’
‘She’s in the process of exercising her wings; it’s been a while, I guess, but she’s coming on fine. Is the champion drinking in the Wolfpack common room? I thought I might go and speak to him.’
‘No, miss, he left in a carriage a little while back, after he came out of the Old Lady’s lair.’
‘Oh.’
‘He’s in there most nights though, I’m sure you’ll catch him tomorrow. Boy, that lad can drink.’
‘He’s got battle-vision; he has an unfair advantage over the rest of us.’
‘That he does. Do you remember when we mocked the idea? How wrong we were, eh? Just shows you, there’s more to all this than we think.’
She nodded. ‘I think I’ll go and see if Buckler’s in.’
‘Right you are, miss. Watch your step in this fog.’
Maddie turned and guessed the way towards the entrance to the young dragon’s lair. She had never been in before, and wasn’t sure what she would say to him, but an idea was forming in her mind. She saw the large gate to the lair loom ahead of her through the mist, and she walked up to the guards.
‘Hello,’ she said. ‘I’m Maddie Jackdaw, and I want to speak to Buckler. Could you please let him know that I’m here?’
One of the guards glanced at her. ‘No.’
‘But I want to speak to him, didn’t you hear me?’
‘Your name means nothing to me, girl.’
‘Buckler knows me. Go on, don’t be assholes. I said “please”.’
The guard sighed, then turned and walked inside. Maddie smiled at the other one while they waited, but he didn’t even look at her. Idiots. They would know her soon enough, she thought.
‘Fine,’ said the first guard as he emerged from the gate.
The other guard blinked. ‘Buckler said “yes”?’
‘He did,’ the first guard said; ‘he told me that she’s always welcome in his lair.’
Maddie grinned. ‘That means I can go in?’
The guard rolled his eyes. ‘Yes.’
She glanced at them. ‘Well, well, so he does know me; and now you know me too.’
She walked past them, and entered a long hallway. A few Blades were working by a storeroom, rolling barrels of food supplies, and she squeezed past. A huge cavern opened up, and more Blades were around. She frowned at them, wondering what it was that they all did, when Blackrose had only her and Hilde.
Another large cavern led away through an open gate, and she saw a flash of red scales.
‘Hey, Buckler,’ she yelled. The young dragon twisted his neck and gazed down at her.
‘Maddie Jackdaw,’ he said. ‘Have you come to ask if you can work for me, instead of… her?’
‘Umm, not exactly. Can I speak to you without all of these other humans about?’
The dragon said nothing for a moment, then turned to the group of Blades. ‘Out, all of you; I wish to speak to this one alone.’
The Blades saluted the dragon and left the cavern.
‘Thanks,’ she said as the last one filed out. ‘How many of them know about Blackrose?’
‘A small number of the humans who work for me are brought into the secret, but they must swear an oath never to reveal it. I heard a rumour, though, that might mean many more will learn of her existence. Is that why you are here? Have you come to tell me what’s happening with her? I would appreciate some news, instead of gossip.’
‘I thought Lord Kano would have told you.’
‘The demigod tells me nothing, but I know he visited Blackrose recently. That’s what started the rumours.’
‘It’s true,’ she said. ‘Blackrose has agreed to cooperate. For about ten days or so I’ve been rubbing ointment into her wings. It’s going well, but she’s feeling down. Her wings are sore.’
‘That is to be expected after such a long interval without flying. My heart is moved by her suffering, but I’m more surprised than anything else. You, no doubt, remember the last time I tried to persuade her?’
‘My leg still hurts.’
‘So, who is responsible for her change of mind?’
‘Have you heard any other rumours?’
Buckler lowered his head to the level of Maddie’s face. ‘Corthie?’
Maddie nodded.
‘I guessed as much, after he came here one day and asked me directly about her existence. I was caught off guard, and I’m afraid to say that I lied to him. I denied it. It was a mistake, I now feel, but there we are. I will apologise to him when I next see him. What did he say to her?’
‘He told her how amazing she was, stuff like that, and then they spoke alone.’
‘And then she swore an oath to Lord Kano?’
‘I wasn’t there for it, but yes, I believe so.’
The dragon said nothing.
‘I thought you’d be happier.’
‘I would be, were I convinced she will go through with it. To have her fly alongside me this coming winter would be wonderful; the sky is big enough for both of us. However, I fear that she might change her mind again. She’s spent the last ten years telling me she would rather die than be a “slave”, as she puts it, so forgive me if I’m finding it all a little difficult to accept.’
Maddie smiled. ‘I have an idea that might help.’
‘Blackrose,’ Maddie called out as she stepped through the hatch in the gate.
The dragon glanced around.
‘Over here.’
Blackrose narrowed her eyes. ‘Why are you emerging from Buckler’s lair? What have you been doing, girl? Do you find the child’s company preferable to my own?’
‘We’re moving onto the next stage of your recovery,’ she said, ‘and, logistically, that required me to go into Buckler’s lair.’
‘Why?’
Maddie frowned and looked around. ‘Do you see any way for you to get out of this lair? Anywhere? How were you imaging you would get outside again? Do you not remember how you got in here in the first place?’
‘I was drugged. I awoke here.’
‘Oh. Well, the only way out is through Buckler’s lair.’
‘I see. Am I to assume therefore that the young buck is now aware that I have agreed to assist the City?’
‘Well, yes; I had to tell him.’
‘Most unfortunate. He will now believe me to be a hypocrite.’
‘He’s pleased for you.’
‘Of course he is. Pleased that he has won the argument; pleased that he has been proved right. I cannot bear his mocking eyes upon me.’
‘Well, he’s waiting for you, but he won’t mock you. Buckler’s alright, you know. The one thing he’s missing is a bit of wisdom and guidance from an older, more mature dragon, one who can show him a trick or two.’
‘If he mocks me, run, for I do not wish to accidentally break all of your bone
s again.’
‘Then you’ll do it?’
‘Wait. Is it a clear night? Are there stars? Is there a moon?’
‘No to all of those, sorry. Thick dark clouds overhead, and a blanket of fog on the ground.’
Blackrose nodded. ‘That is better. Fewer humans will be able to observe me. Open the red gate.’
Maddie laughed and ran to the gate. She poked her head through the hatch. ‘She’s ready.’
The enormous gate began to swing open, and Blackrose stepped back as it slid past her. She glanced up, and her eyes met those of Buckler, who had been standing on the other side.
‘Blackrose,’ he said, tilting his head and lowering it a fraction; ‘greetings. My heart is sad, as Maddie has told me of the agonies you have experienced in the healing of your wings; but it is also happy, to think that you will soon be ruling the skies of the City.’
‘Ruling?’ Blackrose said. ‘Are you mocking me?’
‘No, I am acknowledging your power, and your authority. I am still in my first century of life, and you are nearing your prime. I bow to you. Will you teach me?’
Maddie’s heart swelled to hear him say the words. He had promised he would, but she had doubted it until they had left his mouth. Blackrose did not respond for a moment, as she regarded the younger dragon.
‘I make no promises,’ she said; ‘not yet. Let’s see if I’m worthy first.’
‘You need prove nothing to me, Blackrose.’
‘Thank you, but I have a lot to prove to myself.’
Buckler backed up along the cavern, and Blackrose entered his lair, her wings tucked in, while Maddie strode alongside. All of the other humans had been told to leave, and the enormous spaces were deserted. Buckler turned, and led them up a long, wide ramp that led from his entrance hall, and Maddie began to smell the fresh air. Blackrose sensed it too, her nostrils flaring in the light breeze. They ascended further, until Maddie could make out a wide, rectangular area of sky. Blackrose halted.
Buckler noticed, and turned. ‘This is the Dragon Port. This is how I fly in and out of my lair. Come and see the fog; it’s quite something.’
Blackrose hesitated.
‘What’s wrong?’ said Maddie.
‘My heart is breaking,’ the dragon said; ‘hope is overwhelming me. If I see the sky and feel the wind, there will be no turning back.’
‘Then don’t turn back.’
‘I’m sorry that Hilde isn’t here to see this.’
‘Yeah, me too.’
‘But I have you now, Maddie Jackdaw.’
‘And me,’ said Buckler. ‘The girl and I both love you.’
Blackrose said nothing, but resumed her stride, and they walked up to the lip of the Dragon Port. It had been cut out of a high section of the inner walls of the fortress, and commanded a view of the entire landscape facing out from the City. The plains where the greenhides assembled each summer and winter were covered in an impenetrable layer of fog that rolled all the way to the outer walls, swallowing up the moat completely. A night breeze was lingering in the air, and Maddie watched as the two dragons sat side by side, each absorbed by the sky and land.
Without warning, Blackrose swung her neck round and picked Maddie up in her jaws.
She screamed in fright, and for a moment thought the dragon was going to drop her off the side of the walls, but Blackrose instead placed her onto her back.
‘Hold on tight,’ she said.
‘What are you doing? Your wings aren’t ready; please!’
Blackrose laughed, then launched herself from the lip of the Dragon Port, her wings extending to their full length. Maddie screamed again as they tumbled down towards the fog, her hands grasping onto the folds on the dragon’s shoulders. At the last second, Blackrose beat her wings and they soared up, her tail trailing through the fog.
‘Mela,’ said the dragon.
‘What?’ cried Maddie, the cold air freezing her.
‘I promised my rider my name, and now you have it.’
‘Mela? It’s beautiful.’
‘But?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘You were expecting more? There is more. Mela is my first name, the one given to me by my mother on the day I was born, but I have many. I’ll give you another each time you ride upon me.’
The dragon wheeled round, and Maddie saw the Great Walls of the City as she had never seen them before, from the point of view of the greenhides. The fortress of Arrowhead jutted out like the prow of a ship; to her right was Stormshield, while the towers of Lifegiver were visible to her left. Despite the cold, it was the greatest thing she had ever seen in her life, and she felt a happiness that made her start to cry. Blackrose circled one more time, then came in to land back inside the lip of the Dragon Port.
‘Bravo, my lady,’ said Buckler, tilting his head.
‘It was a mere minute or two,’ she said, ‘and my wings are already exhausted. But, after more than ten years, I finally feel alive again.’
Buckler laughed, then launched himself off the lip of the port, and soared away towards the clouds. Blackrose reached up with her jaws, and plucked Maddie from her back.
‘You’re trembling,’ she said once she had placed Maddie back onto the ground. ‘Were you that scared?’
‘No, I’m freezing. That was the best thing I’ve ever done, but next time I’m taking a blanket.’
‘You wouldn’t need a blanket on my world. It’s warm and sunny all the time.’
Maddie smiled. ‘Did you just tell me something about your world?’
‘Yes, and in answer to your earlier question; getting from one world to another requires a device called a Quadrant.’
‘What? Why are you telling me this?’
‘Because I have decided.’
‘Decided what?’
‘You are my rider, Maddie Jackdaw, and when I escape this place, you shall be coming with me.’
Chapter 28
Prince of Tara
Pella, Auldan, The City – 3rd Balian 3419
‘Remember, Lieutenant,’ said the major, ‘everything you heard in there is confidential and must not be repeated, to anyone.’
‘Yes, sir, and thank you for letting me sit in on the meeting.’
‘I’ve had my eye on you, Daniel, ever since your return from the Circuit. If you do well, I shall see about having you appointed to my staff permanently.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
The major nodded and Daniel saluted. The carriage waiting to take him back to the barracks was parked outside the side entrance to Cuidrach Palace, and Daniel walked in that direction. In truth, he had hardly heard a word the major had just said to him, as his thoughts were occupied by the news that Princess Khora and Lord Naxor had delivered.
Daniel didn’t believe it. Surely the God-King and God-Queen would not stand by and allow the Blades to invade the rest of the City? Preposterous. Only once in a millennium had they marched through the Middle Walls, and then only to crush the last vestiges of rebellion in the Circuit at the end of the Civil War. Daniel had been ordered to say nothing at the meeting; he was a mere lieutenant after all, but he had bitten his tongue several times. The very idea of Blades patrolling the streets of Auldan was a ludicrous prospect.
A small group of Taran militia saluted him as he passed. Most of the guards in the palace were Rosers, and their arrival had allowed companies of Reaper militia to be redeployed to the troubled parts of the sprawling peasant suburb of Outer Pella. The ancient town centre of Pella was quiet enough, and the streets by the harbour front were deserted as he stepped outside into the fog.
Lady Aila had called it the Fog of Balian, right to Princess Khora’s face. The crass comment had shocked the Tarans, but, in hindsight, Daniel was glad she had said it, because when the demigod had insulted him only a few moments later, all of the officers present were already viewing her with contempt.
He nodded to the driver and climbed into the carriage. It had been a lucky escape. Lady
Aila’s words had struck deep, and he had been rendered speechless, his mind as foggy as the weather as he had tried to formulate a response. She had asked him why he had done it; a simple enough question, but it had been the first time anyone had asked him to his face. He wondered what he would have said had the captain not interceded. ‘I didn’t mean it,’ or ‘It wasn’t my fault,’ or some other pathetic excuse.
In a way, he admired Lady Aila. Everyone else acted like he was some kind of a hero for what he had done, but he knew the truth. He has overseen the murder of defenceless civilians; women and children; peasants who had done nothing wrong except to be born as Evaders. If it had been the other way round, and Circuit militia had burned down a tenement full of Rosers, those responsible would be hunted down and executed as criminals, instead of being promoted, praised, and allowed into secret meetings with the High Guardian of the City.
His mother would call him wishy-washy if she heard him voice such thoughts aloud, and he had kept his feelings to himself, preferring the safe life of a hypocrite to the troubles honesty would bring.
The meeting had gone on for a few hours after being reconvened following the appearance of Lady Aila, and Daniel was looking forward to resting in his quarters in the barracks. They were luxurious compared to the place he and his platoon had stayed in the Circuit, and he felt his recurring sense of guilt return at the thought of his clean sheets and towels, and the hot water that ran from the taps in the large bathroom. Why did he deserve such things, when the majority of the Taran rank and file were suffering in the grey slums of the Circuit?
It was a short ride to the barracks, and before long the carriage pulled over. The view his mother had talked about was completely obscured by the thick fog lying over the Inner Bay, and he could barely see the boats in the harbour, let alone Ooste or Tara. The Roser soldiers at the gates saluted as he entered the main barracks building. The green and red standard of the Reapers had been taken down from the flagpole, replaced by the black leopard of Tara. In Outer Pella this would have been seen as a grave insult, but the affluent residents of the old town had made no comment.
The Mortal Blade: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Eternal Siege Book 1) Page 39