by E. L. Todd
That could work. “When we escape, we’ll take Talc with us. She’ll fuse with one of us and then unfuse once it’s safe.”
“Escape?”
“We can’t stay here, Queen Megora.”
“Ye’ll have to. Because we can’t open the passageway again. They’ll be waiting for it.”
Flare’s mind instantly changed, becoming bigger, thicker, like a rattlesnake uncoiling its body. The click from his throat was audible, like his lungs were about to light a fire that would consume them all.
“We aren’t staying here.” Rush bored his gaze into hers, the anger swelling under his skin, the rage tinting his eyes red. “We’re on a mission that can’t be halted.”
“I can’t risk what we have left.”
“You just said this isn’t living—just waiting for death.”
“But it is still living. I have women and children in here. I already risked our safety by saving ye from the Fazurks, so yer request is full of entitlement and insensitivity. Be grateful that your lungs still draw breath.”
I will burn each dwarf, one by one, until she changes her mind.
Calm down.
I will not. I will not stay here. I will not be a captive once again. I will not dwell underground without seeing the sky. I will not succumb to this torture—
Flare, I will get us out of here. I promise.
His mind pressed to every corner of their consciousness, trying to break free from the anxiety, the fear, the desperation. The distress transferred from his mind to Rush’s, along with all the terror, the pain, the memories.
I know you’re scared.
Silence.
It’s okay to be scared.
Silence.
But I will get you out of here. You will see the sky once again. You will feel the wind beneath your wings. Your scales will shine in the sun once more. I will not stop until I make it happen. Just give me some time.
26
The Sacrifice of the Durgin
They lay down on their cots and settled in for the night, having some privacy in a secluded cave off the main path. Their bellies were filled with fresh food for the first time since they’d arrived in the mountains, and the ale gave a nice numbing effect behind the eyes and in the stomach.
Bridge leaned up against the wall beside him. “I know she’s just trying to protect her people and all that, but what’s the point? Unless they know someone is coming to save them, they’re just going to die anyway. They may as well try to get out of here, and if they don’t, allow us to leave.”
Flare was still pressing against Rush’s mind, but he was distant, just as he was when he was asleep. But he definitely wasn’t asleep now. A barrier divided their minds, giving Flare both the solitude and silence he needed. The only time they were separated was in sleep, and a lot of the time, they chose to sleep at the same time. So, this separation was difficult, especially when he knew his dragon suffered. “I agree.”
“So, what are we going to do? Because dying in this mountain is not how my story ends.”
“It’s no secret that everybody hates me. But Talc convinced Megora to save me.”
“Yeah. What’s your point?”
“I think she can convince Megora to let us go.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” he said. “So, let’s do it. What are you waiting for?”
“Flare.”
“What about him?”
“He’s…inaccessible right now.”
“Why? Did you piss him off?”
His eyes narrowed. “No. But thanks.”
“Then what’s going on?”
“He’s really worked up. Dragons aren’t meant to be underground, and he’s not handling it well.”
“He handled it up until this point.”
“But then Megora said she wouldn’t let us go…and that sent him over the edge.”
Bridge gave a slow nod. “Gotcha.”
“So, when he comes around, I’ll talk to Talc.”
“What do you know about Talc?”
“Honestly, nothing. But she saved me, so that’s a good sign.”
“Yeah.”
Everyone else got into their cots and pulled the blankets to their shoulders. There was little warmth underground, and the longer they were away from the sun, the more their limbs started to frost.
“Did you try to talk to Cora?” Bridge asked before he took a drink from his canteen.
“Still can’t reach her…”
“Too bad. Because we could really use Callon’s help right now.”
Rush folded his arms over his chest as he crossed his ankles, his back propped up by the cave wall. “Hmm, that’s not a bad idea.”
“What?” Bridge twisted the cap onto the bottle then stowed it in his pack.
“If the elves helped us with the Fazurks, we could free the dwarves.”
“But what’s the point of that?” He pulled his jacket out of his bag and put it on, the dampness in the air from the nearby waterfall bringing him a chill. “There’s only a thousand dwarves left. They aren’t ideal allies anymore.”
“But these mountains are huge. There could be others.”
“Wouldn’t they have helped us if they were there?”
“Why? They have no obligation, unlike Talc.”
Bridge gave a slight nod. “It’s a lot to ask of the elves. They come to fight for a chance there could be more dwarves? And let’s not forget, they despise you.”
“But they don’t despise Cora.”
He gave a shrug. “It’s still a long shot.”
“If we help the dwarves now, and there are more, they’ll be our allies later. It’s called public relations. The dwarves have no investment in the happenings of Anastille, so we need to secure an alliance in some way. This is the way to do that.”
“Rush, it’s a long shot. A really long shot.”
“But if I could make it work, we could accomplish exactly what we came here for.”
It took Flare a day to come back to Rush.
They spent that time in the cave, keeping to themselves. Most of the dwarves didn’t seem to be aware of their presence at all, but that would probably change once word spread that Queen Megora had granted asylum to a human.
I have an idea.
I hope it’s a good one.
We talk to Talc—and ask her to convince the queen. She convinced her to save us in the first place.
Yes. That does make sense.
So, patch me through.
Hold on. I need to gain her permission first.
Alright.
A couple minutes later, Flare returned. I’ll connect you. But I must warn you, she’s feisty.
And you aren’t?
Flare ignored the taunt and connected their minds. Talc, here’s Rush.
It was no different from speaking to Cora, but it felt like an entirely new experience. When he spoke with Ashe, it was a constant discomfort. It wasn’t a natural feeling, not the way it was with Flare and Cora. It felt like an intrusion, like he was somewhere he didn’t belong. Thank you for saving us from the Fazurks.
A scale for a scale. Her voice was just as powerful as Flare’s, just distinctly feminine. My debt is repaid.
Thank you, nonetheless.
You saved a few of my brethren, but this doesn’t forgive your cruelty. We are enemies as far as I’m concerned.
“Damn, you weren’t kidding.” I know this doesn’t mean much to you—
Then don’t speak it.
I just want you to understand that I’m committed to freeing every dragon enslaved by my father.
And what of the ones that have already died?
Rush sighed.
The ones that died in their cages? The ones that were killed for refusing to be a pet?
His mind shut down, as if wounded by a blade between the ribs.
Talc, I understand how difficult this is for you. There was a time in my life when I hated Rush as much as you do. But he’s a good man—on my hono
r.
Perhaps we have different standards of good—and yours is very low.
Or I’ve just witnessed his character in a way no one else ever has. It doesn’t matter where you start, but where you end up. He’s risking his life to free all the dragons in captivity. He’s prepared to kill his father if he refuses to surrender. He’s our ally.
Talc ignored his words. What do you want from me?
To thank you. And also ask for your help.
My debt is repaid. I owe you nothing—not even this conversation.
We need to get out of this mountain, and I’m sure you wish for that as well.
And go where? There’s no place in Anastille for free dragons. My scales will shine in the sun—and those demons will spot me from a mile away. I was too weak to fight when I escaped, but I’m weak still.
We have a place for you. A place where you’ll be free.
No such place exists.
It does. Ashe, King of Dragons, lives.
Silence.
He’s on a hidden island far out in the sea. The surviving free dragons live there—in peace. I will take you there at the first opportunity.
The silence continued.
I speak the truth, Talc.
If free dragons survive, why are you here?
Because I have to save the ones that remain behind. It’s our duty. You’ve suffered enough, so you deserve to live in peace, if that’s what you wish. But we can’t accomplish that if we’re stuck underground. You must convince Queen Megora to let us go.
And how will I escape?
You’ll fuse with one of our men.
Her voice deepened, injecting venom into the air. Never.
Talc—
I’ll fuse with a dwarf. Even an elf. But never a human. Humans are Shamans that don’t hide their face.
Not all humans are that way. You can trust us.
I trust you—but not him.
There is no other way to get you out of here. I give you my word that Bridge will allow you to unfuse whenever you wish. He’s not like the men you’re used to. I know that’s hard to understand after thousands of years of captivity. But the world is changing. Men are changing. We’re not the only ones who want King Lux off the throne. It’s also elves. It’s also men.
Silence.
The other option is to leave you here—under the mountain. We can reunite you with your people, on a beautiful island that’s far away from everyone and everything, and you can be free once more. But we can’t do that unless you come with us.
What if he won’t allow me to unfuse?
Then I’ll eat him.
Silence.
You have my word, Talc.
After a long stretch of silence, her voice emerged. If I escape with you, I may be forced into a fuse. I may die in the attempt to flee. But if I stay here…I’ll die under a mountain…and not even leave behind my bones.
I agree.
Do you have a plan?
Yes—but I need your help.
What do you wish of me?
You must convince Megora to let us go. If that passage is the only way out of this place, we must take it.
That is a terrible plan. You didn’t make it out the first time. Why would you escape the second time?
We’ll figure it out.
There’re too many, Flare. And now they are watching. Without help, you’ll have no chance.
Perhaps you can convince her of that as well—to help us.
Unlikely. She already spared you because of me. I can’t convince her to make another sacrifice—at least not without something in return.
I need you to try.
Silence.
Our lives depend on it.
Another stretch of silence passed. I will do my best.
Rush rubbed the towel over his hair to get the water out of the strands, tugging it back and forth to get the scalp to dry. They sat together at the edge of the dark pool, the rest of the dwarves clearing out the moment they approached the lake created by the waterfall in the rear. Rush shook out the towel to dispel the drops before he rolled it up to return to his pack.
“I miss bathing.” Bridge did the same with his towel, wringing it in his hands so the moisture dripped onto the rock. “I had my own bathroom…until you came along.”
“And I had my own castle—get over it.”
Flare interrupted the conversation. Queen Megora wishes to speak with us.
Did Talc convince her?
That was all she told me. Let’s go.
Rush closed his pack and left it at Bridge’s side. “Gotta go. Megora wants a word.”
“Don’t be a smartass, alright?” Bridge said. “Because we all want to get out of this black-widow paradise.”
“Got it.” Rush left the cavern and returned to the room with the throne, finding the dwarf at one of the wooden tables with a pint of ale in front of her. Rush had never witnessed this level of casualness with anyone, not his father or the rulers of Eden Star. “Don’t like the throne?”
Her eyes looked over the edge of the mug as she took a drink. “It’s a rock. Very hard. And very cold.”
Rush took a seat on the bench across from her, his pint already waiting for him.
Her hand remained on the handle of her drink as she stared. “Your request is denied.”
Smoke poured from Flare’s nostrils, the fire in his stomach as well as his belly. Rush could feel it rather than see it, feel the rage his dragon struggled to contain. “Why?”
“Because of the reasons I already gave.”
“Your dragon wishes to be free—and you deny her?”
Her intelligent eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I said—”
“Talc wishes to be free, and you’re not allowing it. That’s what I’m hearing.”
The anger burned like a fire that had just received an extra log. Anger turned to rage. Embers turned to flames. “She won’t make it out of here. None of ye will.”
“We have a chance—if you help us.”
“Help you? How?”
“If you give some of your fighters, it’ll give us a distraction long enough to escape.”
“You expect me to sacrifice the Durgin I have left? I’ve always known men are selfish and entitled, but this reaches new heights.”
“Megora, men, elves, and dwarves all have the same beliefs. Some will die so others will live.”
“You aren’t one of us.” Blue eyes flicked back and forth, cheeks red with the strain of her anger. “I will not sacrifice my people for you.”
“No one knows the dwarves are compromised. No one is coming to save you, Megora. Your people will die of starvation or cannibalism, waiting for aid that will never come. But if you help us escape, I can help you escape later.”
The beer was neglected entirely, put off to the side.
“Talc and Flare alone can extinguish them from the skies.”
“What about the ones deep underground? You can’t help us.”
“No. But I can send people who can.”
“Who?” Her arms rested on the table, and she leaned forward. “Men don’t care about anyone but themselves. They will not come.”
“I will ask the elves.”
“The elves?” She sat back slightly, the word like poison on her tongue. “They’re just as reclusive as men, and they have no reason to help us.”
“They’re preparing to take on King Lux. They need as many allies as they can get for the war about to ensue. Help me escape, and I will return with the elves to liberate you, to cleanse the invaders from the mountain you call home. In exchange, you will fight with us.”
“That’s two favors for the price of one—I know my math.”
“Bringing an army to rid the plague that’s infested your mountain is more than the equivalent of two favors. You know numbers, but I know what those numbers are worth.”
Megora turned quiet, her long nails tapping against the wooden table between them. “I’ve lived under this mountain for a long
time, indifferent to the happenings of Anastille, but I’m not stupid. The elves hate men as much as they hate dragons. And you’re telling me General Rush can just march into their forest and call for aid?”
“Well, it wouldn’t happen like that. I have a powerful ally among the elves. She can make it happen.”
“But there’s no guarantee.”
“Nothing in life is guaranteed. But I promise you, I will do everything I can to make this happen.”
“And if the elves deny your request?”
Rush gave a shrug. “I’ll figure out another way. Flare and I can do a lot of damage just from the air. Lure them aboveground and torch them to smithereens.”
Her eyes were a striking blue but seemed to be covered with a permanent film of dust. Dirt from the rocks. Grime from the mold adhered to the surfaces. Slightly green from the stones that illuminated the caves. “I’m putting our fate into your hands, Rush. Do you understand that?”
“I do.”
“You’re asking me to trust you, when the entirety of human history has proven how untrustworthy you are.”
“I’m not like them—anymore.”
“I can ask the few Durgin we have to sacrifice themselves in the hope that you return with the forces we need to save the rest of us. But do you understand the weight of that request? I’m asking my men to literally die for yours.”
“Either a few die now, or you all die later. Not to sound heartless, but that’s your reality. I’m sorry.”
After a heavy stare with sagged shoulders, she gave a nod. “I will grant your request.”
Told you.
Flare released a sigh of relief.
“When can we leave?”
“I must speak to the Durgin first. I will not order anyone to their deaths. It must be voluntary.”
“I understand.”
“But it shouldn’t take long to receive the answer.”
“You’ll need to unfuse from Talc so she can refuse with Bridge. Is there a cavern large enough for us to do that?”
A long stare ensued. “Talc will not be going with you.”
Grrrrrrrr.
Rush sized up his opponent, realizing her presence was far bigger than her height. “We already established that she can’t stay here.”