Scales and Flames

by Catherine Banks

  A saffron halo flared out scything over the cobbles sucking in sound and air. Everything froze in a snapshot of the blast. Wolves caught in mid-stride. Soldiers running for cover. Bab Yaga holding up her staff with a thin crescent of shimmering opal light arcing from it.

  Then time ran to catch itself.

  Fire vaporised those who hadn’t made cover or stood exposed. The explosion that followed the ravenous flame slammed everything away from the centre to the embrace of unyielding structures. Bab Yaga’s body smashed into the base of the Curtain Wall. Some of its towers and merlons shattered and broken brick and fractured timbers lashed the land beyond the Palace. Some buildings near the Grand Courtyard twisted and fell to the ground. The crofters’ cottage disintegrated, its walls pushed away by the pressure. All that was left were charred remains of wattle and daub and smashed furniture. The chicken leg stood up, took a few hops towards the gate, then wobbled briefly before falling back to earth. It twitched a few times then ceased to be.

  Seven

  It seemed to take forever. The troll’s charred cadaver pressed down on Hanna, squeezing her to the cobbles and every breath was a hard-won battle. It was that struggle that helped her regain consciousness. The acrid scent of the dead troll, his sweat and unkempt hygiene and burned flesh, invaded her mouth and lungs with every breath. Her right side sang with pain where Bab Yaga’s minions had dug for Wokwan’s heart. But at last, the corpse rolled away and breathing became easier. Numo touched her shoulder. “M’lady, how are you?”

  She nodded. “I’m. I’m fine. Where’s my Mika?”

  Numo looked up. “I believe he’s well, m’lady.”

  Hanna eased herself up, wincing as she did.

  “Easy now, my Champion.” A warm voice brushed her ear as a gentle pair of hands held her. Princess Kai knelt beside her, her face and apparel plastered in dust and dirt. The silk gown hung in shreds over her shoulders. And behind her stood a concerned Mika.

  It was a scene of carnage. Mist or smoke drifted over the Grand Courtyard. The Curtain Wall remained, but much of the top was flat and bodies hung from the ramparts. Bodies lay everywhere: men and wolves. Woman wailed as they went from corpse to corpse. Hanna glanced at the pile of rubble that once was a cottage with its leg lolling on the stones half-way to the gate. Soldiers picked through the debris. They found Bab Yaga’s body bashed against the Curtain Wall, her skull crushed in. Her confederate, Skrawan, had tried to flee as the battle raged. When the sorceress summoned her wolves and blew the gate in, the Jienhuren was mere feet from the explosion. A large arrow-shaped splinter sliced open his abdomen from crotch to chest and he bled to death under the wolves’ racing paws.

  “Mika!” Hanna cried when she saw her brother safe.

  The Captain of the Guard caught her shoulders. “Take it easy, m’lady.”

  Mika ran forward and fell on his sister, sobbing his heart out over her tattered mourning, and Princess Kai told Hanna how she grabbed Mika and they fell to floor expecting death, when a cupboard tumbled on top of them. Its doors splayed, and the thing enveloped the three of them – Princes Kai, Mika and the Captain – protecting them as Bab Yaga’s home disintegrated. As Princess Kai finished her story, her eyes fell on the dragon.

  Wokwan lay on her side not moving, her lungs barely lifting scales. Her hardened hide had absorbed much of the blast, but her flesh was torn open from her jaw down her long throat. A few claws were gone and only a bloody stump remained at the end of one leg. Wokwan’s eyes were shut tight. Princess Kai’s hand caressed the dragon’s head, stroking back the matted whiskers, as a tear fell upon a cheek. “It is said a dragon’s tear can cure all manner of injury. Why can a Princess’s not do the same for her dearest friend?”

  Close up, Kai could see Wokwan’s jaw bone jutting from the scales and some of her teeth were fractured and missing.

  “Wokwan. Wokwan, my dear friend. Don’t leave me.”

  Everyone has their moment, their end, and dragons are no exception.

  Wokwan didn’t move, yet Princess Kai heard her. “But, Wokwan, I need you.”

  I need you, Your Highness. I need your help.

  “Anything, my friend. I am your servant. What is it you wish me to do?”

  You will always and only be my beautiful friend, my Princess. Listen to me.

  “Speak, please. I hear you.”

  Take my hearts. Take... take my hearts to the ancient lands across the Opaque Seas, to the home of my ancestors. Take them there and bury them in the Oval Cavern under Mount Chirruf. You must do this for me. Please.

  Princess Kai stroked the long snout and brushed the blood-coated whiskers. “I will, my friend. I will,” she said. Then Wokwan breathed her last.

  Epilogue

  Princess Kai stood on the steps and looked over the Grand Courtyard, at the mess, the damage. At the carnage. Hanna and Mika stepped up to her.

  “Your Highness,” said Hanna. “Thank you. You saved Mika’s life.”

  Princess Kai turned to her and smiled. “My champion does not need to call me Highness, Hanna. Come, both of you, let us be away from this hell.”

  It took a year to make ready for the journey and for the affairs of state to be set in order. Princess Kai entrusted the Seals of Office to a popular Kanto-Jien from the City, a high priest from the Shiin Temple, and General Tuden of the Palace Imperial Guard. Numo volunteered to accompany them, as did a dozen Imperial Guardsmen, including the Captain, who’d fought through Wokwan’s final battle.

  A large junk was commissioned to sail across the vast unknown Opaque Seas, to the lands of Wokwan’s ancestors. The High Admiral of the Imperial Fleet chose the design of the vessel himself and selected a Tudihgai man-o-war to escort it. A flotilla of six other ships would also accompany them as far as the horizon. Few had attempted this journey, and fewer still had returned. One such expedition, a thousand years before, had brought the egg back that hatched Wokwan.

  As the flotilla crept from Xai City’s harbour, Princess Kai stood on the aft deck of the junk listening to the water slap against its sides. Hanna took her place at Kai’s side. She recalled the day she’d sailed to Setchii Island. It was a day much like that one with high cloud and a stiff, cold breeze.

  Princess Kai turned to Hanna. She smiled warmly to her Champion and squeezed her hand. Together they would make this pilgrimage and take Wokwan home. Mika insisted on staying with his sister, no matter what the danger. Hanna was all he had left in the world and she didn’t want to leave him either. Princess Kai could hardly argue with them. So, reluctantly, she agreed to let him go.

  Sheet sails unfurled. The vessel caught the wind. Its bows cut through the swell and the long, long voyage began. Where the expedition would lead them, none could guess or imagine.

  About the Author

  ABOUT MALEK MONTAG

  I have been writing on and off for the past thirty years, learning and perfecting my craft and always striving to be better than my best by gleaning through self-help books and from other authors’ skills and tips to take my work forward.

  Recently, I have taken the self-publication route with two collections of erotic romance short stories.

  Voyeur: And Other Stories

  Forbidden Fruit Anthology

  Hot Pants Anthology

  Forthcoming titles to look out for: O, Come to Me; The Model (both later this year)

  I also write in the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres. Look out for more coming soon;

  The American (Horror); Five Dark Run (Sci-Fi); Doctor Swain’s Rainbow of Remedies (Fantasy);

  Or check out my two Channillo series, Orlova the Assassin and Trazz III.

  I live alone with my imagination and Money Tree in a not so spacious one-bunk Hilton, and spend my time working, writing, reading, and looking after my bestest pal in all the world, my son The Dude.

  I would love to hear from you. Speak soon. MM

  A SHIFT IN DESTINY BY CARMA HALEY SHOEMAKER

  A Shift in Destiny by Carma Hale
y Shoemaker

  Winning shouldn’t feel like dying.

  Hensley Eckard hates being a hero. She’s slain more dragons than any man in history, become the world’s most celebrated hunter—still, every victory suffocates her with the memory of her mother’s sacrifice and the need to justify her own existence. She yearns for the day when she can simply stop fighting. Walk away. Leave the battle to others.

  Greylore Nugu hates being a prince. He has access to every luxury he could possibly imagine, except the one he truly wants: knowing that he is loved for himself, and not because his father is the king of the dragon-shifters.

  When a deadly situation puts Hensley in Greylore’s path, they’ll have to decide if hating their lives can lead to changing their whole world—and if peace between enemies will come from an undying love or an ultimate sacrifice.

  Romeo and Juliet meets Dragonriders of Pern in this brand-new urban fantasy tale from bestselling author Carma Haley Shoemaker. Get your copy today!

  A Shift in Destiny © Copyright 2018 Carma Haley Shoemaker

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Created with Vellum

  One

  Standing over my latest conquest, I watched the sun reflect off the scales, glimmering in orange and red. Blood continued to drain from the dragon’s wound at the corner of its eye. Only a handful of people are skilled enough to make such a shot. But I’m the only woman. It will make a nice trophy.

  One after another, the men of my father’s special guard, the Dragon Defense Force of Romsdale, passed by to offer their congratulatory words and handshakes. Reluctantly, I smiled and accepted their kudos, wishing I were invisible. I turned to make my way back to my horse, Aurora. Even in the heat of battle, she remained by my side. I ran my hand down her black coat, checking for wounds. She stomped her front foot and offered a nicker in greeting.

  “Hey there, beautiful,” I said. “I know, I know.” I rubbed Aurora’s chest several times. “You’re okay. We’re both okay.” Tucking my head against her muscular neck, I allowed my arms to fall at my sides. I was exhausted. I was exasperated. I was empty. I had nothing left to give anyone.

  “Captain Ekard,” I heard a voice behind me. My first impulse was to turn and plunge my sword into the sternum of whoever it was simply for bothering me. But I knew that would solve nothing. “Captain Ekard, are you all right?”

  “I’m fine,” I said sharply, my face still tucked against Aurora’s warm soft coat. “What do you want?”

  “The Commander is looking for you. He said to tell you—”

  “Tell my father I will be there in a few minutes.” That man never stops.

  “Yes, sir.” I heard footsteps moving away from me and let out a sigh.

  “Well, sweetheart,” I lifted my head and looked at the face of my beautiful horse. “I guess it’s time for my father to give me the same shitty speech he always does.” Aurora bobbed her head. “He’ll tell me it was a valiant kill, that the men are lucky to have me to look up to, and that he couldn’t ask for a finer soldier to lead his troops into battle against the demons of the world.” I chuckled at myself. “Maybe if I tell him I already gave myself the speech he’ll just let me go home.” Aurora let out a small whinny as I grabbed her reins. “Yep. I doubt it, too.” I let out a long, loud sigh as I began the daunting walk to my father’s command tent.

  The burnt orange tent sat in the middle of the scorched field. Men still dressed in chain mail and armor sat around several campfires on either side, while several others stood guard at the entrance. As I approached the tent, a teenaged boy stood and hurried in my direction.

  “Captain Ekard,” he said. His eyes were wide, his voice filled with enthusiasm, excitement, and eagerness. “Captain Ekard, would you like me to take care of your horse while you meet with the Commander? I work at the stables back home, and I take care of some of the other soldier’s horses.”

  “Yes, thank you,” I said. I tried not to stifle his excitement and offered him a forced grin. “Her name is Aurora. She will need water, grain, and see if you can find an apple. It helps to calm her.”

  “I’ll take good care of her.” I held out Aurora’s reins and the teen gently took them from my hand. “I promise.”

  I nodded at him, patted Aurora’s side and moved toward the tent entrance.

  “Hello, Aurora.” I heard him behind me. “Let’s get you some fresh water, and then I’ll find you that apple. How’s that sound?” His tone was sincere. She’ll be okay. He’s not Marcum, but she seems to be okay with him. I caught sight of my father inside the tent. But, I don’t know if I will be.

  The Commander and his generals were gathered around a large table at one end of the tent. Their armor clanked as the group turned at my entrance.

  “Gentlemen,” the Commander said. He made eye contact with me and the post-kill routine began. “If you will excuse us.” The men said nothing as they turned and filed out. Each nodded their acknowledgment as they passed, leaving me alone with my father.

  “Commander,” I said, putting my hands behind my back. I nodded to offer my respect. I might not like my position, but he was still my father.

  “Join me,” he said, motioning me toward the table. I took in a deep breath and forced myself to step forward. I watched his face for some type of reaction or emotion. I saw nothing. His eyes watched me for a moment but then returned to the items laid out before him on the table.

  I stood beside my father and waited for it. The blind touch. The speech. The words absent of any type of feeling. “It was a valiant kill,” the Commander said. He put his hand on my shoulder, his eyes never looking up from the table. “The men are lucky to have you to look up to.” Is this shit written down somewhere? Is he reading a script? “I couldn’t ask for a finer soldier to lead my troops into battle against the demons of the world.” Yep. Word for word. Great job, Dad.

  The Commander pulled his hand away and slowly walked around the table, studying the map that was laid out before him. The battleplan. His master battleplan. It was how he was going to ensure that every single dragon was destroyed, protecting the country from their kind forever. At least that’s how he had explained it to me over and over and over again. I’ve heard the stories since I was a small child.

  “We have made some changes to our plan of attack,” the Commander said. I nodded, unsure what response he wanted from me. I was tired and wanted to get out of this armor and into a hot bath. “Be sure to check in with me when you return to the compound. I will need to bring you up to speed.”

  “I will, Commander,” I responded. A beautiful young woman walked in carrying a tray. I could smell the coffee and the chocolate. The commander’s victory celebration. He ogled her as she placed the items on a small table next to a large chair near the far end of the tent. I moved to block his view. “Will there be anything else, Commander?” I asked, offering a disapproving glare. I knew he wouldn’t care, or even notice, my displeasure. The girl, however, noticed my intervention and quickly exited the tent.

  “Nothing for you at the moment,” the Commander replied. He turned away and began removing his armor, placing it on a nearby cot. “But could you please s
end in General Nadda on your way out? Thank you.”

  I turned to leave, and spying the chocolate, grabbed two pieces before walking out of the tent. Taking a bite off one as I made my way out of the tent, I found the young woman my father had visually assaulted sitting outside the tent. I handed her the other piece.

  “Consider this a bonus for all the bullshit,” I said. She looked up at me, confused. “It’s okay. Really.” She slowly reached up and took the chocolate from my hand, looking back and forth as if searching for someone to rush up and snatch it from her. “Don’t worry.” I chuckled slightly. “If anyone says anything, you tell them I gave it to you and they can take it up with me.” she smiled and took a small bite.

  “Thank you,” she said. “You’re too kind.” I smiled, took another bite from my chocolate and walked away, feeling a little lighter.

  Two

  I felt like the walls were closing in, trapping me inside a prison of my father’s making. I looked at the men standing around the large table, my father was seated at the head. I no longer heard their words. The clanging and tinging of their armor plucked at every nerve in my body. Their voices were a mere buzzing in my ears. I closed my eyes and tried to center myself, to regain some sense of control. Instead, I began to feel dizzy. I grabbed the edge of the table to keep from toppling over.