by E. L. Todd
“Unless General Noose is at Polox, I doubt it. He’s the only one who saw you. The guards will recognize me—because I look just like my father—but they won’t recognize you.”
“Guess that’s true…”
“So, we’ll steal a wagon. I’ll hide inside, and you drive me in.”
“May as well. You’re already wanted for treason—no harm in committing another crime.”
They approached the wooden gate of Polox, with the doors wide open, letting merchants and citizens come and go. From a distance, they squatted down, taking a look at the scene.
“Uh…guys.” Lilac kneeled beside Bridge. “I don’t think this is going to work.”
“Why?” Bridge asked.
“Everything looks normal.” Rush saw the citizens go in and out, wagons full of flour and corn rolling through the gates to sell in shops. Horses kicked up the dirt with their hooves. Quiet conversations drifted to their location. There were more guards than before, but that didn’t matter.
“Do you not see those humongous posters on the wall?” Lilac pointed to the right of the gateway.
There were five sketches—showing each of their faces.
Rush let out a loud sigh of defeat. “Great…that’s just great.”
“Can you fly in?” Bridge asked.
Rush turned to give him a glare. “Sure. They won’t notice a bright red dragon at all…”
Bridge elbowed him. “I’m trying to think of something, okay?”
Lilac opened her pack and pulled out a telescope. She extended it into position then placed it against her eye.
“Where’d you get that?” Bridge asked, eyeing his sister.
She turned the telescope and focused on the poster. “My hot pirate boyfriend.”
“See anything?” Rush asked.
“Well, I have some good news.” She rotated the dial, increasing the focus. “The drawings are terrible. I look like a hag in mine…and Bridge looks even worse. Rush, you’re the only one with a spot-on drawing.”
Not that they need it.
She contracted the telescope back into its smaller position and stowed it in her pack. “Since they’ve depicted me as a hag and I’m definitely not a hag, I have an idea.”
“What?” Rush asked.
“Let me see that.” Bridge grabbed the top of the telescope visible at the edge of her pack and placed it against his eye. He made the adjustments until he got the posters in view. “You’re right, that looks nothing like me. Yours is dead-on, though.”
She slugged him in the side.
Bridge gave a jerk, slamming the telescope into his eye as he fell forward. “Ouch, that hurt.”
Rush ignored him. “What’s your idea?”
Bridge stayed down on all fours, rubbing his face. “Great, now I have a black eye.”
“I distract them,” she said. “I’ll walk up to the gate. Do a bit of flirting. You slip right in.”
“What about on the way out?” Rush said. “I don’t know how long I’ll be, and you can’t keep that going for too long.”
“Look.” She nodded toward the gate. “They’re only checking people entering—not leaving.”
Rush watched the guards check every person who came to the gate, ordering them to take down their hoods so they could have a thorough look at each person as they entered Polox. Everyone who departed the city was ignored. “You’re right.”
Lilac took the telescope from her brother and stowed it away. “Let’s do this.”
“What are you going to say?” Rush said.
“I don’t know,” she said as she got to her feet. “It’s not like men listen anyway…”
The second Lilac strolled up, she captured their complete and undivided attention.
Rush didn’t catch anything she said as he slipped past the guards and entered Polox, his hood still up to hide his face from everyone in the street. It was past midday, so there were only a couple hours left before sundown. Once that happened, the gates would close, so if he didn’t want to be stuck on the street all night, he had to get to work.
He made it to the potions shop and slid inside, the bell ringing over the door.
There was already a customer inside, so Rush immediately walked to the rear of the shop, eyeing the strange things that no one ever bought. How did he know that? Because there was dust everywhere.
He moved toward the window, spotting another flask of dragon tears.
Interesting.
How does she always have tears on hand?
Good question.
The customer paid at the counter then departed the store. The bell rang again.
“What can I do for you, Rush?” Mathilda’s deep voice came from the front of the store.
Rush pushed his hood back as he approached the counter. “How’d you know?”
“The way you move.” Her long hair was in thick curls, and she was dressed in purple. The counter separated them, and there was a doorway behind her that led to a private storeroom. “Entitled men always move in the same way—like they own the place.”
He took the insult with a shrug. “Someone said I was arrogant once…maybe a couple times.”
“Whoever told you that is a good friend—because a good friend will lie about your flaws behind your back but speak them to your face.” She gave him a long and hard stare, one hand on the counter. “Looks like those dragon tears did you some good.”
He met her look, not the least bit surprised by her assumption. “How’d you know?”
“The empire told me—with their posters on every wall.”
He gave a subtle nod before he planted his hands on the counter between them. “I’ve always been a popular guy.” He stared at her, people passing by the windows, having no idea that the person the empire wanted most was right inside. “Why’d you do it?”
“I do a lot of things.”
“You gave it to her at no cost. Why?”
“It was at a cost—which she’ll pay later.”
“I was the one who needed them, so I should be the one in debt.”
“But you aren’t a half-elf who would risk her life to save a man and a dragon, are you?” She gave a smile, but her eyes remained shrewd. “What can the empire’s number one fugitive offer me?”
“Touché.” His eyes narrowed, looking at Mathilda in a whole new way. “What do you want?”
“That’s between her and me.”
Why did you think this was a good idea?
Never said it was. “Where do you get the dragon tears?”
A slow smile moved on to her lips, more like a taunt. “From a dragon, obviously.”
“But which dragon?”
Her hands planted on the counter and she leaned forward, her head tilted up to regard him at his greater height.
She must get them from the empire.
You’re right. “Why haven’t you ratted me out to the guards?”
“It’s not my place to interfere with another’s journey. No one interferes with mine.”
Rush withdrew his hands from the counter and straightened.
“You came here for something, Rush Hawkehelm. Not to buy, because your hands are empty, but something, nonetheless.”
“I need an introduction to the dwarves.”
“That, I can’t give you.”
“Do you know them?”
“Once upon a time.”
“Then tell me the way. I’ll introduce myself.”
She withdrew from the counter, her eyes hazing over with a foggy memory. “You waste your time going there.”
“What happened to not interfering with another’s journey?” An audience with the dwarves was happening—and a witch wouldn’t stand in his way.
She stared hard and deep for a very long time, her eyes still and focused. “As you wish. But this information comes at a price.”
“Of course it does…”
“The shelf life of the Galeco Frogs is short. I need another batch, but last time I ventured west,
there were no frogs to be seen.”
She knows.
“How do you know about the venom?”
“Honey, everyone knows.”
“But…how?”
She gave a shrug. “When a weapon is discovered, word travels fast. Bring it to me—and I will give you what you seek.”
This will be easy.
But take weeks of our time.
It’ll take even longer climbing up and down the mountains like goats looking for a way in.
I see your point.
Rush left the counter and headed to the door, knowing he had to get out of the city before sundown. “I’ll be back in a couple weeks.”
“Or perhaps not at all.”
He gave her a glance over his shoulder. “Way to stay positive…”
8
The Army Marches
They trekked through the wilderness, staying clear of popular roads and trails taken by merchants. It was hot and miserable, and they only made a fire long enough to cook dinner before it was stamped out again. Enemies were in the skies. And Rush had no doubt they were on the ground too.
“I can’t believe this.” Bridge kept up with him while the others trailed behind. They crested a hill then moved back to the flatlands, cutting through condensed trees and brush, heading west. “I hate those big-ass frogs. I literally have nightmares about those guys.”
“They aren’t my favorite either.”
“I’d rather deal with an orc than one of those guys.”
“Really?” Rush asked. “Why?”
“Uh, because orcs don’t jump ten feet in the air while they chase you—and roar while doing it.”
Rush chuckled. “Orcs are seven feet tall, have skin thick as armor, and wield swords like decent fighters. That doesn’t scare you?”
Bridge shrugged. “They don’t jump on you.”
Rush rolled his eyes.
“And they aren’t as angry. Frogs are pissed, man. Their eyes literally pop out a bit and they do that stupid thing with their mouth—”
Hide!
Rush grabbed Bridge by the arm and yanked him so hard his shoulder nearly popped out of the socket.
“What the—”
Rush cupped his mouth and forced him down behind a boulder.
The others copied their movements, all giving Rush looks that demanded answers.
He pressed his finger against his lips.
The thud of footfalls was suddenly distinct.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
It grew louder until it was right on the other side of the boulder.
Bridge mouthed to him. “Orcs?”
Rush shook his head.
The thudding didn’t stop. It just kept going—for a solid twenty minutes.
Rush felt the blood drain from his face because he knew what it was.
When the thud turned faint, he popped his head over the edge of the rock to see what he’d already imagined in his head.
General Noose rode his steed in the lead—followed by an army of two thousand men behind him.
Bridge and the others did the same, popping their heads to get a look.
They’re searching for us.
They stayed low for a few days before they continued toward the desert.
“The frogs don’t seem so scary…after seeing that.” Rush moved faster now, wanting to get to their destination as quickly as possible to decrease their odds of running into General Noose…and whoever else was looking for him.
“Dad must really miss me.”
Bridge gave a slight snort that came out as a pained laugh. “What will happen if he catches us?”
Torture us. Kill the rest.
“They aren’t going to catch us, so don’t worry about it.”
“What if he sent out another army—”
“An army isn’t going to sneak up on us. My dad is an idiot if he thinks Flare and I aren’t going to notice two thousand soldiers.”
“I don’t know. We didn’t notice them that quickly.”
“It’ll be fine, Bridge.”
What if they weren’t looking for us?
What do you mean?
What if they’re preparing to march on Eden Star?
Rush halted next to a tree.
Bridge kept walking and took several seconds to notice that Rush had fallen behind. He looked over his shoulder. “You okay, man?”
Why do you say that?
I didn’t see crossbows.
They were pretty far away by the time we looked.
I see much better than you do.
Rush replayed the march in his head, mapping out their direction. They weren’t going in that direction.
I guess you’re right. Still worries me.
Yeah, it worries me too.
“What are we looking for here?” Lilac kicked a pinecone as she walked forward, glancing at the grassy area next to the stream.
“Galeco Frogs,” Liam said. “In various pastel colors, their skins are slick with venom along with their saliva. They’re six feet tall and can propel themselves to great heights, sometimes launching themselves to a height of twenty feet for the most mature individuals.”
Lilac spun around in a circle. “Well, I don’t see any monster toads. And they sound like they’d be easy to spot.”
“If you don’t see them, you’ll hear them,” Liam said. “Because they roar.”
“Whoa, what?” Lilac turned to regard Liam. “Roar? Like a dragon?”
How dare you.
She doesn’t mean it like that.
I’m a beast. Not a pink frog that hops around like a rabbit.
Just let it go, Flare.
I dislike her again.
Rush moved forward, crossing the shallow stream and moving deeper into the tree line. “This is where they should be—near the river.”
“How many are there usually?” Zane asked.
Rush gave a shrug. “I don’t know…dozens in each group.”
“Maybe they moved upstream?” Lilac asked. “Downstream?”
Rush took the lead. “Let’s try upstream. The water will be fresher closer to the waterfall.”
They hiked for a full day—and didn’t see anything.
“Where the hell are these guys?” Bridge asked. “Do they migrate?”
“Not that I know of,” Rush said. “This is their territory. Anytime I’ve come this way, they’re here.”
“Maybe soldiers are coming through this area, so they moved.”
“Yeah, they aren’t really the turn and run kinda creatures.”
That’s the only thing we have in common.
You’re still on that?
She compared me to a FROG.
“Rush, over here.” Lilac gave a loud whistle.
Rush turned to see her across the river near the base of one of the rock walls embedded with soil. It was a mossy area, evergreen bushes everywhere, moss growing over the soil. “What is it?”
She rounded the corner before he could catch up.
He jogged, the rest of the guys along with him.
When he turned the corner, the sight brought him to a halt. “No…”
An old bonfire sat there, desiccated bodies and bones of the Galeco clan on top. Most of it was dust. Individuals couldn’t be discerned. It was an ashy graveyard.
This is wrong.
“Who would do this?” Liam kneeled down and looked at the pile, his face tight in agony. “They wiped out an entire species…”
Rush closed his eyes and released a pained sigh. “The Shamans or the empire. But nowadays, they’re one and the same.”
Bridge kicked a bone into the pile. The fire was old because there was no hint of smoke in the air. The graveyard had been there for months, probably. “Smart. Now they can’t be killed…again.”
Rush stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the dead creatures that were all now a single color—black. Their pastel luminosity was gone. Their roars would never echo in this forest. King Lux wiped out the race
of free dragons, so of course, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it to something else. Rush had no particular fondness for the frogs that had chased him down more times than he could count, but this…was despicable.
What are we going to do?
Don’t ask me.
Who else can I ask?
I’m not in the mood, Flare. This was my one way to get to the dwarves, and now—
Ribbit. Ribbit.
The group shared a look before they turned toward the sound.
“Somewhere over here.” Bridge took the lead.
Ribbit. Ribbit.
“Break into groups.” Rush went his own direction. “We gotta find these guys.”
“Shouldn’t we be able to see them?” Lilac asked. “Or hear them roar or whatever?”
Ribbit. Ribbit.
Go right.
Rush felt Flare’s mind press up against his, a knock on the door, and then they became one. The energy donated by his dragon heightened his senses, and the sounds of the Galeco Frogs were amplified.
Ribbit. Ribbit.
It’s louder.
Keep going.
Rush kneeled near the copse of ferns.
Careful.
Are they underground?
Maybe it’s a regular frog that we’re chasing.
Rush gently pulled back the ferns and revealed a hole in the ground.
Several pairs of eyes darted to his face, swelling in anger and fear, and then their lips started to snarl. There were a dozen, all with the pastel skin that made them so easy to spot, all the size of his palm. They didn’t jump. They didn’t attack. They just stared with their snarls. “Guys, over here.”
Bridge got there first. “Are those…?”
The frogs shifted their hostile stare to him.
“They’re actually pretty cute…when they’re small.” He looked at Rush. “I guess they must have hidden them when they were attacked.”
“Yeah,” Rush said, imagining a mother frog burying her young before she could be slain.
Liam kneeled. “The last survivors…”
They all sat there and stared, looking at the frogs as they looked at them.
“She didn’t specify how much venom she needed,” Bridge said. “So maybe we can just take one or two—”
“No.” Rush dropped his pack and dug inside until he found an extra bag with a drawstring on top. “We aren’t doing that.”