“I suggest nothing of the sort,” Al Elan said. “Southeast I said. Travel through the Badlands until you reach my brother’s kingdom, then turn east. A great sea separates the Fire Kingdom from the Haunted Lands. You will have no trouble reaching the eastern ocean. I’ll wager I can convince my brother to have a ship laden with supplies waiting for your arrival.”
“There’s another ocean to the east?” Sir Collin said.
Al Elan chuckled. “Indeed, though both oceans are connected so you might as well say there’s only one. What say you, sir?”
“It seems a cowardly bit of sneaking, but if it helps us complete our mission, then I will consider it. If you will excuse me, my aides and I have much planning to do.” He spun and marched back toward their camp.
Marie-Bell moved to join them.
Sir Collin must have sensed her coming. He turned back and raised a hand. “Your presence is neither needed nor wanted. Just be ready to move when we’ve finalized our plans.”
And just like that they left her behind.
Damien put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “What a prick. You guys really need to put someone else in charge.”
“Most of those higher up in the Order received their position from Sir Collin. No one will go against him.”
Marie-Bell sighed. It was going to be a long trip.
Chapter Three
Sir Collin seethed as they made their way back to camp. He barely paid any attention to the rough road or the growing stench of rotting bodies. The archangels’ declaration that Marie-Bell had to accompany them occupied all his thoughts.
How could such wise and all-seeing beings remain blind to the girl’s uselessness? Other than a streak of luck a mile wide, what did she bring to the journey? What did Marie-Bell know about war and politics?
Nothing! That’s what she knew.
This wasn’t some pleasure trip. They had thousands of miles to cover. He doubted she was up to the task. His jaw ached from grinding his teeth.
A deep breath calmed his racing heart.
If she fell behind, they’d leave her. The angels could hardly blame him for Marie-Bell’s weakness. Her eventual failure would prove he was right all along.
Mallory, one of his personal guards, touched his sleeve. “Sir? We’re here.”
Everyone stared at him as they waited outside the command tent. Right, time to get down to business.
“Thank you, Mallory. Everyone except the regional commanders can begin breaking down our camp. With the battle over, there’s nothing to keep us here. Once I’ve selected those we’ll be taking on the quest, the rest of you will need to return to your regular duties. This emergency doesn’t end our day-to-day problems. The people will be counting on us even more than usual during this trying hour. Dismissed.”
A flurry of salutes filled the air before the rank and file dispersed to carry out his orders. When they’d gone, only the four regional commanders and his personal guards remained.
Sir Collin led them into the command tent. The interior held little in the way of personal property or furniture. A rectangular table surrounded by camp chairs filled the central area. His page had cleaned up the breakfast dishes and scrubbed the tabletop to an almost mirror shine before retiring to the small side room where he slept.
After a quick sigh, Sir Collin shrugged off the holy shield, leaned it against the table, and settled into the chair at the table’s head. He held himself rigidly upright, but resting his feet felt wonderful.
The regional commanders dropped into the empty chairs while Mallory and Jenkins took position behind him. Everyone looked expectantly at him. Couldn’t the useless fools think for themselves just this once?
Probably not, and Sir Collin didn’t want them getting into any bad habits. If they started thinking for themselves now, they might decide to do it again later, at a less convenient time.
Sir Collin cleared his throat. “Well, what did you think about the dragon’s suggestion that we take a southeastern route? Making the long flight wouldn’t be easy for any of us and arriving exhausted would leave the group vulnerable to attack.”
“I believe the dragons know far more about this world than we do and if they suggest the southern route, I’m inclined to take their suggestion,” Sir Aldren said.
The other commanders nodded their agreement.
“Also, if the Fire King can provide us with resources, we would be foolish not to take advantage,” Sir Gerard said. “The journey will be taxing enough as it is.”
“Very well,” Sir Collin said. “Moving on to personnel. I’ll be leading the mission so naturally Mallory and Jenkins will be joining me. Marie-Bell will be along as well, as if we don’t have enough baggage.”
That drew a chuckle from the others, but it wasn’t a laughing matter. If she jeopardized the mission, he’d never forgive her.
“For the remaining members,” Sir Collin continued, “I’ll need each of you to select four of your strongest and most loyal paladins. Only the best can go on this quest, especially given the stakes. You have until the tents are broken down to ready your people. Is there anything else?”
“Perhaps…” Sir Aldren cleared his throat and smoothed his thin mustache. “Perhaps we should leave the girl behind. For the good of the mission.”
“In direct disobedience of the archangels’ command?” Sir Gerard’s bushy eyebrows had risen so high they nearly merged with his short gray hair.
“It was only a thought,” Sir Aldren said.
Sir Collin raised his hands, a faint smile quirking his lips. “And not a bad thought at that, but we serve the angels and if they believe the girl is necessary, then she might be, despite what we know. Either way the die is cast. She will come with us. If it should prove that she is more burden than help as we fear, she can always be left behind.”
The four commanders rose, bowed, and made their way out of the tent. Sir Collin put an arm over his eyes. This quest would be his final mission. He felt it in his bones. He would find the dragon, gain its power, and save the world.
Sir Collin would retire as the greatest paladin in history. Statues would be erected in his image and for all time paladins would speak his name with awe.
It was destiny and no one, least of all some wisp of a girl, would keep him from his fate.
Chapter Four
Marie-Bell watched the last of her fellow paladins march out of sight. She hadn’t attempted to join them again. They made it perfectly clear she wasn’t welcome and Marie-Bell didn’t want to risk Sir Collin deciding to ignore Adonael’s decree and attempting to strip her of her power. Of course, once they set out it would be nineteen to one so she might still be in danger.
Not that she wanted to believe the others would go along with his plan, but just because she didn’t want to believe it, didn’t make it impossible.
“What will you do now?” King Andrew asked the three dragons.
“There is nothing we can do until Golden Dawn has chosen,” The Voice said. “I will return with the few survivors and make arrangements for the paladins’ transport. When the time comes I can travel anywhere necessary in hours.”
“You don’t even know if Sir Collin will follow your advice and travel south,” Damien said.
“Stupid as the human may be, even he must realize flying directly across the Western Ocean is suicide. No, they will travel through my kingdom and I intend to have my swiftest ship waiting for them at Port Crimson.” The Voice turned a hard glare on Marie-Bell. “You will need to travel through the Badlands then follow the coastal road east. Port Crimson is the northernmost port of any size. You can’t miss it. The ship’s name is Sea Wing and her captain will be expecting you and ready to sail at a moment’s notice.”
Marie-Bell bowed. “It’s very kind of you to provide us transport. Thank you.”
“Save your thanks. The success of your mission is every bit as vital to me as it is to everyone else.” The Voice gave Sig a final scowl. “We will finish our bu
siness another time.”
“In another thousand years I hope,” Jen muttered.
Marie-Bell swallowed a giggle. She hadn’t had anything to laugh about in a long time. It felt good.
The Voice gestured and her surviving warriors were wrapped in a sphere. She shot into the sky with her men and was soon out of sight. Everyone focused on the Ice Queen’s representative.
Sig shook his head. “I will depart as well. It is far too warm here for my liking. As with my brother, when the time comes I will return to do my part.”
He departed with the still-living ogres. Marie-Bell needed to grab her bag out of the tent King Andrew had been kind enough to lend her. She was in a deep enough hole with Sir Collin already. Keeping him waiting wouldn’t do her any favors.
Of course, given how much he seemed to hate her, a little wait probably wouldn’t make that much difference. She was the one that knew where they were going after all.
“My chosen will remain above ground,” Dreamer said. “Should you for some reason need to contact me he will provide a convenient conduit. In the meantime I shall endeavor to spy on the Binder. If I learn anything useful I will pass it along.”
Al Elan shuddered and rubbed his eyes. “I never imagined having another mind sharing my skull would be so awkward. It’s like when I leave my body and watch myself sleeping, only I’m walking around and talking.”
“I need to gather my things,” Marie-Bell said. “Excuse me.”
She started down the road back to camp. About halfway there Al Elan jogged up beside her. “Dreamer says you’re going to have a tough time during your trip. If you want I can try and visit you in your dreams, you know, keep you up to date on what’s happening here.”
Marie-Bell’s heart leapt at the idea of having at least one friendly person to talk to, even if only when she slept. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
“I couldn’t, but Dreamer says I can now. One of my many new gifts. Hold still, I’m pretty sure I know how to do this.” He raised his hand and soul force as black as night gathered around his palm.
Marie-Bell flinched, but sensed no corruption. Black as it was, the dragon’s soul force was pure.
A lance of energy shot out and pierced her breast. It didn’t hurt but her whole body tingled for a few seconds.
“There, I left a tiny fragment of my soul force inside you. With that connection my spirit form can find you anywhere. Good luck.” Al Elan jogged back toward Damien and the others.
Marie-Bell touched her chest where the energy struck. Somehow she doubted that would be the strangest thing that happened over the next few months, though she wouldn’t complain if it was.
When she reached the kingdom camp, soldiers were bustling around, breaking down tents and preparing to travel. She ducked around a wagon loaded with supplies and hurried to her tent before someone made off with it. It was a little thing, maybe ten by ten, the only furniture a cot and narrow trunk. Her battered and ill-used pack sat on the cot right where she left it.
She shrugged it on and debated waiting with the king for Sir Collin to return. No, better to show that he couldn’t intimidate her. She left her tent and marched straight across the road to where the paladins busied themselves with their own packing. Everyone glanced her way as she passed, but Marie-Bell made a point of ignoring them. Let them think whatever they wanted to think. She refused to let it bother her.
When she reached Sir Collin’s tent his guards stood outside. Both men glared at her and she glared right back. As long as she stayed angry maybe she wouldn’t get scared.
The longest two minutes of her life passed before Sir Collin finally emerged. He looked her up and down before nodding. “You’re here early, good. The rest of the team has been selected. We determined that the dragon’s suggestion of a southern route would be best. All we need are directions to the ship we were promised and we can leave.”
“The Fire King gave me the directions before the Voice left.” Marie-Bell forced herself not to smile at Sir Collin’s surprised start. “It seemed the dragon was eager for his chosen to return quickly. The Ice Queen has recalled Sig as well.”
“Well enough. Give me the route and we’ll gather the others and be on our way. The sooner this mission is over, the better for everyone.”
Marie-Bell repeated what the Voice told her.
“That’s it?” Sir Collin asked. “No details, no bearings?”
“I’ve told you all I know, sir,” Marie-Bell said. “The Voice made it sound like we’d have no trouble finding the city. My assumption is that there’s only one road that follows the coast and if we follow it, we’ll reach the port soon enough.”
“Assumptions lead to foul-ups.” Sir Collin slapped his palm with his fist. “I like dealing in hard facts and details. But what can you expect when you’re dealing with a middleman. I’m certain we can overcome any issues. As long as you don’t hold us back, this mission should be simple enough.”
Marie-Bell doubted anything about this quest was going to be simple.
Chapter Five
Damien looked out over the tens of thousands of dead bodies and frowned. What in heaven’s name were they going to do with them all? It didn’t seem wise to bury them in the Golden Plains, but then again what did he know about farming? Maybe tons of rotting meat would help the soil.
“I hope no one expects us to deal with all those,” Jen said.
“You read my mind. At a minimum, you’d think the dragons’ chosen could have cleaned up after themselves. Talk about rude. I say we never invite them back.”
Jen grinned. “We didn’t invite them this time.”
“Enough gabbing, you two,” Uncle Andy said. “I’ll assign a division from each of the three armies to deal with the bodies. We need to get home and survey the grain silos.”
“Sounds exciting,” Damien said. “Though at this point as long as dragons aren’t involved, I’m up for anything.”
He turned to his sister. “Say, where’s your squad?”
“Edward is leading them on a final sweep of the area. If there are any stragglers, they’ll be dealt with. My second needs more practice leading. I figure this will be a good chance for him and it frees me up to go with you.”
Damien grinned. Any excuse to spend time with his sister suited him.
He paused and turned east. Twenty golden streaks shot skyward. Looked like the paladins were on their way. Hopefully they’d complete their mission before the Binder turned his attention on the kingdom.
“Think she’ll be okay?” Jen asked.
“Marie-Bell?” Damien asked. “Sure. She’s tougher than you’d think at first glance. Her boss is a real asshole though. I can’t figure out how he got to be in charge of the paladins.”
“Politics,” Uncle Andy said. “Sir Collin has a gift for it and his family is rich. That combination will take you far.”
The Crimson Legionnaires landed beside the group and the archmage’s second-in-command Nathanial asked, “Ready to go, Majesty?”
“Thank you, Nathanial, but I think Damien and Lidia can handle the transportation back if you want to go ahead.”
Nathanial’s expression darkened for a moment, but the look vanished so fast Damien figured he must have imagined it. Maybe he didn’t want to give up the prestige of guarding the king.
“I believe I’ll stay behind and help find a safe place to dispose of these corpses,” the archmage said. “There’s an old quarry in the mountains about a hundred miles north that should serve. We don’t want any corruption leaking into the water supply.”
“You might want to seal them up, Master,” Damien said. “I’d hate to think of a warlock getting their hands on that many corpses. We hardly need an army of undead roaming the countryside.”
“You read my mind, Damien,” the archmage said. “Keep an eye on Andrew and I’ll see to this.”
He wasn’t about to complain. Damien conjured a chariot big enough to accommodate Uncle Andy, Jen, and himself befo
re turning to Nathanial. “Want to fly along with us? Never hurts to have an extra sorcerer on hand.”
Nathanial’s expression brightened. “I’d like that, thank you.”
He’s hiding something.
Lizzy’s comment took Damien by surprise. Nathanial was as solid as they came.
The remaining five legionnaires took off and streaked away toward the capital. Damien, Jen, and Uncle Andy climbed aboard his construct.
When Nathanial took a step to join them Damien said, “Maybe you should fly on your own and watch our flanks.”
Nathanial nodded. “Good thinking.”
Damien looked at him for an extra second, trying to figure out what Lizzy had sensed. Finally he gave up and guided the chariot higher. When they were well above the tree line he shot forward.
“How fast do you want to get home?”
“How fast can you get us there?” Uncle Andy asked.
“Let’s find out.” Damien drew deep from himself and Lizzy and pushed.
To anyone looking up, the chariot probably resembled a comet blazing through the sky. Inside his windscreen Damien and the others felt nothing beyond an increased pressure in their chests. The roar of the wind blotted out everything.
“This is great!” Jen shouted, a huge smile splitting her face.
Uncle Andy smiled as well which Damien had hoped for. The king had had a lot to deal with lately and would have more to come. A little distraction wouldn’t hurt.
A flash of something on the ground brought him up short. Jen and Uncle Andy staggered with the sudden stop.
“What is it?” Jen had a hand on her hilt.
“Someone’s down there, hiding in the trees, a sorcerer who’s trying to suppress their soul force and doing a poor job of it.”
Nathanial finally caught up and said, “What’s wrong?”
Damien told him and he squinted at the ground. “I can barely sense them. Do you want me to protect the king while you check it out?”
Damien frowned at the suggestion. Before he could respond Uncle Andy said, “Best if we stick together. Take us down, Damien.”
On Blackened Wings Page 2